1
|
Lescoat A, Roofeh D, Kuwana M, Lafyatis R, Allanore Y, Khanna D. Therapeutic Approaches to Systemic Sclerosis: Recent Approvals and Future Candidate Therapies. Clin Rev Allergy Immunol 2023; 64:239-261. [PMID: 34468946 PMCID: PMC9034469 DOI: 10.1007/s12016-021-08891-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 08/24/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Systemic sclerosis is the rheumatic disease with the highest individual mortality. The severity of the disease is determined by the extent of fibrotic changes to cutaneous and internal organ tissues, the most life-threatening visceral manifestations being interstitial lung disease, SSc-associated-pulmonary arterial hypertension and myocardial involvement. The heterogeneity of the disease has initially hindered the design of successful clinical trials, but considerations on classification criteria have improved patient selection in trials, allowing the identification of more homogeneous groups of patients based on progressive visceral manifestations or the extent of skin involvement with a focus of patients with early disease. Two major subsets of systemic sclerosis are classically described: limited cutaneous systemic sclerosis characterized by distal skin fibrosis and the diffuse subset with distal and proximal skin thickening. Beyond this dichotomic subgrouping of systemic sclerosis, new phenotypic considerations based on antibody subtypes have provided a better understanding of the heterogeneity of the disease, anti-Scl70 antibodies being associated with progressive interstitial lung disease regardless of cutaneous involvement. Two targeted therapies, tocilizumab (a monoclonal antibody targeting interleukin-6 receptors (IL-6R)) and nintedanib (a tyrosine kinase inhibitor), have recently been approved by the American Food & Drug Administration to limit the decline of lung function in patients with SSc-associated interstitial lung disease, demonstrating that such better understanding of the disease pathogenesis with the identification of key targets can lead to therapeutic advances in the management of some visceral manifestations of the disease. This review will provide a brief overview of the pathogenesis of SSc and will present a selection of therapies recently approved or evaluated in this context. Therapies evaluated and approved in SSc-ILD will be emphasized and a review of recent phase II trials in diffuse cutaneous systemic sclerosis will be proposed. We will also discuss selected therapeutic pathways currently under investigation in systemic sclerosis that still lack clinical data in this context but that may show promising results in the future based on preclinical data.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Alain Lescoat
- Department of Internal Medicine and Clinical Immunology, Rennes University Hospital, Rennes, France
- Univ Rennes, CHU Rennes, Inserm, EHESP, Irset (Institut de Recherche en Santé, Environnement et Travail) - UMR_S 1085, Rennes, France
- Division of Rheumatology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
- Michigan Scleroderma Program, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - David Roofeh
- Division of Rheumatology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
- Michigan Scleroderma Program, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Masataka Kuwana
- Department of Allergy and Rheumatology, Nippon Medical School Graduate School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Robert Lafyatis
- Division of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Yannick Allanore
- INSERM U1016 and CNRS UMR8104, Institut Cochin, Paris, France
- Université de Paris, Université Paris Descartes, Paris, France
- Service de Rhumatologie, Hôpital Cochin, AP-HP.CUP, Paris, France
| | - Dinesh Khanna
- Division of Rheumatology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA.
