Two similarly designed, phase-3 studies (VEGF Trap-Eye: Investigation of Efficacy and Safety in Wet AMD VIEW 1, VIEW 2) of neovascular age-related macular degeneration (AMD) compared monthly and ...every-2-month dosing of intravitreal aflibercept injection (VEGF Trap-Eye; Regeneron, Tarrytown, NY, and Bayer HealthCare, Berlin, Germany) with monthly ranibizumab.
Double-masked, multicenter, parallel-group, active-controlled, randomized trials.
Patients (n = 2419) with active, subfoveal, choroidal neovascularization (CNV) lesions (or juxtafoveal lesions with leakage affecting the fovea) secondary to AMD.
Patients were randomized to intravitreal aflibercept 0.5 mg monthly (0.5q4), 2 mg monthly (2q4), 2 mg every 2 months after 3 initial monthly doses (2q8), or ranibizumab 0.5 mg monthly (Rq4).
The primary end point was noninferiority (margin of 10%) of the aflibercept regimens to ranibizumab in the proportion of patients maintaining vision at week 52 (losing <15 letters on Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study ETDRS chart). Other key end points included change in best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and anatomic measures.
All aflibercept groups were noninferior and clinically equivalent to monthly ranibizumab for the primary end point (the 2q4, 0.5q4, and 2q8 regimens were 95.1%, 95.9%, and 95.1%, respectively, for VIEW 1, and 95.6%, 96.3%, and 95.6%, respectively, for VIEW 2, whereas monthly ranibizumab was 94.4% in both studies). In a prespecified integrated analysis of the 2 studies, all aflibercept regimens were within 0.5 letters of the reference ranibizumab for mean change in BCVA; all aflibercept regimens also produced similar improvements in anatomic measures. Ocular and systemic adverse events were similar across treatment groups.
Intravitreal aflibercept dosed monthly or every 2 months after 3 initial monthly doses produced similar efficacy and safety outcomes as monthly ranibizumab. These studies demonstrate that aflibercept is an effective treatment for AMD, with the every-2-month regimen offering the potential to reduce the risk from monthly intravitreal injections and the burden of monthly monitoring.
Proprietary or commercial disclosure may be found after the references.
A head-to-head comparison was performed between vascular endothelial growth factor blockade and laser for treatment of diabetic macular edema (DME).
Two similarly designed, double-masked, randomized, ...phase 3 trials, VISTA(DME) and VIVID(DME).
We included 872 patients (eyes) with type 1 or 2 diabetes mellitus who presented with DME with central involvement.
Eyes received either intravitreal aflibercept injection (IAI) 2 mg every 4 weeks (2q4), IAI 2 mg every 8 weeks after 5 initial monthly doses (2q8), or macular laser photocoagulation.
The primary efficacy endpoint was the change from baseline in best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) in Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study (ETDRS) letters at week 52. Secondary efficacy endpoints at week 52 included the proportion of eyes that gained ≥ 15 letters from baseline and the mean change from baseline in central retinal thickness as determined by optical coherence tomography.
Mean BCVA gains from baseline to week 52 in the IAI 2q4 and 2q8 groups versus the laser group were 12.5 and 10.7 versus 0.2 letters (P < 0.0001) in VISTA, and 10.5 and 10.7 versus 1.2 letters (P < 0.0001) in VIVID. The corresponding proportions of eyes gaining ≥ 15 letters were 41.6% and 31.1% versus 7.8% (P < 0.0001) in VISTA, and 32.4% and 33.3% versus 9.1% (P < 0.0001) in VIVID. Similarly, mean reductions in central retinal thickness were 185.9 and 183.1 versus 73.3 μm (P < 0.0001) in VISTA, and 195.0 and 192.4 versus 66.2 μm (P < 0.0001) in VIVID. Overall incidences of ocular and nonocular adverse events and serious adverse events, including the Anti-Platelet Trialists' Collaboration-defined arterial thromboembolic events and vascular deaths, were similar across treatment groups.
At week 52, IAI demonstrated significant superiority in functional and anatomic endpoints over laser, with similar efficacy in the 2q4 and 2q8 groups despite the extended dosing interval in the 2q8 group. In general, IAI was well-tolerated.
