Efficacy and safety of elinzanetant, a selective neurokinin-1,3 receptor antagonist for vasomotor symptoms: a dose-finding clinical trial (SWITCH-1)

OBJECTIVE

Neurokinin (NK)-3 and NK-1 receptors have been implicated in the etiology of vasomotor symptoms (VMS) and sleep disturbances associated with menopause. This phase 2b, adaptive, dose-range finding study aimed to assess the efficacy and safety of multiple doses of elinzanetant (NT-814), a selective NK-1,3 receptor antagonist, in women experiencing VMS associated with menopause, and investigate the impact of elinzanetant on sleep and quality of life.

METHODS

Postmenopausal women aged 40 to 65 years who experienced seven or more moderate-to-severe VMS per day were randomized to receive elinzanetant 40, 80, 120, or 160 mg or placebo once daily using an adaptive design algorithm. Coprimary endpoints were reduction in mean frequency and severity of moderate-to-severe VMS at weeks 4 and 12. Secondary endpoints included patient-reported assessments of sleep and quality of life.

RESULTS

Elinzanetant 120 mg and 160 mg achieved reductions in VMS frequency versus placebo from week 1 throughout 12 weeks of treatment. Least square mean reductions were statistically significant versus placebo at both primary endpoint time points for elinzanetant 120 mg (week 4: -3.93 [SE, 1.02], P < 0.001; week 12: -2.95 [1.15], P = 0.01) and at week 4 for elinzanetant 160 mg (-2.63 [1.03]; P = 0.01). Both doses also led to clinically meaningful improvements in measures of sleep and quality of life. All doses of elinzanetant were well tolerated.

CONCLUSIONS

Elinzanetant is an effective and well-tolerated nonhormone treatment option for postmenopausal women with VMS and associated sleep disturbance. Elinzanetant also improves quality of life in women with VMS.

Elinzanetant (NT-814), a Neurokinin 1,3 Receptor Antagonist, Reduces Estradiol and Progesterone in Healthy Women

CONTEXT

The ideal therapy for endometriosis (EM) and uterine fibroids (UFs) would suppress estrogenic drive to the endometrium and myometrium, while minimizing vasomotor symptoms and bone loss associated with current treatments. An integrated neurokinin-kisspeptin system involving substance P and neurokinin B acting at the neurokinin (NK) receptors 1 and 3, respectively, modulates reproductive hormone secretion and represents a therapeutic target.

OBJECTIVE

This work aimed to assess the effects of the novel NK1,3 antagonist elinzanetant on reproductive hormone levels in healthy women.

METHODS

A randomized, single-blinded, placebo-controlled study was conducted in 33 women who attended for 2 consecutive menstrual cycles. In each cycle blood samples were taken on days 3 or 4, 9 or 10, 15 or 16, and 21 or 22 to measure serum reproductive hormones. In cycle 2, women were randomly assigned to receive once-daily oral elinzanetant 40, 80, 120 mg, or placebo (N = 8 or 9 per group).

RESULTS

Elinzanetant dose-dependently lowered serum luteinizing hormone, estradiol (120 mg median change across cycle: -141.4 pmol/L, P = .038), and luteal-phase progesterone (120 mg change from baseline on day 21 or 22: -19.400 nmol/L, P = .046). Elinzanetant 120 mg prolonged the cycle length by median of 7.0 days (P = .023). Elinzanetant reduced the proportion of women with a luteal-phase serum progesterone concentration greater than 30 nmol/L (a concentration consistent with ovulation) in a dose-related manner in cycle 2 (P = .002). Treatment did not produce vasomotor symptoms.

CONCLUSION

NK1,3 receptor antagonism with elinzanetant dose-dependently suppressed the reproductive axis in healthy women, with the 120-mg dose lowering estradiol to potentially ideal levels for UFs and EM. As such, elinzanetant may represent a novel therapy to manipulate reproductive hormone levels in women with hormone-driven disorders.

