Uplizna Drug Information
Generic name: INEBILIZUMAB
CD19-directed Cytolytic Antibody [EPC]
Uses of Uplizna
Neuromyelitis Optica Spectrum Disorder (NMOSD)
UPLIZNA is indicated for the treatment of neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) in adult patients who are anti-aquaporin-4 (AQP4) antibody positive.
Immunoglobulin G4-Related Disease (IgG4-RD)
UPLIZNA is indicated for the treatment of Immunoglobulin G4-related disease (IgG4-RD) in adult patients.
Generalized Myasthenia Gravis (gMG)
UPLIZNA is indicated for the treatment of generalized myasthenia gravis (gMG) in adult patients who are anti-acetylcholine receptor (AChR) or anti-muscle specific tyrosine kinase (MuSK) antibody positive.
Dosage & Administration of Uplizna
| corticosteroid | intravenous |
|---|---|
| antihistamine | oral |
| antipyretic | oral |
Side Effects of Uplizna
Clinical Trial Experience
Because clinical trials are conducted under widely varying conditions, adverse reaction rates observed in the clinical trials of a drug cannot be directly compared to rates in the clinical trials of another drug and may not reflect the rates observed in practice. Adverse Reactions NMOSD The safety of UPLIZNA was evaluated in Study 1, in which 161 patients were exposed to UPLIZNA at the recommended dosage regimen during the randomized, controlled treatment period; during which 52 patients received placebo . Subsequently, 198 patients were exposed to UPLIZNA during an open-label treatment period. Two-hundred and eight patients in the randomized and open-label treatment periods had a total of 324 person-years of exposure to UPLIZNA, including 165 patients with exposure for at least 6 months and 128 with exposure for one year or more.
Table 3 lists adverse reactions that occurred in at least 5% of patients treated with UPLIZNA and at a greater incidence than in patients who received placebo in Study 1. The most common adverse reactions (incidence of at least 10% in patients treated with UPLIZNA and at a greater incidence than placebo) were urinary tract infection and arthralgia. Table 3. Adverse Reactions in Patients with NMOSD with an Incidence of at Least 5% with UPLIZNA and a Greater Incidence than Placebo in Study 1 Adverse Reactions UPLIZNA N = 161 % Placebo N = 52 % Urinary tract infection 11 10 Arthralgia 10 4 Headache 8 8 Back pain 7 4 Across both the randomized and open-label treatment in Study 1, the most common adverse reactions (greater than 10%) were urinary tract infection (20%), nasopharyngitis (13%), infusion reaction (12%), arthralgia (11%), and headache (10%). IgG4-RD The safety of UPLIZNA was evaluated in Study 2, in which 68 patients were exposed to UPLIZNA at the recommended dosage regimen during the randomized, controlled treatment period; during which 67 patients received placebo . Table 4 lists adverse reactions that occurred in at least 5% of patients treated with UPLIZNA and at a greater incidence than in patients who received placebo in Study 2. The most common adverse reactions (incidence of at least 10% in patients treated with UPLIZNA and at a greater incidence than placebo) were urinary tract infection and lymphopenia. Table 4. Adverse Reactions in Patients with IgG4-RD with an Incidence of at Least 5% with UPLIZNA and a Greater Incidence than Placebo in Study 2 Adverse Reactions UPLIZNA N = 68 % Placebo N = 67 % Lymphopenia 19 Lymphopenia includes both lymphopenia and lymphocyte count decreased. 9 Urinary tract infection 12 6 Pyrexia 9 5 Neutropenia 6 5 Myalgia 6 0 Additional adverse reactions during the randomized controlled period in Study 2 were infusion related reactions, influenza, and pneumonia. gMG The safety of UPLIZNA was evaluated in Study 3, in which 119 patients were exposed to UPLIZNA at the recommended dosage regimen and 119 patients received placebo during the randomized, placebo-controlled treatment period.
