On May 12, 2025 Hoth Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ: HOTH), a patient-focused biopharmaceutical company developing innovative therapies for unmet medical needs, reported compelling preclinical data for HT-KIT, its proprietary antisense oligonucleotide (ASO) therapeutic designed to target and silence aberrant KIT gene expression—implicated in a variety of rare, treatment-resistant cancers (Press release, Hoth Therapeutics, MAY 12, 2025, View Source [SID1234652893]).

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HT-KIT is engineered to selectively bind to mutant KIT mRNA transcripts and block their translation, thereby preventing the production of the KIT protein, a critical driver of tumor growth in cancers such as gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST), systemic mastocytosis, and certain acute leukemias.

Preclinical Milestones:

Over 80% reduction in KIT expression in vitro using cancer cell lines harboring activating KIT mutations.
Significant inhibition of tumor growth in GIST and mast cell tumor animal models following systemic administration of HT-KIT.
No observable off-target toxicity in liver, kidney, or bone marrow, suggesting a favorable safety profile.
"We believe HT-KIT represents a first-in-class approach to treating KIT-mutated cancers at the genetic level, offering hope for patients who have exhausted traditional therapies," said Robb Knie, CEO of Hoth Therapeutics. "The strength of our preclinical data positions HT-KIT as a powerful candidate for precision oncology. We are moving rapidly toward IND submission and are eager to begin human trials.

Current treatment options for KIT-driven cancers often rely on tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs), which may lead to drug resistance or systemic side effects. HT-KIT offers a highly targeted alternative by attacking the disease at the mRNA level—upstream of protein expression—potentially avoiding the resistance mechanisms seen with small-molecule therapies.

Next Steps:

Hoth Therapeutics expects to file an Investigational New Drug (IND) application with the FDA in early 2026, with first-in-human Phase 1 trials planned shortly thereafter. The company is actively engaging regulatory advisors and contract research partners to accelerate clinical development.

About HT-KIT

HT-KIT is a synthetic antisense oligonucleotide developed using proprietary gene-silencing technology licensed exclusively by Hoth. It is designed to inhibit KIT gene expression in tumors where KIT mutations are known oncogenic drivers. Preclinical studies suggest HT-KIT has the potential to overcome resistance seen in patients previously treated with TKIs.