Ca(2+) release-activated Ca(2+) channel inhibitors.

Ca(2+) release-activated Ca(2+) (CRAC) channels are becoming important targets for therapeutic intervention in several areas of disease, including immunology, allergy and cancer. In parallel to the progression towards reliable methods for measuring CRAC currents and their inhibition, patents have been generated by several companies. In this Patent Review, an analysis of the patents in the CRAC channel inhibition filed is presented. A discussion of the biological methods used in the patents is included. The general interest in this area is growing fast with almost 80% of the patents issued after 2010.