TCIRG1

撰文丨王聪编辑丨王多鱼排版丨水成文细胞死亡是一种重要的生物学过程，参与胚胎发育、组织稳态以及疾病的发生发展。尽管由 caspase 酶介导的程序性细胞死亡——细胞凋亡（apoptosis）已得到充分研究，但非凋亡性细胞死亡在癌症研究中引起了越来越多的关注。铁死亡（ferroptosis）是一种铁依赖的的氧化性细胞死亡形式，可靶向作用于抗凋亡的肿瘤细胞。这种不依赖 caspase 酶的机制通常由抗氧化系统调节，尤其是 SLC7A11-GSH-GPX4 通路，其功能紊乱会导致细胞膜上脂质过氧化物不受控制积累，从而引发细胞崩溃。理解并操控脂质过氧化对于开发有效的癌症疗法至关重要。2025 年 4 月 14 日，德克萨斯大学西南医学中心唐道林、康睿等人在 Cell 子刊 Cell Metabolism 上发表了题为：Cytosolic cytochrome c represses ferroptosis 的研究论文。该研究首次发现，细胞质细胞色素 C（CYCS）能够抑制铁死亡，这挑战了 CYCS 在细胞死亡中作为促凋亡因子的传统认知。细胞质细胞色素 C（CYCS），由线粒体释放，是启动 caspase 酶依赖的细胞凋亡的触发因素。线粒体膜通透性增强时，将 CYCS 释放到胞质，与 APAF1 和 caspase-9 形成凋亡小体，进而激活下游凋亡通路。在这项最新研究中，研究团队揭示了 CYCS 的一个意想不到的新作用——抑制铁死亡。研究团队通过质谱分析和定点突变揭示了一个由磷酸酶 INPP4A 和 CYCS 组成的细胞质复合物——CYCS-INPP4A，其不同于线粒体凋亡过程中形成的 CYCS-APAF1-caspase-9 凋亡小体。CYCS 能够提升 INPP4A 的酶活性，从而促进磷脂酰肌醇-3-磷酸（PtdIns3P）的生成，防止磷脂过氧化和质膜破裂，从而避免铁死亡。研究团队进一步筛选并鉴定出了一种小分子化合物——10A3，其可破坏 CYCS 与 INPP4A 之间的相互作用。在体外培养的肿瘤细胞中，10A3 能够增强其铁死亡敏感性，在免疫功能正常的小鼠胰腺癌模型中，10A3 与铁死亡诱导剂 IKE 联合使用，能够显著抑制肿瘤进展、延长生存期，增强肿瘤特异性 CD8+T 细胞的免疫应答，展现出良好的抗肿瘤潜力。该研究的核心发现：细胞质 CYCS 促进细胞凋亡并抑制铁死亡；细胞质 CYCS 与 INPP4A 相互作用以驱动磷脂酰肌醇代谢；化合物 10A3 可破坏 CYCS-INPP4A 相互作用并增强铁死亡；靶向 CYCS-INPP4A 复合物可增强体内肿瘤抑制作用。总的来说，这项研究重新定义了我们对细胞质 CYCS 复合物的认识，这些复合物控制着多种细胞死亡途径（细胞凋亡、铁死亡）。论文链接：https://www.cell.com/cell-metabolism/abstract/S1550-4131(25)00149-4设置星标，不错过精彩推文开放转载欢迎转发到朋友圈和微信群 微信加群 为促进前沿研究的传播和交流，我们组建了多个专业交流群，长按下方二维码，即可添加小编微信进群，由于申请人数较多，添加微信时请备注：学校/专业/姓名，如果是PI/教授，还请注明。点在看，传递你的品味

HANGZHOU, China, Aug. 15, 2024. Vimgreen Pharmaceuticals, a science-driven pharmaceutical company focused on the modulation of adenosine signaling, announced today the completion of enrollment of its Phase 2 clinical trial of VG081821AC, a novel adenosine A2A receptor (A2AR) antagonist that also functions as an inverse A2AR agonist, for the treatment of early-to-mid stage Parkinson's disease. A total of 150 participants have been enrolled and randomized into one of three cohorts, a high-dose VG081821 group, a low-dose VG081821 group, and a placebo group at a ratio of 1:1:1. The 12-week Phase 2 trial is a multicenter, randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind study to investigate the safety and efficacy of VG081821 as monotherapy in early-to-mid stage PD patients. The primary endpoint was the difference of change from baseline in movement disorder society-unified Parkinson's disease rating scale (MDS-UPDRS) part III (motor symptoms) score between VG081821 and placebo over the 12 weeks of administration. For PD patients, current therapies are mainly dependent on dopamine replacement strategies with L-Dopa (top choice), dopamine agonists, MAO-B inhibitors and COMT inhibitors. These medicines either increase dopamine levels or mimic dopamine function. However, despite L-Dopa's efficacy in reducing the motor symptoms of PD, the onset of motor complications (wearing-off, ON–OFF, dyskinesia) is almost inevitable with long-term treatment. It is a well-known limit of the dopamine replacement therapy. In addition, the current therapies for PD are only symptomatic treatments. These therapies are unable to slow down the progression of PD. As an A2AR antagonist, which works non-dopaminergically, VG081821 has the potential to avoid, decrease or delay motor complications (wearing-off, ON–OFF, dyskinesia) if used early. What's special about VG081821 is that it is not only a highly potent A2A antagonist, but also a highly potent A2A receptor inverse agonist. More than a classical A2A antagonist, VG081821 may have extra therapeutic effect and greater efficacy on motor dysfunction in PD. Furthermore, VG081821 may provide not only symptomatic benefits, but also disease modifying benefits. VG081821 is expected to bring better treatment options and clinical benefits for PD patients. "In most previous trials of A2A antagonists for the treatment of Parkinson's Disease, A2A