ACE-031
Also known as: ACVR2B-Fc, ActRIIB-Fc fusion protein
ACE-031 is an investigational compound. Research use only. Not approved for human use.
Overview
Soluble form of activin type IIB receptor (ActRIIB-Fc fusion protein) that acts as a myostatin and activin trap. Blocks the primary signals that limit muscle growth by sequestering myostatin, activin, and related ligands before they reach cell surface receptors. Phase 2 trials in Duchenne muscular dystrophy demonstrated significant lean mass increases.
Research Summary
ACE-031 functions as a decoy receptor, binding myostatin, activin A/B, GDF-11, and BMP-9 in circulation before they can activate cellular ActRIIB receptors. In the Duchenne muscular dystrophy Phase 2 trial, ACE-031 produced meaningful lean body mass increases but was halted due to vascular side effects (epistaxis, telangiectasia) requiring dose and safety optimization.
Dosing Range
low
0.3mg/kg
moderate
1mg/kg
high
3mg/kg
Units: mg/kg · Frequency: every 2–4 weeks (subcutaneous injection)
Dosing ranges are aggregated from preclinical research and community protocols. Not medical dosing guidance.
Administration Routes
Reconstitution Notes
Supplied as lyophilized powder. Reconstitute with sterile water per manufacturer instructions. Gently swirl — do not vortex. Refrigerate; stable 28 days after reconstitution.Step-by-step reconstitution guide →
Supplies you'll need
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Reported Side Effects
- Nosebleeds (epistaxis — most common reported AE)
- Telangiectasia (visible small blood vessel dilation)
- Gum bleeding
- Elevated hemoglobin
- Potential cardiovascular effects at high doses
- Injection site reactions
Research Papers
2 peer-reviewed sourcesCommunity Experiences
Aggregated from public forums. Anecdotal — not clinical evidence.
Community discussion of ACE-031 research interest for muscle growth, noting epistaxis as the key concern.
View original threadDiscussion of myostatin inhibition compounds including ACE-031 vs. follistatin approaches.
View original threadOverview
ACE-031 is a recombinant fusion protein consisting of the extracellular domain of the activin type IIB receptor (ActRIIB) linked to the Fc region of human IgG1. The concept is elegant: rather than blocking myostatin at the receptor level, ACE-031 creates a circulating "trap" that sequesters myostatin and related ligands in the bloodstream before they ever reach muscle cells.
Developed by Acceleron Pharma, ACE-031 entered human trials for Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) — a condition where myostatin inhibition is a promising therapeutic avenue because it could increase muscle mass independent of the primary genetic defect.
Mechanism
Ligand Sequestration
ActRIIB is the primary cellular receptor that, when activated by myostatin and related ligands, triggers SMAD2/3 signaling to suppress muscle protein synthesis and stimulate muscle atrophy pathways.
ACE-031 functions as a decoy by:
- Circulating as a soluble form of the ActRIIB ectodomain
- Binding and neutralizing myostatin, activin A/B, GDF-11, and BMP-9
- Preventing these ligands from activating cellular ActRIIB on muscle fibers
- Removing the primary molecular brake on skeletal muscle hypertrophy
Breadth of Inhibition
Unlike myostatin-specific antibodies (which only block myostatin), ACE-031 blocks the entire ActRIIB ligand family. This broader approach may explain both its potency (inhibiting more negative regulators) and its vascular side effects (activin/BMP-9 have roles in vascular homeostasis).
Clinical Trial Data
The Phase 2 DMD trial showed:
- Statistically significant increases in lean body mass within weeks
- Decrease in fat mass
- Trial halted due to vascular adverse events (epistaxis, telangiectasia) at higher doses
These vascular effects are mechanistically linked to ACE-031's inhibition of activin-related signaling pathways that regulate blood vessel stability, not a peptide toxicity per se.
Comparison: Myostatin Inhibition Approaches
| Approach | Specificity | Route | Status | |----------|-------------|-------|--------| | ACE-031 | ActRIIB ligand family | SC | Trials paused | | Follistatin 344 | Myostatin + activin | SC | Research | | Anti-myostatin antibodies | Myostatin-specific | IV/SC | Active trials | | GDF-11 inhibition | GDF-11 specific | Research | Preclinical |
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