The randomized controlled treatment period was 52 weeks for patients who were anti-AChR antibody positive (n=95 each group) and 26 weeks for patients who were anti-MuSK antibody positive (n=24 each group) . References to adverse reaction frequency in the overall population in the randomized controlled period of Study 3 are reflective of 52-week data for the anti-AChR antibody positive population, and 26-week data for the anti-MuSK antibody positive population that were available at the time of the primary analysis. Table 5 lists adverse reactions that occurred in at least 5% of patients treated with UPLIZNA and at a greater incidence than in patients who received placebo in Study 3. The most common adverse reactions (incidence of at least 10% in patients treated with UPLIZNA and at a greater incidence than placebo) were headache and infusion-related reaction. Table 5. Adverse Reactions in Patients with gMG with an Incidence of at Least 5% with UPLIZNA and a Greater Incidence than Placebo in Study 3 Adverse Reactions Based on the overall randomized controlled period, comprised of 52 weeks for the anti-AChR antibody positive population and 26 weeks for the anti-MuSK antibody positive population UPLIZNA N = 119 % Placebo N = 119 % Headache 15 7 Infusion-related reaction Infusion-related reaction was defined as any sign or symptom experienced by patients during the infusion of study drug, or any adverse event occurring within 24 hours of study drug administration for which an alternative explanation was not evident. 10 6 Nasopharyngitis 7 3 Cough 7 3 Urinary tract infection 7 3 Laboratory Abnormalities Decreased Immunoglobulins NMOSD At the end of the 6.5-month randomized, controlled period, relative to baseline, the total immunoglobulin level was reduced approximately 8% from baseline for patients treated with UPLIZNA as compared to an increase of 6% in patients treated with placebo.
The mean decreases from baseline in immunoglobulin G (IgG) and immunoglobulin M (IgM) were approximately 4% and 32%, respectively, in patients treated with UPLIZNA, whereas IgG was increased by 6% and IgM was increased by approximately 13% in placebo-treated patients. The proportion of patients treated with UPLIZNA who had IgG levels below the lower limit of normal at year 1 was 7% and at year 2 was 13%. The proportion of patients treated with UPLIZNA who had IgM levels below the lower limit of normal at year 1 was 31% and at year 2 was 42%. IgG4-RD At the end of the 12-month randomized, controlled period, relative to baseline, the total immunoglobulin level was reduced approximately 12% from baseline for patients treated with UPLIZNA as compared to an increase of 21% in patients treated with placebo. The mean decreases from baseline in IgG and IgM were approximately 9% and 32%, respectively, in patients treated with UPLIZNA, whereas IgG was increased by 26% and IgM was increased by approximately 3% in placebo-treated patients. gMG At the end of the 26-week randomized, controlled period, relative to baseline, the total immunoglobulin level was reduced approximately 13% from baseline for patients treated with UPLIZNA as compared to an increase of 15% in patients treated with placebo.
The mean decreases from baseline in IgG and IgM were approximately 8% and 30%, respectively, in patients treated with UPLIZNA, whereas IgG was increased by 18% and IgM was increased by approximately 5% in placebo-treated patients. The proportion of patients treated with UPLIZNA who had IgG and IgM levels below the lower limit of normal at the end of the 26-week randomized, controlled period was 29% and 16%, respectively, compared to 8% and 4%, respectively, in the placebo group. Decreased Neutrophil Counts NMOSD Neutrophil counts between 1.0-1.5 × 10 9 /L were observed in 7% of UPLIZNA-treated patients versus 2% of patients who received placebo.
Neutrophil counts between 0.5-1.0 × 10 9 /L were observed in 2% of patients treated with UPLIZNA compared to no patients who received placebo. At the end of the 6.5-month randomized, controlled period, the proportion of patients with a neutrophil count below the limit of normal was 12% for patients treated with UPLIZNA compared to 4% for patients who received placebo. IgG4-RD During the 12-month randomized, controlled period, neutrophil counts between 1.0-1.5 × 10 9 /L were observed in 8% of UPLIZNA-treated patients versus 3% of patients who received placebo.
