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Tang W, Tummala R, Almquist J, Hwang M, White WI, Boulton DW, MacDonald A. Clinical Pharmacokinetics, Pharmacodynamics, and Immunogenicity of Anifrolumab. Clin Pharmacokinet 2023; 62:655-671. [PMID: 37148484 PMCID: PMC10182164 DOI: 10.1007/s40262-023-01238-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/08/2023] [Indexed: 05/08/2023]
Abstract
The type I interferon (IFN) signaling pathway is implicated in the pathogenesis of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Anifrolumab is a monoclonal antibody that targets the type I IFN receptor subunit 1. Anifrolumab is approved in several countries for patients with moderate to severe SLE receiving standard therapy. The approved dosing regimen of anifrolumab is a 300-mg dose administered intravenously every 4 weeks; this was initially based on the results of the Phase 2b MUSE and further confirmed in the Phase 3 TULIP-1 and TULIP-2 trials, in which anifrolumab 300-mg treatment was associated with clinically meaningful improvements in disease activity with an acceptable safety profile. There have been several published analyses of the pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic profile of anifrolumab, including a population-pharmacokinetic analysis of 5 clinical studies of healthy volunteers and patients with SLE, in which body weight and type I IFN gene expression were significant covariates identified for anifrolumab exposure and clearance. Additionally, the pooled Phase 3 SLE population has been used to evaluate how serum exposure may be related to clinical responses, safety risks, and pharmacodynamic effects of the 21-gene type I IFN gene signature (21-IFNGS). The relevance of 21-IFNGS with regard to clinical efficacy outcomes has also been analyzed. Herein, the clinical pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, and immunogenicity of anifrolumab as well as results of population-pharmacokinetics and exposure-response analyses are reviewed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Weifeng Tang
- Clinical Pharmacology & Quantitative Pharmacology, Clinical Pharmacology & Safety Sciences, R&D, AstraZeneca, Gaithersburg, MD, USA.
| | - Raj Tummala
- Clinical Development, Late Respiratory & Immunology, BioPharmaceuticals R&D, AstraZeneca, Gaithersburg, MD, USA
| | - Joachim Almquist
- Clinical Pharmacology & Quantitative Pharmacology, Clinical Pharmacology & Safety Sciences, R&D, AstraZeneca, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Michael Hwang
- Clinical Pharmacology & Quantitative Pharmacology, Clinical Pharmacology & Safety Sciences, R&D, AstraZeneca, South San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Wendy I White
- Clinical Pharmacology & Quantitative Pharmacology, Clinical Pharmacology & Safety Sciences, R&D, AstraZeneca, Gaithersburg, MD, USA
| | - David W Boulton
- Clinical Pharmacology & Quantitative Pharmacology, Clinical Pharmacology & Safety Sciences, R&D, AstraZeneca, Gaithersburg, MD, USA
| | - Alexander MacDonald
- Clinical Pharmacology & Quantitative Pharmacology, Clinical Pharmacology & Safety Sciences, R&D, AstraZeneca, Cambridge, UK
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Anifrolumab in systemic lupus erythematosus: a profile of its use. DRUGS & THERAPY PERSPECTIVES 2022. [DOI: 10.1007/s40267-022-00925-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
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Chia YL, Zhang J, Tummala R, Rouse T, Furie RA, Morand EF. Relationship of anifrolumab pharmacokinetics with efficacy and safety in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus. Rheumatology (Oxford) 2022; 61:1900-1910. [PMID: 34528084 PMCID: PMC9071514 DOI: 10.1093/rheumatology/keab704] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2021] [Revised: 09/06/2021] [Indexed: 01/30/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To characterize the relationship of anifrolumab pharmacokinetics with efficacy and safety in patients with moderate to severe SLE despite standard therapy, using pooled data from two phase 3 trials. METHODS TULIP-1 and TULIP-2 were randomized, placebo-controlled, 52-week trials of intravenous anifrolumab (every 4 weeks for 48 weeks). For the exposure-response analysis, BILAG-based Composite Lupus Assessment (BICLA) or SLE Responder Index [SRI(4)] response rates at week 52 in each quartile/tertile of average anifrolumab serum concentration (Cave) were compared for anifrolumab and placebo in all-comers, patients who completed treatment, and IFN gene signature (IFNGS)-high patients who completed treatment, using average marginal effect logistic regression. Relationships between exposure and key safety events were assessed graphically. RESULTS Of patients in TULIP-1/TULIP-2 who received anifrolumab (150 mg, n = 91; 300 mg, n = 356) or placebo (n = 366), 574 completed treatment, of whom 470 were IFNGS high. In the exposure-efficacy analyses, BICLA and SRI(4) treatment differences favouring anifrolumab 300 mg vs placebo were observed across Cave subgroups and all analysis populations. Logistic regression identified Cave as a significant covariate for predicted BICLA response, as higher anifrolumab Cave predicted greater efficacy. There was no evidence of exposure-driven incidence of key safety events through week 52 in patients receiving anifrolumab 150 or 300 mg. CONCLUSION While higher Cave predicted greater efficacy, consistent positive benefit favouring anifrolumab 300 mg vs placebo was observed in BICLA and SRI(4) responses across Cave subgroups in the TULIP trials. There was no evidence of exposure-driven safety events. CLINICALTRIAL.GOV NUMBERS NCT02446912, NCT02446899.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yen Lin Chia
