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Edzeamey FJ, Ramchunder Z, Pourzand C, Anjomani Virmouni S. Emerging antioxidant therapies in Friedreich's ataxia. Front Pharmacol 2024; 15:1359618. [PMID: 38379897 PMCID: PMC10876797 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2024.1359618] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2023] [Accepted: 01/25/2024] [Indexed: 02/22/2024] Open
Abstract
Friedreich's ataxia (FRDA) is a rare childhood neurologic disorder, affecting 1 in 50,000 Caucasians. The disease is caused by the abnormal expansion of the GAA repeat sequence in intron 1 of the FXN gene, leading to the reduced expression of the mitochondrial protein frataxin. The disease is characterised by progressive neurodegeneration, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, diabetes mellitus and musculoskeletal deformities. The reduced expression of frataxin has been suggested to result in the downregulation of endogenous antioxidant defence mechanisms and mitochondrial bioenergetics, and the increase in mitochondrial iron accumulation thereby leading to oxidative stress. The confirmation of oxidative stress as one of the pathological signatures of FRDA led to the search for antioxidants which can be used as therapeutic modality. Based on this observation, antioxidants with different mechanisms of action have been explored for FRDA therapy since the last two decades. In this review, we bring forth all antioxidants which have been investigated for FRDA therapy and have been signed off for clinical trials. We summarise their various target points in FRDA disease pathway, their performances during clinical trials and possible factors which might have accounted for their failure or otherwise during clinical trials. We also discuss the limitation of the studies completed and propose possible strategies for combinatorial therapy of antioxidants to generate synergistic effect in FRDA patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fred Jonathan Edzeamey
- Ataxia Research Group, Division of Biosciences, Department of Life Sciences, College of Health, Medicine, and Life Sciences (CHMLS), Brunel University London, Uxbridge, United Kingdom
| | - Zenouska Ramchunder
- Ataxia Research Group, Division of Biosciences, Department of Life Sciences, College of Health, Medicine, and Life Sciences (CHMLS), Brunel University London, Uxbridge, United Kingdom
| | - Charareh Pourzand
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Bath, Bath, United Kingdom
- Centre for Therapeutic Innovation, University of Bath, Bath, United Kingdom
| | - Sara Anjomani Virmouni
- Ataxia Research Group, Division of Biosciences, Department of Life Sciences, College of Health, Medicine, and Life Sciences (CHMLS), Brunel University London, Uxbridge, United Kingdom
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Murer L, Volle R, Andriasyan V, Petkidis A, Gomez-Gonzalez A, Yang L, Meili N, Suomalainen M, Bauer M, Policarpo Sequeira D, Olszewski D, Georgi F, Kuttler F, Turcatti G, Greber UF. Identification of broad anti-coronavirus chemical agents for repurposing against SARS-CoV-2 and variants of concern. CURRENT RESEARCH IN VIROLOGICAL SCIENCE 2022; 3:100019. [PMID: 35072124 PMCID: PMC8760634 DOI: 10.1016/j.crviro.2022.100019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2021] [Revised: 01/04/2022] [Accepted: 01/04/2022] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
Endemic human coronaviruses (hCoVs) 229E and OC43 cause respiratory disease with recurrent infections, while severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS)-CoV-2 spreads across the world with impact on health and societies. Here, we report an image-based multicycle infection procedure with α-coronavirus hCoV-229E-eGFP in an arrayed chemical library screen of 5440 clinical and preclinical compounds. Toxicity counter selection and challenge with the β-coronaviruses OC43 and SARS-CoV-2 in tissue culture and human airway epithelial explant cultures (HAEEC) identified four FDA-approved compounds with oral availability. Methylene blue (MB, used for the treatment of methemoglobinemia), Mycophenolic acid (MPA, used in organ transplantation) and the anti-fungal agent Posaconazole (POS) had the broadest anti-CoV spectrum. They inhibited the shedding of SARS-CoV-2 and variants-of-concern (alpha, beta, gamma, delta) from HAEEC in either pre- or post exposure regimens at clinically relevant concentrations. Co-treatment of cultured cells with MB and the FDA-approved SARS-CoV-2 RNA-polymerase inhibitor Remdesivir reduced the effective anti-viral concentrations of MB by 2-fold, and Remdesivir by 4 to 10-fold, indicated by BLISS independence synergy modelling. Neither MB, nor MPA, nor POS affected the cell delivery of SARS-CoV-2 or OC43 (+)sense RNA, but blocked subsequent viral RNA accumulation in cells. Unlike Remdesivir, MB, MPA or POS did not reduce the release of viral RNA in post exposure regimen, thus indicating infection inhibition at a post-replicating step as well. In summary, the data emphasize the power of unbiased, full cycle compound screens to identify and repurpose broadly acting drugs against coronaviruses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luca Murer
