Treatment of chronic spontaneous urticaria with benralizumab: Report of primary endpoint per-protocol analysis and exploratory endpoints

Chronic urticaria: unmet needs, emerging drugs, and new perspectives on personalised treatment

Chronic urticaria is a common and debilitating mast cell-driven skin disease presenting with itchy wheals, angio-oedema, or both. Chronic urticaria is classified as spontaneous (without definite triggers) and inducible (with definite and subtype-specific triggers; eg, cold or pressure). Current management guidelines recommend step-up administration of second-generation H1-antihistamines to four-fold the approved dose, followed by omalizumab and ciclosporin. However, in many patients, chronic urticaria does not respond to this linear approach due to heterogeneous underlying mechanisms. A personalised endotype-based approach is emerging based on the identification of autoantibodies and other drivers of urticaria pathogenesis. Over the past decade, clinical trials have presented promising options for targeted treatment of chronic urticaria with the potential for disease modification, including Bruton's tyrosine kinase inhibitors, anti-cytokine therapies, and mast cell depletion. This Therapeutics article focuses on the evidence for these novel drugs and their role in addressing an unmet need for personalised management of patients with chronic urticaria.

Benralizumab does not elicit therapeutic effect in patients with chronic spontaneous urticaria: results from the phase IIb multinational randomized double-blind placebo-controlled ARROYO trial

BACKGROUND

Chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU) is a relatively common skin disease associated with hives and angio-oedema. Eosinophils play a role in CSU pathogenesis. Benralizumab, an anti-interleukin-5 receptor-α monoclonal antibody, has been shown to induce nearly complete depletion of eosinophils.

OBJECTIVES

To determine the clinical efficacy and safety of benralizumab in patients with CSU who were symptomatic despite H1 antihistamine treatment.

METHODS

The 24-week, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, phase IIb portion of the ARROYO trial enrolled adult patients with CSU who were currently on H1 antihistamine treatment. Patients were randomized to one of five treatment groups according to benralizumab dose and regimen for a 24-week treatment period. The primary endpoint was change from baseline in Itch Severity Score (ISS)7 at week 12. The key secondary endpoint was change from baseline in Urticaria Activity Score (UAS)7 at week 12. Additional secondary endpoints included other metrics to assess CSU at week 24, blood eosinophil levels, and pharmacokinetics and immunogenicity assessments. Exploratory subgroup analyses were conducted to explore responses according to demographics, clinical features and biomarkers. Safety was assessed in all treatment groups.

RESULTS

Of 155 patients, 59 were randomized to benralizumab 30 mg, 56 to benralizumab 60 mg and 40 to placebo. Baseline and disease characteristics were consistent with what was expected for patients with CSU. There were no significant differences in change from baseline in ISS7 score at week 12 between benralizumab and placebo [benralizumab 30 mg vs. placebo, least-squares mean difference -1.01, 95% confidence interval (CI) -3.28 to 1.26; benralizumab 60 mg vs. placebo, least-squares mean difference -1.79, 95% CI -4.09 to 0.50] nor in change from baseline in UAS7 score at week 12 between benralizumab and placebo (benralizumab 30 mg vs. placebo, P = 0.407; benralizumab 60 mg vs. placebo, P = 0.082). Depletion of blood eosinophil levels was observed at week 24 in patients treated with benralizumab. All other secondary endpoints and exploratory/subgroup analyses indicated no significant differences between benralizumab and placebo. Safety results were consistent with the known profile of benralizumab.

CONCLUSIONS

Although benralizumab resulted in near-complete depletion of blood eosinophils, there was no clinical benefit over placebo.

Serum Concentration of IL-5 Receptor (IL-5R) and Associations with Disease Severity in Patients with Chronic Spontaneous Urticaria (CSU) and Atopic Dermatitis (AD)

The immunological pathogenesis of atopic dermatitis (AD) and chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU) has not been fully elucidated yet. The aim of our research was to assess the serum concentration of interleukin-5 receptor (IL-5R) in relation to the disease activity and pruritus intensity in adult patients with AD and CSU. This pilot study included 45 participants (15 patients with AD, 15 patients with CSU, and 15 healthy controls). Blood samples were taken to examine the serum levels of IL-5R using the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) test. The Scoring Atopic Dermatitis (SCORAD) index, the Urticaria Activity Score (UAS7), and the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) were used to assess the disease activity and the pruritus intensity, respectively. Obtained results revealed that the IL-5R concentration was significantly higher in patients with CSU than in patients with AD and in the controls (p = 0.038). There was a positive correlation between the IL-5R level and the SCORAD index in patients with AD (r = -0.9, p = 0.047), which was not found for the CSU activity by UAS7 and with the pruritus severity by VAS in both examined groups of patients. Our findings underscore higher serum levels of IL-5R among CSU and AD patients, which may highlight its functional role in the pathogenesis of these diseases. In contrast, IL-5R might not be fully useful in reflecting the severity of symptoms. Although our results are promising, this study should be conducted on a larger cohort of patients.

