Neflamapimod (VX-745) is a potent, blood-brain barrier penetrant, highly selective inhibitor of p38α inhibitor with an IC50 for p38α of 10 nM and for p38β of 220 nM. Neflamapimod (VX-745) possesses anti-inflammatory activity.In Vitro: Neflamapimod (VX-745) exhibits PBMC IL-1β and TNFα IC50 values of 45 and 51 nM, respectively. Neflamapimod is also effective in whole blood, blocking IL-1β and TNFα release with IC50 values of 150 and 180 nM, respectively.
Neflamapimod shows a promising selectivity profile, with 20-fold selectivity for p38α over p38β (Ki=220 nM).
Neflamapimod (VX-745) solutions in DMSO/DMEM inhibits the IL-6 production with IC50 of 15±9 nM[2].
Neflamapimod (VX-745; 5.0 nM) displays potent activity and 1000-fold selectivity over closely related kinases, including ERK1, JNK1-3 and MK2. Neflamapimod (10 nM-50 μM) increasingly inhibits the anisomycin-induced activity of p38α.
Neflamapimod (VX-745; 0.06 μM-20 μM) inhibits IL-6 and VEGF secretion in BMSCs. Neflamapimod can inhibit cytokine (TNF-α, IL-6, VEGF)-induced paracrine MM cell growth, survival, and drug resistance in the BM microenvironment. Neflamapimod induces modest growth inhibition of MM.1S, RPMI8226, and U266 cell lines in a dose-dependent fashion, with inhibitory concentration of 50% (IC50) of 10 μM.In Vivo: Neflamapimod (VX-745; 2.5, 5, and 10 mg/kg) improves the inflammatory scores in mice by 27%, 31%, and 44%, respectively. Neflamapimod (VX-745; 1.06 mg/kg) significantly decreases the inflammation score from 2.07±0.29 for the control group to 1.42±0.06[2].