Farnesyltransferase inhibitor
![Skeletal formula of tipifarnib (R115777), a farnesyltransferase inhibitor that reached Phase III clinical trials](/Images/godic/202501/12/Tipifarnib4252.png")
![Untreated cells from children with the genetic disease progeria (left) compared to similar cells treated with farnesyltransferase inhibitors (FTIs). In vitro, FTIs reverse the nuclear damage caused by the disease.](/Images/godic/202501/12/Progeria37-724252.jpg")
![Confocal microscopy photographs of the descending aortas of two 15-month-old progeria mice, one untreated (left picture) and the other treated with the farnsyltransferase inhibitor drug tipifarnib (right picture). The microphotographs show prevention of the vascular smooth muscle cell loss that is otherwise rampant by this age. Staining was smooth muscle alpha-actin (green), lamins A/C (red) and DAPI (blue). (Original magnification, x 40)](/Images/godic/202501/12/Progeria20132-3004252.jpg")
The farnesyltransferase inhibitors (FTIs) are a class of experimental cancer drugs that target protein farnesyltransferase with the downstream effect of preventing the proper functioning of the Ras (protein), which is commonly abnormally active in cancer.