Prurigo Nodularis: Pathogenesis and the Horizon of Potential Therapeutics

Chronic pruritus that lasts for over 6 weeks can present in various forms, like papules, nodules, and plaque types, with prurigo nodularis (PN) being the most prevalent. The pathogenesis of PN involves the dysregulation of immune cell-neural circuits and is associated with peripheral neuropathies, possibly due to chronic scratching. PN is a persistent and challenging condition, involving complex interactions among the skin, immune system, and nervous system. Lesional skin in PN exhibits the infiltration of diverse immune cells like T cells, eosinophils, macrophages, and mast cells, leading to the release of inflammatory cytokines and itch-inducing substances. Activated sensory nerve fibers aggravate pruritus by releasing neurotransmitters, perpetuating a vicious cycle of itching and scratching. Traditional treatments often fail, but recent advancements in understanding the inflammatory and itch transmission mechanisms of PN have paved the way for innovative therapeutic approaches, which are explored in this review.

Type 2 chronic inflammatory diseases: targets, therapies and unmet needs

Over the past two decades, significant progress in understanding of the pathogenesis of type 2 chronic inflammatory diseases has enabled the identification of compounds for more than 20 novel targets, which are approved or at various stages of development, finally facilitating a more targeted approach for the treatment of these disorders. Most of these newly identified pathogenic drivers of type 2 inflammation and their corresponding treatments are related to mast cells, eosinophils, T cells, B cells, epithelial cells and sensory nerves. Epithelial barrier defects and dysbiotic microbiomes represent exciting future drug targets for chronic type 2 inflammatory conditions. Here, we review common targets, current treatments and emerging therapies for the treatment of five major type 2 chronic inflammatory diseases - atopic dermatitis, chronic prurigo, chronic urticaria, asthma and chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps - with a high need for targeted therapies. Unmet needs and future directions in the field are discussed.

Chronic spontaneous urticaria: Focus on pathophysiology to unlock treatment advances

Chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU) is a debilitating skin disease characterized by intensely itchy wheals, angioedema, or both. Symptoms recur spontaneously, on a near-daily basis, over >6 weeks; many patients experience flare-ups over several years and, consequently, reduced quality of life. Differences between the inflammatory profiles of the skin of CSU patients (wheals and nonlesional sites) and healthy controls indicate that key drivers such as mast cells, eosinophils, and basophils interact, release vasoactive mediators, and prime the skin, leaving patients predisposed to symptoms. Many cytokines and chemokines involved in these inflammatory networks and their corresponding intracellular signaling cascades have been identified. These insights informed the development of therapies such as omalizumab, dupilumab, and Bruton's tyrosine kinase (BTK) inhibitors, marking a renewed focus on pathogenesis in CSU clinical research. Despite progress, current therapies provide symptomatic control but do not appear to redress the inflammatory balance in the skin permanently. A deeper understanding of CSU pathogenesis will permit a more targeted approach to developing novel treatments with curative intent. Here, we review what is known about the pathogenesis of CSU and consider how this can be used to identify rational targets to improve patient care further.

Unveiling chronic spontaneous urticaria pathophysiology through systems biology

BACKGROUND

Chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU) is a rare, heterogeneous, severely debilitating, and often poorly controlled skin disease resulting in an itchy eruption that can be persistent. Antihistamines and omalizumab, an anti-IgE mAb, are the only licensed therapies. Although CSU pathogenesis is not yet fully understood, mast cell activation through the IgE:high-affinity IgE receptor (FcεRI) axis appears central to the disease process.

OBJECTIVE

We sought to model CSU pathophysiology and identify in silico the mechanism of action of different CSU therapeutic strategies currently in use or under development.

METHODS

Therapeutic performance mapping system technology, based on systems biology and machine learning, was used to create a CSU interactome validated with gene expression data from patients with CSU and a CSU model that was used to evaluate CSU pathophysiology and the mechanism of action of different therapeutic strategies.

RESULTS

Our models reflect the known role of mast cell activation as a central process of CSU pathophysiology, as well as recognized roles for different therapeutic strategies in this and other innate and adaptive immune processes. They also allow determining similarities and differences between them; anti-IgE and Bruton tyrosine kinase inhibitors play a more direct role in mast cell biology through abrogation of FcεRI signaling activity, whereas anti-interleukins and anti-Siglec-8 have a role in adaptive immunity modulation.

