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Withdrawal of intravenous immunoglobulin in chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy
Adrichem ME, Lucke IM, Vrancken Afje, Goedee HS, Wieske L, Dijkgraaf MGW, Voermans NC, Notermans NC, Faber CG, Visser LH, et al
Brain : a journal of neurology. 2022
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Abstract
Intravenous immunoglobulins (IVIg) are an efficacious treatment for chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy (CIDP). Biomarkers for disease activity are lacking, making the need for ongoing treatment difficult to assess, leading to potential overtreatment, and high health care costs. Our objective was to determine whether IVIg withdrawal is non-inferior to continuing IVIg treatment and to determine how often patients are overtreated. We performed a randomized, double-blind, IVIg-controlled non-inferiority trial in seven centers in the Netherlands. Adults with clinically stable CIDP using IVIg maintenance treatment for at least 6 months were included. Patients received either IVIg withdrawal (placebo) as investigational treatment or continuation of IVIg treatment (control). The primary outcome was the mean change in logit scores from baseline to 24-weeks follow-up on the patient-reported Inflammatory Rasch-Overall Disability Scale (iRODS). The non-inferiority margin was predefined as between-group difference in mean change scores of -0.65. Patients who deteriorated could reach a relapse endpoint according to predefined criteria. Patients with a relapse endpoint after IVIg withdrawal entered a restabilization phase. All patients from the withdrawal group who remained stable, were included in an open-label extension phase of 52 weeks. We included 60 patients of whom 29 were randomised to IVIg withdrawal and 31 to continuation of treatment. The mean age was 58 years (SD 14.7) and 67% was male. The between-group difference in mean change iRODS scores was -0.47 (95%CI -1.24 to 0.31), indicating that non-inferiority of IVIg withdrawal could not be established. In the IVIg withdrawal group, 41% remained stable for 24 weeks, compared to 58% in the IVIg continuation group (-17%; 95%CI -39 to 8). Of the IVIg withdrawal group, 28% remained stable at end of the extension phase. Of the patients in the restabilization phase, 94% restabilized within 12 weeks. In conclusion, it remains inconclusive whether IVIg withdrawal is non-inferior compared to continuing treatment, partly due to larger than expected confidence intervals leading to an underpowered study. Despite these limitations, a considerable proportion of patients could stop treatment and almost all patients who relapsed were restabilized quickly. Unexpectedly, a high proportion of IVIg treated patients experienced a relapse endpoint, emphasizing the need for more objective measures for disease activity in future trials, as the patient reported outcome measures might not have been able to identify true relapses reliably. Overall, this study suggests that withdrawal attempts are safe and should be performed regularly in clinically stable patients.
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Randomized trial of three IVIg doses for treating chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy
Cornblath DR, van Doorn PA, Hartung HP, Merkies ISJ, Katzberg HD, Hinterberger D, Clodi E
Brain : a journal of neurology. 2022
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Abstract
Intravenous immunoglobulin treatment for chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy usually starts with a 2.0 g/kg induction dose followed by 1.0 g/kg maintenance doses every 3 weeks. No dose-ranging studies with intravenous immunoglobulin maintenance therapy have been published. The Progress in Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinating polyneuropathy (ProCID) study was a prospective, double-blind, randomised, parallel-group, multicentre, phase III study investigating the efficacy and safety of 10% liquid intravenous immunoglobulin (panzyga®) in patients with active chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy. Patients were randomised 1:2:1 to receive the standard intravenous immunoglobulin induction dose and then either 0.5, 1.0 or 2.0 g/kg maintenance doses every 3 weeks. The primary endpoint was the response rate in the 1.0 g/kg group, defined as an improvement ≥ 1 point in adjusted Inflammatory Neuropathy Cause and Treatment score at Week 6 versus baseline and maintained at Week 24. Secondary endpoints included dose response and safety. This trial was registered with EudraCT (Number 2015-005443-14) and clinicaltrials.gov (NCT02638207). Between August 2017 and September 2019, the study enrolled 142 patients. All 142 were included in the safety analyses. As no post infusion data were available for three patients, 139 were included in the efficacy analyses, of whom 121 were previously on corticosteroids. The response rate was 80% (55/69 patients) (95% confidence interval: 69-88%) in the 1.0 g/kg group, 65% (22/34; confidence interval: 48-79%) in the 0.5 g/kg group, and 92% (33/36; confidence interval 78-97%) in the 2.0 g/kg group. While the proportion of responders was higher with higher maintenance doses, logistic regression analysis showed that the effect on response rate was driven by a significant difference between the 0.5 and 2.0 g/kg groups, whereas the response rates in the 0.5 and 2.0 g/kg groups did not differ significantly from the 1.0 g/kg group. Fifty-six percent of all patients had an adjusted Inflammatory Neuropathy Cause and Treatment score improvement 3 weeks after the induction dose alone. Treatment-related adverse events were reported in 16 (45.7%), 32 (46.4%) and 20 (52.6%) patients in the 0.5, 1.0 and 2.0 g/kg dose groups, respectively. The most common adverse reaction was headache. There were no treatment-related deaths. Intravenous immunoglobulin 1.0 g/kg was efficacious and well tolerated as maintenance treatment for patients with chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy. Further studies of different maintenance doses of intravenous immunoglobulin in chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy are warranted.
