CV Therapeutics drug shows promise in pulmonary conditions

CVT-6883 is a selective, potent and orally available A2B-adenosine receptor antagonist which CV Therapeutics is investigating for the potential treatment of asthma and other conditions related to inflammation and fibrosis.

In the preclinical study, results of which were published in the Journal of Clinical Investigation (JCI), mice predisposed to elevated adenosine levels developed pulmonary inflammation, fibrosis and enlargement of air sacs in the lungs called alveolar spaces.

Treatment with CVT-6883 reduced these conditions and also significantly reduced elevations in pro-inflammatory cytokines and chemokines. In a separate in vivo model, CVT-6883 also inhibited pulmonary inflammation and fibrosis induced by bleomycin.

“These in vivo models exhibit many of the characteristics typical of patients with chronic lung disease and asthma, so the results support the scientific rationale for treating asthma and other conditions related to inflammation and fibrosis with a selective A2B-adenosine receptor antagonist,” said Dr Michael Blackburn, professor of biochemistry and molecular biology at the University of Texas Medical School at Houston and corresponding author of the study.

An initial phase I study of CVT-6883 has also been completed. In this randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, single ascending dose study in 24 healthy volunteers, CVT-6883 was well tolerated with no serious adverse events reported.