Summary Background Data from early-stage studies suggested that interleukin (IL)-4 and IL-13 are requisite drivers of atopic dermatitis, evidenced by marked improvement after treatment with ...dupilumab, a fully-human monoclonal antibody that blocks both pathways. We aimed to assess the efficacy and safety of several dose regimens of dupilumab in adults with moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis inadequately controlled by topical treatments. Methods In this randomised, placebo-controlled, double-blind study, we enrolled patients aged 18 years or older who had an Eczema Area and Severity Index (EASI) score of 12 or higher at screening (≥16 at baseline) and inadequate response to topical treatments from 91 study centres, including hospitals, clinics, and academic institutions, in Canada, Czech Republic, Germany, Hungary, Japan, Poland, and the USA. Patients were randomly assigned (1:1:1:1:1:1), stratified by severity (moderate or severe, as assessed by Investigator's Global Assessment) and region (Japan vs rest of world) to receive subcutaneous dupilumab: 300 mg once a week, 300 mg every 2 weeks, 200 mg every 2 weeks, 300 mg every 4 weeks, 100 mg every 4 weeks, or placebo once a week for 16 weeks. We used a central randomisation scheme, provided by an interactive voice response system. Drug kits were coded, providing masking to treatment assignment, and allocation was concealed. Patients on treatment every 2 weeks and every 4 weeks received volume-matched placebo every week when dupilumab was not given to ensure double blinding. The primary outcome was efficacy of dupilumab dose regimens based on EASI score least-squares mean percentage change (SE) from baseline to week 16. Analyses included all randomly assigned patients who received one or more doses of study drug. This trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov , number NCT01859988. Findings Between May 15, 2013, and Jan 27, 2014, 452 patients were assessed for eligibility, and 380 patients were randomly assigned. 379 patients received one or more doses of study drug (300 mg once a week n=63, 300 mg every 2 weeks n=64, 200 mg every 2 weeks n=61, 300 mg every 4 weeks n=65, 100 mg every 4 weeks n=65; placebo n=61). EASI score improvements favoured all dupilumab regimens versus placebo (p<0·0001): 300 mg once a week (−74% SE 5·16), 300 mg every 2 weeks (−68% 5·12), 200 mg every 2 weeks (−65% 5·19), 300 mg every 4 weeks (−64% 4·94), 100 mg every 4 weeks (−45% 4·99); placebo (−18% 5·20). 258 (81%) of 318 patients given dupilumab and 49 (80%) of 61 patients given placebo reported treatment-emergent adverse events; nasopharyngitis was the most frequent (28% and 26%, respectively). Interpretation Dupilumab improved clinical responses in adults with moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis in a dose-dependent manner, without significant safety concerns. Our findings show that IL-4 and IL-13 are key drivers of atopic dermatitis. Funding Sanofi and Regeneron Pharmaceuticals.
Summary Background Dupilumab, a fully human anti-interleukin-4 receptor α monoclonal antibody, inhibits interleukin-4 and interleukin-13 signalling, key drivers of type-2-mediated inflammation. ...Adults with uncontrolled persistent asthma who are receiving medium-to-high-dose inhaled corticosteroids plus a long-acting β2 agonist require additional treatment options as add-on therapy. We aimed to assess the efficacy and safety of dupilumab as add-on therapy in patients with uncontrolled persistent asthma on medium-to-high-dose inhaled corticosteroids plus a long-acting β2 agonist, irrespective of baseline eosinophil count. Methods We did this randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group, pivotal phase 2b clinical trial at 174 study sites across 16 countries or regions. Adults (aged ≥18 years) with an asthma diagnosis for 12 months or more based on the Global Initiative for Asthma 2009 Guidelines receiving treatment with medium-to-high-dose inhaled corticosteroids plus a long-acting β2 agonist were eligible for participation. Patients were randomly assigned (1:1:1:1:1) to receive subcutaneous dupilumab 200 mg or 300 mg every 2 weeks or every 4 weeks, or placebo, over a 24-week period. The