WCN 2021 | Developing modulators for pathogenic astrocyte subsets in MS

Francisco Quintana, PhD, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston, MA, discusses how the identification of a pathogenic mechanism mediated by an astrocyte subset has enabled the development of a candidate agent for progressive multiple sclerosis (MS) and other neurodegenerative diseases. Recently, the discovery of EphB/ephrin-B signaling as an important mechanism driving neurotoxic activities in an astrocyte subset through activation of the EphB3 receptor tyrosine kinase activity has led to the development of a central nervous system (CNS)-permeable kinase inhibitor. In pre-clinical studies, this EphB3 inhibitor was shown to improve both acute and progressive MS disease models. Optimization of this agent could lead to its evaluation in a Phase I clinical trial. This interview took place during the XXV World Congress of Neurology.