- Clinical Pharmacology & Safety Sciences, BioPharmaceuticals R&D, AstraZeneca, South San Francisco
| | - Jianchun Zhang
- Department of Data Science, Fate Therapeutics Inc., San Diego, CA
| | - Raj Tummala
- BioPharmaceuticals R&D, AstraZeneca, Gaithersburg, MD, USA
| | - Tomas Rouse
- BioPharmaceuticals R&D, AstraZeneca, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Richard A Furie
- Division of Rheumatology, Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell, Great Neck, NY, USA
| | - Eric F Morand
- Centre for Inflammatory Disease Monash Health, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
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Almquist J, Kuruvilla D, Mai T, Tummala R, White WI, Tang W, Roskos L, Chia YL. Nonlinear Population Pharmacokinetics of Anifrolumab in Healthy Volunteers and Patients With Systemic Lupus Erythematosus. J Clin Pharmacol 2022; 62:1106-1120. [PMID: 35383948 PMCID: PMC9540432 DOI: 10.1002/jcph.2055] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2021] [Accepted: 03/27/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022]
Abstract
We characterized the population pharmacokinetics of anifrolumab, a type I interferon receptor–blocking antibody. Pharmacokinetic data were analyzed from the anifrolumab (intravenous [IV], every 4 weeks) arms from 5 clinical trials in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) (n = 664) and healthy volunteers (n = 6). Population pharmacokinetic modeling was performed using a 2‐compartment model with parallel linear and nonlinear elimination pathways. The impact of covariates (demographics, interferon gene signature [IFNGS, high/low], disease characteristics, renal/hepatic function, SLE medications, and antidrug antibodies) on pharmacokinetics was evaluated. Time‐varying clearance (CL) was characterized using an empirical sigmoidal time‐dependent function. Anifrolumab exposure increased more than dose‐proportionally from 100 to 1000 mg IV every 4 weeks. Based on population pharmacokinetics modeling, the baseline median linear CL was 0.193 L/day in IFNGS‐high patients and 0.153 L/day in IFNGS‐low/healthy volunteers. After a year, median anifrolumab linear CL decreased by 8.4% from baseline. Body weight and IFNGS were significant pharmacokinetic covariates, whereas age, sex, race, disease activity, SLE medications, and presence of antidrug antibodies had no significant effect on anifrolumab pharmacokinetics. Anifrolumab at a concentration of 300 mg IV every 4 weeks was predicted to be below the lower limit of quantitation in 95% of patients ≈10 weeks after a single dose and ≈16 weeks after stopping dosing at steady state. To conclude, anifrolumab exhibited nonlinear pharmacokinetics and time‐varying linear CL; doses ≥300 mg IV every 4 weeks provided sustained anifrolumab concentrations. This study provides further evidence to support the use of anifrolumab 300 mg IV every 4 weeks in patients with moderate to severe SLE.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joachim Almquist
- Clinical Pharmacology and Quantitative Pharmacology, Clinical Pharmacology & Safety Sciences, R&D, AstraZeneca, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Denison Kuruvilla
- BioPharmaceuticals R&D, AstraZeneca, South San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Tu Mai
- BioPharmaceuticals R&D, AstraZeneca, South San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Raj Tummala
- Clinical Development, Late Respiratory & Immunology, BioPharmaceuticals R&D, AstraZeneca, Gaithersburg, Maryland, United States
| | - Wendy I White
- Clinical Pharmacology and Quantitative Pharmacology, Clinical Pharmacology & Safety Sciences, BioPharmaceuticals R&D, AstraZeneca, Gaithersburg, Maryland, United States
| | - Weifeng Tang
- Clinical Pharmacology and Quantitative Pharmacology, Clinical Pharmacology & Safety Sciences, R&D, AstraZeneca, Gaithersburg, Maryland, United States
| | - Lorin Roskos
- BioPharmaceuticals R&D, AstraZeneca, South San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Yen Lin Chia
- BioPharmaceuticals R&D, AstraZeneca, South San Francisco, California, USA
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Chia YL, Tummala R, Mai TH, Rouse T, Streicher K, White WI, Morand EF, Furie RA. The Relationship between Anifrolumab Pharmacokinetics, Pharmacodynamics, and Efficacy in Patients With Moderate to Severe Systemic Lupus Erythematosus. J Clin Pharmacol 2022; 62:1094-1105. [PMID: 35352835 PMCID: PMC9545691 DOI: 10.1002/jcph.2054] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2021] [Accepted: 12/13/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
