Jacob Elkins

Daclizumab in active relapsing multiple sclerosis (CHOICE study): a phase 2, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, add-on trial with interferon beta

BACKGROUND Daclizumab, a humanised monoclonal antibody, reduced multiple sclerosis disease activity in previous non-randomised studies. We aimed to assess whether daclizumab reduces disease activity in patients with active relapsing multiple sclerosis who are receiving interferon beta treatment. METHODS We did a phase 2, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled study at 51 centres in the USA, Canada, Germany, Italy, and Spain. Patients with active relapsing multiple sclerosis who were taking interferon beta were randomly assigned to receive add-on subcutaneous daclizumab 2 mg/kg every 2 weeks (interferon beta and high-dose daclizumab group), daclizumab 1 mg/kg every 4 weeks (interferon beta and low-dose daclizumab group), or interferon beta and placebo for 24 weeks. The randomisation scheme was generated by Facet Biotech. All patients and assessors were masked to treatment with the exception of Facet Biotech bioanalysts who prepared data for the data safety monitoring board or generated pharmacokinetic or pharmacodynamic data, a drug accountability auditor, and the site pharmacist. The primary endpoint was total number of new or enlarged gadolinium contrast-enhancing lesions measured on brain MRI scans every 4 weeks between weeks 8 and 24. Effects of daclizumab on prespecified subsets of lymphocytes and quantitative T-cell proliferative response were assessed in an exploratory pharmacodynamic substudy. Analysis was by intention to treat. This trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT00109161. FINDINGS From May, 2005, to March, 2006, 288 patients were assessed for eligibility, and 230 were randomly assigned to receive interferon beta and high-dose daclizumab (n=75), interferon beta and low-dose daclizumab (n=78), or interferon beta and placebo (n=77). The adjusted mean number of new or enlarged gadolinium contrast-enhancing lesions was 4.75 in the interferon beta and placebo group compared with 1.32 in the interferon beta and high-dose daclizumab group (difference 72%, 95% CI 34% to 88%; p=0.004) and 3.58 in the interferon beta and low-dose daclizumab group (25%, -76% to 68%; p=0.51). In the pharmacodynamic substudy, daclizumab was not associated with significant changes in absolute numbers of T cells, B cells, or natural killer cells, or T-cell proliferative response compared with interferon beta alone. The number of CD56(bright) natural killer cells was seven to eight times higher in both daclizumab groups than in the interferon beta and placebo group (interferon beta and low-dose daclizumab group p=0.002; interferon beta and high-dose daclizumab group p<0.0001). Common adverse events were equally distributed across groups. INTERPRETATION Add-on daclizumab treatment reduced the number of new or enlarged gadolinium contrast-enhancing lesions compared with interferon beta alone and might reduce multiple sclerosis disease activity to a greater extent than interferon beta alone. FUNDING Facet Biotech and Biogen Idec.

Daclizumab high-yield process in relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (SELECT): a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial

BACKGROUND Daclizumab, a humanised monoclonal antibody, modulates interleukin-2 signalling by blocking the α subunit (CD25) of the interleukin-2 receptor. We assessed whether daclizumab high-yield process (HYP) would be effective when given as monotherapy for a 1 year treatment period in patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis. METHODS We did a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial at 76 centres in the Czech Republic, Germany, Hungary, India, Poland, Russia, Ukraine, Turkey, and the UK between Feb 15, 2008, and May 14, 2010. Patients aged 18-55 years with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis were randomly assigned (1:1:1), via a central interactive voice response system, to subcutaneous injections of daclizumab HYP 150 mg or 300 mg, or placebo, every 4 weeks for 52 weeks. Patients and study personnel were masked to treatment assignment, except for the site pharmacist who prepared the study drug for injection, but had no interaction with the patient. The primary endpoint was annualised relapse rate. Analysis was by intention to treat. The trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT00390221. FINDINGS 204 patients were assigned to receive placebo, 208 to daclizumab HYP 150 mg, and 209 to daclizumab HYP 300 mg, of whom 188 (92%), 192 (92%), and 197 (94%), respectively, completed follow-up to week 52. The annualised relapse rate was lower for patients given daclizumab HYP 150 mg (0·21, 95% CI 0·16-0·29; 54% reduction, 95% CI 33-68%; p<0·0001) or 300 mg (0·23, 0·17-0·31, 50% reduction, 28-65%; p=0·00015) than for those given placebo (0·46, 0·37-0·57). More patients were relapse free in the daclizumab HYP 150 mg (81%) and 300 mg (80%) groups than in the placebo group (64%; p<0·0001 in the 150 mg group and p=0·0003 in the 300 mg group). 12 (6%) patients in the placebo group, 15 (7%) of those in the daclizumab 150 mg group, and 19 (9%) in the 300 mg group had serious adverse events excluding multiple sclerosis relapse. One patient given daclizumab HYP 150 mg who was recovering from a serious rash died because of local complication of a psoas abscess. INTERPRETATION Subcutaneous daclizumab HYP administered every 4 weeks led to clinically important effects on multiple sclerosis disease activity during 1 year of treatment. Our findings support the potential for daclizumab HYP to offer an additional treatment option for relapsing-remitting disease. FUNDING Biogen Idec and AbbVie Biotherapeutics Inc.