Neutrophil counts between 0.5-1.0 × 10 9 /L were observed in 2% of patients treated with placebo compared to no patients who received UPLIZNA. gMG During the 26-week randomized, controlled period, neutrophil counts between 1.0-1.5 × 10 9 /L were observed in 3% of patients who received placebo compared to no patients who received UPLIZNA. Neutrophil counts between 0.5-1.0 × 10 9 /L were observed in 1% of patients treated with UPLIZNA compared to no patients who received placebo. Decreased Lymphocyte Counts NMOSD A reduction in lymphocyte counts was observed more frequently in patients treated with UPLIZNA compared to those who received placebo. At the end of the 6.5-month randomized, controlled period, the proportion of patients with a lymphocyte count below the limit of normal was 5% for patients treated with UPLIZNA compared to 4% for patients who received placebo.
IgG4-RD A reduction in lymphocyte counts was observed more frequently in patients treated with UPLIZNA compared to those who received placebo. During the 12-month randomized, controlled period, the proportion of patients with a lymphocyte count below the limit of normal was 42% for patients treated with UPLIZNA compared to 36% for patients who received placebo. gMG A reduction in lymphocyte counts was observed more frequently in patients treated with UPLIZNA compared to those who received placebo. During the 26-week randomized, controlled period, the proportion of patients with a lymphocyte count below the limit of normal was 35% for patients treated with UPLIZNA compared to 31% for patients who received placebo.
Warnings & Cautions for Uplizna
Infusion Reactions
UPLIZNA can cause infusion reactions, including anaphylaxis. Symptoms of infusion reactions can include headache, nausea, somnolence, dyspnea, fever, myalgia, rash, or palpitations. Infusion reactions were observed in 9.3%, 7.4%, and 10.1% of patients treated with UPLIZNA during the randomized controlled periods of Study 1 in patients with NMOSD, Study 2 in patients with IgG4-RD, and Study 3 in patients with gMG, respectively.
Infusion reactions were most common with the first infusion but were also observed during subsequent infusions. Reducing the Risk of Infusion Reactions and Managing Infusion Reactions Administer pre-medication with a corticosteroid, an antihistamine, and an antipyretic. Management recommendations for infusion reactions depend on the type and severity of the reaction.
For life-threatening infusion reactions, immediately and permanently stop UPLIZNA and administer appropriate supportive treatment. For less severe infusion reactions, management may involve temporarily stopping the infusion, reducing the infusion rate, and/or administering symptomatic treatment.
Infections Serious, including life-threatening or fatal, bacterial, fungal, and new or reactivated
viral infections have been observed during and following completion of treatment with B-cell depleting therapies, including UPLIZNA. The most common infections reported by UPLIZNA-treated patients in the randomized and open-label clinical trial periods for NMOSD included urinary tract infection (20%), nasopharyngitis (13%), upper respiratory tract infection (8%), and influenza (7%). In the IgG4-RD randomized controlled and open-label periods, the most common infections reported by UPLIZNA-treated patients were upper respiratory tract infection (11%), nasopharyngitis (10%), urinary tract infection (9%), and influenza (6%). In the gMG randomized controlled period, the most common infections reported by UPLIZNA-treated patients were urinary tract infection (7%) and nasopharyngitis (7%). Delay UPLIZNA administration in patients with an active infection until the infection is resolved. Possible Increased Risk of Immunosuppressant Effects with Other Immunosuppressants If combining UPLIZNA with another immunosuppressive therapy, consider the potential for increased immunosuppressive effects. Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) Reactivation HBV reactivation has been observed with the use of B-cell depleting therapies, including UPLIZNA. Fulminant hepatitis, hepatic failure, and death caused by HBV reactivation have occurred in patients treated with B-cell depleting therapies.
