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Ali AE, Becker RC. The foundation for investigating factor XI as a target for inhibition in human cardiovascular disease. J Thromb Thrombolysis 2024:10.1007/s11239-024-02985-0. [PMID: 38662114 DOI: 10.1007/s11239-024-02985-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 04/13/2024] [Indexed: 04/26/2024]
Abstract
Anticoagulant therapy is a mainstay in the management of patients with cardiovascular disease and related conditions characterized by a heightened risk for thrombosis. Acute coronary syndrome, chronic coronary syndrome, ischemic stroke, and atrial fibrillation are the most common. In addition to their proclivity for thrombosis, each of these four conditions is also characterized by local and systemic inflammation, endothelial/endocardial injury and dysfunction, oxidative stress, impaired tissue-level reparative capabilities, and immune dysregulation that plays a critical role in linking molecular events, environmental triggers, and phenotypic expressions. Knowing that cardiovascular disease and thrombosis are complex and dynamic, can the scientific community identify a common pathway or specific point of interface susceptible to pharmacological inhibition or alteration that is likely to be safe and effective? The contact factors of coagulation may represent the proverbial "sweet spot" and are worthy of investigation. The following review provides a summary of the fundamental biochemistry of factor XI, its biological activity in thrombosis, inflammation, and angiogenesis, new targeting drugs, and a pragmatic approach to managing hemostatic requirements in clinical trials and possibly day-to-day patient care in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ahmed E Ali
- Department of Internal Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
| | - Richard C Becker
- Department of Internal Medicine, College of Medicine, University of Cincinnati, 231 Albert Sabin Way, Cincinnati, OH, 45267, USA.
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Ali AE, Becker RC. Factor XI: structure, function and therapeutic inhibition. J Thromb Thrombolysis 2024:10.1007/s11239-024-02972-5. [PMID: 38622277 DOI: 10.1007/s11239-024-02972-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/19/2024] [Indexed: 04/17/2024]
Abstract
Arterial and venous thromboembolism is a major medical concern that requires therapeutic anticoagulation in various medical fields to prevent its drastic consequences. Despite significant advances in anticoagulant therapy, thrombosis remains a leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Traditional anticoagulants like heparin and vitamin K antagonists (VKAs) have shown efficacy in preventing and treating thrombosis but come with an inherent risk of bleeding due to their non-specific inhibition of multiple coagulation factors. Subsequent direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs), targeting specific factors such as Xa or thrombin, demonstrated improved safety profiles compared to VKAs, yet bleeding remains a concern. Accordingly, research is focused on developing anticoagulants with improved safety profiles. A safer class of anticoagulants would have broad appeal. The intrinsic pathway of coagulation, involving factor XI (FXI), has attracted attention as a potential target for safer anticoagulants. Preclinical studies and epidemiological data indicate that FXI deficiency or inhibition protects against thrombosis with minimal bleeding. Current research involves evaluating various FXI-directed strategies, and phase 2 studies have shown promising results in orthopedic surgery, atrial fibrillation, end-stage renal disease (ESRD), myocardial infarction, and ischemic stroke. Several agents, such as antisense oligonucleotides, monoclonal antibodies, small synthetic molecules, natural peptides, and aptamers, have been developed to inhibit FXI at different stages, offering potentially safer alternatives to traditional anticoagulants. However, the optimal balance between preventing thrombosis and the risk of bleeding associated with FXI inhibitors requires validation through extensive phase 3 clinical trials using definite clinical endpoints. Several of such trials are currently underway or planned to define the role of FXI inhibitors in clinical practice and determine the most suitable FXI inhibitor for each specific indication. The current review highlights the rationale behind developing FXI inhibitors, presenting the most advanced agents in development, summarizing completed clinical trials, and discussing ongoing research efforts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ahmed E Ali
- Department of Internal Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
| | - Richard C Becker
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH, USA.