antagonists were used as an add-on treatment to alleviate off episodes in combination with L-Dopa for advanced PD patients. Although it has led to the approval of Istradefylline in US and Japan, it is not the best use of A2A antagonists for PD treatment," stated Sanxing Sun, President and Chief Executive Officer of Vimgreen. "VG081821 is to be used as monotherapy for improving movements in early-to-mid stage of PD. Later on, as the disease progresses, it can be used in combination with low doses of L-Dopa. This L-dopa sparing effect may minimize the problem of L-Dopa and prolong the quality of life of PD patients." It is known that A2AR gene expression in human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) are higher for PD patients. In the current Phase 2 trial of VG081821, the A2AR gene expression levels in PBMCs are to be analyzed. The potential correlation between drug efficacy and A2AR expression level may make VG081821 a precision medicine. The Phase 2 trial is to be completed in November. About VG081821AC VG081821AC/VG081821 is a potent, selective antagonist of adenosine A2A receptor (A2AR) developed by Vimgreen. Adenosine A2A receptors are distributed across basal ganglia, in particular in the striatum, and are believed to be involved in the regulation of motor functions. This makes A2AR an attractive non-dopaminergic target to treat the disease. VG081821 is an innovative A2AR antagonist that is not only a highly potent A2A antagonist, but also a highly potent A2A receptor inverse agonist. It is expected to bring better treatment options and clinical benefits for PD patients. About Vimgreen Pharmaceuticals Vimgreen is a science-driven pharmaceutical company located in the beautiful city of Hangzhou, China. At Vimgreen, the research programs are focused on the modulation of adenosine signaling. Adenosine is a major signaling molecule that is involved in a variety of critical physiological processes via activation of the adenosine receptors (A1, A2A, A2B or A3), including regulation of the nervous system, immune response, vascular function, and metabolism. In recent years, substantial progress has been made to understand the role of adenosine signaling in different pathologies during disease progression. These efforts have identified therapeutic possibilities for the treatment of various diseases, by either replenishing or inhibiting relevant adenosine signaling pathways. Currently Vimgreen has two compounds in clinical development. One is VG081821, an A2AR antagonist for the treatment of Parkinson's Disease. The other compound is VG290131, an A3 agonist for the treatment of NASH. Forward Looking Statements Certain statements in this press release may be considered forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Words such as "believes", "expects", "may", "will", "should", "potential" or the negative of these words or other comparable terminology (as well as other words or expressions referencing future events, conditions or circumstances) are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are predictions, projections and other statements about future events that are based on current expectations and assumptions and, as a result, are subject to risks and uncertainties. Many factors could cause actual future events to differ materially from the forward-looking statements in this press release, including, without limitation, those risks associated with Vimgreen's ability to execute on its commercial strategy. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date when made. Vimgreen does not assume any obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law. SOURCE Vimgreen Pharmaceuticals Whatever your topic of interest, subscribe to our newsletters to get the best of Drugs.com in your inbox.