HBV reactivation was observed in a patient treated with UPLIZNA during the gMG clinical trial, and has also been observed in the postmarketing setting. Patients with active or chronic HBV infection were excluded from clinical trials. Perform HBV screening in all patients before initiation of treatment with UPLIZNA. Do not administer UPLIZNA to patients with active HBV infection confirmed by positive results for HBsAg and anti-HB tests.
For patients who are negative for HBsAg and positive for HBcAb, or who are carriers of HBV (i.e., HBsAg+), consult liver disease experts before starting and during treatment with UPLIZNA. Progressive Multifocal Leukoencephalopathy (PML) PML is an opportunistic viral infection of the brain caused by the JC virus that typically only occurs in patients who are immunocompromised, and that usually leads to death or severe disability. Although no confirmed cases of PML were identified in UPLIZNA clinical trials, JC virus infection resulting in PML has been observed in patients treated with other B-cell depleting antibodies and other therapies that affect immune competence. In UPLIZNA clinical trials one subject died following the development of new brain lesions for which a definitive diagnosis could not be established, though the differential diagnosis included an atypical NMOSD relapse, PML, or acute disseminated encephalomyelitis.
At the first sign or symptom suggestive of PML, withhold UPLIZNA and perform an appropriate diagnostic evaluation. MRI findings may be apparent before clinical signs or symptoms. Typical symptoms associated with PML are diverse, progress over days to weeks, and include progressive weakness on one side of the body or clumsiness of limbs, disturbance of vision, and changes in thinking, memory, and orientation leading to confusion and personality changes.
Tuberculosis Patients should be evaluated for tuberculosis risk factors and tested for latent infection prior to initiating UPLIZNA. Consider anti-tuberculosis therapy prior to initiation of UPLIZNA in patients with a history of latent active tuberculosis in whom an adequate course of treatment cannot be confirmed, and for patients with a negative test for latent tuberculosis but having risk factors for tuberculosis infection. Consult infectious disease experts regarding whether initiating anti-tuberculosis therapy is appropriate before starting treatment. Vaccinations Administer all immunizations according to immunization guidelines at least 4 weeks prior to initiation of UPLIZNA. The safety of immunization with live or live-attenuated vaccines following UPLIZNA therapy has not been studied, and vaccination with live-attenuated or live vaccines is not recommended during treatment and until B-cell repletion.
Vaccination of Infants Born to Mothers Treated with UPLIZNA During Pregnancy In infants of mothers exposed to UPLIZNA during pregnancy, do not administer live or live-attenuated vaccines before confirming recovery of B-cell counts in the infant. Depletion of B-cells in these exposed infants may increase the risks from live or live-attenuated vaccines. Non-live vaccines, as indicated, may be administered prior to recovery from B-cell and immunoglobulin level depletion, but consultation with a qualified specialist should be considered to assess whether a protective immune response was mounted.
Reduction in Immunoglobulins
There may be a progressive and prolonged hypogammaglobulinemia or decline in the levels of total and individual immunoglobulins such as immunoglobulins G and M (IgG and IgM) with continued UPLIZNA treatment. Monitor the levels of quantitative serum immunoglobulins during treatment with UPLIZNA, especially in patients with opportunistic or recurrent infections, and until B-cell repletion after discontinuation of therapy. Consider discontinuing UPLIZNA therapy if a patient with low immunoglobulin G or M develops a serious opportunistic infection or recurrent infections, or if prolonged hypogammaglobulinemia requires treatment with intravenous immunoglobulins.
Fetal Risk
Based on animal data, UPLIZNA can cause fetal harm due to B-cell lymphopenia and reduce antibody response in offspring exposed to UPLIZNA even after B-cell repletion. Transient peripheral B-cell depletion and lymphocytopenia have been reported in infants born to mothers exposed to other B-cell depleting antibodies during pregnancy. Advise females of reproductive potential to use effective contraception while receiving UPLIZNA and for at least 6 months after the last dose .
