Translational data presented during a late-breaker poster session from a head-to-head study of eblasakimab and dupilumab in a human tissue model of COPD indicates that eblasakimab performed better than dupilumab in improving airway function and enhancing bronchodilation at the same concentrations
Results support further investigation of eblasakimab as a potential therapeutic option for COPD with potentially more effective blockade of Type-2 mediated inflammatory effects in lung tissue
SAN MATEO, Calif. and SINGAPORE, May 21, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- ASLAN Pharmaceuticals (Nasdaq: ASLN), a clinical-stage, immunology-focused biopharmaceutical company developing innovative treatments to transform the lives of patients, today announced the late-breaking poster presentation of translational data from head-to-head studies of eblasakimab and dupilumab in human healthy and COPD-derived lung tissue models at the American Thoracic Society (ATS) International Conference 2024 in San Diego, California.
"We are pleased to present the translational data that we have generated on eblasakimab in COPD at this prestigious conference. Eblasakimab showed significant improvement across all measured bronchial outcomes, a result we believe may be attributed to the potential of eblasakimab to inhibit the Type 2 receptor complex more efficiently than approved biologics, resulting in greater reduction in Th2 cytokine activity. Since airway hyperresponsiveness is clinically shared across asthma, COPD, and other lung disorders, these data support the further investigation of eblasakimab in a range of Type 2-driven lung conditions," said Dr Carl Firth, Chief Executive Officer, ASLAN Pharmaceuticals.
ATS 2024 International Conference presentation details:
Late-breaker poster presentation
Eblasakimab Significantly Alleviates IL-4 and IL-13 Induced Bronchial Airway Constriction in COPD-Derived Lung Slices (Poster ID 13753)
Type 2 inflammation is observed in 30-40% of COPD patients1 and during exacerbations, characterized by impaired airflow, obstruction, and dyspnea2. Interleukin-4 (IL-4) and interleukin-13 (IL-13) are central mediators of Type 2 inflammation3 and are implicated in various mechanisms of airway obstruction in asthma4, suggesting they may play an essential role in COPD4. Blocking dual IL-4 and IL-13 signaling may have the potential to prevent bronchoconstriction. This was tested using the precision cut-lung slices (PCLS) model of COPD by treatment with dupilumab and eblasakimab which target different receptor subunits of the IL-4 and IL-13 signaling pathway.
PCLS from a 66-year-old male with no known history of lung diseases (healthy PCLS) and a 67-year-old female with COPD (COPD PCLS) were used to test constriction and dilation responses to different treatment conditions including IL-4, IL-13, methacholine (bronchoconstrictor), formoterol (dilatory agent), and a range of concentrations of dupilumab and eblasakimab.
In both healthy and COPD-derived lung tissues, eblasakimab significantly reduced IL-4- and IL-13-induced bronchial airway constriction. In IL-4 and IL-13 pre-treated healthy lung tissues, eblasakimab further restored formoterol-induced airway dilation, significantly better than dupilumab at the lower concentration, and improved methacholine-induced constriction. The results suggest eblasakimab may provide a therapeutic benefit in reducing IL-4- and IL-13-induced airway hyperresponsiveness and that eblasakimab may provide relief in situations of acute airway constriction.
In COPD PCLS, eblasakimab showed significant improvement across all measured bronchial outcomes whereas dupilumab, tested at the same concentrations, did not achieve statistical significance relative to placebo for all measures. This suggests that eblasakimab may potentially provide stronger relief against bronchoconstriction as well as improved dilatory function in COPD compared to dupilumab.
The results support further investigation of eblasakimab as a therapeutic option for COPD with potentially more effective blockade of Type-2 mediated effects in lung tissue and improvement in bronchoconstriction.
A copy of the poster is available to view online in the Publications section of ASLAN's website.
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