Project description:Pregnancies in paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH) are associated with increased morbidity and mortality. Retrospective studies suggest that outcome has improved with the advent of the complement inhibitor eculizumab. To substantiate this assumption we analyzed the data from patients treated in our department since 2009. All patients were included in the International PNH registry and followed prospectively. We identified 16 pregnancies in 9 patients with classical PNH, and two pregnancies in two patients with aplastic anemia (AA)-PNH. In classical PNH, 13 pregnancies were supported by eculizumab. Breakthrough hemolysis occurred in six pregnancies, necessitating an increase in the biweekly eculizumab dose from 900 mg to 1,200-1,800 mg. Red blood cell transfusions were given in six and platelet transfusions in two pregnancies. A Budd-Chiari syndrome and cholecystitis complicated the course of two pregnancies. Four of 13 pregnancies supported by eculizumab ended in spontaneous abortion or stillbirth, and one was prematurely terminated because of fetal trisomy 21. None of the three pregnancies not supported by eculizumab had a successful outcome. Half the deliveries were preterm. None of the patients died, and, in all but one patient, the post-partum period was uneventful. Both pregnancies in patients with AA-PNH took a favorable course. Our results confirm low maternal mortality and frequent breakthrough hemolysis in pregnant PNH patients receiving eculizumab. Fetal mortality and the rate of preterm delivery were higher than reported previously, possibly related to the use of registry data that are likely to reduce the risk of publication and recall biases.
Project description:Paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH) is a rare, acquired, hematologic disease characterized by complement-mediated hemolysis, thrombosis, and various degrees of bone marrow dysfunction. Until recently, C5 inhibition with eculizumab or ravulizumab represented the only therapies approved for patients with PNH by the United States Food and Drug Administration (US FDA). Although C5-inhibitors reduce PNH-related signs and symptoms, many patients continue to exhibit persistent anemia and require frequent blood transfusions. In May 2021, pegcetacoplan became the third US FDA-approved treatment for adults with PNH, and the first to target C3, a complement component upstream of C5. The novel strategy of inhibiting proximal complement activity with pegcetacoplan controls C5-mediated intravascular hemolysis and prevents C3-mediated extravascular hemolysis. Here, we review the results from multiple pegcetacoplan clinical studies on the efficacy and safety of pegcetacoplan treatment in adults with PNH. This review summarizes findings from three studies in complement-inhibitor-naïve patients with PNH (PADDOCK [phase Ib], PALOMINO [phase IIa], PRINCE [phase III; pegcetacoplan versus standard treatment excluding complement-inhibitors]), and one phase III study (PEGASUS) that compared eculizumab to pegcetacoplan in patients who remained anemic (hemoglobin levels < 10.5 g/dL) despite stable eculizumab treatment (⩾3 months). These studies found that pegcetacoplan contributed to superior improvements in primary and secondary endpoints related to hemoglobin levels and other hematologic parameters and provided effective management of anemia and anemia-related complications (i.e. transfusion burden, reticulocyte production, and fatigue). Furthermore, we summarize results from the 32-week open-label period from the PEGASUS trial, which confirmed the long-term safety and durable efficacy of pegcetacoplan as demonstrated by sustained improvements in clinical and hematologic outcomes in pegcetacoplan-treated patients. Pegcetacoplan is approved for the treatment of adults with PNH in the United States (Empaveli™) and for adult patients who remain anemic after at least 3 months of stable C5-inhibitor therapy in the European Union (Aspaveli®) and Australia (Empaveli; also approved for patients intolerant to C5-inhibitors).
Project description:Paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH) is a rare disease characterized by complement-mediated hemolysis. Pegcetacoplan is the first C3-targeted therapy approved for adults with PNH (United States), adults with PNH with inadequate response or intolerance to a C5 inhibitor (Australia), and adults with anemia despite C5-targeted therapy for ≥3 months (European Union). PRINCE was a phase 3, randomized, multicenter, open-label, controlled study to evaluate the efficacy and safety of pegcetacoplan vs control (supportive care only; eg, blood transfusions, corticosteroids, and supplements) in complement inhibitor-naive patients with PNH. Eligible adults receiving supportive care only for PNH were randomly assigned and stratified based on their number of transfusions (<4 or ≥4) 12 months before screening. Patients received pegcetacoplan 1080 mg subcutaneously twice weekly or continued supportive care (control) for 26 weeks. Coprimary end points were hemoglobin stabilization (avoidance of >1-g/dL decrease in hemoglobin levels without transfusions) from baseline through week 26 and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) change at week 26. Overall, 53 patients received pegcetacoplan (n = 35) or control (n = 18). Pegcetacoplan was superior to control for hemoglobin stabilization (pegcetacoplan, 85.7%; control, 0; difference, 73.1%; 95% confidence interval [CI], 57.2-89.0; P < .0001) and change from baseline in LDH (least square mean change: pegcetacoplan, -1870.5 U/L; control, -400.1 U/L; difference, -1470.4 U/L; 95% CI, -2113.4 to -827.3; P < .0001). Pegcetacoplan was well tolerated. No pegcetacoplan-related adverse events were serious, and no new safety signals were observed. Pegcetacoplan rapidly and significantly stabilized hemoglobin and reduced LDH in complement inhibitor-naive patients and had a favorable safety profile. This trial was registered at www.clinicaltrials.gov as NCT04085601.