HANGZHOU, China, Aug. 15, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Vimgreen Pharmaceuticals, a science-driven pharmaceutical company focused on the modulation of adenosine signaling, announced today the completion of enrollment of its Phase 2 clinical trial of VG081821AC, a novel adenosine A2A receptor (A2AR) antagonist that also functions as an inverse A2AR agonist, for the treatment of early-to-mid stage Parkinson's disease. A total of 150 participants have been enrolled and randomized into one of three cohorts, a high-dose VG081821 group, a low-dose VG081821 group, and a placebo group at a ratio of 1:1:1. The 12-week Phase 2 trial is a multicenter, randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind study to investigate the safety and efficacy of VG081821 as monotherapy in early-to-mid stage PD patients. The primary endpoint was the difference of change from baseline in movement disorder society-unified Parkinson's disease rating scale (MDS-UPDRS) part III (motor symptoms) score between VG081821 and placebo over the 12 weeks of administration. For PD patients, current therapies are mainly dependent on dopamine replacement strategies with L-Dopa (top choice), dopamine agonists, MAO-B inhibitors and COMT inhibitors. These medicines either increase dopamine levels or mimic dopamine function. However, despite L-Dopa's efficacy in reducing the motor symptoms of PD, the onset of motor complications (wearing-off, ON–OFF, dyskinesia) is almost inevitable with long-term treatment. It is a well-known limit of the dopamine replacement therapy. In addition, the current therapies for PD are only symptomatic treatments. These therapies are unable to slow down the progression of PD. As an A2AR antagonist, which works non-dopaminergically, VG081821 has the potential to avoid, decrease or delay motor complications (wearing-off, ON–OFF, dyskinesia) if used early. What's special about VG081821 is that it is not only a highly potent A2A antagonist, but also a highly potent A2A receptor inverse agonist. More than a classical A2A antagonist, VG081821 may have extra therapeutic effect and greater efficacy on motor dysfunction in PD. Furthermore, VG081821 may provide not only symptomatic benefits, but also disease modifying benefits. VG081821 is expected to bring better treatment options and clinical benefits for PD patients. "In most previous trials of A2A antagonists for the treatment of Parkinson's Disease, A2A antagonists were used as an add-on treatment to alleviate off episodes in combination with L-Dopa for advanced PD patients. Although it has led to the approval of Istradefylline in US and Japan, it is not the best use of A2A antagonists for PD treatment," stated Sanxing Sun, President and Chief Executive Officer of Vimgreen. "VG081821 is to be used as monotherapy for improving movements in early-to-mid stage of PD. Later on, as the disease progresses, it can be used in combination with low doses of L-Dopa. This L-dopa sparing effect may minimize the problem of L-Dopa and prolong the quality of life of PD patients." It is known that A2AR gene expression in human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) are higher for PD patients. In the current Phase 2 trial of VG081821, the A2AR gene expression levels in PBMCs are to be analyzed. The potential correlation between drug efficacy and A2AR expression level may make VG081821 a precision medicine. The Phase 2 trial is to be completed in November. About VG081821AC VG081821AC/VG081821 is a potent, selective antagonist of adenosine A2A receptor (A2AR) developed by Vimgreen. Adenosine A2A receptors are distributed across basal ganglia, in particular in the striatum, and are believed to be involved in the regulation of motor functions. This makes A2AR an attractive non-dopaminergic target to treat the disease. VG081821 is an innovative A2AR antagonist that is not only a highly potent A2A antagonist, but also a highly potent A2A receptor inverse agonist. It is expected to bring better treatment options and clinical benefits for PD patients. About Vimgreen Pharmaceuticals Vimgreen is a science-driven pharmaceutical company located in the beautiful city of Hangzhou, China. At Vimgreen, the research programs are focused on the modulation of adenosine signaling. Adenosine is a major signaling molecule that is involved in a variety of critical physiological processes via activation of the adenosine receptors (A1, A2A, A2B or A3), including regulation of the nervous system, immune response, vascular function, and metabolism. In recent years, substantial progress has been made to understand the role of adenosine signaling in different pathologies during disease progression. These efforts have identified therapeutic possibilities for the treatment of various diseases, by either replenishing or inhibiting relevant adenosine signaling pathways. Currently Vimgreen has two compounds in clinical development. One is VG081821, an A2AR antagonist for the treatment of Parkinson's Disease. The other compound is VG290131, an A3 agonist for the treatment of NASH. Forward Looking Statements Certain statements in this press release may be considered forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Words such as "believes", "expects", "may", "will", "should", "potential" or the negative of these words or other comparable terminology (as well as other words or expressions referencing future events, conditions or circumstances) are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are predictions, projections and other statements about future events that are based on current expectations and assumptions and, as a result, are subject to risks and uncertainties. Many factors could cause actual future events to differ materially from the forward-looking statements in this press release, including, without limitation, those risks associated with Vimgreen's ability to execute on its commercial strategy. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date when made. Vimgreen does not assume any obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law. SOURCE Vimgreen Pharmaceuticals