- Department of Molecular Life Sciences, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 190, 8057, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Romain Volle
- Department of Molecular Life Sciences, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 190, 8057, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Vardan Andriasyan
- Department of Molecular Life Sciences, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 190, 8057, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Anthony Petkidis
- Department of Molecular Life Sciences, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 190, 8057, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Alfonso Gomez-Gonzalez
- Department of Molecular Life Sciences, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 190, 8057, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Liliane Yang
- Department of Molecular Life Sciences, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 190, 8057, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Nicole Meili
- Department of Molecular Life Sciences, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 190, 8057, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Maarit Suomalainen
- Department of Molecular Life Sciences, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 190, 8057, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Michael Bauer
- Department of Molecular Life Sciences, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 190, 8057, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Daniela Policarpo Sequeira
- Department of Molecular Life Sciences, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 190, 8057, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Dominik Olszewski
- Department of Molecular Life Sciences, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 190, 8057, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Fanny Georgi
- Department of Molecular Life Sciences, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 190, 8057, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Fabien Kuttler
- Biomolecular Screening Facility, School of Life Sciences, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), Station 15, 1015, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Gerardo Turcatti
- Biomolecular Screening Facility, School of Life Sciences, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), Station 15, 1015, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Urs F Greber
- Department of Molecular Life Sciences, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 190, 8057, Zurich, Switzerland
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Rodríguez LR, Lapeña T, Calap-Quintana P, Moltó MD, Gonzalez-Cabo P, Navarro Langa JA. Antioxidant Therapies and Oxidative Stress in Friedreich´s Ataxia: The Right Path or Just a Diversion? Antioxidants (Basel) 2020; 9:E664. [PMID: 32722309 PMCID: PMC7465446 DOI: 10.3390/antiox9080664] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2020] [Revised: 07/17/2020] [Accepted: 07/19/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Friedreich´s ataxia is the commonest autosomal recessive ataxia among population of European descent. Despite the huge advances performed in the last decades, a cure still remains elusive. One of the most studied hallmarks of the disease is the increased production of oxidative stress markers in patients and models. This feature has been the motivation to develop treatments that aim to counteract such boost of free radicals and to enhance the production of antioxidant defenses. In this work, we present and critically review those "antioxidant" drugs that went beyond the disease´s models and were approved for its application in clinical trials. The evaluation of these trials highlights some crucial aspects of the FRDA research. On the one hand, the analysis contributes to elucidate whether oxidative stress plays a central role or whether it is only an epiphenomenon. On the other hand, it comments on some limitations in the current trials that complicate the analysis and interpretation of their outcome. We also include some suggestions that will be interesting to implement in future studies and clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura R. Rodríguez
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, Universitat de València-INCLIVA, 46010 Valencia, Spain; (L.R.R.); (T.L.); (P.C.-Q.)
- Associated Unit for Rare Diseases INCLIVA-CIPF, 46010 Valencia, Spain
| | - Tamara Lapeña
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, Universitat de València-INCLIVA, 46010 Valencia, Spain; (L.R.R.); (T.L.); (P.C.-Q.)