This study aimed to elucidate the pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic and pharmacodynamic/efficacy relationships of anifrolumab, a type I interferon receptor antibody, in patients with moderate to severe systemic lupus erythematosus. Data were pooled from the randomized, 52‐week, placebo‐controlled TULIP‐1 and TULIP‐2 trials of intravenous anifrolumab (150 mg/300 mg, every 4 weeks for 48 weeks). Pharmacodynamic neutralization was measured with a 21‐gene type I interferon gene signature (21‐IFNGS) in patients with high IFNGS. The pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic relationship was analyzed graphically and modeled with a nonlinear mixed‐effects model. British Isles Lupus Assessment Group–based Composite Lupus Assessment (BICLA) response rates were compared across 21‐IFNGS neutralization quartiles. Overall, 819 patients received ≥1 dose of anifrolumab or placebo, of whom 676 were IFNGS high. Over 52 weeks, higher average anifrolumab serum concentrations were associated with increased median 21‐IFNGS neutralization, which was rapid and sustained with anifrolumab 300 mg (>80%, weeks 12‐52), lower and delayed with anifrolumab 150 mg (>50%, week 52), and minimal with placebo. The proportion of patients with week 24 anifrolumab trough concentration exceeding the IC80 (3.88 μg/mL) was greater with anifrolumab 300 mg vs anifrolumab 150 mg (≈83% vs ≈27%), owing to the higher estimated median trough concentration (15.6 vs 0.2 μg/mL). BICLA response rates increased with 21‐IFNGS neutralization; more patients had a BICLA response in the highest vs lowest neutralization quartiles at week 52 (58.1% vs 37.6%). In conclusion, anifrolumab 300 mg every 4 weeks rapidly, substantially, and sustainably neutralized the 21‐IFNGS and was associated with clinical efficacy, supporting this dosing regimen in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yen Lin Chia
- BioPharmaceuticals R&D, AstraZeneca US, South San Francisco, California, USA.,Seagen, South San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Raj Tummala
- BioPharmaceuticals R&D, AstraZeneca US, Gaithersburg, Maryland, USA
| | - Tu H Mai
- BioPharmaceuticals R&D, AstraZeneca US, South San Francisco, California, USA.,Genentech, South San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Tomas Rouse
- BioPharmaceuticals R&D, AstraZeneca R&D, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Katie Streicher
- BioPharmaceuticals R&D, AstraZeneca US, Gaithersburg, Maryland, USA
| | - Wendy I White
- BioPharmaceuticals R&D, AstraZeneca US, Gaithersburg, Maryland, USA
| | - Eric F Morand
- Centre for Inflammatory Disease Monash Health, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Richard A Furie
- Division of Rheumatology, Donald and Barbara Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell Health, Great Neck, New York, USA
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Abstract
Anifrolumab (anifrolumab-fnia; Saphnelo™) is a monoclonal antibody antagonist of the type 1 interferon receptor (IFNAR). It is being developed by AstraZeneca (under license from Medarex, now Bristol-Myers Squibb) for the treatment of autoimmune disorders, including systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and lupus nephritis, the underlying pathogenesis of which involves type 1 interferon. In July 2021, intravenous anifrolumab was approved in the USA for the treatment of adult patients with moderate to severe SLE who are receiving standard therapy. Anifrolumab (intravenous or subcutaneous) continues to be assessed in clinical studies in SLE in various countries, and the intravenous formulation is under regulatory review in the EU and Japan. This article summarizes the milestones in the development of anifrolumab leading to this first approval for the treatment of moderate to severe SLE.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emma D Deeks
- Springer Nature, Private Bag 65901, Mairangi Bay, Auckland, 0754, New Zealand.
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Chaichian Y, Strand V. Interferon-directed therapies for the treatment of systemic lupus erythematosus: a critical update. Clin Rheumatol 2021; 40:3027-3037. [PMID: 33411137 DOI: 10.1007/s10067-020-05526-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2020] [Revised: 11/05/2020] [Accepted: 11/25/2020] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
The interferon (IFN) pathway, especially type I IFN, plays a critical role in the immunopathogenesis of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). We have gained significant insights into this pathway over the past two decades, including a better understanding of the key mediators of inflammation upstream and downstream of type I IFN. This has led to the identification of multiple potential targets for the treatment of SLE, for which a significant unmet need remains due to the failure of many patients to adequately respond to standard-of-care medications. Unfortunately, most new therapies in SLE have disappointed in preclinical or clinical trials to date, including a number that target type I IFN. Nevertheless, several IFN-directed therapies aimed at specific steps within this immunologic pathway have recently shown promise, and additional agents are in the treatment pipeline. In this review, we focus on the results of key therapeutic studies targeting the type I IFN pathway and discuss the future state of IFN-blockade in SLE.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yashaar Chaichian
- Division of Immunology and Rheumatology, Stanford University, Palo Alto, CA, USA.
| | - Vibeke Strand
- Division of Immunology and Rheumatology, Stanford University, Palo Alto, CA, USA
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