Nonreceptor tyrosine-protein kinase TYK2 plays key roles in the signaling of pro-inflammatory molecules such as IL-23, IL-12 or type I IFN, which at the same time play key roles in several immune-mediated diseases such as atopic dermatitis and psoriasis, among others.
It has been previously demonstrated that the two coding variants in the APOL1 gene (G1 and G2) are associated with a greater risk of progressive, proteinuric kidney disease; however, there currently are no therapies to address the causal genetic drivers of this disease. Researchers from Maze Therapeutics Inc. presented the discovery and preclinical characterization of a novel small-molecule inhibitor of APOL1, MZ-302, and they evaluated its efficacy in a new transgenic model of APOL1-mediated kidney disease (AKD).
The GOBACK study analyzed germline susceptibility in children with birth defects and a cancer diagnosis, including a total of 47 probands. Whole-genome sequencing was performed, and researchers evaluated single-nucleotide variants, insertion/deletion variants, as well as copy number variations.
The outcomes from two investigational CRISPR-based therapies were presented by researchers from Crispr Therapeutics at the recent American Heart Association’s scientific sessions.
CLDN18 is a cell surface membrane protein involved in the formation of tight junctions, and the expression of its CLDN18.2 isoform has been observed in pancreatic, gastric and esophageal tumors.
While the human epididymis protein 4 (HE4) has been previously identified as a blood biomarker of fibrosis, the relationship HE4 has with other blood biomarkers has not been established.
There is increasing evidence on the involvement of Toll-like receptor 7 (TLR7) in the pathogenesis of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). At the recent American College of Rheumatology meeting, researchers from Daiichi Sankyo Co. Ltd. presented preclinical data on DS-7011a, a TLR7 antagonist antibody with for the potential treatment of SLE.
Researchers from Aligos Therapeutics Inc. have presented the discovery and preclinical evaluation of a novel next-generation liver targeted PD-L1 small molecule inhibitor, ALG-094103, which is being developed for the treatment of chronic hepatitis B and liver cancer.
It’s known that interferon-alpha (IFNα) activates interferon-stimulated genes (ISGs) and disrupts the hepatitis B virus (HBV) replication cycle. Pegylated (PEG)-IFNα has been widely used for its immunomodulatory and antiviral properties but it is not always well tolerated and thus its use is limited.