Drug Interactions with Uplizna
Immunosuppressive or Immune-Modulating Therapies
Concomitant usage of UPLIZNA with immunosuppressant drugs, including systemic corticosteroids, may increase the risk of infection. Consider the risk of additive immune system effects when co-administering immunosuppressive therapies with UPLIZNA.
Pregnancy Safety for Uplizna
Pregnancy Pregnancy Exposure Registry There is a pregnancy exposure registry that monitors pregnancy outcomes in women exposed to UPLIZNA during pregnancy or shortly before conception. Healthcare providers are encouraged to advise their patients to register by contacting the UPLIZNA Pregnancy Registry by calling the coordinating center at 1 724-4644 or www.upliznapregnancyregistry.com. Risk Summary UPLIZNA is a humanized IgG1 monoclonal antibody and immunoglobulins are known to cross the placental barrier.
There are no adequate data on the developmental risk associated with the use of UPLIZNA in pregnant women. However, transient peripheral B-cell depletion and lymphocytopenia have been reported in infants born to mothers exposed to other B-cell depleting antibodies during pregnancy. B-cell levels in infants following maternal exposure to UPLIZNA have not been studied in clinical trials.
The potential duration of B-cell depletion in such infants, and the impact of B-cell depletion on vaccine safety and effectiveness, is unknown. In the U.S. general population, the estimated background risk of major birth defects and miscarriage in clinically recognized pregnancies is 2 to 4% and 15 to 20%, respectively. Data Animal Data Intravenous administration of inebilizumab-cdon (0, 3, or 30 mg/kg/week) to human CD19 transgenic (huCD19 Tg) male and female mice prior to and during mating and continuing in females through gestation day 15 resulted in no adverse effects on embryofetal development; however, there was a marked reduction in B-cells in fetal blood and liver at both doses tested.
These results demonstrate that inebilizumab-cdon crosses the placenta and depletes B-cells in the fetus. Intravenous administration of inebilizumab-cdon (0, 3, or 30 mg/kg) to huCD19 Tg mice every three days throughout organogenesis and lactation resulted in depletion of B-cells and persistent reductions in immune function (even following repletion of B-cells and lasting into adulthood) in offspring at both doses tested. At the end of the lactation period, plasma inebilizumab-cdon levels in offspring were only slightly lower than those in maternal plasma.
A no-effect level for immunotoxicity in the offspring was not identified.
Pediatric Use of Uplizna
Pediatric Use Safety and effectiveness in pediatric patients have not been established.
Contraindications for Uplizna
is contraindicated in patients with: A history of a life-threatening infusion reaction to UPLIZNA Active hepatitis B infection Active or untreated latent tuberculosis Previous life-threatening reaction to infusion of UPLIZNA Active hepatitis B infection Active or untreated latent tuberculosis
Clinical Studies of Uplizna
Neuromyelitis Optica Spectrum Disorder (NMOSD)
The efficacy of UPLIZNA for the treatment of NMOSD was established in Study 1 (NCT02200770), a randomized (3:1), double-blind, placebo-controlled trial that enrolled 213 patients with NMOSD who were anti-AQP4 antibody positive and 17 who were anti-AQP4 antibody negative. Patients met the following eligibility criteria: A history of one or more relapses that required rescue therapy within the year prior to screening, or 2 or more relapses that required rescue therapy in 2 years prior to screening. Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) score of 7.5 or less.
Patients with an EDSS score of 8.0 were eligible if they were deemed capable of participating. Patients were excluded if previously treated with immunosuppressant therapies within an interval specified for each such therapy. The use of immunosuppressants during the blinded phase of the trial was prohibited.
The use of oral or intravenous corticosteroids during the blinded phase of the trial was prohibited, with the exception of premedication for investigational treatment and treatment for a relapse. Of the 213 enrolled anti-AQP4 antibody positive patients, a total of 161 were randomized to receive treatment with UPLIZNA, and 52 were randomized to receive placebo. The baseline demographic and disease characteristics were balanced between the treatment groups.
