Toreforant (JNJ-38518168) is an orally-dosed selective

antagonist An antagonist is a character in a story who is presented as the chief foe of the protagonist. Etymology The English word antagonist comes from the Greek ἀνταγωνιστής – ''antagonistēs'', "opponent, competitor, villain, enemy, riv ...

of the histamine H₄ receptor that has been studied for various health conditions. It is the successor of a number of H₄-selective compounds developed by

Johnson & Johnson Johnson & Johnson (J&J) is an American multinational corporation founded in 1886 that develops medical devices, pharmaceuticals, and consumer packaged goods. Its common stock is a component of the Dow Jones Industrial Average and the company i ...

. Phase IIa clinical trials completed as recently as November 2018 continue to suggest that toreforant is safe. As of the end of 2020, there is no regulator-approved H₄ antagonist. In U.S. Phase II clinical trials, toreforant, by itself, did not show efficacy against

eosinophilic asthma Asthma is a long-term inflammatory disease of the airways of the lungs. It is characterized by variable and recurring symptoms, reversible airflow obstruction, and easily triggered bronchospasms. Symptoms include episodes of wheezing, cou ...

. The drug did show at least partial efficacy against

rheumatoid arthritis Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a long-term autoimmune disorder that primarily affects joints. It typically results in warm, swollen, and painful joints. Pain and stiffness often worsen following rest. Most commonly, the wrist and hands are involv ...

in patients who were nonresponsive to

methotrexate Methotrexate (MTX), formerly known as amethopterin, is a chemotherapy agent and immune-system suppressant. It is used to treat cancer, autoimmune diseases, and ectopic pregnancies. Types of cancers it is used for include breast cancer, leuke ...

. As the H₄ receptor is widely implicated in the regulation of inflammatory states, the potential uses for an H₄ antagonist remain significant.

References

Benzimidazoles Piperazines Anti-inflammatory agents Johnson & Johnson brands H4 receptor antagonists Carboxamides Chloroarenes {{drug-stub

See also

References