Daclizumab HYP versus Interferon Beta-1a in Relapsing Multiple Sclerosis

BACKGROUND Daclizumab high-yield process (HYP) is a humanized monoclonal antibody that binds to CD25 (alpha subunit of the interleukin-2 receptor) and modulates interleukin-2 signaling. Abnormalities in interleukin-2 signaling have been implicated in the pathogenesis of multiple sclerosis and other autoimmune disorders. METHODS We conducted a randomized, double-blind, active-controlled, phase 3 study involving 1841 patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis to compare daclizumab HYP, administered subcutaneously at a dose of 150 mg every 4 weeks, with interferon beta-1a, administered intramuscularly at a dose of 30 μg once weekly, for up to 144 weeks. The primary end point was the annualized relapse rate. RESULTS The annualized relapse rate was lower with daclizumab HYP than with interferon beta-1a (0.22 vs. 0.39; 45% lower rate with daclizumab HYP; P<0.001). The number of new or newly enlarged hyperintense lesions on T2-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) over a period of 96 weeks was lower with daclizumab HYP than with interferon beta-1a (4.3 vs. 9.4; 54% lower number of lesions with daclizumab HYP; P<0.001). At week 144, the estimated incidence of disability progression confirmed at 12 weeks was 16% with daclizumab HYP and 20% with interferon beta-1a (P=0.16). Serious adverse events, excluding relapse of multiple sclerosis, were reported in 15% of the patients in the daclizumab HYP group and in 10% of those in the interferon beta-1a group. Infections were more common in the daclizumab HYP group than in the interferon beta-1a group (in 65% vs. 57% of the patients, including serious infection in 4% vs. 2%), as were cutaneous events such as rash or eczema (in 37% vs. 19%, including serious events in 2% vs. <1%) and elevations in liver aminotransferase levels that were more than 5 times the upper limit of the normal range (in 6% vs. 3%). CONCLUSIONS Among patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis, daclizumab HYP showed efficacy superior to that of interferon beta-1a with regard to the annualized relapse rate and lesions, as assessed by means of MRI, but was not associated with a significantly lower risk of disability progression confirmed at 12 weeks. The rates of infection, rash, and abnormalities on liver-function testing were higher with daclizumab HYP than with interferon beta-1a. (Funded by Biogen and AbbVie Biotherapeutics; DECIDE ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT01064401.).

Daclizumab high-yield process in relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (SELECTION): a multicentre, randomised, double-blind extension trial