SUN-LB58 Repeated Once-Daily Administration of the Non-Hormonal Neurokinin 1,3 Receptor Antagonist NT-814 Reduces LH, Estradiol and Progesterone in Healthy Women

Introduction: Uterine fibroids (UF) affect up to 25% of women and endometriosis (EM) 10% of women worldwide. An ideal therapy would lower estradiol concentrations to reduce hormonal drive to the endometrium and myometrium, but not to the levels which cause the hot flashes and bone loss associated with current treatments. A target estradiol range of 110-180 pmol/L has been proposed1. GnRH secretion is modulated by neurokinin B (NKB) acting at the NK3 receptor via hypothalamic neurons expressing kisspeptin, NKB & dynorphin (KNDy neurons). In addition, Substance P acting at the NK1 receptor may also stimulate reproductive hormone release. We hypothesised that NT-814, a dual NK1,3 receptor antagonist, would reduce GnRH release and hence LH, estradiol and progesterone levels in women. This preliminary clinical study in healthy pre-menopausal women evaluated this hypothesis.

Methods: We undertook a randomized, single-blind, placebo-controlled study. 32 healthy women attended for 2 consecutive menstrual cycles. In each cycle blood samples were taken on days 3/4, 9/10, 15/16 and 21/22 to measure serum sex hormone concentrations. No treatment was given in cycle 1 (baseline). During cycle 2, participants received placebo or one of three doses of NT-814 once per day; 40mg, 80mg or 120mg (n=8 per group) for up to 21 days.

Results: Compared to placebo, NT-814 reduced LH, estradiol and progesterone concentrations in a dose-related manner. The median changes in average LH (IU/L) during cycle 2 compared to cycle 1 were: placebo, 0.16; 40mg, -0.13; 80mg, -0.46; 120mg, -0.58. Median change in average estradiol (pmol/L) in cycle 2 was: placebo, -16.5; 40mg, -9.3; 80mg, -92.1; 120mg, -141.4. The median changes in progesterone (nmol/L) on day 21/22 in cycle 2 compared to cycle 1 were: placebo, 3.2; 40mg, 8.0; 80mg, -5.7; 120mg, -19.4. The reductions in estradiol and progesterone with 120 mg NT-814 were significant (p=0.038 & p=0.046, respectively). There were no clear changes in FSH concentrations. Of note, in women treated with 120mg NT-814, the average estradiol level reduced from 310.8 pmol/L in cycle 1 to 179.8 pmol/L in cycle 2. Cycle length was extended by at least 6 days in 5 of 8 women receiving the 120 mg dose. NT-814 was well tolerated; no participant experienced hot flashes during treatment.

Conclusions: Once-daily administration of the non-hormonal NK1,3 receptor antagonist NT-814 reduced serum LH, estradiol and progesterone in healthy women in a dose-related manner without causing vasomotor symptoms. The 120 mg dose of NT-814 lowered estradiol levels to potentially ideal levels for UF and EM treatment. These preliminary data support further studies with NT-814 to establish its efficacy and safety in treating patients with these hormone driven disorders.

References: 1Barbieri RL Am J Obstet Gynaecol 1992 166 740-5.

OR11-03 NT-814, a Non-Hormonal Dual Neurokinin 1,3 Receptor Antagonist Markedly Improves Vasomotor Symptoms in Post-Menopausal Women; Results of a Randomised, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled, Dose-Finding Study (SWITCH-1)

Introduction: Vasomotor symptoms (VMS), caused by declining estrogen in menopausal women, are common and debilitating. Hormone therapy is effective in many women but carries risks and may be contraindicated. Biological and clinical evidence shows a modulatory role for neurokinin (NK) receptor antagonists acting primarily via hypothalamic KNDy (kisspeptin, NK, dynorphin) neurons on VMS. NT-814 is an oral non-hormonal dual NK1,3 receptor antagonist which has previously been shown to cause rapid and marked improvements in VMS in post-menopausal women. This Phase-2b trial (SWITCH-1) was undertaken to further evaluate efficacy and safety and to establish the optimum dose(s) for Phase 3 studies.

Methods: SWITCH-1 was a double-blind, placebo-controlled, adaptive-randomization, dose-finding trial in 199 post-menopausal women. After a 2-week single-blind placebo run-in to establish symptom stability, women (40 to 65 years) with ≥7 moderate and/or severe VMS per day at baseline were randomized to 12 weeks of once daily treatment with placebo or one of 4 doses of NT-814: 40 mg, 80 mg, 120 mg, 160 mg. Subjects recorded the frequency and severity of VMS in electronic diaries twice daily throughout the study. Patient-reported measures of quality-of-life, sleep and mood were collected periodically. Adverse events (AEs) were recorded at each clinic visit.

