CA77.1 (CA) is a synthetic compound that activates chaperone-mediated autophagy (CMA) by increasing the expression of the lysosomal receptor for this pathway, LAMP2A, in lysosomes. CA77.1 is a derivative of earlier compound AR7(HY-101106), which shows potent CMA activation in vitro but is not suitable for in vivo use.[1][2][3] CA77.1 is able to activate CMA in vivo, and demonstrates brain penetrance and favorable pharmacokinetics. It has been shown in animal studies that in vivo administration of CA77.1 to enhance chaperone-mediated autophagy, may help to degrade toxic pathogenic protein products such as tau proteins and has potential applications in the treatment of Alzheimer's disease[4][5] particularly in improving both behavior and neuropathology in PS19 mice models.
^US 9512092, Cuervo AM, Gavathiotis E, Xin Q, Das BC, "Retinoic acid receptor antagonists as chaperone-mediated autophagy modulators and uses thereof", published 18 June 2015, assigned to Albert Einstein College of Medicine of Yeshiva
^WO 2020077024, Cuervo AM, Gavathiotis E, "Benzoxazole and related compounds useful as chaperone-mediated autophagy modulators", published 16 April 2020, assigned to Albert Einstein College of Medicine of Yeshiva
