Aims
SAR247799 is a selective G‐protein‐biased sphingosine‐1 phosphate receptor‐1 (S1P1) agonist with potential to restore endothelial function in vascular pathologies. SAR247799, a first‐in‐class ...molecule differentiated from previous S1P1‐desensitizing molecules developed for multiple sclerosis, can activate S1P1 without desensitization and consequent lymphopenia. The aim was to characterize SAR247799 for its safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics (activation and desensitization).
Methods
SAR247799 was administered orally to healthy subjects in a double‐blind, randomized, placebo‐controlled study with single (2.5–37.5 mg) or 2‐week once‐daily (0.5–15 mg) doses. An open‐label single dose pilot food‐interaction arm with 10 mg SAR247799 in cross‐over design was also performed.
Results
SAR247799 was well tolerated and, at the higher end of the dose ranges, caused the expected dose‐dependent pharmacodynamics associated with S1P1 activation (heart rate reduction) and S1P1 desensitization (lymphocyte count reduction). SAR247799 demonstrated dose‐proportional increases in exposure and was eliminated with an apparent terminal half‐life of 31.2–33.1 hours. Food had a small effect on the pharmacokinetics of SAR247799. SAR247799 had a low volume of distribution (7–23 L), indicating a potential to achieve dose separation for endothelial vs cardiac S1P1 activation pharmacology. A supratherapeutic dose (10 mg) of SAR247799 produced sustained heart rate reduction over 14 days, demonstrating cardiac S1P1 activation without tachyphylaxis. Sub‐lymphocyte‐reducing doses (≤5 mg) of SAR247799, which, based on preclinical data, are projected to activate S1P1 and exhibit endothelial‐protective properties, had minimal‐to‐no heart rate reduction and displayed no marked safety findings.
Conclusion
SAR247799 is suitable for exploring the biological role of endothelial S1P1 activation without causing receptor desensitization.
Some data suggest that low levels of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) are associated with risk of cataracts. Proprotein convertase subtilisin-kexin type 9 (PCSK9) inhibitors reduce LDL-C ...below levels achieved with statins alone. We determined whether the incidence of cataracts was influenced by treatment with the PCSK9 inhibitor alirocumab versus placebo, and whether that incidence was affected by achieved LDL-C levels.
The ODYSSEY OUTCOMES trial (NCT01663402) compared alirocumab with placebo in 18,924 patients with recent acute coronary syndrome receiving high-intensity or maximum-tolerated statin. Incident cataracts were pre-specified events of interest. In multivariable analysis using propensity score-matching on characteristics including cataract risk factors, incident cataracts were compared in the alirocumab and placebo groups according to LDL-C levels achieved with alirocumab.
Over median follow-up of 2.8 years (interquartile range 2.3 - 3.4), the incidence of cataracts was similar with alirocumab (127/9462 1.3%) versus placebo (134/9462 1.4%); hazard ratio HR 0.94, 95% confidence interval CI 0.74 - 1.20). In patients treated with alirocumab with ≥ 2 LDL-C values < 25 mg/dL (0.65 mmol/L), the incidence of cataracts was 71/4305 (1.6%), versus 60/4305 (1.4%) in propensity score-matched patients from the placebo group (HR 1.10, CI 95% 0.78 - 1.55). In patients treated with alirocumab with ≥ 2 LDL-C values < 15 mg/dL (0.39 mmol/L), the incidence of cataracts was 13/782 (1.7%), versus 36/2346 (1.5%) in matched patients from the placebo group (HR 1.03, CI 95% 0.54 - 1.94).
Treatment with alirocumab versus placebo, added to statin, did not influence the incidence of cataracts, even when achieved LDL-C levels on alirocumab were very low. Longer follow-up studies might be necessary to exclude the long-term effects on the incidence or progression of cataracts.
ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT01663402 .
Many pediatric patients with heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia (HeFH) cannot reach recommended low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) concentrations on statins alone and require adjunct ...lipid-lowering therapy (LLT); the use of alirocumab in pediatric patients requires evaluation.
To assess the efficacy of alirocumab in pediatric patients with inadequately controlled HeFH.
This was a phase 3, randomized clinical trial conducted between May 2018 and August 2022 at 43 centers in 24 countries. Pediatric patients aged 8 to 17 years with HeFH, LDL-C 130 mg/dL or greater, and receiving statins or other LLTs were included. Following consecutive enrollment into dosing cohorts, 25 of 99 patients screened for dosing every 2 weeks (Q2W) failed screening; 25 of 104 patients screened for dosing every 4 weeks (Q4W) failed screening. A total of 70 of 74 Q2W patients (95%) and 75 of 79 Q4W patients (95%) completed the double-blind period.
Patients were randomized 2:1 to subcutaneous alirocumab or placebo and Q2W or Q4W. Dosage was based on weight (40 mg for Q2W or 150 mg for Q4W if <50 kg; 75 mg for Q2W or 300 mg for Q4W if ≥50 kg) and adjusted at week 12 if LDL-C was 110 mg/dL or greater at week 8. After the 24-week double-blind period, patients could receive alirocumab in an 80-week open-label period.