BACKGROUND In the SELECT trial, disease activity was reduced in patients with multiple sclerosis who received daclizumab high-yield process (HYP) for 52 weeks. The primary aim of the SELECTION extension study was to assess the safety and immunogenicity of extended treatment with daclizumab HYP. METHODS A multicentre, randomised, double-blind, 52-week extension trial was done in 74 centres in the Czech Republic, Germany, Hungary, India, Poland, Russia, Ukraine, and the UK between Feb 13, 2009, and Oct 3, 2012. Eligible patients were aged 18-55 years, had relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis, and had completed the SELECT study. Patients who received placebo in SELECT were randomly assigned (1:1) to receive 150 mg or 300 mg subcutaneous daclizumab HYP every 4 weeks for 52 weeks (treatment initiation group); those who had received daclizumab HYP were randomly assigned (1:1) to continue their present dose with (washout and re-initiation group) or without (continuous treatment group) a washout period of 20 weeks. All randomisation was done with a centralised, interactive voice-response system. Patients and personnel were masked to treatment assignment, except for the site pharmacist who prepared the study drug but had no interaction with patients. The primary endpoints were the safety and immunogenicity of daclizumab HYP. Analyses were by intention to treat. This study is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT00870740. FINDINGS 517 (91%) of 567 patients who completed the SELECT trial entered SELECTION, of whom 170 were in the treatment initiation group, 173 in the continuous treatment group, and 174 in the washout and re-initiation group. 11 patients in the treatment initiation group (6%), 13 in the continuous treatment group (8%), and ten in the washout and re-initiation group (6%) had any serious adverse event other than relapse of multiple sclerosis. One patient in the washout and re-initiation group (300 mg daclizumab HYP) died because of autoimmune hepatitis; a contributory role of daclizumab HYP could not be excluded. Seven patients tested positive for neutralising antidrug antibodies: one (1%) of 128 for whom data were available in the continuous treatment group (this patient also tested positive at SELECTION baseline), four (2%) in the treatment initiation group, and two (2%) of 129 in the washout and re-initiation group. INTERPRETATION Adverse events and immunogenicity were not increased in the second year of continuous treatment with daclizumab HYP or during treatment washout and re-initiation. These results support further assessment of daclizumab HYP for relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis. FUNDING Biogen Idec and AbbVie Biotherapeutics.

Intermediate-affinity interleukin-2 receptor expression predicts CD56bright natural killer cell expansion after daclizumab treatment in the CHOICE study of patients with multiple sclerosis

Objective: The objective of this study was to evaluate whether interleukin-2 (IL-2) receptor expression on CD56bright natural killer (NK) cells predicted CD56bright NK cell expansion and therapeutic response to daclizumab (DAC) in multiple sclerosis (MS). Methods: DAC exposure, CD56bright NK cell counts, IL-2 receptor alpha (CD25) and beta (CD122) subunits, and new or enlarged lesions on brain MRI were measured in 64 subjects in a pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic substudy of the phase 2 CHOICE trial at multiple time points. Peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC) samples were obtained from healthy subjects to assess the relationship among DAC treatment, intermediate affinity IL-2 signaling, and CD56bright NK cell expansion. Results: Increased CD56bright NK cell counts in DAC/interferon beta (IFNβ)-treated subjects were observed by day 14, the first post-dosing time point (mean [SD] ln{CD56bright NK cell count}: DAC high/IFNβ, 2.01 [1.25]; DAC low/IFNβ, 2.29 [1.06]; placebo/IFNβ, 1.01 [1.03]; adjusted p = 0.003), and persisted throughout the treatment period. Higher DAC dose predicted a faster rate of CD56bright NK cell expansion (p < 0.001), but individual subjects’ increases in CD56bright NK cells from baseline levels were only weakly correlated with DAC exposure (r2 = 0.167). Higher expression of the intermediate-affinity IL-2 receptor subunit (CD122) on CD56bright NK cells at baseline predicted fewer new gadolinium-enhanced (Gd+) lesions during the treatment period (1.77 vs. 0.62 adjusted mean new Gd+ lesions during weeks 8–24, lowest vs. highest quartile of percentage CD122+ CD56bright NK cells; p = 0.033) and a greater increase in CD56bright NK cell counts at the end of DAC dosing (p = 0.029). Conclusion: CD56bright NK cell expansion after DAC treatment appears to reflect individual differences in the capacity for intermediate-affinity IL-2 signaling and could provide a basis for predicting clinical response to DAC in MS.

