Caspase-6 blocking medicines for NASH
Development of caspase-6 inhibitors for treatment of NASH
This project aims to create drugs that block caspase‑6 to help people with nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) reduce liver cell death and scarring.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California, San Diego NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (La Jolla, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11241953 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers are developing new drugs that block caspase‑6, an enzyme that promotes liver cell death in NASH. They will pursue two chemical approaches: one class that binds covalently to caspase‑6 and another that stabilizes its inactive form, and will optimize each for potency and selectivity. Promising compounds will be improved for how the body absorbs and processes them and tested for activity in mouse models of NASH using structure‑based design to guide choices. The team builds on data showing caspase‑6 is active in human and mouse NASH and plans steps toward biomarkers and a clinical candidate.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People diagnosed with nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), especially those with ongoing inflammation or fibrosis, would be the intended beneficiaries and likely candidates for future trials.
Not a fit: People whose liver disease is due to alcohol, viral hepatitis, or other non‑NASH causes or those with end‑stage liver failure may not benefit from caspase‑6 targeting.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, these drugs could lower liver cell death and fibrosis and slow or reverse liver damage in people with NASH.
How similar studies have performed: Previous lab and mouse studies show that activating AMPK or blocking caspase‑6 can improve liver injury, but selective caspase‑6 drugs are a newer approach and have not yet been tested in humans.
Where this research is happening
La Jolla, United States
- University of California, San Diego — La Jolla, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Saltiel, Alan R. — University of California, San Diego
- Study coordinator: Saltiel, Alan R.
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.