Altamira Therapeutics Announces Publication of Preclinical Data Showing Successful Treatment of Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm with SOD2 mRNA Delivered by SemaPhore Nanoparticles
Altamira Therapeutics (Nasdaq:CYTO) has announced the publication of a preclinical study demonstrating effective treatment of abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) using their SemaPhore™ nanoparticles to deliver SOD2 mRNA. The study, conducted by researchers from Washington University and the University of South Florida, showed significant reduction in aorta dilation (p<0.05), delayed rupture, and highly significant improvement in survival rates (p<0.01) compared to untreated controls in an AAA mouse model.
The treatment approach targets oxidative stress by boosting mitochondrial SOD2 expression, reducing levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS). This nanotherapeutic mRNA delivery method may have potential applications in managing small AAAs and preventing ruptures, which are often life-threatening.
- Significant reduction in aorta dilation (p<0.05) in AAA mouse model
- Highly significant improvement in survival rates (p<0.01) compared to untreated controls
- Successful delivery of SOD2 mRNA to mitochondria in aorta wall using SemaPhore nanoparticles
- Good safety profile with no sustained accumulation or SOD2 expression in major organs
- No changes in hematologic parameters or liver/kidney function observed
- SemaPhore nanoparticles demonstrated good stability over time
- None.
The recent preclinical data from Altamira Therapeutics showcases a promising breakthrough in the treatment of abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) using SOD2 mRNA delivered via SemaPhore nanoparticles. The study indicates significant improvements in reducing aorta dilation, delaying rupture and enhancing survival rates in an established animal model.
From a medical standpoint, the use of SOD2 mRNA to tackle oxidative stress, a key factor in AAA progression, demonstrates a novel approach compared to traditional antioxidant treatments, which have yielded unsatisfactory results. This innovative strategy of boosting mitochondrial SOD2 expression directly addresses the excess of reactive oxygen species (ROS), potentially offering a more effective and targeted therapy for AAA. The preclinical results are promising, but the transition to human trials will be important to validate efficacy and safety in a clinical setting.
Moreover, the safety profile highlighted, with no major organ accumulation or adverse hematologic or liver/kidney function changes, suggests that this treatment could minimize systemic side effects, a significant consideration for new therapeutic interventions.
For investors, while this research is in the preclinical stage, the innovative approach and promising results could signal a strong future potential if subsequent clinical trials confirm these findings. It's worth following Altamira's progress to see how well these early results translate into human applications.
From a market perspective, Altamira Therapeutics’ breakthrough in delivering SOD2 mRNA using SemaPhore nanoparticles marks a substantial step forward in RNA-based therapies, particularly for conditions outside the liver, which is traditionally a challenging target for RNA delivery.
Financially, this innovation can place Altamira in a unique market position, potentially leading to partnerships, licensing opportunities and increased investor interest. AAA presents a significant market due to the high mortality and morbidity rates associated with its rupture and an effective non-surgical treatment could be a game-changer. Additionally, the broader applicability of this technology to other oxidative stress-related disorders could expand its market reach, enhancing long-term revenue potential.
Short-term, investors should be cautious as the company still needs to conduct clinical trials, which can be lengthy and expensive. However, the positive preclinical data can drive near-term stock performance and funding opportunities through grants or partnerships.
Overall, while the immediate impact on revenue is limited, the long-term outlook appears positive if clinical trials support the preclinical findings, making it an interesting area for investors to monitor closely.
Hamilton, Bermuda, July 19, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) --
- Study shows significant reduction in aorta dilation, delayed rupture and lower mortality in established animal model of abdominal aortic aneurysm
- Altamira’s SemaPhore™ nanoparticles delivering SOD2 mRNA successfully to mitochondria in aorta wall
- Positive outcomes suggest potential use of treatment in management of small abdominal aortic aneurysm and prevention of ruptures
Altamira Therapeutics Ltd. (“Altamira” or the “Company”) (Nasdaq:CYTO), a company dedicated to developing and commercializing RNA delivery technology for targets beyond the liver, today announced the preprint publication of a study demonstrating effective treatment of abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) in an animal model.1 The study was conducted by a research group from Washington University, St. Louis MO, and the University of South Florida, Tampa FL. It showed that treatment with SOD2 mRNA delivered systemically with peptide-based nanoparticles (SemaPhore™ by Altamira) to AAA mice resulted in a significant reduction in aorta dilation (p<0.05), delayed rupture and a highly significant improvement in survival rates (p<0.01) compared to untreated controls.
AAA is a localized abnormal enlargement (bulge) of the abdominal aorta, i.e. the part of the main artery which runs through the belly. The rupture of an AAA may be life-threatening; more than
AAA is an inflammatory disease involving oxidative stress caused by excessive levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Although the use of antioxidants would appear a promising treatment strategy, clinical efficacy has turned out to be mostly unsatisfactory. By targeting SOD2 (superoxide dismutase 2), an enzyme known for its capacity to eliminate ROS, the researchers used a different approach. They delivered SOD2 mRNA through systemic injections of Altamira’s peptide-based SemaPhore nanoparticles in an established murine AAA model and were thus able to boost mitochondrial SOD2 expression, reduce levels of oxidative stress and in turn mitigate the expansion of small AAA and largely prevent rupture. The research group concluded: “This nanotherapeutic mRNA delivery approach may find translational application in the medical management of small AAA and the prevention of AAA rupture.”
“Using SOD2 mRNA to modulate oxidative stress appears a very promising approach in various challenging cardiovascular disorders such as abdominal aortic aneurysm or atherosclerosis and in other inflammatory or degenerative disease where ROS is a critical disease driver”, commented Samuel Wickline, M.D., Chief Scientific Adviser of Altamira and one of the co-authors of the study. “Importantly, the SemaPhore nanoparticles allowed for systemic delivery of the mRNA payload with efficient uptake and SOD2 expression in the aortic wall. Moreover, there was a good safety profile with no sustained accumulation or SOD2 expression in major organs, and no change in hematologic parameters or liver / kidney function. Last, but not least, the nanoparticles showed good stability over time.”
About Altamira Therapeutics
Altamira Therapeutics (Nasdaq: CYTO) is developing and supplying peptide-based nanoparticle technologies for efficient RNA delivery to extrahepatic tissues (OligoPhore™ / SemaPhore™ platforms). The Company currently has two flagship siRNA programs using its proprietary delivery technology: AM-401 for KRAS driven cancer and AM-411 for rheumatoid arthritis, both in preclinical development beyond in vivo proof of concept. The versatile delivery platform is also suited for mRNA and other RNA modalities and made available to pharma or biotech companies through out-licensing. In addition, Altamira holds a
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Investor Contact:
Hear@altamiratherapeutics.com
1 Yan et al. (2024), Systemic delivery of murine SOD2 mRNA to experimental abdominal aortic aneurysm mitigates expansion and rupture, bioRxiv: 2024.06.17.599454. 10.1101/2024.06.17.599454
2 Shaw et al. (2024), Abdominal aortic aneurysm, StatPearls. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK470237/
3 Aggarwal et al. (2011), Abdominal aortic aneurysm: A comprehensive review, Exp Clin Cardiol 16(1): 11–15.
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