Females accounted for 94% of the study population. Fifty-two percent of patients were White, 21% Asian, and 9% Black or African American. The mean age was 43 years (range 18 to 74 years). The mean EDSS score was 4.0. The number of relapses in the two years prior to randomization was 2 or more in 83% of the patients.
UPLIZNA was administered according to the recommended dosage regimen. All potential relapses were evaluated by a blinded, independent, adjudication committee, who determined whether the relapse met protocol-defined criteria. Patients who experienced an adjudicated relapse in the randomized-controlled period (RCP), or who completed the Day 197 visit without a relapse, exited the RCP. The primary efficacy endpoint was the time to the onset of the first adjudicated relapse on or before Day 197. The time to the first adjudicated relapse was significantly longer in patients treated with UPLIZNA compared to patients who received placebo (relative risk reduction 73%; hazard ratio: 0.272; p < 0.0001). In the anti-AQP4 antibody positive population there was a 77.3% relative reduction (hazard ratio: 0.227, p < 0.0001). There was no evidence of a benefit in patients who were anti-AQP4 antibody negative.
Table 6. Efficacy Results in Study 1 in anti-AQP4 Antibody Positive NMOSD Patients Treatment Group UPLIZNA N = 161 Placebo N = 52 Time to Adjudication Committee-Determined Relapse (Primary Efficacy Endpoint) Number (%) of patients with relapse 18 (11.2%) 22 (42.3%) Hazard ratio (95% CI) Cox regression method, with placebo as the reference group. 0.227 p-value < 0.0001 Figure 1. Kaplan-Meier Plot of Time to First Adjudication Committee-Determined NMOSD Relapse in the Randomized-Controlled Period (ITT Population; anti-AQP4 Antibody Positive Patients) Note: Numbers of patients at risk are shown at each time point. Compared to placebo-treated patients, patients treated with UPLIZNA who were anti-AQP4 antibody positive had reduced annualized rates of hospitalizations (0.11 for UPLIZNA versus 0.50 for placebo). Figure 1
Immunoglobulin G4-Related Disease (IgG4-RD)
The efficacy of UPLIZNA for the treatment of IgG4-RD was established in Study 2 (NCT04540497), a randomized, double-blind, multicenter, 52-week placebo-controlled trial that enrolled 135 adult patients who met the following eligibility criteria: Newly diagnosed or recurrent IgG4-RD that required glucocorticoid (GC) treatment at screening. Confirmed history of organ involvement at any time in the course of disease. The concomitant use of biologic and non-biologic immunosuppressive agents was prohibited during the blinded phase of the trial.
Of the 135 enrolled IgG4-RD patients, 68 patients were randomized to receive UPLIZNA and 67 were randomized to receive placebo. The baseline demographic and disease characteristics were generally balanced between the treatment groups. Females accounted for 35% of the study population.
Thirty-nine percent of patients were White, 47% Asian, and 1% Black or African American. The mean age was 58 years (range 24 to 80 years). The median disease duration was 0.9 years. Forty-six percent of patients were newly diagnosed with IgG4-RD and 54% had recurrent disease.
Patients were at a uniform 20 mg per day dose of glucocorticoids at the time of randomization and then began a prespecified taper of 5 mg dose every two weeks until discontinuation at the end of 8 weeks. The use of glucocorticoids during the trial was permitted for premedication for investigational treatment, treatment for a relapse and in certain situations other than an IgG4-RD flare. UPLIZNA was administered according to the recommended dosage regimen.