- Michigan Scleroderma Program, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Ramer R, Hinz B. Cannabinoid Compounds as a Pharmacotherapeutic Option for the Treatment of Non-Cancer Skin Diseases. Cells 2022; 11:4102. [PMID: 36552866 PMCID: PMC9777118 DOI: 10.3390/cells11244102] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2022] [Revised: 10/19/2022] [Accepted: 10/25/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
The endocannabinoid system has been shown to be involved in various skin functions, such as melanogenesis and the maintenance of redox balance in skin cells exposed to UV radiation, as well as barrier functions, sebaceous gland activity, wound healing and the skin's immune response. In addition to the potential use of cannabinoids in the treatment and prevention of skin cancer, cannabinoid compounds and derivatives are of interest as potential systemic and topical applications for the treatment of various inflammatory, fibrotic and pruritic skin conditions. In this context, cannabinoid compounds have been successfully tested as a therapeutic option for the treatment of androgenetic alopecia, atopic and seborrhoeic dermatitis, dermatomyositis, asteatotic and atopic eczema, uraemic pruritis, scalp psoriasis, systemic sclerosis and venous leg ulcers. This review provides an insight into the current literature on cannabinoid compounds as potential medicines for the treatment of skin diseases.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Burkhard Hinz
- Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Rostock University Medical Centre, Schillingallee 70, D-18057 Rostock, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Badiola I, Doshi A, Narouze S. Cannabis, cannabinoids, and cannabis-based medicines: future research directions for analgesia. Reg Anesth Pain Med 2022; 47:rapm-2021-103109. [PMID: 35534020 DOI: 10.1136/rapm-2021-103109] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2021] [Accepted: 04/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
The use of cannabis spans thousands of years and encompasses almost all dimensions of the human experience, including consumption for recreational, religious, social, and medicinal purposes. Its use in the management of pain has been anecdotally described for millennia. However, an evidence base has only developed over the last 100 years, with an explosion in research occurring in the last 20-30 years, as more states in the USA as well as countries worldwide have legalized and encouraged its use in pain management. Pain remains one of the most common reasons for individuals deciding to use cannabis medicinally. However, cannabis remains illegal at the federal level in the USA and in most countries of the world, making it difficult to advance quality research on its efficacy for pain treatment. Nonetheless, new products derived both from the cannabis plant and the chemistry laboratory are being developed for use as analgesics. This review examines the current landscape of cannabinoids research and future research directions in the management of pain.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ignacio Badiola
- Anesthesiology & Critical Care, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Amit Doshi
- Anesthesiology & Critical Care, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Samer Narouze
- Center for Pain Medicine, Western Reserve Hospital, Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio, USA
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Tiberi M, Evron T, Saracini S, Boffa L, Mercuri NB, Chintalacharuvu SR, Atamas SP, Chiurchiù V. Potent T cell-mediated anti-inflammatory role of the selective CB2 agonist lenabasum in multiple sclerosis. Neuropathol Appl Neurobiol 2021; 48:e12768. [PMID: 34543449 DOI: 10.1111/nan.12768] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2021] [Revised: 08/27/2021] [Accepted: 09/14/2021] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Lenabasum is a synthetic cannabinoid receptor type-2 (CB2) agonist able to exert potent anti-inflammatory effects, but its role on T cells remains unknown. OBJECTIVES The present study was undertaken to investigate anti-inflammatory mechanisms of lenabasum in T lymphocyte subsets and its in vivo therapeutic efficacy in experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE). METHODS Mononuclear cells from 17 healthy subjects (HS) and 25 relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) patients were activated in presence or absence of lenabasum and analysed by flow cytometry and qRT-PCR. EAE mice were treated with lenabasum, and clinical score and neuroinflammation were evaluated. RESULTS Lenabasum significantly reduced TNF-a production from CD4+ T cells and CD8+ T cells in a dose-dependent manner in both HS and RRMS patients. In MS patients, lenabasum also reduced activation marker CD25 and inhibited IL-2 production from both T cell subsets and IFN-γ and IL-17 from committed Th1 and Th17 cells, respectively. These effects were blocked by the pretreatment with selective CB2 inverse agonist SR144528. In vivo treatment of EAE mice with lenabasum significantly ameliorated disease severity, reduced neuroinflammation and demyelination in spinal cord. CONCLUSION Lenabasum exerts potent T cell-mediated immunomodulatory effects, suggesting CB2 as a promising pharmacological target to counteract neuroinflammation in MS.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Marta Tiberi
