Elevated CYP24 expression linked to CKD

US drug developer Cytochroma have reported study data showing increased expression of CYP24 in a preclinical model of chronic kidney disease.  These findings suggest that abnormally increased expression of CYP24,  the cytochrome P450 enzyme specific for catabolizing vitamin D, may be a  key consideration in the management of secondary hyperparathyroidism in  CKD.

According to the firm, this highlights the potential benefit of CTA018,  the company's novel vitamin D hormone analog designed to simultaneously  activate the vitamin D signaling pathway and inhibit CYP24. CTA018  injection which is currently in Phase II trials.

The new research reported by Cytochroma demonstrates that normal animals  have low levels of CYP24 in the kidney, indicating that this enzyme is  down-regulated to conserve vitamin D stores in the body. In contrast,  renal-impaired animals have markedly elevated levels of CYP24 in the  kidney, indicating abnormal CYP24 regulation in CKD.