Results: VMS frequency was reduced in all treatment groups, including placebo. VMS reductions were significantly greater with the 2 higher NT-814 doses at most time-points, as early as the first week of treatment. Least squares mean reductions from baseline in moderate/severe VMS per day at week 4 were: placebo, 2.7; 40 mg, 4.3 (p=0.161 vs placebo); 80 mg, 4.1 (p=0.326); 120 mg, 6.7 (p<0.0001); 160 mg, 5.5 (p=0.007). In week 12 the reductions were: placebo, 4.7; 40 mg, 6.5 (p=0.185); 80 mg, 5.6 (p=0.599); 120 mg, 7.8 (p=0.009); 160 mg, 6.6 (p=0.109). At the 160 mg dose the median reduction in week 12 was significantly greater than placebo (6.9 vs 4.4, p=0.0023), indicating an effect of high outliers on the mean. Average HF severity was also improved in a dose-related manner, with greater reductions compared to placebo with the 2 higher NT-814 doses. Improvements in HF were accompanied by statistically significant benefits on sleep (assessed using the Insomnia Severity Index and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index), mood (measured using the Beck Depression Inventory), and all four domains of the MenQoL menopause-specific quality-of-life instrument. NT-814 was well-tolerated; most AEs were mild or moderate and there were no serious AEs related to treatment.

Conclusions: NT-814, a once daily non-hormonal NK antagonist, at doses of 120 & 160 mg reduced the frequency and severity of VMS and significantly improved quality of life, mood and sleep, in postmenopausal women. NT-814 was well tolerated, with a safety profile that supports further evaluation in Phase 3 trials.

Neurokinin-1 antagonist orvepitant for EGFRI-induced pruritus in patients with cancer: a randomised, placebo-controlled phase II trial

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the efficacy of orvepitant (10 or 30 mg given once daily, orally for 4 weeks), a neurokinin-1 receptor antagonist, compared with placebo in reducing the intensity of epidermal growth factor receptor inhibitor (EGFRI)-induced intense pruritus.

DESIGN

Randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial.

SETTING

15 hospitals in Italy and five hospitals in the UK.

PARTICIPANTS

44 patients aged ≥18 years receiving an EGFRI for a histologically confirmed malignant solid tumour and experiencing moderate or intense pruritus after EGFRI treatment.

INTERVENTION

30 or 10 mg orvepitant or placebo tablets once daily for 4 weeks (randomised 1:1:1).

PRIMARY AND SECONDARY OUTCOME MEASURES

The primary endpoint was change from baseline in mean patient-recorded numerical rating scale (NRS) score (over the last three recordings) at week 4. Secondary outcome measures were NRS score, verbal rating scale score, Skindex-16 and Leeds Sleep Evaluation Questionnaire at each study visit (baseline, weeks 1, 4, 8); rescue medication use; EGFRI dose reduction; and study withdrawal because of intense uncontrolled pruritus.

RESULTS

The trial was terminated early because of recruitment challenges; only 44 of the planned 90 patients were randomised. All patients were analysed for efficacy and safety. Mean NRS score change from baseline to week 4 was -2.78 (SD: 2.64) points in the 30 mg group, -3.04 (SD: 3.06) points in the 10 mg group and -3.21 (SD: 1.77) points in the placebo group; the difference between orvepitant and placebo was not statistically significant. No safety signal was detected. Adverse events related to orvepitant (asthenia, dizziness, dry mouth, hyperhidrosis) were all of mild or moderate severity.

CONCLUSIONS

Orvepitant was safe and well tolerated. No difference in NRS score between the orvepitant and placebo groups was observed at the week 4 primary endpoint. A number of explanations for this outcome are possible.

TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER

EudraCT2013-002763-25.

In silico cloning of a new protein kinase, Aik2, related to Drosophila Aurora using the new tool: EST Blast

In this short communication we report for the first time to our knowledge the use of ESTBlast to in silico clone a new gene and a step by step description of this particular in silico cloning project.