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Theyab A, Alsharif KF, Alzahrani KJ, Oyouni AAA, Hawsawi YM, Algahtani M, Alghamdi S, Alshammary AF. New insight into strategies used to develop long-acting G-CSF biologics for neutropenia therapy. Front Oncol 2023; 12:1026377. [PMID: 36686781 PMCID: PMC9850083 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2022.1026377] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2022] [Accepted: 12/08/2022] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Over the last 20 years, granulocyte colony-stimulating factors (G-CSFs) have become the major therapeutic option for the treatment of patients with neutropenia. Most of the current G-CSFs require daily injections, which are inconvenient and expensive for patients. Increased understanding of G-CSFs' structure, expression, and mechanism of clearance has been very instrumental in the development of new generations of long-acting G-CSFs with improved efficacy. Several approaches to reducing G-CSF clearance via conjugation techniques have been investigated. PEGylation, glycosylation, polysialylation, or conjugation with immunoglobulins or albumins have successfully increased G-CSFs' half-lives. Pegfilgrastim (Neulasta) has been successfully approved and marketed for the treatment of patients with neutropenia. The rapidly expanding market for G-CSFs has increased demand for G-CSF biosimilars. Therefore, the importance of this review is to highlight the principle, elimination's route, half-life, clearance, safety, benefits, and limitations of different strategies and techniques used to increase the half-life of biotherapeutic G-CSFs. Understanding these strategies will allow for a new treatment with more competitive manufacturing and lower unit costs compared with that of Neulasta.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abdulrahman Theyab
- Department of Laboratory and Blood Bank, Security Forces Hospital, Makkah, Saudi Arabia,College of Medicine, Al-Faisal University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia,*Correspondence: Abdulrahman Theyab, ; Khalaf F. Alsharif,
| | - Khalaf F. Alsharif
- Department of Clinical Laboratory Sciences, College of Applied Medical Sciences, Taif University, Taif, Saudi Arabia,*Correspondence: Abdulrahman Theyab, ; Khalaf F. Alsharif,
| | - Khalid J. Alzahrani
- Department of Clinical Laboratory Sciences, College of Applied Medical Sciences, Taif University, Taif, Saudi Arabia
| | | | - Yousef MohammedRabaa Hawsawi
- College of Medicine, Al-Faisal University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia,Research Center, King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Center, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Mohammad Algahtani
- Department of Laboratory and Blood Bank, Security Forces Hospital, Makkah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Saad Alghamdi
- Laboratory Medicine Department, Faculty of Applied Medical Sciences, Umm Al-Qura University, Makkah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Amal F. Alshammary
- Department of Clinical Laboratory Sciences, College of Applied Medical Sciences, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
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Jeon Y, Lee N, Baek S, Choi J, Jhee S, Lee H. A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo- and Active-Controlled, Escalating Single-Dose Study to Evaluate the Safety, Tolerability, Pharmacokinetic, and Pharmacodynamic Profiles of Subcutaneous Eflapegrastim in Healthy Japanese and Caucasian Subjects. Drugs R D 2022; 22:71-87. [PMID: 34993933 PMCID: PMC8885935 DOI: 10.1007/s40268-021-00379-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 12/13/2021] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Eflapegrastim (Rolontis®) is a novel long‐acting pegylated recombinant human granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF). Eflapegrastim has been developed to reduce the duration and incidence of chemotherapy-induced neutropenia in cancer patients using