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Ades M, Simard C, Vanassche T, Verhamme P, Eikelboom J, Mavrakanas TA. Factor XI Inhibitors: Potential Role in End-Stage Kidney Disease. Semin Nephrol 2024:151484. [PMID: 38272779 DOI: 10.1016/j.semnephrol.2023.151484] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/27/2024]
Abstract
Patients with end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) experience a high thrombotic risk but are also at increased risk of bleeding. There is an unmet need for safer antithrombotic therapy in patients with ESKD on hemodialysis. Factor XI (FXI) represents an attractive therapeutic target for anticoagulation because of the potential to mitigate the bleeding risks associated with currently approved anticoagulants, especially in patients at high risk of bleeding. FXI inhibition is also an attractive option in settings where coagulation is activated by exposure of the blood to artificial surfaces, including the extracorporeal circuit during hemodialysis. Therapies targeting FXI that are in the most advanced stages of clinical development include antisense oligonucleotides, monoclonal antibodies, and synthetic small molecules, which serve either to lower FXI levels or block its physiological effects. This review article presents the most recent pharmacological data with FXI inhibitors, briefly describes phase 2 and 3 clinical trials with these agents, and critically examines the potential future use of FXI inhibitors for extracorporeal circuit anticoagulation in patients with ESKD. In addition, laboratory monitoring and reversal of FXI inhibitors are briefly discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew Ades
- Division of General Internal Medicine, Department of Medicine, McGill University, Montreal, Canada
| | - Camille Simard
- Division of General Internal Medicine, Department of Medicine, McGill University, Montreal, Canada; Center for Clinical Epidemiology, Lady Davis Institute, Jewish General Hospital, Montreal, Canada
| | - Thomas Vanassche
- Department of Cardiovascular Sciences, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Peter Verhamme
- Department of Cardiovascular Sciences, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - John Eikelboom
- Population Health Research Institute, Hamilton Health Sciences and McMaster University, Hamilton, Canada
| | - Thomas A Mavrakanas
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Medicine, McGill University Health Center and Research Institute, Montreal, Canada.
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Nagy A, Duff K, Bauer A, Okonneh F, Rondon JC, Yel L, Li Z. A Phase 1 Open-Label Study to Assess the Tolerability, Safety, and Immunogenicity of Hyaluronidase-Facilitated Subcutaneous Immunoglobulin 20% in Healthy Adults. J Clin Immunol 2023; 44:28. [PMID: 38129731 PMCID: PMC10739571 DOI: 10.1007/s10875-023-01632-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2023] [Accepted: 11/27/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE Hyaluronidase-facilitated subcutaneous immunoglobulin (fSCIG) 20% will allow reduced infusion volumes and frequency versus existing subcutaneous therapies such as fSCIG 10% and conventional subcutaneous immunoglobulin 20%, respectively. We assessed the tolerability, safety, and immunogenicity of warmed and unwarmed fSCIG 20%. METHODS This phase 1, single-dose, open-label, three-arm study enrolled healthy adults aged 19-50 years (inclusive) at a single US center (NCT05059977). Post-screening, participants received a single fSCIG 20% dose comprising recombinant human hyaluronidase and varying doses of in-line warmed or unwarmed immunoglobulin G (IgG) during a 4-day treatment period in a sentinel and sequential dosing design (treatment arm 1, warmed IgG 20% 0.4 g/kg; treatment arm 2, warmed IgG 20% 1.0 g/kg; treatment arm 3, unwarmed IgG 20% 1.0 g/kg). Participants were followed for 12 (± 1) weeks post-infusion. The primary endpoint was tolerability ("tolerable" infusions were not interrupted, stopped, or reduced in rate owing to fSCIG 20%-related treatment-emergent adverse events (TEAEs)). Secondary endpoints included occurrence of TEAEs. RESULTS Overall, 24 participants were included, 8 per treatment arm (mean age 39.0 years, 54.2% men). All participants tolerated the infusions. All TEAEs were mild (107 events, in all participants), and all participants experienced fSCIG 20%-related (105 events) and local (102 events) TEAEs. Infusion site erythema and infusion site swelling were most frequently reported. No serious TEAEs occurred, and no participants discontinued the study owing to TEAEs. CONCLUSION fSCIG 20% was well-tolerated with a favorable safety profile in healthy adults. Future studies will evaluate fSCIG 20% in primary immunodeficiency diseases. Trial registration number (ClinicalTrials.gov): NCT05059977 (registered 28 September 2021).
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Affiliation(s)
- Andras Nagy
- Baxalta Innovations GmbH, a Takeda Company, Vienna, Austria
| | - Kimberly Duff
- Takeda Development Center Americas, Inc., Cambridge, MA, USA
| | | | - Fred Okonneh
- Takeda Development Center Americas, Inc., Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Juan Carlos Rondon
- Clinical Pharmacology of Miami, LLC, an Evolution Research Group portfolio company, Miami, FL, USA
| | - Leman Yel
- Takeda Development Center Americas, Inc., Cambridge, MA, USA
- University of California, Irvine, CA, USA
| | - Zhaoyang Li
- Takeda Development Center Americas, Inc., Cambridge, MA, USA.
