ROME Therapeutics is set to present preclinical and non-interventional clinical data at the American College of Rheumatology (ACR) annual meeting, ACR Convergence 2024, showcasing its novel LINE-1 reverse transcriptase (RT) inhibitors as a potential treatment for autoimmune and neurodegenerative diseases.
The data builds upon ROME's previous findings, further demonstrating the ability of the company’s LINE-1 RT inhibitors to suppress aberrant activation of Type 1 interferon signaling. This mechanism is particularly relevant for diseases known as Type 1 interferonopathies, such as Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) and Cutaneous Lupus Erythematosus (CLE), among other autoimmune conditions.
Targeting the Source of Autoimmune Activation
ROME Therapeutics is pioneering the understanding and therapeutic targeting of LINE-1 RT, a virus-like repetitive element found within the dark genome. Under conditions of cellular stress and pathology, LINE-1 RT can trigger the innate immune system by synthesizing RNA-DNA hybrids in the cytoplasm. These hybrids are recognized by the cell as viral elements, initiating signaling through nucleic acid sensor pathways like cGAS/STING and activating a Type 1 interferon response, mimicking a viral infection.
A Novel Treatment Approach
Unlike traditional immunosuppressant treatments, ROME’s LINE-1 RT inhibitors work by directly blocking the formation of these virus-like RNA-DNA hybrids. This approach aims to halt the underlying driver of the disease at its source, rather than merely suppressing the host's immune response. The company believes that LINE-1 RT inhibition represents a novel, non-immunosuppressant treatment strategy for Type 1 interferon-driven diseases.
The poster presentation at ACR Convergence 2024, titled "Novel LINE-1 Reverse Transcriptase Inhibitors Can Suppress Type I Interferon Responses and Are Promising Therapeutics for Lupus," will take place on Saturday, November 16, 2024, from 10:30 am to 12:30 pm ET.