patient-friendly, less-frequent administration. Objective This phase I study aimed to evaluate the safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetic (PK), pharmacodynamic (PD), and immunogenicity of eflapegrastim following a single subcutaneous administration to healthy Japanese and Caucasian subjects. Methods A randomized, double-blind, placebo- and active-controlled, dose-escalation study was conducted in healthy Japanese and Caucasian subjects. Eligible subjects randomly received a single subcutaneous administration of eflapegrastim (1.1, 3.3, 10, 45, 135, and 270 μg/kg), pegfilgrastim 6 mg, or placebo in a ratio of 6:2:2 (Cohorts 1–2, Caucasian subjects only) or 12:2:2 (Cohorts 3–6, Japanese and Caucasian subjects). Safety and tolerability were assessed throughout the study. Serial blood samples were collected predose and up to day 22 postdose for PK and PD analyses. PK assessments were performed in the 45, 135, and 270 µg/kg dose groups. Antidrug antibodies to eflapegrastim were determined at baseline up to day 42 after the first dose for immunogenicity. Results A total of 84 subjects (42 males and 42 females) were enrolled, and 78 (31 Japanese and 47 Caucasian subjects) completed the study as planned. Japanese and Caucasian subjects showed similar PK and PD profiles. In the 45, 135, and 270 µg/kg dose groups, the maximum serum concentration (Cmax) of eflapegrastim exhibited a dose-proportional increase, whereas its exposure increased greater than dose proportional in both ethnic groups. The mean area under the effect-time curve (AUEClast) and maximum serum concentration of both absolute neutrophil count (ANCmax) and CD34+ cell count (CD34+max) increased in a dose-dependent manner. There were no significant adverse events attributable to eflapegrastim or pegfilgrastim in both Japanese and Caucasian subjects. No neutralizing antibodies against G‐CSF were detected. Conclusions Eflapegrastim was safe and well tolerated at doses up to 270 μg/kg in healthy Japanese and Caucasian subjects. In both ethnic groups, eflapegrastim showed dose-dependent PK and the exposure to eflapegrastim was positively correlated with ANC and CD34+ cell count. The comparable PK and PD profiles of eflapegrastim in Japanese and Caucasian subjects may indicate the same dosage regimen is acceptable. Clinical Trial Registration ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT01037543 (23 December 2009).
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Affiliation(s)
- Yoomin Jeon
- Department of Applied Biomedical Engineering, Graduate School of Convergence Science and Technology, Seoul National University, Seoul, 08826, South Korea.,Department of Molecular Medicine and Biopharmaceutical Sciences, Graduate School of Convergence Science and Technology, Seoul National University, Seoul, 08826, South Korea.,Center for Convergence Approaches in Drug Development, Graduate School of Convergence Science and Technology, Seoul National University, Seoul, 08826, South Korea
| | - Nora Lee
- Hanmi Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., Seoul, 05545, South Korea
| | - Seungjae Baek
- Hanmi Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., Seoul, 05545, South Korea
| | - JaeDuk Choi
- Hanmi Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., Seoul, 05545, South Korea
| | | | - Howard Lee
- Department of Applied Biomedical Engineering, Graduate School of Convergence Science and Technology, Seoul National University, Seoul, 08826, South Korea. .,Department of Molecular Medicine and Biopharmaceutical Sciences, Graduate School of Convergence Science and Technology, Seoul National University, Seoul, 08826, South Korea. .,Department of Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Seoul National University College of Medicine and Hospital, Seoul, 03080, South Korea. .,Center for Convergence Approaches in Drug Development, Graduate School of Convergence Science and Technology, Seoul National University, Seoul, 08826, South Korea. .,Advanced Institute of Convergence Technology, Gyeonggi-do, 16229, South Korea.