CONCLUSION

In silico CSU models reproduced known CSU and therapeutic strategies features. Our results could help advance understanding of therapeutic mechanisms of action and further advance treatment research by patient profile.

Existing and Investigational Medications for Refractory Chronic Spontaneous Urticaria: Safety, Adverse Effects, and Monitoring

Treatment of chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU) is responsive to H1 antihistamines administered up to four times the recommended US Food and Drug Administration dose in approximately 50% of patients. However, when patients do not respond to these first-line agents, evidence-based guidelines using Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development, and Evaluations methodology have provided direction for second- and third-line treatments that can effectively treat patients with CSU. Some patients remain refractory to these advanced treatments; therefore, alternative treatments with a lower certainty of evidence may be necessary. Regardless of the therapies used to treat CSU patients, it is essential for clinicians to be knowledgeable about the mechanism of action, efficacy, and safety and monitoring recommendations of the treatments prescribed. This review provides a comprehensive review of the adverse effects and monitoring recommendations for agents in use for CSU treatment as well as those currently undergoing investigation for CSU treatment.

Novel biologics for treatment of chronic spontaneous urticaria

Chronic idiopathic/spontaneous urticaria (CIU/CSU) causes significant impairments in quality of life and is often unresponsive to antihistamines. Although the anti-IgE mAb omalizumab has been an important addition to the therapeutic armamentarium for the management of patients with CSU, there are still a significant percentage of patients who do not respond to the combination of antihistamines and omalizumab. As a result, additional treatments are needed. With the expanding knowledge of the pathogenesis of CSU and the role of mast cells, novel therapeutic agents targeting unique pathways important in CSU are in development. This review focuses on the rationale behind, and results of, novel therapies trialed in CSU.

Pediatric chronic spontaneous urticaria: a brief clinician's guide

INTRODUCTION

Chronic urticaria (CU) appears with daily or intermittent/recurrent wheals with/without angioedema for more than six weeks. When no specific eliciting factors are found, chronic urticaria is defined as spontaneous (CSU). Up to 50% of patients with CSU do not respond to therapy, leading to a prolonged disease course and the need for expensive therapies, impacting the quality of life (QoL) and healthcare resources.

AREAS COVERED

: Diagnosis of CSU is made when other potential causes of chronic urticaria are excluded. CSU therapy aims to achieve complete control of symptoms and normalization of QoL. Current treatment options for urticaria aim to target mast cell mediators such as histamine, or activators, such as autoantibodies. Guidelines recommend starting with second generation antihistamines (sgAHs) and adding omalizumab therapy if symptoms are not controlled. This review aims to provide a practical guide for CSU in the pediatric population.

EXPERT OPINION

: Treatment options for pediatric CSU are primarily based on adult data that have been extrapolated for children. Current guidelines should be re-evaluated based on pediatric data, new biological treatments, and the COVID-19 pandemic. Future research is needed to investigate strategies to personalize current treatments and identify potential predictive biomarkers.

Case of benralizumab-induced exacerbations of chronic spontaneous urticaria

The role of IL-5 in chronic spontaneous urticarial (CSU) is unclear. It may be that benralizumab is an important bidirectional modifier of CSU; that is, blocking IL-5 may improve CSU in some patients, but it is possible that it may worsen CSU in others.

Emerging treatments for chronic urticaria

INTRODUCTION

Across the globe, chronic urticaria (CU), i.e. chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU) and chronic inducible urticaria (CINDU), is common, long-persisting and difficult to manage. Still, at least one-fifth is not sufficiently controlled by guideline-recommended treatment with H1-antihistamines and add-on therapy with the anti-IgE monoclonal antibody omalizumab.

AREAS COVERED

Using PubMed, ClinicalTrials.gov, Congress websites, and websites of the manufacturers, this review explored the pipeline, namely anti-IgE-, anti-cytokine-, anti-receptor biologics, and small molecules, in clinical development for CU.

EXPERT OPINION

The CU pipeline is promising. While three omalizumab biosimilars are investigated, the assumed early approval of ligelizumab will expand the effective and safe anti-IgE approach observed with omalizumab. For other anti-IgEs like UB-221, the development is behind. Data are too limited so far to clearly define the role of anti-cytokine and anti-cytokine receptor biologics such as dupilumab, tezepelumab, mepolizumab, benralizumab, and CDX-0159, of which only dupilumab is actually investigated in phase 3. Among three selective oral BTK inhibitors, remibrutinib, rilzabrutinib, and fenebrutinib, the development of remibrutinib is most advanced (phase 3). As the pipeline addresses different targets, study results will give deeper insights into the pathomechanisms of CU. Hopefully, in the next future additional approved and also more targeted approaches will be available.