Disease flare was defined as new/worsening signs or symptoms that were positively adjudicated and warranted treatment by the investigator. All potential flares were assessed by the investigator and subsequently reviewed by a blinded, independent, adjudication committee, who determined whether the flare met one or more of the protocol-defined, organ-specific flare diagnostic criteria. The primary efficacy endpoint was the time to First Treated and Adjudication Committee (AC)-determined IgG4-RD flare within the 52-week RCP. The time to the First Treated and AC determined IgG4-RD flare was significantly longer in the UPLIZNA group, compared with the placebo group (Figure 2). UPLIZNA reduced the risk of treated and AC-determined IgG4-RD flare by 87%, compared with placebo (hazard ratio: 0.13; p < 0.0001) (see Table 6 ). Figure 2. Kaplan-Meier Plot of Time to First Treated and Adjudication Committee-Determined IgG4-RD Flare During the Randomized-Controlled Period Patients who did not complete the RCP and who did not have a treated and AC-determined flare during the RCP were censored at the time of discontinuation.
Table 7. Efficacy Results in Study 2 in IgG4-RD Patients Treatment Group UPLIZNA N = 68 Placebo N = 67 Time to The First Treated and AC-Determined IgG4-RD Flare (Primary Efficacy Endpoint) Number of subjects with a IgG4-RD flare 7 (10.3%) 40 (59.7%) Hazard ratio (95% CI) Based on Cox regression method, with placebo as the reference group. 0.13 p-value < 0.0001 Annualized Flare Rate for Treated and AC-Determined IgG4-RD Flares 0.10 0.71 Rate ratio (95% CI) Estimated from the negative binomial regression, with placebo as the reference group. 0.14 p-value < 0.0001 Proportion of Subjects Achieving Treatment-free, Flare-Free Complete Remission at Week 52 Defined as the lack of evident disease activity (IgG4-RD RI = 0 or investigator's decision) at Week 52, no AC-determined flare during the RCP, and no treatment for flare or disease control except the required 8-week GC taper. 39 (57.4%) 15 (22.4%) Difference (95% CI) Based on logistic regression model, with placebo as the reference group. 35.0% (19.5%, 50.5%) p-value < 0.0001 Proportion of Subjects Achieving Corticosteroid-free, Flare-Free and Complete Remission at Week 52 Defined as the lack of evident disease activity (IgG4-RD RI = 0 or investigator's decision) at Week 52, no AC-determined flare during the RCP, and no corticosteroid treatment for flare or disease control except the required 8-week GC taper. 40 (58.8%) 15 (22.4%) Difference (95% CI) 36.5% (21.0%, 51.9%) p-value < 0.0001 For all patients in the trial, the mean (SD) total GC use for IgG4-RD control per patient other than the planned GC taper was lower in the UPLIZNA-treated group compared with the placebo-treated group, with a mean (SD) of 118.25 mg prednisone equivalent versus 1384.53 mg prednisone equivalent, respectively during the RCP. Forty-two (62.7%) placebo-treated patients and 7 (10.3%) UPLIZNA-treated patients received GC for IgG4-RD control other than the planned GC taper. The mean (SD) total GC use per patient for the 42 placebo-treated patients was 2202.76 mg prednisone equivalent and for the 7 UPLIZNA-treated patients was 1148.71 mg prednisone equivalent. Figure 2
Generalized Myasthenia Gravis (gMG)
The efficacy of UPLIZNA for the treatment of gMG in adult patients who are anti-acetylcholine receptor (AChR) or anti-muscle specific tyrosine kinase (MuSK) antibody positive was established in Study 3 (NCT04524273), a randomized, double-blind, multicenter, placebo-controlled trial. The randomized, controlled treatment period was 52 weeks for the anti-AChR antibody positive population and 26 weeks for the anti-MuSK antibody positive population. The primary analysis was conducted after week 26 in both populations.
UPLIZNA was administered according to the recommended dosage regimen . Patients met the following eligibility criteria: Presence of autoantibodies against AChR or MuSK Myasthenia Gravis Foundation of America (MGFA) Clinical Classification Class II to IV Myasthenia Gravis-Activities of Daily Living (MG-ADL) score between 6 and 10 with > 50% of this score attributed to non-ocular items or an MG-ADL score ≥ 11 Quantitative Myasthenia Gravis (QMG) score of ≥ 11 On a stable dose of a corticosteroid or a specified non-steroidal immunosuppressive therapy, or a combination of both prior to randomization. In Study 3, a total of 238 patients with gMG were randomized in a 1:1 ratio to receive UPLIZNA or placebo. The majority of patients, 80% (n=190) were anti-AChR antibody positive and 20% (n=48) were anti-MuSK antibody positive.
