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Bhatt DL, Bays HE, Miller M, Cain JE, Wasilewska K, Andrawis NS, Parli T, Feng S, Sterling L, Tseng L, Hartsfield CL, Agollah GD, Mansbach H, Kastelein JJP. The FGF21 analog pegozafermin in severe hypertriglyceridemia: a randomized phase 2 trial. Nat Med 2023; 29:1782-1792. [PMID: 37355760 PMCID: PMC10353930 DOI: 10.1038/s41591-023-02427-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 23.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2023] [Accepted: 05/30/2023] [Indexed: 06/26/2023]
Abstract
Pegozafermin, a long-acting glycopegylated analog of human fibroblast growth factor 21, is in development for the treatment of severe hypertriglyceridemia (SHTG) and nonalcoholic steatohepatitis. Here we report the results of a phase 2, double-blind, randomized, five-arm trial testing pegozafermin at four different doses (n = 67; 52 male) versus placebo (n = 18; 12 male) for 8 weeks in patients with SHTG (triglycerides (TGs), ≥500 mg dl-1 and ≤2,000 mg dl-1). Treated patients showed a significant reduction in median TGs for the pooled pegozafermin group versus placebo (57.3% versus 11.9%, difference versus placebo -43.7%, 95% confidence interval (CI): -57.1%, -30.3%; P < 0.001), meeting the primary endpoint of the trial. Reductions in median TGs ranged from 36.4% to 63.4% across all treatment arms and were consistent regardless of background lipid-lowering therapy. Results for secondary endpoints included significant decreases in mean apolipoprotein B and non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol concentrations (-10.5% and -18.3% for pooled doses compared to 1.1% and -0.6% for placebo (95% CI: -21.5%, -2.0%; P = 0.019 and 95% CI: -30.7%, -5.1%; P = 0.007, respectively), as well as a significant decrease in liver fat fraction for pooled treatment (n = 17) versus placebo (n = 6; -42.2% pooled pegozafermin, -8.3% placebo; 95% CI: -60.9%, -8.7%; P = 0.012), as assessed in a magnetic resonance imaging sub-study. No serious adverse events were observed to be related to the study drug. If these results are confirmed in a phase 3 trial, pegozafermin could be a promising treatment for SHTG (ClinicalTrials.gov registration: NCT0441186).
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Affiliation(s)
- Deepak L Bhatt
- Mount Sinai Heart, Icahn School of Medicine, Mount Sinai Health System, New York City, NY, USA.
| | - Harold E Bays
- Louisville Metabolic and Atherosclerosis Research Center, University of Louisville School of Medicine, Louisville, KY, USA
| | - Michael Miller
- Corporal Michael J. Crescenz VA Medical Center and Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - James E Cain
- Family Medicine Clinic Science, Lampasas, TX, USA
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - John J P Kastelein
- Department of Vascular Medicine, Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
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Teng YX, Xie S, Guo PP, Deng ZJ, Zhang ZY, Gao W, Zhang WG, Zhong JH. Hepatocellular Carcinoma in Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease: Current Progresses and Challenges. J Clin Transl Hepatol 2022; 10:955-964. [PMID: 36304509 PMCID: PMC9547250 DOI: 10.14218/jcth.2021.00586] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/26/2021] [Revised: 01/24/2022] [Accepted: 04/18/2022] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
The rising global prevalence of metabolic diseases has increased the prevalence of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), leading to an increase in cases of NAFLD-related hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). To provide an updated literature review detailing epidemiology, risk factors, pathogenic pathways, and treatment strategies linked to NAFLD-related HCC, we conducted a literature search on PubMed from its inception to December 31, 2021. About 25% of the global population suffers from NAFLD. The annual incidence of HCC among NAFLD patients is approximately 1.8 per 1,000 person-years. Older age, male sex, metabolic comorbidities, unhealthy lifestyle habits (such as smoking and alcohol consumption), physical inactivity, genetic susceptibility, liver fibrosis, and degree of cirrhosis in NAFLD patients are important risk factors for NAFLD-related HCC. Therefore, low-calorie diet, moderate-intensity exercise, treatment of metabolic comorbidities, and cessation of smoking and alcohol are the main measures to prevent NAFLD-related HCC. In addition, all patients with advanced NAFLD-related fibrosis or cirrhosis should be screened for HCC. Immune suppression disorders and changes in the liver microenvironment may be the main pathogenesis of NAFLD-related HCC. Hepatic resection, liver transplantation, ablation, transarterial chemoembolization, radiotherapy, targeted drugs, and immune checkpoint inhibitors are used to treat NAFLD-related HCC. Lenvatinib treatment may lead to better overall survival, while immune checkpoint inhibitors may lead to worse overall survival. Given the specific risk factors for NAFLD-related HCC, primary prevention is key. Moreover, the same treatment may differ substantially in efficacy against NAFLD-related HCC than against HCC of other etiologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu-Xian Teng
