A Phase 1 Study to Assess Mass Balance and Absolute Bioavailability of Zimlovisertib in Healthy Male Participants Using a 14 C-Microtracer Approach

The development and evolution of biological AMS at Livermore: a perspective

Biological accelerator mass spectrometry (AMS) provides ultrasensitive carbon-14 isotopic analysis enabling a deeper understanding of human health concerns by enabling quantification of pharmacokinetics and other molecular endpoints directly in humans. It enables environmentally and human relevant studies of metabolic pathways through the use of very low concentrations of labeled metabolic substrates in cells and organisms. Here, we discuss why AMS is an important tool for the biosciences, the development and evolution of biological AMS at Livermore and discuss technical refinements that will improve the efficiency of operation for the measurement of ultra-trace levels of 14C, which, long term, will enable greater ease of use and sample throughput.

The role of IL-1 family cytokines in diabetic cardiomyopathy

Diabetic cardiomyopathy (DCM) is the primary cause of heart failure in patients with diabetes and is characterised by contractile dysfunction and left ventricular hypertrophy. The complex pathological and physiological mechanisms underlying DCM have contributed to a limited number of available treatment options. A substantial body of evidence has established that DCM is a low-grade inflammatory cardiovascular disorder, with the interleukin-1 (IL-1) family of cytokines playing crucial roles in initiating inflammatory responses and shaping innate and adaptive immunity. In this review, we aim to provide an overview of the underlying mechanisms of the IL-1 family and their relevance in DCM of various aetiologies. Furthermore, we highlighted potential therapeutic targets within the IL-1 family for the management of DCM.

Emerging interleukin-1 receptor-associated kinase 4 (IRAK4) inhibitors or degraders as therapeutic agents for autoimmune diseases and cancer

Interleukin-1 receptor-related kinase (IRAK4) is a widely expressed serine/threonine kinase involved in the regulation of innate immunity. IRAK4 plays a pivotal role as a key kinase within the downstream signaling pathway cascades of interleukin-1 receptors (IL-1R) and Toll-like receptors (TLRs). The signaling pathways orchestrated by IRAK4 are integral to inflammatory responses, and its overexpression is implicated in the pathogenesis of inflammatory diseases, autoimmune disorders, and cancer. Consequently, targeting IRAK4-mediated signaling pathways has emerged as a promising therapeutic strategy. Small molecule inhibitors and degraders designed to modulate IRAK4 have shown efficacy in mitigating related diseases. In this paper, we will provide a detailed description of the structure and function of IRAK4, the role of IRAK4 in related diseases, as well as the currently reported small molecule inhibitors and degraders of IRAK4. It is expected to provide new directions for enriching the clinical treatment of inflammation and related diseases.

Targeting TLR Signaling Cascades in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus and Rheumatoid Arthritis: An Update

Evidence from animal models and human genetics implicates Toll-like Receptors (TLRs) in the pathogenesis of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) and Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA). Endosomal TLRs sensing nucleic acids were proposed to induce lupus-promoting signaling in dendritic cells, B cells, monocytes, and macrophages. Ligation of TLR4 in synovial macrophages and fibroblast-like synoviocytes (FLSs) by endogenous ligands was suggested to induce local production of mediators that amplify RA synovitis. Inhibition of TLRs using antagonists or monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) that selectively prevent extracellular or endosomal TLR ligation has emerged as an attractive treatment strategy for SLE and RA. Despite the consistent success of selective inhibition of TLR ligation in animal models, DV-1179 (dual TLR7/9 antagonist) failed to achieve pharmacodynamic effectiveness in SLE, and NI-0101 (mAb against TLR4) failed to improve arthritis in RA. Synergistic cooperation between TLRs and functional redundancy in human diseases may require pharmacologic targeting of intracellular molecules that integrate signaling downstream of multiple TLRs. Small molecules inhibiting shared kinases involved in TLR signaling and peptidomimetics disrupting the assembly of common signalosomes ("Myddosome") are under development. Targeted degraders (proteolysis-targeting chimeras (PROTACs)) of intracellular molecules involved in TLR signaling are a new class of TLR inhibitors with promising preliminary data awaiting further clinical validation.

Targeted Nanocarriers for Systemic Delivery of IRAK4 Inhibitors to Inflamed Tissues

Persistent and uncontrolled inflammation is the root cause of various debilitating diseases. Given that interleukin-1 receptor-associated kinase 4 (IRAK4) is a critical modulator of inflammation, inhibition of its activity with selective drug molecules (IRAK4 inhibitors) represents a promising therapeutic strategy for inflammatory disorders. To exploit the full potential of this treatment approach, drug carriers for efficient delivery of IRAK4 inhibitors to inflamed tissues are essential. Herein, the first nanoparticle-based platform for the targeted systemic delivery of a clinically tested IRAK4 inhibitor, PF-06650833, with limited aqueous solubility (57 µg mL-1 ) is presented. The developed nanocarriers increase the intrinsic aqueous dispersibility of this IRAK4 inhibitor by 40 times. A targeting peptide on the surface of nanocarriers significantly enhances their accumulation after intravenous injection in inflamed tissues of mice with induced paw edema and ulcerative colitis when compared to non-targeted counterparts. The delivered IRAK4 inhibitor markedly abates inflammation and dramatically suppresses paw edema, mitigates colitis symptoms, and reduces proinflammatory cytokine levels in the affected tissues. Importantly, repeated injections of IRAK4 inhibitor-loaded nanocarriers have no acute toxic effect on major organs of mice. Therefore, the developed nanocarriers have the potential to significantly improve the therapeutic efficacy of IRAK4 inhibitors for different inflammatory diseases.