Redox homeostasis and Inflammation in fibroblasts of patients with Friedreich Ataxia: a possible cross talk

Andrea Quatrana, Sara Petrillo Sara Petrillo, Caterina Torda Caterina Torda, Eleonora De Santis, Enrico Bertini Enrico Bertini, Fiorella Piemonte. Front. Mol. Neurosci., Sec. Molecular Signalling and Pathways, Volume 18 - 2025 | doi: 10.3389/fnmol.2025.1571402.

We found a significant activation of the TLR4/NF-kB/IL-1β axis in patients, associated to a consistent increase of the redox enzymes thioredoxin 1 (TRX1) and glutaredoxin 1 (GLRX1), which are essential to activate NF-kB under oxidative stress conditions. Furthermore, we investigated the role of 4-HNE, a by-product of lipid peroxidation, as a potential mediator between ferroptosis and inflammation in FRDA.

Systemic AAV Gene Therapy with Next Generation Engineered Capsids for Treatment of CNS and Cardiac Symptoms in Friedreich’s Ataxia

MDA Conference 2025. Ryan Kast, PhD, Capsida Biotherapeutics, Celeste Stephany, PhD, Capsida Biotherapeutics, Miguel Chuapoco, PhD, Capsida Biotherapeutics, Xiaojing Shi, PhD, Capsida Biotherapeutics, Assaf Beck, PhD, Capsida Biotherapeutics, Austin Kidder, Capsida Biotherapeutics, Yixi Wang, Capsida Biotherapeutics, Kevin Lam, Capsida Biotherapeutics, Nicholas Flytzanis, PhD, Capsida Biotherapeutics, Nick Goeden, PhD, Capsida Biotherapeutics. The engineered capsid delivering human FXN transduced more than 80% of cerebellar Purkinje cells, dentate nucleus neurons, motor neurons in the cortex and spinal cord, and nearly 30% of cardiac tissue area. FXN protein levels in treated NHPs were 8.2x higher than endogenous levels in the motor cortex and 1.7x in the heart as measured by ELISA. Moreover, substantial FXN RNA expression was detected in the retina (~1E6 copies/ug RNA) suggesting potential benefit for sensory vision loss experienced by FA patients. Significant de-targeting of the liver and other non-target tissues contributed to the favorable safety profile characterized by no adverse immunogenicity, clinical pathology, and histopathology findings.

LEXEO THERAPEUTICS REPORTS FOURTH QUARTER AND FULL YEAR 2024 FINANCIAL RESULTS AND OPERATIONAL HIGHLIGHTS

NEW YORK, March 24, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Lexeo Therapeutics, Inc. . 

Mid-Year Clinical Update Expected to Include: 

Safety and tolerability data for all participants dosed across both the SUNRISE-FA and Weill Cornell clinical trials (at least 16 participants, including 6 participants with abnormal LVMI at baseline) 

Pre- and post-treatment cardiac frataxin protein expression measured via LCMS for all four participants at the highest dose (1.2x1012 vg/kg, Cohort 3) 

Clinical biomarker data, including left ventricular mass index (LVMI), left ventricular wall thickness and high-sensitivity troponin I, for participants with >6-months of follow up 

Functional and patient-reported outcome data for participants with >6-months of follow up 

Safety: LX2006 continues to be generally well tolerated with no new treatment-related serious adverse events to report

Neuroimaging Biomarkers for Friedreich Ataxia: A Cross-Sectional Analysis of the TRACK-FA Study

Georgiou-Karistianis, N., Corben, L.A., Lock, E.F., Bujalka, H., Adanyeguh, I., Corti, M., Deelchand, D.K., Delatycki, M.B., Dogan, I., Farmer, J., França, M.C., Jr., Gabay, A.S., Gaetz, W., Harding, I.H., Joers, J., Lax, M.A., Li, J., Lynch, D.R., Mareci, T.H., Martinez, A.R.M., Pandolfo, M., Papoutsi, M., Parker, R.G., Reetz, K., Rezende, T.J.R., Roberts, T.P., Romanzetti, S., Rudko, D.A., Saha, S., Schulz, J.B., Subramony, S.H., Supramaniam, V.G., Lenglet, C. and Henry, P.-G. (2025), Neuroimaging Biomarkers for Friedreich Ataxia: A Cross-Sectional Analysis of the TRACK-FA Study. Ann Neurol. doi: 10.1002/ana.27237

 Our findings provide strong imaging evidence of impaired development of spinal cord and superior cerebellar peduncles during childhood in Friedreich ataxia and open the way for the use of neuroimaging biomarkers in clinical trials.