Safety and efficacy of natalizumab in patients with acute ischaemic stroke (ACTION): a randomised, placebo-controlled, double-blind phase 2 trial

BACKGROUND In animal models of acute ischaemic stroke, blocking of the leukocyte-endothelium adhesion by antagonism of α4 integrin reduces infarct volumes and improves outcomes. We assessed the effect of one dose of natalizumab, an antibody against the leukocyte adhesion molecule α4 integrin, in patients with acute ischaemic stroke. METHODS In this double-blind, phase 2 study, patients with acute ischaemic stroke (aged 18-85 years) from 30 US and European clinical sites were randomly assigned (1:1) to 300 mg intravenous natalizumab or placebo with stratification by treatment window and baseline infarct size. Patients, investigators, and study staff were masked to treatment assignments. The primary endpoint was the change in infarct volume from baseline to day 5 and was assessed in the modified intention-to-treat population. Secondary endpoints were the change in infarct volume from baseline to day 30, and from 24 h to days 5 and 30; the National Institute of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) at baseline, 24 h, and at days 5 (or discharge), 30, and 90; and modified Rankin Scale (mRS) and Barthel Index (BI) at days 5 (or discharge), 30, and 90. This trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT01955707. FINDINGS Between Dec 16, 2013, and April 9, 2015, 161 patients were randomly assigned to natalizumab (n=79) or placebo (n=82). Natalizumab did not reduce infarct volume growth from baseline to day 5 compared with placebo (median absolute growth 28 mL [range -8 to 303] vs 22 mL [-11 to 328]; relative growth ratio 1·09 [90% CI 0·91-1·30], p=0·78) or to day 30 (4 mL [-43 to 121] vs 4 mL [-28 to 180]; 1·05 [0·88-1·27], p=0·68), from 24 h to day 5 (8 mL [-30 to 177] vs 7 mL [-13 to 204]; 1·00 [0·89-1·12], p=0·49), and from 24 h to day 30 (-5 mL [-93 to 81] vs -5 mL [-48 to 48]; 0·98 [0·87-1·11], p=0·40). No difference was noted between the natalizumab and placebo groups in the NIHSS (score ≤1 or ≥8 point improvement) from baseline at 24 h, day 5 (or discharge), day 30 (27 [35%] vs 36 [44%]; odds ratio 0·69 [90% CI 0·39-1·21], p=0·86), and day 90 (36 [47%] vs 37 [46%]; 1·10 [0·63-1·93], p=0·39). More patients in the natalizumab group than in the placebo group had mRS scores of 0 or 1 at day 30 (13 [18%] vs seven [9%]; odds ratio 2·88 [90% CI 1·20-6·93], p=0·024) and day 90 (18 [25%] vs 16 [21%]; 1·48 [0·74-2·98], p=0·18); and BI (score ≥95) at day 90 (34 [44%] vs 26 [33%]; 1·91 [1·07-3·41], p=0·033) but not significantly at day 5 or day 30 (26 [34%] vs 26 [32%]; 1·13 [0·63-2·00], p=0·37). Natalizumab and placebo groups had similar incidences of adverse events (77 [99%] of 78 patients vs 81 [99%] of 82 patients), serious adverse events (36 [46%] vs 38 [46%]), and deaths (14 [18%] vs 13 [16%]). Two patients in the natalizumab group died because of adverse events assessed as related to treatment by the investigator (pneumonia, and septic shock and multiorgan failure). INTERPRETATION Natalizumab administered up to 9 h after stroke onset did not reduce infarct growth. Treatment-associated benefits on functional outcomes might warrant further investigation. FUNDING Biogen.

In Vivo Maintenance of Human Regulatory T Cells during CD25 Blockade

Regulatory T cells (Tregs) mediate immune tolerance to self and depend on IL-2 for homeostasis. Treg deficiency, dysfunction, and instability are implicated in the pathogenesis of numerous autoimmune diseases. There is considerable interest in therapeutic modulation of the IL-2 pathway to treat autoimmunity, facilitate transplantation tolerance, or potentiate tumor immunotherapy. Daclizumab is a humanized mAb that binds the IL-2 receptor α subunit (IL-2Rα or CD25) and prevents IL-2 binding. In this study, we investigated the effect of daclizumab-mediated CD25 blockade on Treg homeostasis in patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis. We report that daclizumab therapy caused an ∼50% decrease in Tregs over a 52-wk period. Remaining FOXP3+ cells retained a demethylated Treg-specific demethylated region in the FOXP3 promoter, maintained active cell cycling, and had minimal production of IL-2, IFN-γ, and IL-17. In the presence of daclizumab, IL-2 serum concentrations increased and IL-2Rβγ signaling induced STAT5 phosphorylation and sustained FOXP3 expression. Treg declines were not associated with daclizumab-related clinical benefit or cutaneous adverse events. These results demonstrate that Treg phenotype and lineage stability can be maintained in the face of CD25 blockade.

