Cardiotrophin 1

Summary

Cardiotrophin-1 (CT-1) is an endogenous cytokine of the IL-6 superfamily, originally identified for its ability to induce hypertrophic growth of cardiomyocytes. It plays roles in cardiac cytoprotection, metabolic regulation (including obesity and liver lipid metabolism), and neuroprotection. It is under investigation as a potential therapeutic for metabolic syndrome, obesity, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, and cardiac protection, but has not been approved for clinical use.

Mechanism of Action

Cardiotrophin-1 (CT-1) signals through a receptor complex composed of gp130 and the leukemia inhibitory factor receptor (LIFR), activating the JAK/STAT3, MAPK/ERK, and PI3K/Akt signaling pathways. This promotes cardiomyocyte hypertrophy, survival, and cytoprotection, and also exerts metabolic effects including regulation of hepatic lipid metabolism and energy homeostasis.

Routes of Administration

Goals & Uses

• Cardiac hypertrophy induction (physiological)CardiologyModerate
• NeuroprotectionNeurologyLow
• Cardiac cytoprotectionCardiologyModerate
• Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) treatmentHepatologyLow
• Anti-obesity / metabolic regulationMetabolic DiseaseModerate

Contraindications

• Active malignancyOncologyHighUse caution or avoid depending on agent and context
• Severe inflammatory conditions / sepsisImmunologyModerate
• Pre-existing pathological cardiac hypertrophyCardiologyModerate

Adverse Effects

• Injection site reactionsLocalUnknown
• HypotensionCardiovascularUnknownLow blood pressure
• Pro-inflammatory cytokine releaseImmunologicalUnknown
• Cardiac hypertrophyCardiovascularUnknown

Drug Interactions

• JAK inhibitors (e.g., ruxolitinib, tofacitinib)Moderate
• Anti-IL-6 receptor antibodies (e.g., tocilizumab)Moderate
• Cardiotoxic chemotherapeutic agents (e.g., doxorubicin)Low

Population Constraints

• PregnancyReproductive SafetyRelative
• Pediatric populationsAgeRelative
• Patients with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF)CardiovascularRelative
• Immunocompromised patientsImmunologicRelative

Regulatory Status

• European UnionUnapprovedNo EMA approval. Preclinical and early investigational research only.
• United StatesUnapprovedCT-1 has no FDA approval. Research use only; investigational studies conducted under IND framework if applicable.
• United KingdomUnapprovedNo MHRA approval. Research molecule only.

CT-1 is not approved by any major regulatory agency for therapeutic use. It remains an investigational molecule studied in preclinical and early research settings.

Evidence & Sources

No sources recorded yet.