Project description:To identify factors affecting responsiveness to eltrombopag (EPAG), we retrospectively analyzed 38 aplastic anemia patients treated with EPAG who were refractory (n = 29) or showed an inadequate response (n = 9) to conventional therapies. The efficacy was evaluated at 16 weeks after starting EPAG and at any given time when the best response was achieved. Hematologic responses were observed in 15 patients (39%) at week 16 and in 25 (66%) at any given time. Ten of 19 (53%) achieved transfusion independence. A univariate analysis revealed the presence of PNH-phenotype cells and the relatively higher platelet counts as associated with a good response to EPAG.
Project description:Background and objectiveParoxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria is a rare blood disorder characterized by life-threatening hemolysis and thrombosis. Complement C5 inhibitor therapy improves symptoms and life prognosis; however, it can result in insufficient hemolysis control, with residual intravascular hemolysis and extravascular hemolysis in some patients. Pegcetacoplan, the first complement C3 inhibitor approved for patients with paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria, targets both intravascular and extravascular hemolysis. This analysis evaluated population pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic profiles of pegcetacoplan.MethodsPooled clinical study data were used to predict pegcetacoplan concentrations and biomarker responses indicative of hemolysis (hemoglobin and lactate dehydrogenase) over time, including the impact of patient characteristics and prior or concurrent complement C5 inhibitor treatment, to support the approved dose of subcutaneous pegcetacoplan 1080 mg twice weekly.ResultsThe population pharmacokinetoc analysis included 284 subjects, and the pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic analysis included 165 subjects. Subcutaneous pegcetacoplan 1080 mg twice weekly resulted in rapid serum exposures and robust biomarker response within 4 weeks after treatment initiation. Steady-state serum concentrations demonstrated consistent exposure (median ≥ 600 µg/mL) with minimal peak-to-trough variation. The median effective half-life was 8.6 days in patients with paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria. Body weight significantly impacted pegcetacoplan exposure, and other covariates impacted hemoglobin (sex and creatinine clearance) or lactate dehydrogenase (prior or concurrent complement C5 inhibitor treatment); however, effects were not clinically meaningful.ConclusionsThe approved dose of pegcetacoplan is predicted to produce rapid and sustained exposure and robust hemoglobin and lactate dehydrogenase responses in adult patients with paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria, with no initial dose adjustments required for any specific patient population.
Project description:IntroductionPegcetacoplan, a pegylated penta-decapeptide, targets complement C3 to control both intravascular and extravascular hemolysis. This systematic review aims to study the efficacy and safety of pegcetacoplan in paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH).MethodsWe performed a comprehensive and systematic literature search for all studies on PubMed, Google Scholar, Cochrane Library, and clinicaltrials.gov. The studies were searched using keywords "paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria" or "PNH," "Pegcetacoplan" or "Empaveli." The primary outcomes included change in hemoglobin level, transfusion independence, absolute reticulocyte count, and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) level after pegcetacoplan therapy. The safety outcomes included the proportion of deaths and adverse effects.ResultsWe included a total of three studies. The total number of patients with PNH was112. 59.83% were female. In the PADDOCK study and study by Hillmen et al., the average increase in hemoglobin was 3.68 g/L and 2.37 g/L, respectively. In the study by de Castro et al., the hemoglobin level increased from below the lower limit of normal and stayed in the normal range (11.1-15.9 g/L). Absolute reticulocyte count and LDH levels decreased in all patients receiving pegcetacoplan. In the study by de Castro et al., LDH level remained stable, and within <1.5× upper limit of normal, whereas in the study by Hillman, the mean change of LDH from baseline was -15 ± 43 U/L. Two of six, seven of 23, and seven of 41 patients reported adverse events in the study by de Castro et al., PADDOCK, and Hillmen et al., respectively.ConclusionPegcetacoplan effectively improves hemoglobin level and transfusion requirements in patients with PNH, including those unresponsive to eculizumab.
