Texas researcher gets grant to study pulmonary fibrosis treatment
NIH grant will fund study of treatment aimed at radiation-induced PH
The National Institutes of Health has awarded $219,000 to fund a project at the University of Texas at Tyler aimed at developing a treatment for radiation-induced pulmonary fibrosis (PF) which can occur after cancer radiation therapy.
The study, led by Sreerama Shetty, PhD, a professor at UT Tyler, will investigate a newly developed peptide-based therapy designed to reduce or reverse fibrotic damage in lung tissue.
“This grant reflects the kind of impactful, collaborative research we’re committed to at UT Tyler,” Sue Cox, MD, dean of the UT Tyler School of Medicine, said in a university news story. “Dr. Shetty’s work could lead to life-changing treatment options for patients facing pulmonary fibrosis, especially those undergoing cancer therapies.”
PF is characterized by inflammation and scarring (fibrosis) of lung tissue, which leads to shortness of breath and a persistent, dry cough. In many cases, the cause of PF is unknown — a condition known as idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) — though several risk factors have been identified.
After diagnosis, the median survival is three to five years, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. “The survival rate after five years is 20%,” Shetty said.
Applying peptide research to radiation-induced fibrosis
Radiation is often used in the chest region to treat breast and lung cancers. While radiation is commonly used at lower levels to reduce lung damage, it may be insufficient to treat more resistant tumors that might progress later on. The peptides developed by the team can be used to prevent lung fibrosis and allow the use of higher radiation levels, enhancing tumor destruction without compromising lung function.
“Previously, we’ve studied how these peptides can be used to treat fibrosis from smoking or exposure to silica through work in construction, fracking, mining or manufacturing,” Shetty said. “Now, we are learning that these peptides have the potential to treat fibrosis from radiation—and even prevent it.”
CSP7, also known as LTI-03, is the first peptide developed by the team and includes a fragment of caveolin-1, a protein crucial for regulating cellular processes that help prevent fibrosis. The peptide, being developed as an investigational inhaled therapy by Rein Therapeutics, is designed to slow the lung function decline and halt fibrosis progression.
The therapy was shown to be safe and well tolerated in a Phase 1a study (NCT04233814) that enrolled healthy volunteers. Its safety and tolerability were also tested in a Phase 1b clinical trial (NCT05954988) in 24 adults newly diagnosed with IPF.
Patients received one of two treatment doses, or a placebo, twice daily for 14 days. Initial results indicated the treatment was generally well tolerated, reduced the levels of proteins known to promote scarring, and increased levels of a marker of lung cell health.
The treatment is in Phase 2 clinical trials in people with IPF.
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