Inhibition of receptor-interacting serine/threonine-protein kinase 2 (RIPK2) has been previously described as a promising strategy for the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease, as RIPK2 is a key player in the signaling leading to bacterial peptidoglycan (PGN)-induced inflammation and it amplifies pro-inflammatory responses in the intestine.
CVI Pharmaceuticals has presented preclinical data on their thyroid hormone receptor beta (THRB) selective agonist CVI-2742 for the potential treatment of NASH. Selective activation of the THRB contributes to ameliorating the symptoms of nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), such as liver inflammation and fibrosis, hepatocyte ballooning and liver steatosis.
Researchers from Ipsen Ltd. and affiliated organizations presented the discovery and preclinical characterization of a novel NTCP inhibitor, A-7387, being developed for the treatment of HBV and HDV infections.
Nonreceptor tyrosine-protein kinase TYK2 plays key roles in the signaling of pro-inflammatory molecules such as IL-23, IL-12 or type I IFN, which at the same time play key roles in several immune-mediated diseases such as atopic dermatitis and psoriasis, among others.
It has been previously demonstrated that the two coding variants in the APOL1 gene (G1 and G2) are associated with a greater risk of progressive, proteinuric kidney disease; however, there currently are no therapies to address the causal genetic drivers of this disease. Researchers from Maze Therapeutics Inc. presented the discovery and preclinical characterization of a novel small-molecule inhibitor of APOL1, MZ-302, and they evaluated its efficacy in a new transgenic model of APOL1-mediated kidney disease (AKD).
Researchers from Aligos Therapeutics Inc. have presented the discovery and preclinical evaluation of a novel next-generation liver targeted PD-L1 small molecule inhibitor, ALG-094103, which is being developed for the treatment of chronic hepatitis B and liver cancer.
A new derivative of coumarin, a natural plant product abundant in cinnamon, could hold the key to healthy aging. Researchers at the Buck Institute have shown that it extended life span and prevented neurodegenerative disease in worms and mice. The drug, a TFEB gene inducer called MIC, promoted mitochondria recycling (mitophagy) but also interacted with lysosomes, which could have multiple applications. The scientists published the results of this aging and mitophagy study on Nov. 13, 2023, in Nature Aging.
G1 and G2 genetic variants of the human APOL1 gene have been previously associated with an increased risk of developing chronic kidney diseases (CKD) in the African American population, and recent studies have shown that inhibition of APOL1 ion channel function could represent a novel therapeutic strategy for the treatment of patients with APOL1-like nephropathies.
The aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) is a ligand-activated transcription factor involved in tumor initiation, progression, and metastasis whose endogenous ligands are highly expressed in the tumor microenvironment of aggressive tumors.
Antibiotic resistance represents a global threat that leads to high morbidity and mortality. There is an urgent need for new strategies to combat persistent and resistant bacteria.