Target Development and Strategy Design Services for NASH Therapy
At present, the treatment of nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is limited. With the increasing understanding of its pathogenesis, it will likely improve the development and use of interventions for NASH. Creative Biolabs can offer the development & design services for potential targets based on our drug discovery platform.
The Current Progress in NASH Therapy
NASH is a significant risk factor for the development of cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. Lifestyle modification, consisting of dietary caloric restriction and exercise, currently is the cornerstone of therapy for nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and has been shown by many studies to improve liver histology. However, this strategy can be difficult to achieve and maintain, underscoring the dire need for pharmacotherapy. Furthermore, the results of traditional therapies such as vitamin E and pioglitazone are significant for steatosis and inflammation only; they have no effect on fibrosis, which is the strongest indicator of mortality in NASH patients. Although drug therapy for NASH has not yet been approved, the understanding of the pathogenesis and progression of NASH has evolved and several promising novel therapies targeting and possibly reversing fibrosis are being evaluated, making the prospects for NASH treatment more optimistic.
Fig.1 Roadmap for preclinical anti-NASH drug testing and development. (Boeckmans, 2018)
Emerging Molecular Targets and Therapeutic Strategies
The treatment of NASH can be broadly classified into targeted metabolic disorders that drive disease pathogenesis (such as insulin resistance and de novo lipogenesis) and agents that target downstream processes including cellular stress, apoptosis, inflammation, and fibrosis. Target diversity highlights the complexity of the pathogenesis of NASH and the likelihood that patients will develop NASH histological phenotypes through different mechanisms, and therefore require different treatments. There are currently several agents in NASH's drug pipeline. Modulation of the peroxisome proliferator-activator receptor, the farnesol-X-receptor, and the glucagon-like peptide 1 pathway has been shown to improve liver histology. The gut microbiome and metabolic endotoxemia are new targets. Antioxidants such as vitamin E, as well as recent anti-inflammatory agents such as apoptosis signal-regulating kinase 1 inhibitors, have shown promise as a treatment for NASH. Moreover, several anti-fibrotic agents, including C-C chemokine receptor type 2 and type 5 antagonists, have been shown to inhibit progression of fibrosis to cirrhosis.
Fig.2 The substrate overload lipotoxic liver injury model illustrates the pathogenesis of NASH and targets of therapy. (Neuschwander-Tetri, 2018)
Creative Biolabs offers the development & design services for potential targets to better alleviate or treat NASH. We assess the potential molecular targets of NASH treatment, focus on its transformation potential, and dedicate ourselves to overcome the key challenges in the development of clinical compounds. The treatment strategies or targets services we can provide include but not limited to:
Features
- Ph. D-level certified & extensive experienced scientists
- One-stop services for targets discovery & development
- Customized design to incorporate your specific research requirements
- Flexible, collaborative approaches to ensure test reliability, high quality, timeliness, and cost-effectiveness
With our extensive knowledge and experience, we can provide comprehensive and one-stop target development or therapeutic strategies design services for NASH treatment. For more detailed information, please feel free to contact us or directly sent us an inquiry.
References
- Boeckmans, J.; et al. Human-based systems: mechanistic NASH modeling just around the corner. Pharmacological research. 2018.
- Neuschwander-Tetri, B.A. Pharmacologic management of nonalcoholic steatohepatitis. Gastroenterology & Hepatology. 2018, 14(10): 582-587.
For Research Use Only.