- Hepatobiliary Surgery Department, Guangxi Liver Cancer Diagnosis and Treatment Engineering and Technology Research Center, Guangxi Medical University Cancer Hospital, Nanning, Guangxi, China
| | - Si Xie
- Hepatobiliary Surgery Department, Guangxi Liver Cancer Diagnosis and Treatment Engineering and Technology Research Center, Guangxi Medical University Cancer Hospital, Nanning, Guangxi, China
| | - Ping-Ping Guo
- Hepatobiliary Surgery Department, Guangxi Liver Cancer Diagnosis and Treatment Engineering and Technology Research Center, Guangxi Medical University Cancer Hospital, Nanning, Guangxi, China
| | - Zhu-Jian Deng
- Hepatobiliary Surgery Department, Guangxi Liver Cancer Diagnosis and Treatment Engineering and Technology Research Center, Guangxi Medical University Cancer Hospital, Nanning, Guangxi, China
| | - Zi-Yi Zhang
- Hepatobiliary Surgery Department, Guangxi Liver Cancer Diagnosis and Treatment Engineering and Technology Research Center, Guangxi Medical University Cancer Hospital, Nanning, Guangxi, China
| | - Wei Gao
- Hepatobiliary Surgery Department, Guangxi Liver Cancer Diagnosis and Treatment Engineering and Technology Research Center, Guangxi Medical University Cancer Hospital, Nanning, Guangxi, China
| | - Wan-Guang Zhang
- Hepatic Surgery Center, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Jian-Hong Zhong
- Hepatobiliary Surgery Department, Guangxi Liver Cancer Diagnosis and Treatment Engineering and Technology Research Center, Guangxi Medical University Cancer Hospital, Nanning, Guangxi, China
- Key Laboratory of Early Prevention and Treatment for Regional High Frequency Tumor (Guangxi Medical University), Ministry of Education; Guangxi Key Laboratory of Early Prevention and Treatment for Regional High Frequency Tumor, Nanning, Guangxi, China
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Crystallographic mining of ASK1 regulators to unravel the intricate PPI interfaces for the discovery of small molecule. Comput Struct Biotechnol J 2022; 20:3734-3754. [PMID: 35891784 PMCID: PMC9294202 DOI: 10.1016/j.csbj.2022.07.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2022] [Revised: 07/04/2022] [Accepted: 07/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Protein seldom performs biological activities in isolation. Understanding the protein–protein interactions’ physical rewiring in response to pathological conditions or pathogen infection can help advance our comprehension of disease etiology, progression, and pathogenesis, which allow us to explore the alternate route to control the regulation of key target interactions, timely and effectively. Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is now a global public health problem exacerbated due to the lack of appropriate treatments. The most advanced anti-NASH lead compound (selonsertib) is withdrawn, though it is able to inhibit its target Apoptosis signal-regulating kinase 1 (ASK1) completely, indicating the necessity to explore alternate routes rather than complete inhibition. Understanding the interaction fingerprints of endogenous regulators at the molecular level that underpin disease formation and progression may spur the rationale of designing therapeutic strategies. Based on our analysis and thorough literature survey of the various key regulators and PTMs, the current review emphasizes PPI-based drug discovery’s relevance for NASH conditions. The lack of structural detail (interface sites) of ASK1 and its regulators makes it challenging to characterize the PPI interfaces. This review summarizes key regulators interaction fingerprinting of ASK1, which can be explored further to restore the homeostasis from its hyperactive states for therapeutics intervention against NASH.
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Key Words
- ASK1
- ASK1, Apoptosis signal-regulating kinase 1
- CFLAR, CASP8 and FADD-like apoptosis regulator
- CREG, Cellular repressor of E1A-stimulated genes
- DKK3, Dickkopf-related protein 3
- Interaction fingerprint
- NAFLD, Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease
- NASH
- NASH, Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis
- PPI, Protein-protein interaction
- PTM, Post-trancriptional modification
- PTMs
- Protein-protein interaction
- TNFAIP3, TNF Alpha Induced Protein 3
- TRAF2/6, Tumor necrosis factor receptor (TNFR)-associated factor2/6
- TRIM48, Tripartite Motif Containing 48
- TRX, Thioredoxin
- USP9X, Ubiquitin Specific Peptidase 9 X-Linked
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