Amlexanox: A Novel Therapeutic for Atopic, Metabolic, and Inflammatory Disease

Amlexanox, a small molecule targeted therapy which has been used in the treatment of atopic conditions was previously but is not currently available in the United States. Amlexanox has also been legally utilized and administered in Japan as a treatment for asthma, a chronic pulmonary disease characterized by inflammation of the lower respiratory tract. Amlexanox’s immune modulatory effects have been the subject of studies which have repurposed the drug for potential therapeutic applications in metabolic and inflammatory disease. Because amlexanox inhibits TANK-binding kinase1 (TBK1) and nuclear factor kB kinase epsilon (IKKε), several studies have demonstrated its usefulness through its evidence downregulation of the immune system and attenuation of downstream TBK1 signaling. Novel therapies, such as amlexanox, for inflammatory conditions such as asthma will continue to be of value in clinical management. This report summarizes key applications of the drug based on animal and human studies and explores its potential in treatment of metabolic and inflammatory diseases.