Carisma Therapeutics presents data for macrophages in liver fibrosis

Carisma Therapeutics announced new data demonstrating preclinical proof of concept using engineered anti-fibrotic macrophages for the treatment of liver fibrosis. The data was presented in a poster session at the American Society of Gene and Cell Therapy 2024 Annual Meeting on May 8 in Baltimore. The data demonstrate that engineered macrophages trafficked to fibrotic tissues expressed genetically encoded disease-modifying payloads, and significantly reduced fibrosis in the liver. The data showed that a single dose of macrophages co-expressing the anti-fibrotic factor relaxin and the anti-inflammatory cytokine IL10 significantly improved established fibrosis in a CCl4-induced liver fibrosis model, with a 116% reduction in fibrosis relative to untreated control. Also, systemic administration of engineered macrophages co-expressing relaxin and IL10 significantly reduced liver fibrosis in a high fat diet MASH model, with a 45% reduction in fibrosis relative to untreated control. Carisma expects to nominate a development candidate for its liver fibrosis program in 1Q25.