Review of Galectin-3 inhibitors in the treatment of nonalcoholic steatohepatitis

Expert Rev Clin Pharmacol. 2021 Feb 20. doi: 10.1080/17512433.2021.1894127. Online ahead of print.ABSTRACTINTRODUCTION: There are no pharmacotherapies available for non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) and many compounds have failed clinical trials. Galectin-3 (Gal-3) is a β-galactoside binding protein associated with many disease pathologies, including chronic inflammation and fibrogenesis. It has been implicated in the disease severity of NASH, although its precise role is unknown. Inhibition of Galectin-3 has shown to improve and prevent fibrosis progression and has now reached phase III clinical trial in NASH patients.AREAS COVERED: This review discusses the role of Galectin-3 in NASH. It brings together what we currently know of the role of Gal-3 in NASH and hepatic fibrosis by analyzing recent data from animal model studies and clinical trials.EXPERT OPINION: Galectin-3 inhibitors, in particular Belapectin (GR-MD-02), have shown to be promising therapies for NASH with advanced fibrosis. In a phase 2 trial, Belapectin didn't meet the primary endpoint. However, a sub-analysis of Belapectin among a separate group of patients without esophageal varices showed that 2 mg/kg of GR-MD-02 reduced HVPG and the development of new varices. There is a subsequent study in the way, aiming to replicate the positive findings in phase 2 and demonstrate greater efficacy. If Belapectin is shown to be effective, it is expected that it will be combined with other drugs such as those that ta...
Source: Expert Review of Clinical Pharmacology - Category: Drugs & Pharmacology Authors: Source Type: research