EAACI Biologicals Guidelines-Omalizumab for the treatment of chronic spontaneous urticaria in adults and in the paediatric population 12-17 years old

Chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU) imposes a significant burden on patients, families and healthcare systems. Management is difficult, due to disease heterogeneity and insufficient efficacy of classical drugs such as H₁ R-antihistamines. Better understanding of the mechanisms has enabled a stratified approach to the management of CSU, supporting the use of targeted treatment with omalizumab. However, many practical issues including selection of responders, the definition of response, strategies to enhance the responder rate, the duration of treatment and its regimen (in the clinic or home-based) and its cost-effectiveness still require further clarification. The EAACI Guidelines on the use of omalizumab in CSU follow the GRADE approach in formulating recommendations for each outcome. In addition, future therapeutic approaches and perspectives as well as research priorities are discussed.

Highlights in the advances of chronic rhinosinusitis

Chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) is a complex upper airway inflammatory disease with a broad spectrum of clinical variants. As our understanding of the disease pathophysiology evolves, so too does our philosophy towards the approach and management of CRS. Endotyping is gaining favour over phenotype-based classifications, owing to its potential in prognosticating disease severity and delivering precision treatment. Endotyping is especially useful in challenging CRS with nasal polyposis cases, for whom novel treatment options such as biologicals are now available. The latest European Position Paper on Rhinosinusitis and Nasal Polyps (EPOS2020) reflects these changes with updated rhinosinusitis classifications and new integrated care pathways. With the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, physicians and rhinologists have to balance the responsibility of managing their patients' upper airway while adequately protecting themselves from droplet and aerosol transmission. This review summarises the key updates from EPOS2020, endotype-based classification and biomarkers. The role of biologicals in CRS and the lessons we can draw from their use in severe asthma will be examined. Finally, the principles of CRS management during COVID-19 will also be discussed.

Pre-existing cerebrovascular disease and poor outcomes of COVID-19 hospitalized patients: a meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Due to pro-inflammatory and hypercoagulation states, COVID-19 infection is believed to increase the risk of stroke and worsen the outcomes of the patients having pre-existing cerebrovascular diseases (CeVD). There is limited literature on prevalence of pre-existing CeVD in COVID-19 patients, and outcomes are unknown. The objective of this meta-analysis is to evaluate the outcomes of COVID-19 patients with pre-existing CeVD.

METHODS

English full-text-observational studies having data on epidemiological characteristics of COVID-19 patients were identified searching PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus using MeSH-terms COVID-19 OR coronavirus OR SARS-CoV-2 OR 2019-nCoV from December 1, 2019 to April 30, 2020. Studies having CeVD or stroke as one of the pre-existing comorbidities and described outcomes including intensive care unit (ICU) admission, mechanical ventilation utilization, and mortality were selected with consensus of three reviewers. Following MOOSE protocol, 11 studies were included. The pooled prevalence of CeVD and outcomes were calculated. Meta-regression was performed, and correlation coefficient (r) and odds ratio (OR) were estimated to evaluate the effects of pre-existing CeVD on outcomes of COVID-19 patients. Meta-analysis with random-effects model was used to calculate OR along with its 95% CI from the studies containing data on composite poor outcome.

RESULTS

Out of 8/11 studies showing data on mortality and mechanical ventilation, and 7/11 on ICU admission, pooled prevalence of pre-existing CeVD was 4.4% (244/4987). In age-adjusted meta-regression analysis, pre-existing CeVD was associated with ICU admission [r: 0.60; OR: 1.82 (1.25-2.69)], mechanical ventilation [r: 0.29; OR: 1.33 (1.09-1.63)], and mortality [r: 0.35; OR: 1.42 (1.14-1.77)] amongst COVID-19 hospitalizations. 9/11 studies reported data on binary composite outcomes, the pooled prevalence of pre-existing CeVD was 4.3% (155/3603) and 7.46% (83/1113) amongst COVID-19 hospitalizations and COVID-19 hospitalization-related poor outcomes, respectively. In meta-analysis, COVID-19 patient with pre-existing CeVD had 2.67-fold (1.75-4.06) higher odds of poor outcomes.

CONCLUSION

COVID-19 patients with pre-existing cerebrovascular disease have poor outcomes and extra precautions should be taken in managing such patients during the ongoing pandemic.