primary endpoint was change from baseline at week 12 in forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1 in L) in patients with baseline blood eosinophil counts of at least 300 eosinophils per μL assessed in the intention-to-treat population. Safety outcomes were assessed in all patients that received at least one dose or part of a dose of study drug. This trial is registered at ClinicalTrials.gov , number NCT01854047 , and with the EU Clinical Trials Register, EudraCT number 2013-000856-16. Findings 769 patients (158 in the placebo group and 611 in the dupilumab groups) received at least one dose of study drug. In the subgroup with at least 300 eosinophils per μL, the greatest increases (200 mg every 2 weeks, p=0·0008; 300 mg every 2 weeks, p=0·0063) in FEV1 compared with placebo were observed at week 12 with doses every 2 weeks in the 300 mg group (mean change 0·39 L SE 0·05; mean difference 0·21 95% CI 0·06–0·36; p=0·0063) and in the 200 mg group (mean change 0·43 L SE 0·05; mean difference 0·26 0·11–0·40; p=0·0008) compared with placebo (0·18 L SE 0·05). Similar significant increases were observed in the overall population and in the fewer than 300 eosinophils per μL subgroup (overall population: 200 mg every 2 weeks, p<0·0001; 300 mg every 2 weeks, p<0·0001; <300 eosinophils per μL: 200 mg every 2 weeks, p=0·0034; 300 mg every 2 weeks, p=0·0086), and were maintained to week 24. Likewise, dupilumab every 2 weeks produced the greatest reductions in annualised rates of exacerbation in the overall population (70–70·5%), the subgroup with at least 300 eosinophils per μL (71·2–80·7%), and the subgroup with fewer than 300 eosinophils per μL (59·9–67·6%). The most common adverse events with dupilumab compared with placebo were upper respiratory tract infections (33–41% vs 35%) and injection-site reactions (13–26% vs 13%). Interpretation Dupilumab increased lung function and reduced severe exacerbations in patients with uncontrolled persistent asthma irrespective of baseline eosinophil count and had a favourable safety profile, and hence in addition to inhaled corticosteroids plus long-acting β2 -agonist therapy could improve the lives of patients with uncontrolled persistent asthma compared with standard therapy alone. Funding Sanofi-Genzyme and Regeneron Pharmaceuticals.
Background Severe atopic dermatitis (AD) has a high unmet need for effective and safe therapeutics. In early-phase trials, dupilumab, a fully human mAb targeting IL-4 receptor α, markedly improved ...disease activity, but the effect of IL-4/IL-13 blockade on AD at the molecular level has not been characterized. Objectives We sought to evaluate dupilumab modulation of the AD molecular signature. Methods We performed transcriptomic analyses of pretreatment and posttreatment skin biopsy specimens from patients with moderate-to-severe AD treated weekly with 150 or 300 mg of dupilumab or placebo. Results Exacerbation of the AD transcriptome was observed in placebo-treated patients. Dupilumab improved the AD signature in a dose-dependent manner. Expression of genes upregulated in AD lesions decreased in patients treated with dupilumab by 26% (95% CI, 21% to 32%) and 65% (95% CI, 60% to 71%) for treatment with 150 and 300 mg, respectively. Genes downregulated in AD lesions increased by 21% (95% CI, 16% to 27%) and 32% (95% CI, 26% to 37%) with dupilumab (150 and 300 mg, respectively). The molecular changes paralleled improvements in clinical scores. A dupilumab treatment signature of 821 probes (>2-fold change, P < .05) significantly modulated in the 300-mg dupilumab group at week 4 compared with baseline was identified in this sample set. Significant ( P < .05) decreases in mRNA expression of genes related to hyperplasia ( K16 and MKI67 ), T cells, and dendritic cells ( CD1b and CD1c ) and potent inhibition of TH 2-associated chemokines ( CCL17 , CCL18 , CCL22 , and CCL26 ) were noted without significant modulation of TH 1-associated genes (IFNG). Conclusions This is the first report showing rapid improvement of the AD molecular signature with targeted anti–IL-4 receptor α therapy. These data suggest that IL-4 and IL-13 drive a complex, TH 2-centered inflammatory axis in patients with AD.
