Clinical overview of promising nonthienopyridine antiplatelet agents

Three novel nonthienopyridine antiplatelet agents—cangrelor, ticagrelor (AZD6140), and SCH 530348—are in advanced clinical testing in patients with coronary artery disease. Cangrelor and ticagrelor are direct and reversible inhibitors of the platelet adenosine 5′-diphosphate P2Y12 receptor, whereas SCH 530348 is a thrombin receptor antagonist. Clinical data available to date for each of these compounds suggest that they have safety and efficacy profiles that will be advantageous to patients with acute coronary syndromes or undergoing percutaneous intervention. We review the clinical features of these new platelet inhibition therapies.