C/EBP-beta PEPTIDES FOR THE TREATMENT OF LUNG INJURY AND FIBROSIS

描述（由申请人提供）：肺肌成纤维细胞（LMF）的活化是所有原因的慢性肺病中肺纤维化发展的原因，值得注意的是，通过细胞凋亡清除LMF可预防肺纤维化和肺损伤的发展，并可能允许从肺纤维化逆转中恢复。组织纤维化专家完全同意，抑制或逆转肌成纤维细胞活化（治疗靶点）对于肺纤维化的治疗至关重要。正如我们在临床前研究中明确记录的那样，预防肺纤维化的进展以及可能的肺纤维化的消退（尽管持续肺损伤）被认为是慢性肺病和肺纤维化患者的重要临床目标。最后，阻断肺纤维化的进展可能会减少肺癌的发展。我们研发的基础是开发新型人源化C/EBP？类肽（以前未报道）。我们使用模拟合成创建了一个库，以改善人类治疗的潜在陷阱。我们已经以逐步的方式进行了测定以选择最安全和最有效的“人源化”类肽（包括活化的原代人肌成纤维细胞中的细胞凋亡测定;无细胞半胱天冬酶8活化测定;肺损伤/纤维化模型;小鼠中的毒理学测定）。我们已经开发出新型有效的抗纤维化类肽，预期在临床试验期间具有降低的免疫原性和改善的稳定性和生物利用度。所提出的化合物显著抑制培养物中人和小鼠肌成纤维细胞的活化。这些化合物在初步毒理学研究（包括先导毒理基因组学）中对小鼠无毒，至少为治疗剂量的100倍。本STTR拟定完成的目的是：小鼠模型中的慢性肺纤维化试验;药代动力学;体外代谢稳定性研究;药代动力学;分子毒理学和探索性毒理学的潜在脱靶责任。目前尚无治疗或预防肺纤维化的药物。完成这些任务的拟议化合物将使我们能够继续进行2期STTR和肺纤维化患者的临床开发。

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): Activation of lung myofibroblasts (LMF) is responsible for the development of lung fibrosis in chronic lung diseases of all causes and remarkably, LMF clearance by apoptosis may prevent development of lung fibrosis and lung injury, and possibly allow recovery from reversal of lung fibrosis. There is full agreement among tissue fibrosis experts that inhibiting o reversing myofibroblast activation (the therapeutic target) is critical fr the treatment of lung fibrosis. Both preventing progression of lung fibrosis as well as possibly, regression of lung fibrosis in spite of continued lung injury, as we clearly documented in our pre-clinical studies, are considered important clinical targets for patients with chronic lung disease and lung fibrosis. Finally, blocking the progression of lung fibrosis may decrease development of lung cancer. The basis for our Research and Development is the development of novel humanized C/EBP¿ peptoids (not previously reported). We created a library using analog synthesis to improve potential pitfalls for human therapy. We have performed in a step-wise manner assays to select the safest and most efficient 'humanized' peptoids (including apoptosis assays in activated primary human myofibroblasts; cell-free caspase 8 activation assays; lung injury/fibrogenesis models; toxicology assays in mice). We have developed novel and effective anti-fibrotic peptoids with expected decreased immunogenicity and improved stability and bioavailability during clinical trials. The proposed compounds markedly inhibit activation of human and mouse myofibroblast in culture. These compounds were not toxic in the preliminary toxicology studies, including pilot toxicogenomics, to mice at least at 100-fold the therapeutic dose. The aims that are proposed for completion by this STTR are: Chronic lung fibrogenesis assays in mouse models; Pharmacokinetics; In Vitro Metabolic Stability Studies; Pharmacokinetics; Potential off-target liabilities for Molecular Toxicology and Exploratory Toxicology. There is no medication for the treatment or prevention of lung fibrosis. Completion of these tasks for the proposed compounds will allow us proceeding with a Phase-2 STTR and clinical development in patients with lung fibrosis.