STATUS: Phase I Enrolling | IND# 170554 [CALL OUT BOX]
Thyroid eye disease, also known as Graves' orbitopathy or thyroid-associated ophthalmopathy, is an autoimmune disease linked to Graves' Disease with an annual US incidence of approximately 16 per 100,000 women and 3 per 100,000 men. It most commonly affects people aged 30 to 50, with severe cases occurring more frequently in patients older than 50. TED involves activation and proliferation of orbital fibroblasts, causing muscle enlargement, tissue infiltration, and increased orbital fat, with clinical signs including lid swelling, excessive tearing, eyelid retraction, and bulging of the eyes. In 3 to 5% of cases, optic nerve compression makes the disease sight-threatening. Expression of NLRP3, a principal inflammasome component, is increased in TED patients, and research indicates that inflammasome inhibition can be beneficial in TED. Currently available therapies carry significant side effects. A clinical trial of oral K9 in patients with thyroid eye disease is underway.