OXC-101 is under development for cancer treatment as the main indication, but data suggest that it may also have an effect in autoimmune T-cell driven diseases. Earlier in the year we reported on the promising data for psoriasis. Now, promising effects of OXC-101 in allergic asthma have recently been reported.
One of the most common chronic inflammatory airway diseases is asthma, affecting around 300 million individuals worldwide. There is still a need for new pharmacological approaches to modulate the dysregulated airway inflammation in allergic asthma, not least to avoid side-effects of corticosteroids. OXC-101, a mitotic MTH1 inhibitor, has previously been shown to affect activated T cells- which orchestrate allergic inflammation.
In collaboration with Professor Arne Egesten and his team, OXC-101 was investigated in models of allergic airway inflammation. The study and results, “Pharmacological inhibition of MutT homolog 1 (MTH1) in allergic airway inflammation as a novel treatment strategy”, have now been published in the prestigious journal “Respiratory Research” ( Adler et al. Respiratory Research (2025) 26:101 https://doi.org/10.1186/s12931-025-03175-z). The study showed that MTH1 inhibition reduced proliferation and promoted apoptosis of T cells in vitro. Furthermore, OXC-101 dampened the type 2 associated immune response and reduced the allergic airway inflammation in a murine model. These findings suggest that MTH1 could serve as a novel target to treat also allergic airway inflammation.
OXC-201, Oxcia’s candidate for inflammation and fibrosis, has also demonstrated efficacy for allergic airway inflammation. OXC-201 inhibits OGG1, a DNA repair enzyme, i.e. 8-oxoguanine DNA glycosylase-1 and thereby reduce inflammation and bronchial hyperreactivity. The anti-inflammatory effect achieved by inhibition of MTH1 is mediated through a completely different mechanism.
The positive data underlines the versatility of Oxcia’s technology platform, O2-DDR (short for Oxidative stress, Oxidative DNA damage and DNA damage response (DDR)).
For more information contact:
Ulrika Warpman Berglund, CEO, Oxcia AB (publ)
Telephone: +46 (0) 73 270 9605
ulrika.warpmanberglund@oxcia.com
Briefly about Oxcia AB
Oxcia’s aim is to improve and extend lives by developing new innovative treatments based on our unique technology platform, O2-DDR. Oxcia AB is a pioneer in oxidative DNA damage and DNA Damage Response (DDR – the processes the body uses to repair the damage that occurs to DNA) with a focus on developing new safe and effective treatments for patients suffering from diseases caused by cancer or inflammation. Oxcia currently has two O2-DDR lead drug candidates, both with the potential to become first-in-class drugs. OXC-101 is in early clinical development as novel cancer therapy. OXC-201 is developed against idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, and is in the preclinical phase. The portfolio also includes exploratory projects, e.g in psoriasis.
More information about Oxcia is available at www.oxcia.com