- Associated Unit for Rare Diseases INCLIVA-CIPF, 46010 Valencia, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Raras (CIBERER), 46010 Valencia, Spain
| | - Pablo Calap-Quintana
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, Universitat de València-INCLIVA, 46010 Valencia, Spain; (L.R.R.); (T.L.); (P.C.-Q.)
- Associated Unit for Rare Diseases INCLIVA-CIPF, 46010 Valencia, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Raras (CIBERER), 46010 Valencia, Spain
| | - María Dolores Moltó
- Department of Genetics, Universitat de València-INCLIVA, 46100 Valencia, Spain;
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Salud Mental (CIBERSAM), 46100 Valencia, Spain
| | - Pilar Gonzalez-Cabo
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, Universitat de València-INCLIVA, 46010 Valencia, Spain; (L.R.R.); (T.L.); (P.C.-Q.)
- Associated Unit for Rare Diseases INCLIVA-CIPF, 46010 Valencia, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Raras (CIBERER), 46010 Valencia, Spain
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Barca E, Emmanuele V, DiMauro S, Toscano A, Quinzii CM. Anti-Oxidant Drugs: Novelties and Clinical Implications in Cerebellar Ataxias. Curr Neuropharmacol 2019; 17:21-32. [PMID: 29119930 PMCID: PMC6341493 DOI: 10.2174/1570159x15666171109125643] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2017] [Revised: 01/01/1970] [Accepted: 11/07/2017] [Indexed: 12/06/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Hereditary cerebellar ataxias are a group of disorders characterized by heterogeneous clinical manifestations, progressive clinical course, and diverse genetic causes. No disease modifying treatments are yet available for many of these disorders. Oxidative stress has been recurrently identified in different progressive cerebellar diseases, and it represents a widely investigated target for treatment. OBJECTIVE To review the main aspects and new perspectives of antioxidant therapy in cerebellar ataxias ranging from bench to bedside. METHOD This article is a summary of the state-of-the-art on the use of antioxidant molecules in cerebellar ataxia treatments. It also briefly summarizes aspects of oxidative stress production and general characteristics of antioxidant compounds. RESULTS Antioxidants represent a vast category of compounds; old drugs have been extensively studied and modified in order to achieve better biological effects. Despite the vast body of literature present on the use of antioxidants in cerebellar ataxias, for the majority of these disorders conclusive results on the efficacy are still missing. CONCLUSION Antioxidant therapy in cerebellar ataxias is a promising field of investigations. To achieve the success in identifying the correct treatment more work needs to be done. In particular, a combined effort is needed by basic scientists in developing more efficient molecules, and by clinical researchers together with patients communities, to run clinical trials in order to identify conclusive treatments strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emanuele Barca
- Address correspondence to this author at the Department of Neurology, Columbia University Medical Center, 630 W 168 Street, P&S 4-424/A, New York, NY 10032, USA; Tel: +1-212-305-1637; Fax: +1-212-305-3986; E-mail:
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Progress in the treatment of Friedreich ataxia. Neurol Neurochir Pol 2018; 52:129-139. [PMID: 29499876 DOI: 10.1016/j.pjnns.2018.02.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2018] [Accepted: 02/12/2018] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Friedreich ataxia (FRDA) is a progressive neurological disorder affecting approximately 1 in 29,000 individuals of European descent. At present, there is no approved pharmacological treatment for this condition however research into treatment of FRDA has advanced considerably over the last two decades since the genetic cause was identified. Current proposed treatment strategies include decreasing oxidative stress, increasing cellular frataxin, improving mitochondrial function as well as modulating frataxin controlled metabolic pathways. Genetic and cell based therapies also hold great promise. Finally, physical therapies are being explored as a means of maximising function in those affected by FRDA.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Sylvia Bösch
- Neurology Department, Innsbruck Medical University, Innsbruck, Austria
