Hoth Therapeutics’ HT-004 treatment shows potential in reducing lung inflammation

Hoth Therapeutics (NASDAQ: HOTH) has revealed its novel asthma and allergy maintenance therapeutic HT-004 “significantly reduces” ovalalbumin (OVA)-induced lung inflammation in mice.

The patient-focused company with headquarters in the US revealed its latest developments came from the sponsored scientific research agreement with North Carolina State University.

HT-004 is still in its early preclinical stage of development, being executed under the guidance of Dr Cruse at North Carolina State University, who is also a member of the Hoth scientific advisory board.

In the testing, mice were treated with HT-004 through inhalation, with results showing a heavily reduced inflammatory cell recruitment in the bronchioles compared to vehicle control and oligonucleotide control OVA-induced mice.

Results from the tests showed the bronchiolar inflation in the HT-004-treated mice was similar to that of the non-OVA simulated mice.

HT-004 potential in human asthma and allergic diseases

The company’s latest developments support the use of HT-004 as a novel inhalation maintenance therapy for asthma and allergic disorders.

Hoth continues to expand its HT-004 development program, aiming to test HT-004’s therapeutic potential in larger animal models, such as cats or dogs, which resemble human asthma and allergic diseases.

The latest results are also a continuation of Dr Cruse’s 2016 publication: Exon skipping of FceRIβ eliminates expression of the high-affinity IgE receptor in mast cells with therapeutic potential for allergy.

Overview of HT-004

Chronic allergic diseases such as eczema and asthma are complex with varying inflammatory responses, which led to Hoth coming up with an alternative therapeutic option in HT-004.

Existing therapeutic approaches aim to suppress the inflammatory response, but are restricted in treating the symptoms and treatment duration is short-lived as a result of unfavourable adverse effects.

HT-004 was developed with the intention to use gene therapy-targeted methods to reduce mast cell responses to immunoglobulin E (IgE)-directed antigens, a key mechanism in the pathophysiology of asthma and other allergic diseases.

Hoth has filed multiple patent applications to protect this IP across the globe.

Clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company Hoth collaborates with scientists, clinicians, and key opinion leaders to uncover therapeutics that have the potential to generate breakthroughs and offer alternative treatment options.