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Rajagopal V, Leksa N, Gorham R, Jindal S, Nair S, Knockenhauer K, Chan J, Byun T, Mercadante C, Moore S, Panicker S, Parry G, Storek M. SAR443809: a selective inhibitor of the complement alternative pathway, targeting complement factor Bb. Blood Adv 2023; 7:4258-4268. [PMID: 36897252 PMCID: PMC10424147 DOI: 10.1182/bloodadvances.2022009028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2022] [Revised: 03/03/2023] [Accepted: 03/03/2023] [Indexed: 03/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Dysregulated activation of the complement system is implicated in the onset or progression of several diseases. Most clinical-stage complement inhibitors target the inactive complement proteins present at high concentrations in plasma, which increases target-mediated drug disposition and necessitates high drug levels to sustain therapeutic inhibition. Furthermore, many efforts are aimed at inhibiting only terminal pathway activity, which leaves opsonin-mediated effector functions intact. We describe the discovery of SAR443809, a specific inhibitor of the alternative pathway C3/C5 convertase (C3bBb). SAR443809 selectively binds to the activated form of factor B (factor Bb) and inhibits alternative pathway activity by blocking the cleavage of C3, leaving the initiation of classical and lectin complement pathways unaffected. Ex vivo experiments with patient-derived paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria erythrocytes show that, although terminal pathway inhibition via C5 blockade can effectively inhibit hemolysis, proximal complement inhibition with SAR443809 inhibits both hemolysis and C3b deposition, abrogating the propensity for extravascular hemolysis. Finally, intravenous and subcutaneous administration of the antibody in nonhuman primates demonstrated sustained inhibition of complement activity for several weeks after injection. Overall, SAR443809 shows strong potential for treatment of alternative pathway-mediated disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Nina Leksa
- Sanofi Research, Immunology & Inflammation Therapeutic Area, Cambridge, MA
| | - Ronald Gorham
- Sanofi Research, Immunology & Inflammation Therapeutic Area, Cambridge, MA
| | - Siddharth Jindal
- Sanofi Research, Immunology & Inflammation Therapeutic Area, Cambridge, MA
| | - Soumya Nair
- Sanofi Research, Immunology & Inflammation Therapeutic Area, Cambridge, MA
| | - Kevin Knockenhauer
- Sanofi Research, Immunology & Inflammation Therapeutic Area, Cambridge, MA
| | - Joanne Chan
- Sanofi Research, Immunology & Inflammation Therapeutic Area, Cambridge, MA
| | - Tony Byun
- Sanofi Research, Immunology & Inflammation Therapeutic Area, Cambridge, MA
| | | | - Stephen Moore
- Sanofi Research, Immunology & Inflammation Therapeutic Area, Cambridge, MA
| | - Sandip Panicker
- Sanofi Research, Immunology & Inflammation Therapeutic Area, Cambridge, MA
| | - Graham Parry
- Sanofi Research, Immunology & Inflammation Therapeutic Area, Cambridge, MA
| | - Michael Storek
- Sanofi Research, Immunology & Inflammation Therapeutic Area, Cambridge, MA
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Panse J. Paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria: Where we stand. Am J Hematol 2023; 98 Suppl 4:S20-S32. [PMID: 36594182 DOI: 10.1002/ajh.26832] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2022] [Revised: 12/26/2022] [Accepted: 12/27/2022] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
