OP0034\u2005STP938, A NOVEL, POTENT AND SELECTIVE INHIBITOR OF CTP SYNTHASE 1 (CTPS1) DEMONSTRATES EFFICACY IN RODENT MODELS OF INFLAMMATION AND ARTHRITIS

Abstract

The final rate-limiting step in pyrimidine synthesis is the conversion of UTP to CTP which is catalyzed by cytidine triphosphate synthase 1 (CTPS1) or CTPS2. A hypomorphic mutation in the CTPS1 gene has highlighted the essential and non-redundant role of CTPS1 in T and B lymphocyte proliferation1. These patients exhibit no effects on non-hematopoietic tissues. Thus, selective inhibition of CTPS1 represents a novel targeted approach to dampen pathological T- and B-cell lympho-proliferation. STP938 is an orally bioavailable, small molecular weight, selective inhibitor of CTPS1 developed by Step Pharma.To demonstrate the in vitro effects of CTPS1 inhibition on T and B cell proliferation and the therapeutic potential of STP938 using in vivo models of disease.The in vitro anti-proliferative activity of STP938 was investigated using cell lines and primary human PBMCs. STP938 was assessed in vivo using the DTH-KLH rat model and the mouse collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) model. For the KLH-DTH model, Lewis rats were immunized with KLH, a week later, challenged locally at the ear with KLH antigen, ear swelling was assessed after 24 hours. Blood samples were collected for detection of KLH-specific IgG levels at day 8. STP938 was given orally one-hour prior to immunization and then b.i.d. for 7 days. For the CIA model, DBA-1 mice were immunized with Collagen type II and complete Freund’s adjuvant and received a booster immunization three weeks later. STP938 was administered to mice developing signs of arthritis from Day 28 to 45 orally daily b.i.d.STP938 inhibited in vitro proliferation of HEKwt but not HEK-CTPS1KO cells as well as Jurkat and human PBMCs. STP938 demonstrated a significant and dose-dependent inhibition of KLH-specific T and B cell responses in vivo. STP938 significantly reduced the disease severity in the CIA model in a dose-dependent manner as determined by clinical and histopathological readouts.Our preliminary in vitro and in vivo results indicate that inhibition of CTPS1 specifically blocks proliferation of cells derived from the lymphocyte lineage and reduces the T cell driven inflammatory response. These data highlight the therapeutical potential of STP938 in treating patients with autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis.[1]Martin et al, JCI Insight. 2020, 12;5(5):133880Hélène ASNAGLI Employee of: Step Pharma, Andrew Novak: None declared, Louise Birch Shareholder of: Step Pharma, Rebecca Lane: None declared, Norbert Minet Employee of: employee as Ph D student under CIFRE grant, David Laughton: None declared, Pascal George Shareholder of: Step Pharma, Geoffroy de Ribains Shareholder of: as former employee of Step Pharma, Employee of: former employee of Step Pharma, Sylvain Latour: None declared, Alain Fischer: None declared, Tim Bourne Shareholder of: UCB, Step Pharma, Sitryx Therapeutics, Consultant of: a range of biotech companies, Employee of: former employee of Step Pharma and Sitryx Therapeutics, Andrew Parker Employee of: Step Pharma