In the overall study population, 61% of the patients were female. Fifty-three percent of patients were White, 42% were Asian, and 2% were Black or African American. The mean age was 47.5 years (range 18 to 82 years). Mean MG-ADL score at baseline was 9.1 and mean QMG score at baseline was 17.0. At baseline, approximately 79% of patients received acetylcholinesterase inhibitors, 64% of patients received corticosteroids only, 7% of patients received non-steroidal immunosuppressive therapy only, and 29% of patients received corticosteroids and 1 non-steroidal immunosuppressive therapy.
The efficacy of UPLIZNA was measured using MG-ADL scale, which assesses the impact of gMG on daily functions of 8 signs or symptoms that are typically affected in gMG. Each item is assessed on a 4-point scale, where a score of 0 represents normal function and a score of 3 represents loss of ability to perform that function. The total MG-ADL score ranges from 0 to 24, with higher scores indicating more impairment. The primary efficacy endpoint was the change from baseline in the MG-ADL score at week 26, in the overall population.
A statistically significant difference favoring UPLIZNA was observed in the mean change from baseline in MG-ADL total score (−4.2 points in the UPLIZNA-treated group compared to −2.2 points for placebo, difference of −1.9, 95% CI: −2.9, −1.0; p-value < 0.0001). The secondary endpoint was the change from baseline in the QMG score at week 26 in the overall population. The QMG score is a 13-item categorical grading system that assesses muscle weakness. Each item is assessed on a 4-point scale where a score of 0 represents no weakness and a score of 3 represents severe weakness.
A total possible score ranges from 0 to 39, where higher scores indicate more severe impairment. A statistically significant difference favoring UPLIZNA was observed in the mean change from baseline in QMG total score in the overall population (-4.8 points in the UPLIZNA-treated group compared to -2.3 for placebo, difference -2.5, 95% CI: -3.8, -1.2; p-value = 0.0002). Secondary endpoints also included change in MG-ADL and QMG scores in the anti-AChR antibody positive and anti-MuSK antibody positive populations. The results of the primary and secondary endpoints are presented in Table 8, Figure 3, and Figure 4. Table 8. Change from Baseline in MG-ADL and QMG Total Score at Week 26 in Adult gMG Patients who are Anti-AChR Antibody Positive or Anti-MuSK Antibody Positive (Study 3) Overall Population (Primary) Anti-AChR-Ab+ Population Anti-MuSK-Ab+ Population UPLIZNA N = 119 Placebo N = 117 UPLIZNA N = 95 Placebo N = 93 UPLIZNA N = 24 Placebo N = 24 Ab+ = antibody positive; CI = confidence interval; LS = least square; NS = not significant MG-ADL Score LS Mean -4.2 -2.2 -4.2 -2.4 -3.9 -
Difference -1.9 -1.8 -2.2 95% CI (-2.9, -1.0) (-2.9, -0.7) (-4.2, -0.2)
p-value <0.0001 0.0015 0.0297 QMG Score LS Mean -4.8 -2.3 -4.4 -2.0 -5.2 -
Difference -2.5 -2.5 -2.3 95% CI (-3.8, -1.2) (-3.9, -1.0) (-5.3, 0.7)
p-value 0.0002 0.0011 NS Figure 3. Mean Change from Baseline in MG-ADL Score at Week 26 for Overall Population Figure 4. Mean Change from Baseline in QMG Score at Week 26 for Overall Population Figure 3 Figure 4
Drug information sourced from the FDA. This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Consult a healthcare professional before making any medication decisions.
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