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Samuelson Bannow B, Cushman M. Sex Matters: Policy on Reporting Sex as a Biological Variable at Research and Practice in Thrombosis and Hemostasis. Res Pract Thromb Haemost 2023; 7:102256. [PMID: 38053984 PMCID: PMC10694598 DOI: 10.1016/j.rpth.2023.102256] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/07/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
| | - Mary Cushman
- Larner College of Medicine at the University of Vermont, Burlington, VT, USA
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Abstract
Factor XIa (FXIa) in the intrinsic pathway of the coagulation process has been proven to be an effective and safe target for anticoagulant discovery with limited or no bleeding. Numerous small-molecule FXIa inhibitors (SMFIs) with various scaffolds have been identified in the early stages of drug discovery. They have served as the foundation for the recent discovery of additional promising SMFIs with improved potency, selectivity, and pharmacokinetic profiles, some of which have entered clinical trials for the treatment of thrombosis. After reviewing the coagulation process and structure of FXIa, this perspective discusses the rational or structure-based design, discovery, structure-activity relationships, and development of SMFIs disclosed in recent years. Strategies for identifying more selective and druggable SMFIs are provided, paving the way for the design and discovery of more useful SMFIs for anticoagulation therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhouling Xie
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Engineering, School of Food and Biological Engineering, Hefei University of Technology, Hefei 230009, P. R. China
| | - Zhiwei Meng
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Engineering, School of Food and Biological Engineering, Hefei University of Technology, Hefei 230009, P. R. China
| | - Xiaoxiao Yang
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Engineering, School of Food and Biological Engineering, Hefei University of Technology, Hefei 230009, P. R. China
| | - Yajun Duan
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Engineering, School of Food and Biological Engineering, Hefei University of Technology, Hefei 230009, P. R. China
| | - Qin Wang
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230022, P. R. China
| | - Chenzhong Liao
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Engineering, School of Food and Biological Engineering, Hefei University of Technology, Hefei 230009, P. R. China
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Elsheikh S, Tidbury N, Lip GYH. A review of emerging factor XI inhibitors. Expert Opin Emerg Drugs 2023; 28:43-53. [PMID: 36927160 DOI: 10.1080/14728214.2023.2192923] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/18/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Whilst the introduction of direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) has improved the prevention of thromboembolic events, there is still a need for safer anticoagulants. This is particularly so, for specific populations of patients, such as those with an increased bleeding risk or those with severely reduced kidney function. People with Factor XI (FXI) deficiency are at reduced risk of thromboembolic events, without an increased risk of spontaneous bleeding. FXI inhibition, therefore, presents the ideal target for novel anticoagulants. AREAS COVERED In this review, we provide an overview of the currently available anticoagulants and the emerging FXIa inhibitors in clinical trials. The need for availability of novel anticoagulants and the potential issues that will hinder the development and marketing of factor XIa inhibitors is also discussed. EXPERT OPINION Evidence suggests that FXI inhibition presents a promising drug target for novel anticoagulation therapies. The FXIa inhibitors in development have advantages over DOACs with lower renal clearance and long half-lives. Overall, FXI inhibition presents a promising target, it is likely that the clinical use of FXIa inhibitors is on the horizon.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sandra Elsheikh
- Liverpool Centre for Cardiovascular Science at University of Liverpool, Liverpool John Moores University and Liverpool Heart & Chest Hospital, Liverpool, UK
- Cardiology Department, St Helens and Knowsley Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, Whiston, UK
| | - Nicola Tidbury
- Liverpool Centre for Cardiovascular Science at University of Liverpool, Liverpool John Moores University and Liverpool Heart & Chest Hospital, Liverpool, UK
| | - Gregory Y H Lip
- Liverpool Centre for Cardiovascular Science at University of Liverpool, Liverpool John Moores University and Liverpool Heart & Chest Hospital, Liverpool, UK
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Aalborg University, Aalborg, Denmark
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Greco A, Laudani C, Spagnolo M, Agnello F, Faro DC, Finocchiaro S, Legnazzi M, Mauro MS, Mazzone PM, Occhipinti G, Rochira C, Scalia L, Capodanno D. Pharmacology and Clinical Development of Factor XI Inhibitors. Circulation 2023; 147:897-913. [PMID: 36913497 DOI: 10.1161/circulationaha.122.062353] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 31.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/14/2023]
Abstract