Summary Background Dupilumab (an anti-interleukin-4-receptor-α monoclonal antibody) blocks signalling of interleukin 4 and interleukin 13, type 2/Th2 cytokines implicated in numerous allergic ...diseases ranging from asthma to atopic dermatitis. Previous 16-week monotherapy studies showed that dupilumab substantially improved signs and symptoms of moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis with acceptable safety, validating the crucial role of interleukin 4 and interleukin 13 in atopic dermatitis pathogenesis. We aimed to evaluate the long-term efficacy and safety of dupilumab with medium-potency topical corticosteroids versus placebo with topical corticosteroids in adults with moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis. Methods In this 1-year, randomised, double-blinded, placebo-controlled, phase 3 study (LIBERTY AD CHRONOS), adults with moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis and inadequate response to topical corticosteroids were enrolled at 161 hospitals, clinics, and academic institutions in 14 countries in Europe, Asia-Pacific, and North America. Patients were randomly assigned (3:1:3) to subcutaneous dupilumab 300 mg once weekly (qw), dupilumab 300 mg every 2 weeks (q2w), or placebo via a central interactive voice/web response system, stratified by severity and global region. All three groups were given concomitant topical corticosteroids with or without topical calcineurin inhibitors where inadvisable for topical corticosteroids. Topical corticosteroids could be tapered, stopped, or restarted on the basis of disease activity. Coprimary endpoints were patients (%) achieving Investigator's Global Assessment (IGA) 0/1 and 2-point or higher improvement from baseline, and Eczema Area and Severity Index 75% improvement from baseline (EASI-75) at week 16. Week 16 efficacy and week 52 safety analyses included all randomised patients; week 52 efficacy included patients who completed treatment by US regulatory submission cutoff. This study is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov , NCT02260986. Findings Between Oct 3, 2014, and July 31, 2015, 740 patients were enrolled: 319 were randomly assigned to dupilumab qw plus topical corticosteroids, 106 to dupilumab q2w plus topical corticosteroids, and 315 to placebo plus topical corticosteroids. 623 (270, 89, and 264, respectively) were evaluable for week 52 efficacy. At week 16, more patients who received dupilumab plus topical corticosteroids achieved the coprimary endpoints of IGA 0/1 (39% 125 patients who received dupilumab plus topical corticosteroids qw and 39% 41 patients who received dupilumab q2w plus topical corticosteroids vs 12% 39 patients who received placebo plus topical corticosteroids; p<0·0001) and EASI-75 (64% 204 and 69% 73 vs 23% 73; p<0·0001). Week 52 results were similar. Adverse events were reported in 261 (83%) patients who received dupilumab qw plus topical corticosteroids, 97 (88%) patients who received dupilumab q2w, and 266 (84%) patients who received placebo, and serious adverse events in nine (3%), four (4%), and 16 (5%) patients, respectively. No significant dupilumab-induced laboratory abnormalities were noted. Injection-site reactions and conjunctivitis were more common in patients treated with dupilumab plus topical corticosteroids-treated patients than in patients treated with placebo plus topical corticosteroids. Interpretation Dupilumab added to standard topical corticosteroid treatment for 1 year improved atopic dermatitis signs and symptoms, with acceptable safety. Funding Sanofi and Regeneron Pharmaceuticals Inc.
To evaluate anatomic outcomes and vision, injection frequency, and safety during the as-needed (PRN) treatment phase of a study evaluating a 12-week fixed dosing period followed by PRN dosing to week ...52 with vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) Trap-Eye for neovascular (wet) age-related macular degeneration (AMD).
Multicenter, randomized, double-masked trial.
We included 159 patients with subfoveal choroidal neovascularization (CNV) secondary to wet AMD.
Patients were randomly assigned to 1 of 5 intravitreal VEGF Trap-Eye treatment groups: 0.5 mg or 2 mg every 4 weeks or 0.5, 2, or 4 mg every 12 weeks during the fixed-dosing period (weeks 1-12). From weeks 16 to 52, patients were evaluated monthly and were retreated PRN with their assigned dose (0.5, 2, or 4 mg).
Change in central retinal/lesion thickness (CR/LT), change in total lesion and CNV size, mean change in best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), proportion of patients with 15-letter loss or gain, time to first PRN injection, reinjection frequency, and safety at week 52.