- Laboratory of Resolution of Neuroinflammation, IRCCS Santa Lucia Foundation, Rome, Italy
| | - Tama Evron
- Department of Discovery and Preclinical Development, Corbus Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Norwood, MA, USA
| | - Stefano Saracini
- Laboratory of Resolution of Neuroinflammation, IRCCS Santa Lucia Foundation, Rome, Italy
| | - Laura Boffa
- Neurology Unit, Tor Vergata Hospital, Rome, Italy
| | - Nicola Biagio Mercuri
- Neurology Unit, Tor Vergata Hospital, Rome, Italy.,Department of Experimental Neuroscience, IRCCS Santa Lucia Foundation, Rome, Italy
| | - Subba R Chintalacharuvu
- Department of Discovery and Preclinical Development, Corbus Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Norwood, MA, USA
| | - Sergei P Atamas
- Department of Discovery and Preclinical Development, Corbus Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Norwood, MA, USA
| | - Valerio Chiurchiù
- Laboratory of Resolution of Neuroinflammation, IRCCS Santa Lucia Foundation, Rome, Italy.,Institute of Translational Pharmacology, National Research Council, Rome, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
García-Martín A, Navarrete C, Garrido-Rodríguez M, Prados ME, Caprioglio D, Appendino G, Muñoz E. EHP-101 alleviates angiotensin II-induced fibrosis and inflammation in mice. Biomed Pharmacother 2021; 142:112007. [PMID: 34385107 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2021.112007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2021] [Revised: 07/14/2021] [Accepted: 08/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Some cannabinoids showed anti-inflammatory and antifibrotic activities. EHP-101 is an oral lipidic formulation of the novel non-psychotropic cannabidiol aminoquinone VCE-004.8, which showed antifibrotic activity in murine models of systemic sclerosis induced by bleomycin. We herein examined the effect of EHP-101 on cardiac and other organ fibrosis in a mouse model induced by Angiotensin II. VCE-004.8 inhibited TGFβ- and Ang II-induced myofibroblast differentiation in cardiac fibroblasts detected by α-SMA expression. VCE-004.8 also inhibited Ang II-induced ERK 1 + 2 phosphorylation, NFAT activation and mRNA expression of IL1β, IL6, Col1A2 and CCL2 in cardiac fibroblasts. Mice infused with Ang II resulted in collagen accumulation in left ventricle, aortic, dermal, renal and pulmonary tissues; oral administration of EHP-101, Ajulemic acid and Losartan improved these phenotypes. In myocardial tissue, Ang II induced infiltration of T cells and macrophages together with the accumulation of collagen and Tenascin C; those were all reduced by either EHP-101 or Losartan treatment. Cardiac tissue RNA-Seq analyses revealed a similar transcriptomic signature for both treatments for inflammatory and fibrotic pathways. However, the gene set enrichment analysis comparing data from EHP-101 vs Losartan showed specific hallmarks modified only by EHP-101. Specifically, EHP-101 inhibited the expression of genes such as CDK1, TOP2A and MKi67 that are regulated to the E2 factor family of transcription factors. This study suggests that the oral administration of EHP-101 prevents and inhibits cardiac inflammation and fibrosis. Furthermore, EHP-101 inhibits renal, pulmonary and dermal fibrosis. EHP-101 could offer new opportunities in the treatment of cardiac fibrosis and other fibrotic diseases.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Martin Garrido-Rodríguez
- Departamento de Biología Celular, Fisiología e Inmunología, Universidad de Córdoba, Spain; Instituto Maimónides de Investigación Biomédica de Córdoba, Spain; Hospital Universitario Reina Sofía, Córdoba, Spain
| | | | - Diego Caprioglio
- Dipartimento di Scienze del Farmaco, Università del Piemonte Orientale, Novara, Italy
| | - Giovanni Appendino
- Dipartimento di Scienze del Farmaco, Università del Piemonte Orientale, Novara, Italy
| | - Eduardo Muñoz
- Emerald Health Pharmaceuticals, San Diego, USA; Departamento de Biología Celular, Fisiología e Inmunología, Universidad de Córdoba, Spain; Instituto Maimónides de Investigación Biomédica de Córdoba, Spain; Hospital Universitario Reina Sofía, Córdoba, Spain.