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Barrett JA, Choi J, Lakshmikanthan S, Kim YY, Greene D, Kolli P, Song TH, Choi IY, Kim YH, Lebel F. Eflapegrastim's enhancement of efficacy compared with pegfilgrastim in neutropenic rats supports potential for same-day dosing. Exp Hematol 2020; 92:51-61. [PMID: 33002567 DOI: 10.1016/j.exphem.2020.09.199] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2020] [Revised: 09/21/2020] [Accepted: 09/26/2020] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
Eflapegrastim (Rolontis) is a long-acting granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) with an IgG4 Fc fragment and short polyethylene glycol linker. Current G-CSF products are administered 24 hours after chemotherapy. The present study compares the duration of neutropenia (DN) with eflapegrastim or pegfilgrastim at 0, 2, 5, or 24 hours post chemotherapy. Eflapegrastim was evaluated by G-CSF receptor binding and bone marrow cell proliferation assays in vitro. Eflapegrastim-Fc component binding to Fcγ receptors C1q and FcRn was assessed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Neutropenia was induced in rats via intraperitoneal cyclophosphamide or docetaxel/cyclophosphamide. Rats received chemotherapy followed by vehicle, pegfilgrastim, or eflapegrastim at 2, 5, or 24 hours. The difference in DN after treatment was assessed. In vitro binding to G-CSF receptor of both agents was similar. Binding to FcRn and no binding to Fcγ receptors or C1q were observed with eflapegrastim. Studies in chemotherapy-induced neutropenic rats revealed shorter DN with eflapegrastim versus pegfilgrastim. Increased levels of G-CSF in serum and marrow were observed in groups treated with eflapegrastim versus those treated with pegfilgrastim. Although eflapegrastim and pegfilgrastim have similar in vitro binding affinity, the Fc fragment in eflapegrastim increases the uptake into bone marrow, resulting in increased therapeutic potential for chemotherapy-induced neutropenia. Eflapegrastim's greater marrow resident time provided a pharmacodynamic advantage over pegfilgrastim, translating into shortened duration of neutropenia. Our findings support eflapegrastim same-day administration with chemotherapy, warranting further evaluation in patients undergoing myelosuppressive chemotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Yu-Yon Kim
- Hanmi Pharmaceuticals, Seoul, South Korea
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Cobb PW, Moon YW, Mezei K, Láng I, Bhat G, Chawla S, Hasal SJ, Schwartzberg LS. A comparison of eflapegrastim to pegfilgrastim in the management of chemotherapy-induced neutropenia in patients with early-stage breast cancer undergoing cytotoxic chemotherapy (RECOVER): A Phase 3 study. Cancer Med 2020; 9:6234-6243. [PMID: 32687266 PMCID: PMC7476820 DOI: 10.1002/cam4.3227] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2020] [Revised: 05/15/2020] [Accepted: 05/26/2020] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Eflapegrastim (Rolontis®) is a novel, long‐acting hematopoietic growth factor consisting of a recombinant human granulocyte‐colony stimulating factor (rhG‐CSF) analog conjugated to a human IgG4 Fc fragment via a short polyethylene glycol linker. We report results from a second pivotal, randomized, open‐label, Phase 3 study comparing the efficacy and safety of eflapegrastim to pegfilgrastim for reducing the risk of chemotherapy‐induced neutropenia. Patients with Stage I to IIIA early‐stage breast cancer (ESBC) were randomized 1:1 to fixed‐dose eflapegrastim 13.2 mg (3.6 mg G‐CSF) or pegfilgrastim (6 mg G‐CSF) administered one day after standard docetaxel/cyclophosphamide (TC) therapy for four cycles. The primary objective was to demonstrate noninferiority (NI) of eflapegrastim compared to pegfilgrastim in mean duration of severe neutropenia (DSN; Grade 4) in Cycle 1. A total of 237 eligible patients were randomized 1:1 to receive either eflapegrastim (n = 118) or pegfilgrastim (n = 119). Cycle 1 severe neutropenia was observed in 20.3% (n = 24) of patients receiving eflapegrastim and 23.5% (n = 28) receiving pegfilgrastim. The DSN of eflapegrastim in Cycle 1 was noninferior to pegfilgrastim with a mean difference of −0.074 days (NI P‐value < .0001). Noninferiority was maintained throughout the four treatment cycles (P < .0001 in all cycles). Other efficacy endpoints results were comparable between treatment arms, and adverse events, irrespective of causality and grade, were comparable between treatment arms. The results demonstrate noninferior efficacy and comparable safety for eflapegrastim, at a lower G‐CSF dose, vs pegfilgrastim. The potential for the increased potency of eflapegrastim to deliver improved clinical benefit warrants further clinical study.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patrick Wayne Cobb