Therapeutic anticoagulation is indicated for a variety of circumstances and conditions in several fields of medicine to prevent or treat venous and arterial thromboembolism. According to the different mechanisms of action, the available parenteral and oral anticoagulant drugs share the common principle of hampering or blocking key steps of the coagulation cascade, which unavoidably comes at the price of an increased propensity to bleed. Hemorrhagic complications affect patient prognosis both directly and indirectly (ie, by preventing the adoption of an effective antithrombotic strategy). Inhibition of factor XI (FXI) has emerged as a strategy with the potential to uncouple the pharmacological effect and the adverse events of anticoagulant therapy. This observation is based on the differential contribution of FXI to thrombus amplification, in which it plays a major role, and hemostasis, in which it plays an ancillary role in final clot consolidation. Several agents were developed to inhibit FXI at different stages (ie, suppressing biosynthesis, preventing zymogen activation, or impeding the biological action of the active form), including antisense oligonucleotides, monoclonal antibodies, small synthetic molecules, natural peptides, and aptamers. Phase 2 studies of different classes of FXI inhibitors in orthopedic surgery suggested that dose-dependent reductions in thrombotic complications are not paralleled by dose-dependent increases in bleeding compared with low-molecular-weight heparin. Likewise, the FXI inhibitor asundexian was associated with lower rates of bleeding compared with the activated factor X inhibitor apixaban in patients with atrial fibrillation, although no evidence of a therapeutic effect on stroke prevention is available so far. FXI inhibition could also be appealing for patients with other conditions, including end-stage renal disease, noncardioembolic stroke, or acute myocardial infarction, for which other phase 2 studies have been conducted. The balance between thromboprophylaxis and bleeding achieved by FXI inhibitors needs confirmation in large-scale phase 3 clinical trials powered for clinical end points. Several of such trials are ongoing or planned to define the role of FXI inhibitors in clinical practice and to clarify which FXI inhibitor may be most suited for each clinical indication. This article reviews the rationale, pharmacology, results of medium or small phase 2 studies, and future perspectives of drugs inhibiting FXI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonio Greco
- A.O.U. Policlinico "G. Rodolico - San Marco", University of Catania, Italy
| | - Claudio Laudani
- A.O.U. Policlinico "G. Rodolico - San Marco", University of Catania, Italy
| | - Marco Spagnolo
- A.O.U. Policlinico "G. Rodolico - San Marco", University of Catania, Italy
| | - Federica Agnello
- A.O.U. Policlinico "G. Rodolico - San Marco", University of Catania, Italy
| | | | - Simone Finocchiaro
- A.O.U. Policlinico "G. Rodolico - San Marco", University of Catania, Italy
| | - Marco Legnazzi
- A.O.U. Policlinico "G. Rodolico - San Marco", University of Catania, Italy
| | - Maria Sara Mauro
- A.O.U. Policlinico "G. Rodolico - San Marco", University of Catania, Italy
| | | | | | - Carla Rochira
- A.O.U. Policlinico "G. Rodolico - San Marco", University of Catania, Italy
| | - Lorenzo Scalia
- A.O.U. Policlinico "G. Rodolico - San Marco", University of Catania, Italy
| | - Davide Capodanno
- A.O.U. Policlinico "G. Rodolico - San Marco", University of Catania, Italy
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Koulas I, Spyropoulos AC. A Review of FXIa Inhibition as a Novel Target for Anticoagulation. Hamostaseologie 2023; 43:28-36. [PMID: 36807817 DOI: 10.1055/a-1984-7021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Limitations of vitamin K antagonists as chronic oral anticoagulant therapy have largely been supplanted by direct factor IIa and factor Xa inhibitor oral anticoagulants with similar efficacy but an overall better safety profile, lack of routine monitoring, and very limited drug-drug interactions compared with agents such as warfarin. However, an increased risk of bleeding remains even with these new-generation oral anticoagulants in fragile patient populations, in patients requiring dual or triple antithrombotic therapy, or high bleed risk surgeries. Epidemiologic data in patients with hereditary factor XI deficiency and preclinical studies support the notion that factor XIa inhibitors have the ability to be an effective but potentially safer alternative to existing anticoagulants, based on their ability to prevent thrombosis directly within the intrinsic pathway without affecting hemostatic mechanisms. As such, various types of factor XIa inhibitors have been studied in early phase clinical studies, including inhibitors of the biosynthesis of factor XIa with antisense oligonucleotides or direct inhibitors of factor XIa using small peptidomimetic molecules, monoclonal antibodies, aptamers, or natural inhibitors. In this review, we discuss how different types of factor XIa inhibitors work and present findings from recently published Phase II clinical trials across multiple indications, including stroke prevention in atrial fibrillation, dual pathway inhibition with concurrent antiplatelets post-myocardial infarction, and thromboprophylaxis of orthopaedic surgery patients. Finally, we refer to ongoing Phase III clinical trials of factor XIa inhibitors and their potential to provide definitive answers regarding their safety and efficacy in preventing thromboembolic events in specific patient groups.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ioannis Koulas
- The Institute of Health Systems Science at the Feinstein Institutes for Medical Research, Manhasset, New York, United States
| | - Alex C Spyropoulos
- The Institute of Health Systems Science at the Feinstein Institutes for Medical Research, Manhasset, New York, United States.,Northwell Health at Lenox Hill Hospital, New York, New York, United States.,The Donald and Barbara Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell, Hempstead, New York, United States
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