Prolonged-release fampridine and walking and balance in MS: randomised controlled MOBILE trial

Background: Mobility impairment is a common disability in MS and negatively impacts patients’ lives. Objective: Evaluate the effect of prolonged-release (PR) fampridine (extended-release dalfampridine in the United States) on self-assessed walking disability, dynamic/static balance and safety in patients with MS. Methods: MOBILE was a randomised, double-blind, exploratory, placebo-controlled trial. Patients with progressive/relapsing-remitting MS and Expanded Disability Status Scale score of 4.0–7.0 were treated with PR-fampridine or placebo twice daily for 24 weeks. Efficacy endpoints included change from baseline in the 12-item MS Walking Scale (MSWS-12), Timed Up and Go (TUG) test and Berg Balance Scale (BBS). Results: 132 patients were randomised at 24 sites in six countries. PR-fampridine therapy resulted in greater median improvements from baseline in MSWS-12 score, TUG speed and BBS total score versus placebo over 24 weeks. A higher proportion of patients receiving PR-fampridine versus placebo experienced significant improvements at MSWS-12 improvement thresholds ⩾7 (p = 0.0275), ⩾8 (p = 0.0153) and ⩾9 points (p = 0.0088) and TUG speed thresholds ⩾10% (p = 0.0021) and ⩾15% (p = 0.0262). PR-fampridine was well tolerated. Conclusions: PR-fampridine therapy resulted in early and sustained improvements in broad measures of walking and balance over six months.

Disease-activity-free status in patients with relapsing–remitting multiple sclerosis treated with daclizumab high-yield process in the SELECT study

Background: Daclizumab high-yield process (DAC HYP) is a humanized anti-CD25 monoclonal antibody that inhibits high-affinity interleukin-2 receptor signaling. Objective: The objective of this paper is to assess the proportion of DAC HYP- versus placebo-treated patients who were free from disease activity. Methods: SELECT was a randomized, double-blind, multicenter study of DAC HYP 150 mg or 300 mg, or placebo, administered subcutaneously every four weeks for 52 weeks. In this post-hoc analysis of the SELECT trial, ‘disease-activity free’ was defined as completion through week 52 without relapses or confirmed three-month disability progression (clinical), with no new/newly enlarging T2-hyperintense lesions and no new gadolinium-enhancing lesions at the week 52 scan (radiological). Primary analyses were based on logistic regression controlling for baseline characteristics. Results: More DAC HYP-treated (39%, n = 156) versus placebo-treated patients (11%, n = 22) were disease-activity free (odds ratio (95% confidence interval), 6.18 (3.71–10.32); p < 0.0001). Furthermore, 77% and 48% of DAC HYP-treated patients were free from clinical or radiological disease activity, respectively, compared with 60% and 18% of placebo-treated patients. Conclusion: At one year, DAC HYP resulted in a meaningful increase in the proportion of relapsing–remitting MS patients who were disease-activity free versus placebo.

Responder definition of the Multiple Sclerosis Impact Scale physical impact subscale for patients with physical worsening

Background: The 29-item Multiple Sclerosis Impact Scale (MSIS-29) was developed to examine the impact of multiple sclerosis (MS) on physical and psychological functioning from a patient’s perspective. Objective: To determine the responder definition (RD) of the MSIS-29 physical impact subscale (PHYS) in a group of patients with relapsing–remitting MS (RRMS) participating in a clinical trial. Methods: Data from the SELECT trial comparing daclizumab high-yield process with placebo in patients with RRMS were used. Physical function was evaluated in SELECT using three patient-reported outcomes measures and the Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS). Anchor- and distribution-based methods were used to identify an RD for the MSIS-29. Results: Results across the anchor-based approach suggested MSIS-29 PHYS RD values of 6.91 (mean), 7.14 (median) and 7.50 (mode). Distribution-based RD estimates ranged from 6.24 to 10.40. An RD of 7.50 was selected as the most appropriate threshold for physical worsening based on corresponding changes in the EDSS (primary anchor of interest). Conclusion: These findings indicate that a ≥7.50 point worsening on the MSIS-29 PHYS is a reasonable and practical threshold for identifying patients with RRMS who have experienced a clinically significant change in the physical impact of MS.