- St. Vincent's Frontier Cancer Center, Frontier Cancer Center, Billings, MT, USA
| | | | - Klára Mezei
- Szabolcs-Szatmár - Bereg County Hospital, Nyíregyháza, Hungary
| | - István Láng
- National Institute of Oncology, Budapest, Hungary
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Schwartzberg LS, Bhat G, Peguero J, Agajanian R, Bharadwaj JS, Restrepo A, Hlalah O, Mehmi I, Chawla S, Hasal SJ, Yang Z, Cobb PW. Eflapegrastim, a Long-Acting Granulocyte-Colony Stimulating Factor for the Management of Chemotherapy-Induced Neutropenia: Results of a Phase III Trial. Oncologist 2020; 25:e1233-e1241. [PMID: 32476162 PMCID: PMC7418343 DOI: 10.1634/theoncologist.2020-0105] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2020] [Accepted: 05/07/2020] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Eflapegrastim, a novel, long‐acting recombinant human granulocyte‐colony stimulating factor (rhG‐CSF), consists of a rhG‐CSF analog conjugated to a human IgG4 Fc fragment via a short polyethylene glycol linker. Preclinical and phase I and II pharmacodynamic and pharmacokinetic data showed increased potency for neutrophil counts for eflapegrastim versus pegfilgrastim. This open‐label phase III trial compared the efficacy and safety of eflapegrastim with pegfilgrastim for reducing the risk of chemotherapy‐induced neutropenia. Materials and Methods Patients with early‐stage breast cancer were randomized 1:1 to fixed‐dose eflapegrastim 13.2 mg (3.6 mg G‐CSF) or standard pegfilgrastim (6 mg G‐CSF) following standard docetaxel plus cyclophosphamide chemotherapy for 4 cycles. The primary objective was to demonstrate the noninferiority of eflapegrastim compared with pegfilgrastim in mean duration of severe neutropenia (DSN; grade 4) in cycle 1. Results Eligible patients were randomized 1:1 to study arms (eflapegrastim, n = 196; pegfilgrastim, n = 210). The incidence of cycle 1 severe neutropenia was 16% (n = 31) for eflapegrastim versus 24% (n = 51) for pegfilgrastim, reducing the relative risk by 35% (p = .034). The difference in mean cycle 1 DSN (−0.148 day) met the primary endpoint of noninferiority (p < .0001) and also showed statistical superiority for eflapegrastim (p = .013). Noninferiority was maintained for the duration of treatment (all cycles, p < .0001), and secondary efficacy endpoints and safety results were also comparable for study arms. Conclusion These results demonstrate noninferiority and comparable safety for eflapegrastim at a lower G‐CSF dose versus pegfilgrastim. The potential for increased potency of eflapegrastim to deliver improved clinical benefit warrants further clinical study in patients at higher risk for CIN. Implications for Practice Chemotherapy‐induced neutropenia (CIN) remains a significant clinical dilemma for oncology patients who are striving to complete their prescribed chemotherapy regimen. In a randomized, phase III trial comparing eflapegrastim to pegfilgrastim in the prevention of CIN, the efficacy of eflapegrastim was noninferior to pegfilgrastim and had comparable safety. Nevertheless, the risk of CIN remains a great concern for patients undergoing chemotherapy, as the condition frequently results in chemotherapy delays, dose reductions, and treatment discontinuations. Myelosuppression, particularly neutropenia, has presented a major challenge in cancer treatment since the introduction of cytotoxic chemotherapy. This article reports the results of a phase III trial that compared the efficacy and safety of eflapegrastim with pegfilgrastim for reducing the risk of chemotherapy‐induced neutropenia.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Gajanan Bhat
- Spectrum Pharmaceuticals, Inc.IrvineCaliforniaUSA
| | | | - Richy Agajanian
- The Oncology Institute of Hope and InnovationDowneyCaliforniaUSA
| | | | | | | | - Inderjit Mehmi
- City of Hope Comprehensive Cancer CenterSimi ValleyCaliforniaUSA
| | | | | | - Zane Yang
- Spectrum Pharmaceuticals, Inc.IrvineCaliforniaUSA
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Ahn LY, Shin KH, Lim KS, Kim TE, Jeon H, Yoon SH, Cho JY, Shin SG, Jang IJ, Yu KS. Relationship Between Absolute Neutrophil Count Profiles and Pharmacokinetics of DA-3031, a Pegylated Granulocyte Colony-Stimulating Factor (Pegylated-G-CSF): A Dose Block-Randomized, Double-Blind, Dose-Escalation Study in Healthy Subjects. Clin Drug Investig 2013; 33:817-24. [DOI: 10.1007/s40261-013-0130-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
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