Aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) is a ligand-dependent transcription factor that maintains skin homeostasis in healthy skin and is expressed in keratinocytes, fibroblasts, mastocytes and melanocytes. In inflammatory skin disorders such as psoriasis, AhR deficit leads to marked skin inflammation, abnormal barrier function and increased cytokine release. Researchers from Sichuan University have reported the discovery and optimization of a new series of 2-thioxoimidazolidin-4-one derivatives acting as AhR agonists that led to the identification of [I] as the lead compound, which showed an EC50 value of 0.015 µM against AhR.
Recludix Pharma Inc. has entered into a strategic collaboration with Sanofi SA to develop and commercialize first-in-class oral small-molecule STAT6 (signal transducer and activator of transcription 6) inhibitors for patients with immunological and inflammatory diseases. STAT6 is believed to play a key role in multiple dermatological and respiratory diseases.
Heterobicyclic derivatives characterized as tyrosine-protein kinase ITK/TSK (EMT) inhibitors have been revealed in an Almirall SA patent. They are reported to be useful for the treatment of atopic dermatitis, psoriasis, T-cell lymphoma, alopecia areata and vitiligo.
Daegu-Gyeongbuk Medical Innovation Foundation and Seoul National University Hospital have jointly developed adiponectin-derived peptoid derivatives reported to be useful for the treatment of skin inflammation, wound infection, alopecia, fibrosis, aging, skin wrinkling, cancer and metabolic diseases, among others.
Interleukin-17 (IL-17), a cytokine produced by T helper 17 (Th17) cells, is a key player in host inflammation and immune dysfunction leading to autoimmune diseases such as psoriasis, rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis or asthma, among others.
Researchers at Guangzhou Baiyunshan Pharmaceutical Holdings Co. Ltd. and Medshine Discovery Inc. have divulged novel non-fluorinated quinolones reported to be useful for the treatment of acne, bacterial infections and inflammatory disorders.
Researchers have developed NCP-112 (Novacell Technology Inc.), a novel FPR2-selective synthetic heptameric peptide ligand, and tested it in preclinical models of atopic dermatitis.