The primary end point was percent change in LDL-C from baseline to week 24 in each cohort.
Among 153 patients randomized to receive alirocumab or placebo (mean range age, 12.9 8-17 years; 87 56.9% female), alirocumab showed statistically significant reductions in LDL-C vs placebo in both cohorts at week 24. Least squares mean difference in percentage change from baseline was -43.3% (97.5% CI, -56.0 to -30.7; P < .001) Q2W and -33.8% (97.5% CI, -46.4 to -21.2; P < .001) Q4W. Hierarchical analysis of secondary efficacy end points demonstrated significant improvements in other lipid parameters at weeks 12 and 24 with alirocumab. Two patients receiving alirocumab Q4W experienced adverse events leading to discontinuation. No significant difference in adverse event incidence was observed between treatment groups. Open-label period findings were consistent with the double-blind period.
The findings in this study indicate that alirocumab Q2W or Q4W significantly may be useful for reducing LDL-C and other lipid parameters and be well tolerated in pediatric patients with HeFH inadequately controlled with statins.
ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT03510884.
Despite progress in treating homozygous familial hypercholesterolemia, most patients do not achieve low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) targets. This study examined efficacy and safety of the ...PCSK9 (proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9) inhibitor, alirocumab, in pediatric patients (aged 8-17 years) with inadequately controlled homozygous familial hypercholesterolemia.
In this open-label, single-arm, multinational, Phase 3 study, patients (n=18) received alirocumab 75 mg or 150 mg (bodyweight <50 kg/≥50 kg) every 2 weeks as an adjunct to background treatment. The primary endpoint was percent change in LDL-C from baseline to Week 12. Secondary endpoints included changes in LDL-C and other lipid parameters up to 48 weeks, safety/tolerability, and alirocumab pharmacokinetics.
The mean age of patients was 12.4 years; 16/18 (89%) had mutations in the low-density lipoprotein receptor gene
) and 2/18 (11%) had mutations in the LDLR adapter protein 1 gene (
At baseline, mean LDL-C (standard deviation) was 373.0 (193.5) mg/dL, which decreased by 4.1% at Week 12 (primary endpoint) and 11.4%, 13.2%, and 0.4% at Weeks 4, 24, and 48, respectively. At Week 12, 9/18 (50%) patients achieved LDL-C reductions ≥15%. Mean absolute LDL-C decreases ranged from 25 to 52 mg/dL over follow-up. A post hoc analysis demonstrated heterogeneity of responses according to genotype. There were no unexpected safety/tolerability findings. Free PCSK9 was reduced to near zero for all patients at Weeks 12 and 24.
The study supports the efficacy and safety of alirocumab as a potential adjunct to treatment for some pediatric patients with homozygous familial hypercholesterolemia.
URL: https://www.
gov; NCT03510715.
Heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia (HeFH) is a genetic disorder characterized by elevated levels of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C).
This phase 2 dose-finding study (NCT02890992) ...evaluated the efficacy, safety, and dose selection of proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) inhibitor alirocumab in pediatric HeFH patients.
HeFH patients (n = 42) who were aged 8–17 years, had body weight (BW) ≥25 kg, and had LDL-C ≥130 mg/dL despite optimal statin/other lipid-modifying therapies were enrolled in 4 cohorts according to BW: cohort #1: 30 mg (<50 kg) or 50 mg (≥50 kg) every 2 weeks (Q2W), #2: 40 mg (<50 kg) or 75 mg (≥50 kg) Q2W, #3: 75 mg (<50 kg) or 150 mg (≥50 kg) every 4 weeks (Q4W), #4: 150 mg (<50 kg) or 300 mg (≥50 kg) Q4W. Primary endpoint was LDL-C % change from baseline to week 8.
Mean age was 12.4 years and 95% of patients were on a statin. Baseline LDL-C levels were 160.0–188.9 mg/dL and free PCSK9 was 186.4–201.7 ng/mL across the cohorts. At week 8, the higher dose cohorts (2 and 4) demonstrated the greatest reductions in LDL-C (–46% and –45%, respectively). Free PCSK9 levels were lowest at week 8 in cohorts 2 and 4 (42.2 ng/mL and 8.6 ng/mL, respectively). Adverse events were reported in 50–90% of patients across the cohorts, and 2 patients discontinued due to adverse events.
In pediatric HeFH patients, LDL-C reductions were greatest in the higher dose cohorts. Alirocumab was generally well tolerated at all doses.
Display omitted
•Heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia is underdiagnosed in children, placing them at risk of cardiovascular events.•Target low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels are often not reached despite optimal lipid-modifying therapies.•We assessed the effects, safety, and doses of alirocumab in pediatric patients with heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia.•Reductions in low-density lipoprotein cholesterol were observed across all assessed doses.•Overall, treatment with alirocumab was generally well tolerated.
PDF