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Analysis of Relapse by Inflammatory Rasch-built Overall Disability Scale Status in the PATH Study of Subcutaneous Immunoglobulin in Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinating Polyneuropathy
Merkies ISJ, van Schaik IN, Bril V, Hartung HP, Lewis RA, Sobue G, Lawo JP, Mielke O, Cornblath DR
Journal of the peripheral nervous system : JPNS. 2022
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Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS Clinical trials in chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIDP) often assess efficacy using the ordinal Inflammatory Neuropathy Cause and Treatment (INCAT) disability score. Here, data from the PATH study was reanalyzed using change in Inflammatory Rasch-built Overall Disability Scale (I-RODS) to define CIDP relapse instead of INCAT. METHODS The PATH study comprised an intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) dependency period and an IVIG (IgPro10 [Privigen®]) restabilization period; subjects were then randomized to weekly maintenance subcutaneous immunoglobulin (SCIG; IgPro20 [Hizentra®]) 0.2 g/kg or 0.4 g/kg or placebo for 24 weeks. CIDP relapse was defined as ≥1-point deterioration in adjusted INCAT, with a primary endpoint of relapse or withdrawal rates. This retrospective exploratory analysis redefined relapse using I-RODS via three different cut-off methods: an individual variability method, fixed cut-off of ≥8-point deterioration on I-RODS centile score or ≥4-point deterioration on I-RODS raw score. RESULTS Relapse or withdrawal rates were 47% for placebo, 34% for 0.2 g/kg IgPro20 and 19% for 0.4 g/kg IgPro20 using the raw score; 40%, 28% and 15%, respectively using the centile score, and 49%, 40% and 27%, respectively using the individual variability method. INTERPRETATION IgPro20 was shown to be efficacious as a maintenance therapy for CIDP when relapse was defined using I-RODS. A stable response pattern was shown for I-RODS across various applied cut-offs, indicating that any could be used in future clinical trials.
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Assessing deterioration using impairment and functional outcome measures in chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy: a post-hoc analysis of the IOC trial
van Veen R, Wieske L, Lucke I, Adrichem ME, Merkies ISJ, van Schaik IN, Eftimov F
Journal of the peripheral nervous system : JPNS. 2022
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Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS It is unclear whether frequently used cut-off values for outcome measures defining minimal clinically important differences (MCIDs) can accurately identify meaningful deterioration in chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIDP). METHODS We used data from the IOC trial, in which sixty clinically stable CIDP patients were randomized to IVIg withdrawal or continuation. We calculated change scores of the Inflammatory Rasch-Built Overall Disability Scale (I-RODS), grip strength, and MRC sum score (MRC-SS) and classified visits based on a treatment anchor (i.e. decision to restart/increase treatment after reaching a predefined early endpoint of deterioration). The variability of scores in patients without deterioration was calculated using the limits of agreement. We defined optimized MCIDs for deterioration and specific combinations of MCIDs from different outcome measures, and subsequently calculated the accuracies of the (combined) MCIDs. RESULTS Substantial variability was found in scores of the I-RODS, grip strength and MRC-SS in patients without deterioration over time, and most MCIDs were within the limits of the variability observed in patients without deterioration. Some MCID cut-offs were insensitive but highly specific for detecting deterioration, e.g. the MCID-SE of -1.96 of the I-RODS and -2 point on the MRC-SS. Others were sensitive, but less specific, e.g. -4 centiles of the I-RODS. Some combined MCIDs resulted in high specificities and moderate sensitivities. INTERPRETATION Our results suggest that clinically important deterioration cannot be distinguished from variability over time with currently used MCIDs on the individual level. Combinations of MCIDs might improve the accuracy of determining deterioration, but this needs validation.