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Lynch DR, Pandolfo M, Schulz JB, Perlman S, Delatycki MB, Payne RM, Shaddy R, Fischbeck KH, Farmer J, Kantor P, Raman SV, Hunegs L, Odenkirchen J, Miller K, Kaufmann P. Common data elements for clinical research in Friedreich's ataxia. Mov Disord 2013; 28:190-5. [PMID: 23239403 PMCID: PMC3581713 DOI: 10.1002/mds.25201] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2012] [Accepted: 08/22/2012] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
To reduce study start-up time, increase data sharing, and assist investigators conducting clinical studies, the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke embarked on an initiative to create common data elements for neuroscience clinical research. The Common Data Element Team developed general common data elements, which are commonly collected in clinical studies regardless of therapeutic area, such as demographics. In the present project, we applied such approaches to data collection in Friedreich's ataxia (FRDA), a neurological disorder that involves multiple organ systems. To develop FRDA common data elements, FRDA experts formed a working group and subgroups to define elements in the following: ataxia and performance measures; biomarkers; cardiac and other clinical outcomes; and demographics, laboratory tests, and medical history. The basic development process included identification of international experts in FRDA clinical research, meeting by teleconference to develop a draft of standardized common data elements recommendations, vetting of recommendations across the subgroups, and dissemination of recommendations to the research community for public comment. The full recommendations were published online in September 2011 at http://www.commondataelements.ninds.nih.gov/FA.aspx. The subgroups' recommendations are classified as core, supplemental, or exploratory. Template case report forms were created for many of the core tests. The present set of data elements should ideally lead to decreased initiation time for clinical research studies and greater ability to compare and analyze data across studies. Their incorporation into new, ongoing studies will be assessed in an ongoing fashion to define their utility in FRDA.
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Affiliation(s)
- David R Lynch
- Department of Neurology, University of Pennsylvania and the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, USA.
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Lynch DR, Willi SM, Wilson RB, Cotticelli MG, Brigatti KW, Deutsch EC, Kucheruk O, Shrader W, Rioux P, Miller G, Hawi A, Sciascia T. A0001 in Friedreich ataxia: biochemical characterization and effects in a clinical trial. Mov Disord 2012; 27:1026-33. [PMID: 22744651 DOI: 10.1002/mds.25058] [Citation(s) in RCA: 65] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2011] [Revised: 03/23/2012] [Accepted: 04/23/2012] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
This study tested the ability of A0001 (α-tocopheryl quinone; EPI-A0001), a potent antioxidant, to improve in vitro measures, glucose metabolism, and neurological function in Friedreich ataxia. We used an in vitro study of protection from cell toxicity followed by a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial of 2 doses of A0001 in 31 adults with Friedreich ataxia. The primary clinical trial outcome was the Disposition Index, a measure of diabetic tendency, from a frequently sampled intravenous glucose tolerance test, evaluated 4 weeks into therapy. Secondary neurologic measures included the Friedreich Ataxia Rating Scale. A0001 potently inhibited cell death in Friedreich ataxia models in vitro. For the clinical trial, mean guanine-adenine-adenine repeat length was 699, and mean age was 31 years. Four weeks after treatment initiation, differences in changes in the Disposition Index between subjects treated with A0001 and placebo were not statistically significant. In contrast, a dose-dependent improvement in the Friedreich Ataxia Rating Scale score was observed. Patients on placebo improved 2.0 rating scale points, whereas patients on low-dose A0001 improved by 4.9 points (P = .04) and patients on a high dose improved by 6.1 points (P < .01). Although A0001 did not alter the Disposition Index, it caused a dose-dependent improvement in neurologic function, as measured by the Friedreich Ataxia Rating Scale. Longer studies will assess the reproducibility and persistence of neurologic benefit.
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Affiliation(s)
- David R Lynch
- Department of Neurology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA.
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