Evaluation of the Effect of Mannuronic Acid as a Novel NSAID With Immunosuppressive Properties on Expression of SOCS1, SOCS3, SHIP1, and TRAF6 Genes and Serum Levels of IL-6 and TNF-α in Patients With Multiple Sclerosis.

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is described as a chronic inflammatory, demyelinating disease of the central nervous system on an autoimmune basis, which is the most frequent reason for nontraumatic disability in youth. The efficacy and safety of ß-D-nannuronic acid (M2000) as a novel immunosuppressive drug (patented PCT/EP2017/067920) has been shown in an experimental model of MS and also in a phase 2 clinical trial. The effects of M2000 on SOCS1, SOCS3, TRAF6, and SHIP1 gene expression and also serum levels of IL-6 and TNF-α in secondary progressive multiple sclerosis patients have been assessed in this study. In this study, 14 secondary progressive multiple sclerosis patients and 14 healthy subjects (as the control group) were recruited from the phase 2 clinical trial (Clinical Trial identifier, IRCT2016111313739N6). Gene expression of SOCS1, SOCS3, TRAF6, and SHIP1 was measured at baseline and after 6 months of therapy with M2000 using a quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction method. Furthermore, the serum levels of IL-6 and TNF-α were assessed by the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay method. Our results showed that the gene expression of SOCS1, SOCS3, and SHIP1 was increased after 6 months of therapy with M2000 in MS patients. Moreover, the serum levels of IL-6 and TNF-α of patients declined compared with baseline, but this was not statistically significant. The results of this study demonstrated that M2000, with immunosuppressive properties, could upregulate SOCS1, SOCS3, and SHIP1 genes in patients with secondary progressive multiple sclerosis.

Targeting the SHIP1 Pathway Fails to Show Treatment Benefit in Interstitial Cystitis/Bladder Pain Syndrome: Lessons Learned from Evaluating Potentially Effective Therapies in This Enigmatic Syndrome.

PURPOSE: In this 12-week, randomized, double-blind, placebo controlled, multicenter, 3-arm, parallel group, phase 3 trial we assessed the effects of a novel SHIP1 activator on bladder pain and urinary symptoms in patients with interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Subjects with interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome and a mean pain score of 5 or greater on an 11-point scale despite treatment were randomized to 100 or 200 mg of an oral SHIP1 activator or placebo once daily for 12 weeks. Maximum pain scores and urinary frequency were recorded in an e-diary. The ICSI (O'Leary-Sant Interstitial Cystitis Symptom Index) and BPIC-SS (Bladder Pain Interstitial Cystitis Symptom Score) questionnaires were administered. Safety was monitored through 12 weeks of treatment. RESULTS: A total of 298 female subjects with moderate to severe symptoms of interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome were treated with 100 or 200 mg SHIP1 activator orally once daily for 12 weeks. Treatment demonstrated no difference in maximum daily bladder pain compared to placebo. There was no treatment benefit over that of placebo in the secondary end points of urinary voiding frequency, the BPIC-SS, the ICSI and a global response assessment. Exploratory analysis in 87 male subjects yielded a similar result, that is no difference from placebo. Treatment was generally well tolerated at both doses. CONCLUSIONS: SHIP1 activation is a safe but ineffective therapeutic approach to interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome. Although this was a negative trial, the important lessons learned from this study in respect to inflammatory phenotype differentiation, including the potential importance of cystoscopy based classification, will improve current treatment in patients with interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome and allow for better future trial design in those with this difficult urological chronic pain syndrome.

A Phase II Study of the Efficacy and Safety of the Novel Oral SHIP1 Activator AQX-1125 in Subjects with Moderate to Severe Interstitial Cystitis/Bladder Pain Syndrome.

PURPOSE: In this 6-week, randomized, double-blind, placebo controlled, multicenter trial we assessed the effect of the novel SHIP1 (SH2-containing inositol-5'-phosphatase 1) activator AQX-1125 on bladder pain and urinary symptoms in patients with interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Women with interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome and a mean pain score of 5 or greater on an 11-point scale despite treatment were randomized to AQX-1125 or placebo orally once daily for 6 weeks. Average and maximum pain scores (daily) and urinary frequency (before visits) were recorded by e-diary and at clinic visits. The O'Leary-Sant ICSI (Interstitial Cystitis Symptom Index) and ICPI (Interstitial Cystitis Problem Index), BPIC-SS (Bladder Pain Interstitial Cystitis Symptom Score) and SF-12v2® questionnaires were administered. Safety was monitored through 6 weeks of treatment and 4 weeks of followup. RESULTS: A total of 37 patients received oral AQX-1125 and 32 received placebo. At 6 weeks average daily pain on an e-diary decreased by 2.4 points for AQX-1125 vs 1.4 for placebo (p = 0.061), while average pain at clinic decreased by 2.6 vs 1.1 (p = 0.008), maximum daily pain on e-diary diary decreased by 2.6 vs 1.4 (p = 0.030) and maximum pain at clinic decreased by 2.8 vs 1.1 (p = 0.028). AQX-1125 reduced ICSI by 3.8 points vs 1.4 for placebo (p = 0.005), ICPI by 3.6 points vs 1.6 (p = 0.014) and BPIC-SS by 8.8 points vs 4.0 (p = 0.011). Urinary frequency decreased on AQX-1125 by 3.6 voids per 24 hours vs 0.8 for placebo (p = 0.040). Adverse event rates were similar for AQX-1125 and placebo (51.4% and 78.1%, respectively). No serious adverse events were reported. CONCLUSIONS: Women with moderate to severe interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome who were treated with the oral SHIP1 activator AQX-1125 reported significantly reduced bladder pain and improved urinary symptoms at 6 weeks. AQX-1125 was well tolerated. AQX-1125 may be a potential new treatment for interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome. It warrants further investigation.