For the last 20 years, therapy of paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH) relied-up until recently-on antibody based terminal complement inhibitionon. PNH pathophysiology-a mutational defect leading to partial or complete absence of complement-regulatory proteins on blood cells-leads to intravascular hemolysis and consequences such as thrombosis and other sequelae. A plethora of new drugs interfering with the proximal and terminal complement cascade are under recent development and the first "proof-of-pinciple" proximal complement inhibitor targeting C3 has been approved in 2021. "PNH: where we stand" will try to give a brief account on where we came from and where we stand focusing on approved therapeutic options. The associated improvements as well as potential consequences of actual and future treatments as well as their impact on the disease will continue to necessitate academic and scientific focus on improving treatment options as well as on side effects and outcomes relevant to individual patient lives and circumstances in order to develop effective, safe, and available treatment for all hemolytic PNH patients globally.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jens Panse
- Department of Oncology, Hematology, Hemostaseology and Stem Cell Transplantation, University Hospital RWTH Aachen, Aachen, Germany
- Center for Integrated Oncology (CIO), Aachen Bonn Cologne Düsseldorf (ABCD), Aachen, Germany
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Wong RSM, Pullon HWH, Amine I, Bogdanovic A, Deschatelets P, Francois CG, Ignatova K, Issaragrisil S, Niparuck P, Numbenjapon T, Roman E, Sathar J, Xu R, Al-Adhami M, Tan L, Tse E, Grossi FV. Inhibition of C3 with pegcetacoplan results in normalization of hemolysis markers in paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria. Ann Hematol 2022; 101:1971-1986. [PMID: 35869170 PMCID: PMC9375762 DOI: 10.1007/s00277-022-04903-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2021] [Accepted: 06/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/01/2022]
Abstract
AbstractParoxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH) is a rare, acquired hematologic disorder characterized by complement-mediated hemolysis. C5 inhibitors (eculizumab/ravulizumab) control intravascular hemolysis but do not prevent residual extravascular hemolysis. The newly approved complement inhibitor, pegcetacoplan, inhibits C3, upstream of C5, and has the potential to improve control of complement-mediated hemolysis. The PADDOCK and PALOMINO clinical trials assessed the safety and efficacy of pegcetacoplan in complement inhibitor-naïve adults (≥ 18 years) diagnosed with PNH. Patients in PADDOCK (phase 1b open-label, pilot trial) received daily subcutaneous pegcetacoplan (cohort 1: 180 mg up to day 28 [n = 3]; cohort 2: 270–360 mg up to day 365 [n = 20]). PALOMINO (phase 2a, open-label trial) used the same dosing protocol as PADDOCK cohort 2 (n = 4). Primary endpoints in both trials were mean change from baseline in hemoglobin, lactate dehydrogenase, haptoglobin, and the number and severity of treatment-emergent adverse events. Mean baseline hemoglobin levels were below the lower limit of normal in both trials (PADDOCK: 8.38 g/dL; PALOMINO: 7.73 g/dL; normal range: 11.90–18.00 g/dL), increased to within normal range by day 85, and were sustained through day 365 (PADDOCK: 12.14 g/dL; PALOMINO: 13.00 g/dL). In PADDOCK, 3 serious adverse events (SAE) led to study drug discontinuation, 1 of which was deemed likely related to pegcetacoplan and 1 SAE, not deemed related to study drug, led to death. No SAE led to discontinuation/death in PALOMINO. Pegcetacoplan was generally well tolerated and improved hematological parameters by controlling hemolysis, while also improving other clinical PNH indicators in both trials. These trials were registered at www.clinicaltrials.gov (NCT02588833 and NCT03593200).
