Intradermal delivery of modified mRNA encoding VEGF-A in patients with type 2 diabetes

Chemically modified mRNA is an efficient, biocompatible modality for therapeutic protein expression. We report a first-time-in-human study of this modality, aiming to evaluate safety and potential therapeutic effects. Men with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) received intradermal injections of modified mRNA encoding vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGF-A) or buffered saline placebo (ethical obligations precluded use of a non-translatable mRNA control) at randomized sites on the forearm. The only causally treatment-related adverse events were mild injection-site reactions. Skin microdialysis revealed elevated VEGF-A protein levels at mRNA-treated sites versus placebo-treated sites from about 4–24 hours post-administration. Enhancements in basal skin blood flow at 4 hours and 7 days post-administration were detected using laser Doppler fluximetry and imaging. Intradermal VEGF-A mRNA was well tolerated and led to local functional VEGF-A protein expression and transient skin blood flow enhancement in men with T2DM. VEGF-A mRNA may have therapeutic potential for regenerative angiogenesis.

Chemically modified mRNA is a new approach for therapeutic protein expression that could be applied to angiogenesis. Here the authors show in a phase 1 clinical trial that a modified mRNA encoding VEGF-A is well tolerated in patients with type 2 diabetes.

Dipeptidyl Peptidase 1 Inhibitor AZD7986 Induces a Sustained, Exposure-Dependent Reduction in Neutrophil Elastase Activity in Healthy Subjects

Neutrophil serine proteases (NSPs), such as neutrophil elastase (NE), are activated by dipeptidyl peptidase 1 (DPP1) during neutrophil maturation. High NSP levels can be detrimental, particularly in lung tissue, and inhibition of NSPs is therefore an interesting therapeutic opportunity in multiple lung diseases, including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and bronchiectasis. We conducted a randomized, placebo‐controlled, first‐in‐human study to assess the safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetics, and pharmacodynamics of single and multiple oral doses of the DPP1 inhibitor AZD7986 in healthy subjects. Pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic data were analyzed using nonlinear mixed effects modeling and showed that AZD7986 inhibits whole blood NE activity in an exposure‐dependent, indirect manner—consistent with in vitro and preclinical predictions. Several dose‐dependent, possibly DPP1‐related, nonserious skin findings were observed, but these were not considered to prevent further clinical development. Overall, the study results provided confidence to progress AZD7986 to phase II and supported selection of a clinically relevant dose.

Inhibitors of mitogen-activated protein kinases differentially regulate costimulated T cell cytokine production and mouse airway eosinophilia

Background

T cells play a dominant role in the pathogenesis of asthma. Costimulation of T cells is necessary to fully activate them. An inducible costimulator (ICOS) of T cells is predominantly expressed on Th2 cells. Therefore, interference of signaling pathways precipitated by ICOS may present new therapeutic options for Th2 dominated diseases such as asthma. However, these signaling pathways are poorly characterized in vitro and in vivo.

Methods

Human primary CD4⁺ T cells from blood were activated by beads with defined combinations of surface receptor stimulating antibodies and costimulatory receptor ligands. Real-time RT-PCR was used for measuring the production of cytokines from activated T cells. Activation of mitogen activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathways leading to cytokine synthesis were investigated by western blot analysis and by specific inhibitors. The effect of inhibitors in vivo was tested in a murine asthma model of late phase eosinophilia. Lung inflammation was assessed by differential cell count of the bronchoalveolar lavage, determination of serum IgE and lung histology.

Results

We showed in vitro that ICOS and CD28 are stimulatory members of an expanding family of co-receptors, whereas PD1 ligands failed to co-stimulate T cells. ICOS and CD28 activated different MAPK signaling cascades necessary for cytokine activation. By means of specific inhibitors we showed that p38 and ERK act downstream of CD28 and that ERK and JNK act downstream of ICOS leading to the induction of various T cell derived cytokines. Using a murine asthma model of late phase eosinophilia, we demonstrated that the ERK inhibitor U0126 and the JNK inhibitor SP600125 inhibited lung inflammation in vivo. This inhibition correlated with the inhibition of Th2 cytokines in the BAL fluid. Despite acting on different signaling cascades, we could not detect synergistic action of any combination of MAPK inhibitors. In contrast, we found that the p38 inhibitor SB203580 antagonizes the action of the ERK inhibitor U0126 in vitro and in vivo.

Conclusion

These results demonstrate that the MAPKs ERK and JNK may be suitable targets for anti-inflammatory therapy of asthma, whereas inhibition of p38 seems to be an unlikely target.