Project description:In this large single-centre study, we report high prevalence (25%) of, small (<10%) and very small (<1%), paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH) clones by high-sensitive cytometry among 3085 patients tested. Given PNH association with bone marrow failures, we analyzed 869 myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) and 531 aplastic anemia (AA) within the cohort. PNH clones were more frequent and larger in AA vs. MDS (p = 0.04). PNH clone, irrespective of size, was a good predictor of response to immunosuppressive therapy (IST) and to stem cell transplant (HSCT) (in MDS: 84% if PNH+ vs. 44.7% if PNH-, p = 0.01 for IST, and 71% if PNH+ vs. 56.6% if PNH- for HSCT; in AA: 78 vs. 50% for IST, p < 0.0001, and 97 vs. 77%, p = 0.01 for HSCT). PNH positivity had a favorable impact on disease progression (0.6% vs. 4.9% IPSS-progression in MDS, p < 0.005; and 2.1 vs. 6.9% progression to MDS in AA, p = 0.01), leukemic evolution (6.8 vs. 12.7%, p = 0.01 in MDS), and overall survival [73% (95% CI 68-77) vs. 51% (48-54), p < 0.0001], with a relative HR for mortality of 2.37 (95% CI 1.8-3.1; p < 0.0001) in PNH negative cases, both in univariate and multivariable analysis. Our data suggest systematic PNH testing in AA/MDS, as it might allow better prediction/prognostication and consequent clinical/laboratory follow-up timing.
Project description:Bone marrow failure (BMF) syndromes are a group of various hematological diseases with cytopenia as a main common characteristic. Given their rarity and continuous progress in the field, we aim to provide data considering the efficiency and safety of the therapeutic methods, focusing on the treatment of aplastic anemia(AA) and paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH). We enrolled consecutive patients diagnosed with BMF in two referral centers of Northern Greece from 2008 to 2020. We studied 43 patients with AA (37 adults and 6 children/adolescents) and 6 with classical PNH. Regarding classical PNH, 4 patients have received eculizumab treatment with 1/4 presenting extravascular hemolysis. Among 43 patients with aplastic anemia, PNH clones were detected in 11. Regarding patients that did not receive alloHCT (n=15), 14/15 were treated with ATG and cyclosporine as first line, with the addition of eltrombopag in patients treated after its approval (n=9). With a median follow-up of 16.7 (1.8-56.2) months from diagnosis, 12/14 (85.7%) are alive (4-year OS: 85.1%). AlloHCT was performed in 28 patients. Five patients developed TA-TMA which did not resolve in 3/5 (all with a pre-transplant PNH clone). With the follow-up among survivors reaching 86.3 (6.3-262.4) months, 10-year OS was 56.9%, independently associated with PNH clones after adjusting for age (p=0.024). In conclusion, our real-world experience confirms that novel treatments are changing the field of BMF syndromes. Nevertheless, there is still an unmet need to personalize algorithms in this field.
Project description:BackgroundThe introduction of new therapy modalities has significantly improved the outcome of aplastic anemia (AA) and paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH) patients. However, relatively little is known about the exact disease burden of AA/PNH since standardized assessments of symptoms including health-related quality of life (HRQoL) are frequently missing or inadequately designed for this rare patient group. We aimed to develop AA/PNH-specific questionnaires for self-reporting of symptoms, which could be included in electronic platforms for data collection and patient care.MethodsBy scoping review, we extracted any reported symptoms in AA/PNH and their prevalence from the literature (Phase I). Consensus rounds with patients and medical experts were conducted to identify core symptoms reported in the literature and to add missing items (Phase II). Ultimately, AA/PNH-specific patient-reported outcome (PRO) questionnaires including the selected measures were designed (Phase III).ResultsAA symptoms from 62 and PNH symptoms from 45 observational studies were extracted from the literature. Twenty-four patients and seven medical experts identified 11 core symptoms including HRQoL issues after three consensus rounds. Significant differences in the symptom ranking of patients versus medical experts could be observed. Therefore, patient- as well as expert-centered PRO questionnaires in AA and PNH were created following the concepts of validated instruments.ConclusionThe development of symptom self-reporting questionnaires for AA and PNH was feasible and the disease-specific PRO questionnaires can now be validated within a web-based workflow in a subsequent feasibility study.