Debates over orphan drug pricing: a meta-narrative literature review

Hanchard, M.S. Debates over orphan drug pricing: a meta-narrative literature review. Orphanet J Rare Dis 20, 107 (2025). doi:10.1186/s13023-025-03634-2 

The review finds a sustained call for reform, centred on welfare economics and resource allocation, where current incentives and regulations are held to be insufficient. Overall, the article recommends that regulators look to alternative models of innovation steeped in social science thinking to modify reviewing appraisal, coverage, and reimbursement processes for orphan drugs. Also, that greater patient inclusion and transparency would help include a wider range of intangible social factors that rare disease patients face in accessing high priced orphan drugs.

Brain microvascular endothelial cells differentiated from a Friedreich's Ataxia patient iPSC are deficient in tight junction protein expression and paracellularly permeable

Brain microvascular endothelial cells differentiated from a Friedreich's Ataxia patient iPSC are deficient in tight junction protein expression and paracellularly permeable. Front. Mol. Neurosci. Sec. Brain Disease Mechanisms, Volume 18 - 2025 | doi: 10.3389/fnmol.2025.1511388 

These data show that decreased barrier integrity is a pathophysiologic phenotype of FA brain microvascular endothelial cells. Clinically, this may be a targetable pathway to abrogate brain iron accumulation, neuroinflammation, and neurodegeneration profiles of FA. Additionally, investigation into other barrier systems, such as the blood-nerve barrier, blood-CSF barrier, or cardiac vasculature may inform on extra-neural symptoms experienced by the FA patient.

SKYCLARYS™ (omaveloxolone) Approval by Health Canada Ushers in a New Era for Friedreich’s Ataxia Treatment in Canada

TORONTO, March 17, 2025 /CNW/ - Biogen Canada Inc. is pleased to announce that Health Canada has approved SKYCLARYS™ (omaveloxolone) for the treatment of Friedreich’s ataxia (FA) in patients 16 years of age and older.2 This approval – granted under Health Canada’s Priority Review process – marks an important milestone making SKYCLARYS the only treatment in Canada to specifically target the underlying mechanisms of this rare, progressive neurodegenerative disease.

P732: Identification of pathogenic expansions within FXN in individuals with suspected Friedreich ataxia diagnoses

P732: Identification of pathogenic expansions within FXN in individuals with suspected Friedreich ataxia diagnoses, Bohm, Kaitlynne et al., Genetics in Medicine Open, Volume 3, 103101 doi:10.1016/j.gimo.2025.103101 

Our PCR and NGS-based test designed to detect pathogenic GAA repeat expansions and sequence variants within the FXN gene was successful in providing 18 positive test results to individuals known to have, or suspected of having, Friedreich Ataxia. The FA Identified sponsored testing program has presented a unique opportunity to understand the milieu of clinical characteristics of individuals with a positive FA diagnosis, and the health care providers seeking such testing for their patients.

P356: Prediction of tissue frataxin levels with long term administration of nomlabofusp in adults with Friedreich’s ataxia using modeling and simulations

P356: Prediction of tissue frataxin levels with long term administration of nomlabofusp in adults with Friedreich’s ataxia using modeling and simulations, Clayton, Russell et al., Genetics in Medicine Open, Volume 3, 102321. doi: 10.1016/j.gimo.2025.102321 

Modeling and simulations using PK and PD data from short term studies can be used to predict a potential long term therapeutic dose. In the majority of patients with FRDA, daily administration of 50 mg nomlabofusp is predicted to result in skin frataxin concentrations that are ≥ 50% of concentrations observed in healthy controls.

P289: Disease characteristics and tissue frataxin concentrations in adults with Friedreich’s ataxia participating in nomlabofusp interventional studies

Russell Clayton, Mohamed Hamdani, Noreen Scherer,, P289: Disease characteristics and tissue frataxin concentrations in adults with Friedreich’s ataxia participating in nomlabofusp interventional studies, Genetics in Medicine Open, Volume 3, Supplement 2, 2025, 102254, ISSN 2949-7744, doi10.1016/j.gimo.2025.102254. 

Tissue frataxin concentration data from these studies are consistent with prior studies demonstrating that lower frataxin concentrations are associated with earlier onset of disease. The range of characteristics observed in the population of patients with FRDA participating in the nomlabofusp interventional studies is representative of the general FRDA adult population. Buccal and skin cell frataxin levels correlate with each other.