Research Article Details
Article ID: | A49931 |
PMID: | 35590219 |
Source: | Med (N Y) |
Title: | Inhibition of ketohexokinase in adults with NAFLD reduces liver fat and inflammatory markers: A randomized phase 2 trial. |
Abstract: | BACKGROUND: Increased consumption of the lipogenic sugar fructose promotes the current epidemic of metabolic disease. Ketohexokinase (KHK) catalyzes the first committed step in fructose metabolism. In animal models, KHK inhibition decreases hepatic de novo lipogenesis and steatosis and corrects many metabolic abnormalities associated with insulin resistance. The consequences of inhibiting fructose metabolism in humans have not been tested. This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, phase 2a study (NCT03256526) assessed the effect of the reversible KHK inhibitor PF-06835919 on metabolic parameters in participants with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). METHODS: Adults with NAFLD (>6% whole liver fat [WLF] by magnetic resonance imaging-proton density fat fraction) received once-daily oral placebo or PF-06835919 75 mg or 300 mg for 6 weeks. Randomization (1:1:1) was via computer-generated randomization code with random permuted blocks. Endpoints included WLF (primary endpoint), safety/tolerability, and metabolic parameters. FINDINGS: Overall, 158 participants were screened and 53 randomized; 48 completed the trial (placebo, n = 17; PF-06835919 75 mg, n = 17; PF-06835919 300 mg, n = 14). Compared with placebo, significant reductions in WLF were observed in participants receiving PF-06835919 300 mg (difference of -18.73%; p = 0.04), but not with 75 mg. In addition, inhibition of KHK resulted in improvement in inflammatory markers. The incidence of treatment-emergent adverse events (AEs) was low and similar across treatment groups (26.3%, 23.5%, and 29.4% of participants in the placebo and PF-06835919 75 mg and 300 mg groups, respectively). No serious AEs were reported. CONCLUSIONS: Data suggest that KHK inhibition may be clinically beneficial in the treatment of adults with NAFLD and insulin resistance. FUNDING: This study was sponsored by Pfizer Inc. |
DOI: | 10.1016/j.medj.2021.04.007 |

Strategy ID | Therapy Strategy | Synonyms | Therapy Targets | Therapy Drugs | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
S01 | Improve insulin resistance | insulin sensitizer; insulin resistance; glucose tolerance | Biguanide: increases 5-AMP activated protein kinase signaling; SGLT-2 inhibitor; Thiazalidinedione: selective PPAR-γ agonists; GLP-1 agonist | Metformin; Empagliflozin; Canagliflozin; Rosiglitazone; Pioglitazone; Liraglutide | Details |
S05 | Anti-inflammatory | inflammatory | Bile acid; TNF-a inhibitor; Dual PPAR-α and -δ agonists; Toll-Like Receptor; (TLR)-4 antagonist; Caspase inhibitor; ASK-1 inhibitor | Ursodeoxycholic Acid; Pentoxifylline; Elafibranor; JKB-121; Emricasan; Selonsertib; | Details |
S07 | Anti-lipogenesis | de novo lipogenesis; de novo lipogenesis; DNL; anti-lipogenic mechanisms; adipogenesis; anti-obesity | stearoyl-CoA desaturase 1 (SCD-1); Acetyl-coenzyme carboxylase; acyl-CoA carboxylase inhibitor (ACC inhibitor); stearoyl Coenzyme A desaturase inhibitor (SCD inhibitor); THR-beta selective agonist; DGAT2 inhibitor; FASN inhibitor | Aramchol; Firsocostat (GS-0976); VK-2809; ION 224 | Details |
Diseases ID | DO ID | Disease Name | Definition | Class | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
I05 | 9352 | Type 2 diabetes mellitus | A diabetes that is characterized by chronic hyperglycaemia with disturbances of carbohydrate, fat and protein metabolism resulting from defects in insulin secretion, insulin action, or both. A diabetes mellitus that is characterized by high blood sugar, insulin resistance, and relative lack of insulin. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diabetes, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diabetes_mellitus_type_2 | disease of metabolism/inherited metabolic disorder/ carbohydrate metabolic disorder/glucose metabolism disease/diabetes/ diabetes mellitus | Details |
Drug ID | Drug Name | Type | DrugBank ID | Targets | Category | Latest Progress | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
D328 | Serine | Chemical drug | DB00133 | SRR | Improve insulin resistance | Under clinical trials | Details |
D182 | Insulin | Biological drug | DB00030 | INSR agonist; CPE modulator&product of | -- | Under clinical trials | Details |
D269 | PF-06835919 | Chemical drug | -- | Ketohexokinase inhibitor | Enhance lipid metabolism | Under clinical trials | Details |
D142 | Fructose | Chemical drug | DB04173 | -- | Intravenous nutrition drug | Under clinical trials | Details |