Rheumatoid Arthritis: Reitblat T

Silverman MH, Strand V, Markovits D, Nahir M, Reitblat T, Molad Y, Rosner I, Rozenbaum M, Mader R, Adawi M, Caspi D, Tishler M, Langevitz P, Rubinow A, Friedman J, Green L, Tanay A, Ochaion A, Cohen S, Kerns WD, Cohn I, Fishman-Furman S, Farbstein M, Yehuda SB, Fishman P. · Can-Fite BioPharma Ltd, Petach Tikva, Israel. · J Rheumatol. · Pubmed #18050382 No free full text.

Abstract: OBJECTIVE: Adenosine exerts antiinflammatory effects via activation of the A3 adenosine receptor (A3AR), a Gi protein-associated cell-surface receptor, overexpressed in synovial tissue and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) in patients with active rheumatoid arthritis (RA). CF101 is a highly specific orally bioavailable A3AR agonist. METHODS: This was a multicenter study, blinded to dose, designed to assess the clinical activity and safety of CF101 in active RA. Seventy-four patients were randomized to receive 0.1, 1.0, or 4.0 mg CF101 bid for 12 weeks. The primary efficacy endpoint was American College of Rheumatology 20% response (ACR20) at Week 12. A3AR expression levels were analyzed in PBMC from 18 patients. RESULTS:. Maximal responses were observed with 1.0 mg bid, lower at 0.1 and 4.0 mg bid. At 12 weeks, 55.6%, 33.3%, and 11.5% of the patients receiving 1.0 mg CF101 achieved ACR20%, 50%, and 70% responses, respectively. CF101 was generally well tolerated, with mild headache (4.1%), nausea (2.7%), and rash (2.7%) being the most common treatment-related adverse events. Statistically significant correlations between A3AR overexpression at baseline and ACR50 and ACR70 responses were observed. CONCLUSION: CF101 administered bid for 12 weeks resulted in improvement in signs and symptoms of RA that did not achieve statistical significance, and was safe and well tolerated. The expression level of A3AR was directly correlated with patient responses to CF101, suggesting its utilization as a biomarker for the pharmacodynamic and therapeutic effects of this novel agent. These findings require confirmation in a double-blind randomized placebo-controlled trial, currently under way.

Ochaion A, Bar-Yehuda S, Cohen S, Barer F, Patoka R, Amital H, Reitblat T, Reitblat A, Ophir J, Konfino I, Chowers Y, Ben-Horin S, Fishman P. · Can-Fite BioPharma Ltd., Kiryat-Matalon, Petah-Tikva, Israel. · Cell Immunol. · Pubmed #19426966 No free full text.

Abstract: The Gi protein associated A(3) adenosine receptor (A(3)AR) was recently defined as a novel anti-inflammatory target. The aim of this study was to look at A(3)AR expression levels in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of patients with autoimmune inflammatory diseases and to explore transcription factors involved receptor expression. Over-expression of A(3)AR was found in PBMCs derived from patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), psoriasis and Crohn's disease compared with PBMCs from healthy subjects. Bioinformatics analysis demonstrated the presence of DNA binding sites for nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB) and cyclic AMP-responsive element binding protein (CREB) in the A(3)AR gene promoter. Up-regulation of NF-kappaB and CREB was found in the PBMCs from patients with RA, psoriasis and Crohn's disease. The PI3K-PKB/Akt signaling pathway, known to regulate both the NF-kappaB and CREB, was also up-regulated in the patients' PBMCs. Taken together, NF-kappaB and CREB are involved with the over-expression of A(3)AR in patients with autoimmune inflammatory diseases. The receptor may be considered as a specific target to combat inflammation.

Ochaion A, Bar-Yehuda S, Cohn S, Del Valle L, Perez-Liz G, Madi L, Barer F, Farbstein M, Fishman-Furman S, Reitblat T, Reitblat A, Amital H, Levi Y, Molad Y, Mader R, Tishler M, Langevitz P, Zabutti A, Fishman P. · Can-Fite Biopharma Ltd, 10 Bareket Street, Kiryat-Matalon, Petah-Tikva, 49170, Israel. · Arthritis Res Ther. · Pubmed #17101059 links to  free full text

Abstract: Methotrexate (MTX) exerts an anti-inflammatory effect via its metabolite adenosine, which activates adenosine receptors. The A3 adenosine receptor (A3AR) was found to be highly expressed in inflammatory tissues and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of rats with adjuvant-induced arthritis (AIA). CF101 (IB-MECA), an A3AR agonist, was previously found to inhibit the clinical and pathological manifestations of AIA. The aim of the present study was to examine the effect of MTX on A3AR expression level and the efficacy of combined treatment with CF101 and MTX in AIA rats. AIA rats were treated with MTX, CF101, or both agents combined. A3AR mRNA, protein expression and exhibition were tested in paw and PBMC extracts from AIA rats utilizing immunohistochemistry staining, RT-PCR and Western blot analysis. A3AR level was tested in PBMC extracts from patients chronically treated with MTX and healthy individuals. The effect of CF101, MTX and combined treatment on A3AR expression level was also tested in PHA-stimulated PBMCs from healthy individuals and from MTX-treated patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Combined treatment with CF101 and MTX resulted in an additive anti-inflammatory effect in AIA rats. MTX induced A2AAR and A3AR over-expression in paw cells from treated animals. Moreover, increased A3AR expression level was detected in PBMCs from MTX-treated RA patients compared with cells from healthy individuals. MTX also increased the protein expression level of PHA-stimulated PBMCs from healthy individuals. The increase in A3AR level was counteracted in vitro by adenosine deaminase and mimicked in vivo by dipyridamole, demonstrating that receptor over-expression was mediated by adenosine. In conclusion, the data presented here indicate that MTX induces increased A3AR expression and exhibition, thereby potentiating the inhibitory effect of CF101 and supporting combined use of these drugs to treat RA.