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Pachman LM, Nolan BE, DeRanieri D, Khojah AM. Juvenile Dermatomyositis: New Clues to Diagnosis and Therapy. CURRENT TREATMENT OPTIONS IN RHEUMATOLOGY 2021; 7:39-62. [PMID: 34354904 PMCID: PMC8336914 DOI: 10.1007/s40674-020-00168-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 12/17/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW To identify clues to disease activity and discuss therapy options. RECENT FINDINGS The diagnostic evaluation includes documenting symmetrical proximal muscle damage by exam and MRI, as well as elevated muscle enzymes-aldolase, creatine phosphokinase, LDH, and SGOT-which often normalize with a longer duration of untreated disease. Ultrasound identifies persistent, occult muscle inflammation. The myositis-specific antibodies (MSA) and myositis-associated antibodies (MAA) are associated with specific disease course variations. Anti-NXP-2 is found in younger children and is associated with calcinosis; anti-TIF-1γ+ juvenile dermatomyositis has a longer disease course. The diagnostic rash-involving the eyelids, hands, knees, face, and upper chest-is the most persistent symptom and is associated with microvascular compromise, reflected by loss of nailfold (periungual) end row capillaries. This loss is associated with decreased bioavailability of oral prednisone; the bioavailability of other orally administered medications should also be considered. At diagnosis, at least 3 days of intravenous methyl prednisolone may help control the HLA-restricted and type 1/2 interferon-driven inflammatory process. The requirement for avoidance of ultraviolet light exposure mandates vitamin D supplementation. SUMMARY This often chronic illness targets the cardiovascular system; mortality has decreased from 30 to 1-2% with corticosteroids. New serological biomarkers indicate occult inflammation: ↑CXCL-10 predicts a longer disease course. Some biologic therapies appear promising.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lauren M. Pachman
- Northwestern Feinberg School of Medicine, Divisions of Pediatric Rheumatology, Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
- Cure JM Center of Excellence in Juvenile Myositis Research and Care, The Stanley Manne Research Center for Children, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Brian E. Nolan
- Northwestern Feinberg School of Medicine, Divisions of Pediatric Rheumatology, Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Deidre DeRanieri
- Northwestern Feinberg School of Medicine, Divisions of Pediatric Rheumatology, Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Amer M. Khojah
- Northwestern Feinberg School of Medicine, Divisions of Pediatric Rheumatology, Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
- Division of Allergy/Immunology, Chicago, IL, USA, Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a life-threatening autoimmune disease that causes debilitating skin fibrosis. The skin in SSc is easily accessible, and skin biopsies may provide rich biological data regarding underlying disease pathophysiology. Here, we review literature relevant to the potential for skin histology to serve as a diagnostic, pharmacokinetic/response, and predictive biomarker in SSc. RECENT FINDINGS Multiple histologic parameters correlate with SSc severity, including alpha smooth muscle actin (aSMA), CD34, collagen density, thickness, and inflammatory cell infiltration. Recent clinical trials incorporate skin histology as exploratory outcome measurements; however, a standard approach is not yet established. The possibility that skin histology may be useful as a predictive biomarker was suggested by a recent study that identified genes related to skin aSMA and CD34 staining intensity that were increased at baseline among improvers versus nonimprovers. Current literature supports skin histology as a mechanism to measure treatment response, but future work is needed to define minimally meaningful changes in key SSc skin histologic features.
Collapse
|
8
|
Understanding Fibrosis in Systemic Sclerosis: Novel and Emerging Treatment Approaches. Curr Rheumatol Rep 2020; 22:77. [DOI: 10.1007/s11926-020-00953-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 09/04/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
|