Initial Clinical Experience with AZD5718, a Novel Once Daily Oral 5-Lipoxygenase Activating Protein Inhibitor

We evaluated safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetics, and pharmacodynamics of AZD5718, a novel 5-lipooxygenase activating protein (FLAP) inhibitor, in a randomized, single-blind, placebo-controlled, first-in-human (FIH) study consisting of single and multiple ascending dosing (SAD and MAD) for 10 days in healthy subjects. Target engagement was measured by ex vivo calcium ionophore stimulated leukotriene B (LTB₄ ) production in whole blood and endogenous leukotriene E (LTE₄ ) in urine. No clinically relevant safety and tolerability findings were observed. The AZD5718 was rapidly absorbed and plasma concentrations declined biphasically with a mean terminal half-life of 10-12 h. Steady-state levels were achieved after ∼3 days. After both SADs and MADs, a dose/concentration-effect relationship between both LTB₄ and LTE₄ vs. AZD5718 exposure was observed with concentration of half inhibition (IC₅₀ ) values in the lower nM range. Based on obtained result, AZD5718 is considered as a suitable drug candidate for future evaluation in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD).

Clinical safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetics and effects on urinary electrolyte excretion of AZD9977, a novel, selective mineralocorticoid receptor modulator

AIMS

AZD9977 is the first mineralocorticoid receptor modulator in clinical development exerting similar organ protection as eplerenone with minimal urinary electrolyte effects in preclinical studies. The aim was to perform the initial clinical assessment of AZD9977.

METHODS

A first-in-human trial explored doses from 5 to 1200 mg. To study effects on urinary electrolyte excretion an additional randomized placebo controlled cross-over four-period clinical trial was performed. Twenty-three healthy volunteers were administered fludrocortisone alone or in combination with AZD9977, eplerenone or both. AZD9977/eplerenone combination was given to assess if AZD9977 can attenuate eplerenone induced natriuresis.

RESULTS

AZD9977 at doses from 5 to 1200 mg was safe and well tolerated and pharmacokinetics were compatible with further development. AZD9977 exhibited similar effects on urinary ln [Na+ ]/[K+ ] as eplerenone when using fludrocortisone as mineralocorticoid receptor agonist, and the combination had an additive effect on ln [Na+ K+ ].

CONCLUSIONS

The results in man contradict the results in rodent models driven by aldosterone, in which AZD9977 has minimal electrolyte effects. Future clinical studies with AZD9977 should be performed in presence of endogenous or exogenous aldosterone to assess potential benefit of AZD9977 in patients.

Prospective use of CYP pharmacogenetics and medication analysis to facilitate improved therapy - a pilot study

OBJECTIVES

To assess the efficacy of cytochrome P450 (CYP) pharmacogenetic testing and medication interaction analysis in a controlled environment for reduction of events, stays in hospital, extra care and required extra doctors visits to the patients.

METHODS

A prospective cohort study of 28 patients in a geriatric care facility with multimedication and at least one report of an event was performed over a period of 7 months. In the first phase of the study the patients were closely monitored twice a day by the care staff, recording all potential events, regardless of association with the indication or not, requirement for extra care, requirement for an unplanned site visit from a physician and days in hospital. In a 1-month period, the patients were genotyped for the cytochromes CYP2C9, CYP2C19 and CYP2D6, and their medication analyzed for interactions, using a proprietary computer program. Recommendations for medication change based upon genetics and/or medication interaction analysis were made to the care physicians. In a second 3-month phase the patients were monitored as in Phase I. The data comparing Phase I with Phase II was analyzed using two way ANOVA.

RESULTS

Of the 28 patients in the study in both phases, 16 (55%) had genetic and/or medication interaction problems that required change of medication. A total of 11 out of 16 (69%) of the patients did have their medication altered by the care physician. Of the 11 patients, five (45%) demonstrated some betterment in the number of reported events after alteration of their medication. Of these five patients, three had improvements when their medication was altered for their genetics. A further three (one patient had improvements due to both effects) had improvements when their medication was altered after a medication interaction analysis.

CONCLUSION

Although an exploratory pilot study, this cohort study shows the possibilities and potential of pharmacogenetic testing for CYP alterations combined with medication interaction analysis of patients in a geriatric care facility.

Pharmacogenomics of asthma

Patient response to asthma therapy is consistently observed to be heterogeneous. Pharmacogenomics is the study of inherited differences in interindividual drug disposition and effects, with the goal of selecting the optimal drug therapy and dosage for each patient. This review will cover selected examples of gene polymorphisms that influence the outcome of asthma therapy, and whole-genome expression studies using microarray technology that have shown tremendous potential for benefiting asthma pharmacogenomics. The utility of the mouse as an experimental system for pharmacogenomic discovery will also be discussed in the context of asthma therapy.