Hoth Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ: HOTH) has announced groundbreaking preclinical data for its lead Alzheimer's candidate, HT-ALZ, demonstrating significant improvements in cognitive function and reduction of neuroinflammation in Alzheimer's disease models.
The proprietary formulation, based on an FDA-approved NK-1 receptor antagonist, showed marked benefits in APP/PS1 mouse models of Alzheimer's disease following chronic oral administration. Key improvements included enhanced memory function, reduced anxiety-like behavior, and improved sensorimotor gating without negative effects on motor function.
"Our findings highlight a powerful new therapeutic approach for Alzheimer's by targeting astrocyte-driven neuroinflammation," said Robb Knie, CEO of Hoth Therapeutics. "Unlike conventional strategies that focus solely on amyloid plaques, HT-ALZ addresses a broader range of pathological processes—including inflammation—that contribute to cognitive impairment."
Novel Mechanism Targeting Neuroinflammation
A critical finding from the study was HT-ALZ's ability to significantly decrease the number of GFAP-positive reactive astrocytes, which are key contributors to neuroinflammation and cognitive decline in Alzheimer's disease. This suggests that HT-ALZ works through modulation of astrocyte activity via NK-1 receptor antagonism, presenting a novel mechanism for targeting Alzheimer's-related neurodegeneration.
The compound's dual-action profile was further demonstrated by acute treatment results, which led to a rapid 15% reduction in brain interstitial fluid amyloid-beta (Aβ) levels, as measured by in vivo microdialysis. This dual impact on both pathology and symptoms positions HT-ALZ as a potentially comprehensive treatment approach.
Favorable Drug Properties and Selective Action
HT-ALZ possesses several advantageous properties that make it a compelling candidate for clinical development. The drug is orally bioavailable, crosses the blood-brain barrier effectively, and has an established safety record from its parent compound.
Importantly, preliminary studies showed no therapeutic effect in healthy wild-type mice, indicating that HT-ALZ selectively improves function only in the presence of Alzheimer's pathology. This selective action could potentially minimize side effects in clinical applications.
Alzheimer's Disease Treatment Landscape
Alzheimer's disease affects approximately 6.7 million Americans, with numbers expected to rise significantly as the population ages. Current treatment options primarily focus on symptom management or target amyloid plaques, but have shown limited success in modifying disease progression.
The development of HT-ALZ represents a shift in therapeutic strategy by targeting neuroinflammation through astrocyte modulation, potentially addressing a fundamental disease mechanism that has been underexplored in previous treatment approaches.
Path to Clinical Development
Hoth Therapeutics plans to advance HT-ALZ into clinical development to further evaluate its potential as a safe, effective treatment for early-stage Alzheimer's disease.
"This research lays the groundwork for the development of HT-ALZ as a first-in-class, astrocyte-targeted therapy for Alzheimer's disease," Knie stated. "With HT-ALZ, we have the potential to revolutionize how we treat neurodegenerative diseases by focusing on the critical role of neuroinflammation."
The company's approach aligns with growing recognition in the field that effective Alzheimer's treatments may need to address multiple pathological processes simultaneously, rather than focusing on single targets like amyloid plaques alone.
About Hoth Therapeutics
Hoth Therapeutics is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on developing innovative treatments for unmet medical needs. The company employs a patient-centric approach, collaborating with scientists, clinicians, and key opinion leaders to investigate therapeutics with breakthrough potential.
As a catalyst in early-stage pharmaceutical research and development, Hoth works to advance promising compounds from bench research to pre-clinical and clinical testing, with the goal of creating impactful treatments that improve patient quality of life.