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Kulasekararaj AG, Brodsky RA, Nishimura JI, Patriquin CJ, Schrezenmeier H. The importance of terminal complement inhibition in paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria. Ther Adv Hematol 2022; 13:20406207221091046. [PMID: 35663504 PMCID: PMC9160915 DOI: 10.1177/20406207221091046] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2021] [Accepted: 03/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH) is a rare, chronic hematologic disorder associated with inappropriate terminal complement activity on blood cells that can result in intravascular hemolysis (IVH), thromboembolic events (TEs), and organ damage. Untreated individuals with PNH have an increased risk of morbidity and mortality. Patients with PNH experiencing IVH often present with an elevated lactate dehydrogenase (LDH; ⩾ 1.5 × the upper limit of normal) level which is associated with a significantly higher risk of TEs, one of the leading causes of death in PNH. LDH is therefore used as a biomarker for IVH in PNH. The main objective of PNH treatment should therefore be prevention of morbidity and mortality due to terminal complement activation, with the aim of improving patient outcomes. Approval of the first terminal complement inhibitor, eculizumab, greatly changed the treatment landscape of PNH by giving patients an effective therapy and demonstrated the critical role of terminal complement and the possibility of modulating it therapeutically. The current mainstays of treatment for PNH are the terminal complement component 5 (C5) inhibitors, eculizumab and ravulizumab, which have shown efficacy in controlling terminal complement-mediated IVH, reducing TEs and organ damage, and improving health-related quality of life in patients with PNH since their approval by the United States Food and Drug Administration in 2007 and 2018, respectively. Moreover, the use of eculizumab has been shown to reduce mortality due to PNH. More recently, interest has arisen in developing additional complement inhibitors with different modes of administration and therapeutics targeting other components of the complement cascade. This review focuses on the pathophysiology of clinical complications in PNH and explores why sustained inhibition of terminal complement activity through the use of complement inhibitors is essential for the management of patients with this chronic and debilitating disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Austin G. Kulasekararaj
- Department of Haematological Medicine, King’s College Hospital, Denmark Hill, London SE5 9RS, UK
- National Institute of Health Research/Wellcome King’s Clinical Research Facility and King’s College London, London, UK
| | | | - Jun-ichi Nishimura
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Suita, Japan
| | - Christopher J. Patriquin
- Division of Medical Oncology & Hematology, University Health Network – Toronto General Hospital, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Hubert Schrezenmeier
- Institute of Transfusion Medicine, University of Ulm, and Institute of Clinical Transfusion Medicine and Immunogenetics Ulm, German Red Cross Blood Transfusion Service, and University Hospital Ulm, Ulm, Germany
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Kulasekararaj AG, Griffin M, Langemeijer S, Usuki K, Kulagin A, Ogawa M, Yu J, Mujeebuddin A, Nishimura JI, Lee JW, Peffault de Latour R. Long-term safety and efficacy of ravulizumab in patients with paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria: 2-year results from two pivotal phase 3 studies. Eur J Haematol 2022; 109:205-214. [PMID: 35502600 PMCID: PMC9546219 DOI: 10.1111/ejh.13783] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2022] [Revised: 04/21/2022] [Accepted: 04/25/2022] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES The complement component 5 (C5) inhibitor ravulizumab demonstrated non-inferiority to eculizumab following 26 weeks of treatment in complement inhibitor-naïve and complement inhibitor-experienced patients with paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH; studies 301 and 302, respectively). This study aims to describe the results of both studies from 27 weeks to 2 years. METHODS Patients (N = 441) continued to receive ravulizumab throughout the extension period. Efficacy endpoints included lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) normalization, transfusion avoidance and fatigue score (FACIT-F). Safety analyses were also performed. RESULTS From 27 weeks to 2 years, improvements in LDH levels were maintained in both study populations. Transfusion avoidance was maintained in 81.9% (study 301) and 85.6% (study 302) of patients, and FACIT-F scores remained stable. Ravulizumab was well tolerated, and the incidence of adverse events (AEs) were similar between patients of both studies. Incidence of serious AEs deemed related to ravulizumab treatment was low (<3%). CONCLUSIONS This study reports, to date, the longest period of follow-up in over 400 patients with PNH treated with ravulizumab (662 patient-years). Long-term, ravulizumab demonstrated durable efficacy and was well tolerated, highlighting the importance of C5 inhibitors as the mainstay of PNH treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Austin G Kulasekararaj
- Department of Haematological Medicine, King's College Hospital, National Institute for Health Research and Wellcome King's Clinical Research Facility and King's College London, London, UK
| | | | | | | | - Alexander Kulagin
- RM Gorbacheva Research Institute, Pavlov University, St Petersburg, Russia
| | - Masayo Ogawa
- Alexion, AstraZeneca Rare Disease, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Ji Yu
- Alexion, AstraZeneca Rare Disease, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | | | | | - Jong Wook Lee
- Department of Hematology, Seoul St. Mary's Hospital, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Republic of Korea
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