The decrease in CR/LT at week 12 versus baseline remained significant at weeks 12 to 52 (-130 μm from baseline at week 52) and CNV size regressed from baseline by 2.21 mm(2) at 48 weeks. After achieving a significant improvement in BCVA during the 12-week, fixed-dosing phase for all groups combined, PRN dosing for 40 weeks maintained improvements in BCVA to 52 weeks (5.3-letter gain; P<0.0001). The most robust improvements and consistent maintenance of visual acuity generally occurred in patients initially dosed with 2 mg every 4 weeks for 12 weeks, demonstrating a gain of 9 letters at 52 weeks. Overall, a mean of 2 injections was administered after the 12-week fixed-dosing phase, and the mean time to first reinjection was 129 days; 19% of patients received no injections and 45% received 1 or 2 injections. Treatment with VEGF Trap-Eye was generally safe and well tolerated, with few ocular or systemic adverse events.
PRN dosing with VEGF Trap-Eye at weeks 16-52 maintained the significant anatomic and vision improvements established during the 12-week fixed-dosing phase with a low frequency of reinjections. Repeated dosing with VEGF Trap-Eye was well tolerated over 52 weeks of treatment.
Proprietary or commercial disclosure may be found after the references.
To evaluate the biologic effects and safety of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) Trap-Eye during a 12-week fixed-dosing period in patients with neovascular (wet) age-related macular ...degeneration (AMD).
Multicenter, prospective, randomized, double-masked clinical trial with initial 12-week fixed dosing period. Data were analyzed to week 16.
We included 159 patients with subfoveal choroidal neovascularization secondary to wet AMD.
Patients were randomized 1:1:1:1:1 to VEGF Trap-Eye during the fixed-dosing phase (day 1 to week 12): 0.5 or 2 mg every 4 weeks (0.5 mg q4wk, 2 mg q4wk) on day 1 and at weeks 4, 8, and 12; or 0.5, 2, or 4 mg every 12 weeks (0.5 mg q12wk, 2 mg q12wk, or 4 mg q12wk) on day 1 and at week 12.
The primary endpoint was change from baseline in central retinal/lesion thickness (CR/LT) at week 12; secondary outcomes included change in best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), proportion of patients with a gain of ≥ 15 letters, proportion of patients with a loss of >15 letters, and safety.
At week 12, treatment with VEGF Trap-Eye resulted in a significant mean decrease in CR/LT of 119 μm from baseline in all groups combined (P<0.0001). The reduction in CR/LT with the 2 mg q4wk and 0.5mg q4wk regimens was significantly greater than each of the quarterly dosing regimens. The BCVA increased significantly by a mean of 5.7 letters at 12 weeks in the combined group (P<0.0001), with the greatest mean gain of >8 letters in the monthly dosing groups. At 8 weeks, BCVA improvements were similar with 2 mg q4wk and 2 mg q12wk dosing. After the last required dose at week 12, CR/LT and visual acuity were maintained or further improved at week 16 in all treatment groups. Ocular adverse events were mild and consistent with safety profiles reported for other intraocular anti-VEGF treatments.
Repeated monthly intravitreal dosing of VEGF Trap-Eye over 12 weeks demonstrated significant reductions in retinal thickness and improvements in visual acuity, and was well-tolerated in patients with neovascular AMD.
Proprietary or commercial disclosure may be found after the references.
Objective The purpose of this study was to examine the functional and therapeutic significance of pericytes in ovarian cancer vasculature. Study Design Tumor vessel morphologic condition and efficacy ...of endothelial and pericyte targeting were examined with the use of in vivo ovarian cancer models. The expression of platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) ligands and receptors was examined in endothelial, pericyte-like, and ovarian cancer cells. Results Relative to normal vessels, tumor vasculature was characterized by loosely attached pericytes in reduced density. PDGF-BB was expressed predominantly by the endothelial and cancer cells, whereas PDGFRβ was present in pericyte-like cells. PDGF-BB significantly increased the migration of and VEGF production by pericyte-like cells; PDGFRβ blockade abrogated these effects. Dual VEGF (VEGF-Trap) and PDGF-B (PDGF-Trap) targeted therapy was more effective in inhibiting in vivo tumor growth than either agent alone. Conclusion Aberrations in the tumor microenvironment contribute to endothelial cell survival. Strategies that target both endothelial cells and pericytes should be considered for clinical trials.
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