MGC Pharmaceuticals Ltd (LSE:MXC, OTC:MGCLF, ASX:MXC) has received preliminary results from a pre-clinical in-vitro study of CimetrA, indicating that it has a wide-ranging application as an anti-inflammatory treatment, through the modulation of the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines.
Results from the study indicate that CimetrA may have applications beyond the treatment of the symptoms of COVID-19, which has been the primary focus of clinical trials to date, and which are continuing to be progressed.
The European-based biopharma company specialising in the production and development of phytomedicines is advancing CimetrA as a proprietary Investigation Medicinal Product (IMP).
Effective blocking of the mRNA expression of IL-32
The study undertaken by Israeli contract research organisation, Science in Action, built on previous studies commissioned by MGC Pharma, and examined the mechanism of CimetrA’s anti-inflammatory effect in Human Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells (PCBC).
The study has found that CimetrA moderates the body’s release of pro-inflammatory cytokines by affecting their gene expression and transcription factors.
Specifically, this study has demonstrated the effective blocking of the mRNA expression of IL-32, the pro-inflammatory cytokine related to rheumatoid arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease, asthma, psoriasis and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
“This is a big leap forward”
MGC co-founder and managing director of pharmaceuticals Roby Zomer said: “We have long had confidence in CimetrA, and this latest study on its mechanism of action highlights even more potential applications for the product.
“This is a big leap forward, with more conditions potentially being treatable with the drug.
“Its anti-inflammatory profile means that it could transform the lives of thousands of patients, and it is particularly reassuring that these latest results confirm the findings of previous studies.
“In light of these results, MGC is in the process of designing the next phase of CimetrA’s clinical pathway and will keep everyone updated.”
Shares have been as much as 11.9% higher intraday to A$0.019.
Fig. 1. IL-32 gene expression in PBMCs.
The results in Figure 1 show the effect on the production of IL-32 by CimetrA on prepared PBMCs, compared to IL-32 production on non-CimetrA treated cells.
IL-32 stimulates the secretion of inflammatory cytokines by activating NF-κB and p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase.
The study results shown in Figure 2, demonstrated that CimetrA completely aborted LPS-induced IL-32 secretion in PBMCs.
Fig. 2. Concentration of IL-32 in PBMCs supernatant.
Previous clinical trials have indicated that CimetrA is effective in inhibiting a cytokine storm, which is seen as a sudden increase in different pro-inflammatory cytokines, including IL-1, IL-6 and TNF-α, associated with COVID-19, and was able to treat both mild and severe cases of the disease.
Following this successful study, MGC Pharma plans to further explore aspects of CimetrA’s profile and mechanism of action and begin planning the next phases of its clinical development.