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Pharmacometric Analysis Linking Immunoglobulin Exposure to Clinical Efficacy Outcomes in Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinating Polyneuropathy
Tortorici MA, Yuraszeck T, Cornblath D, Bril V, Hartung HP, Sobue G, Lewis RA, Merkies ISJ, Lawo JP, Praus M, et al
CPT: pharmacometrics & systems pharmacology. 2021
Abstract
The two main objectives of this analysis were to (i) characterise the relationship between immunoglobulin (Ig) exposure and chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIDP) disease severity using data from 171 patients with CIDP who received either subcutaneous Ig (IgPro20; Hizentra®) or placebo (PATH study), and to (ii) simulate and compare exposure coverage with various dosing approaches considering weekly dosing to be the reference dose. IgG PK parameters including those from a previous population PK model were used to predict individual IgG profile and exposure metrics. Treatment-related changes in inflammatory neuropathy cause and treatment (INCAT) scores were best described by an E(max) model as a function of ΔIgG (total serum IgG at INCAT score assessment minus baseline IgG levels before intravenous Ig restabilisation). Simulations indicate that flexible dosing from daily to biweekly (every other week) provide an exposure coverage equivalent to that of a weekly Ig dose.
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Second intravenous immunoglobulin dose in patients with Guillain-Barré syndrome with poor prognosis (SID-GBS): a double-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled trial
Walgaard C, Jacobs BC, Lingsma HF, Steyerberg EW, van den Berg B, Doets AY, Leonhard SE, Verboon C, Huizinga R, Drenthen J, et al
The Lancet. Neurology. 2021;20(4):275-283
Abstract
BACKGROUND Treatment with one standard dose (2 g/kg) of intravenous immunoglobulin is insufficient in a proportion of patients with severe Guillain-Barré syndrome. Worldwide, around 25% of patients severely affected with the syndrome are given a second intravenous immunoglobulin dose (SID), although it has not been proven effective. We aimed to investigate whether a SID is effective in patients with Guillain-Barré syndrome with a predicted poor outcome. METHODS In this randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial (SID-GBS), we included patients (≥12 years) with Guillain-Barré syndrome admitted to one of 59 participating hospitals in the Netherlands. Patients were included on the first day of standard intravenous immunoglobulin treatment (2 g/kg over 5 days). Only patients with a poor prognosis (score of ≥6) according to the modified Erasmus Guillain-Barré syndrome Outcome Score were randomly assigned, via block randomisation stratified by centre, to SID (2 g/kg over 5 days) or to placebo, 7-9 days after inclusion. Patients, outcome adjudicators, monitors, and the steering committee were masked to treatment allocation. The primary outcome measure was the Guillain-Barré syndrome disability score 4 weeks after inclusion. All patients in whom allocated trial medication was started were included in the modified intention-to-treat analysis. This study is registered with the Netherlands Trial Register, NTR 2224/NL2107. FINDINGS Between Feb 16, 2010, and June 5, 2018, 327 of 339 patients assessed for eligibility were included. 112 had a poor prognosis. Of those, 93 patients with a poor prognosis were included in the modified intention-to-treat analysis: 49 (53%) received SID and 44 (47%) received placebo. The adjusted common odds ratio for improvement on the Guillain-Barré syndrome disability score at 4 weeks was 1·4 (95% CI 0·6-3·3; p=0·45). Patients given SID had more serious adverse events (35% vs 16% in the first 30 days), including thromboembolic events, than those in the placebo group. Four patients died in the intervention group (13-24 weeks after randomisation). INTERPRETATION Our study does not provide evidence that patients with Guillain-Barré syndrome with a poor prognosis benefit from a second intravenous immunoglobulin course; moreover, it entails a risk of serious adverse events. Therefore, a second intravenous immunoglobulin course should not be considered for treatment of Guillain-Barre syndrome because of a poor prognosis. The results indicate the need for treatment trials with other immune modulators in patients severely affected by Guillain-Barré syndrome. FUNDING Prinses Beatrix Spierfonds and Sanquin Plasma Products.
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Intravenous Immunoglobulin Therapy in Patients With Painful Idiopathic Small Fiber Neuropathy
Geerts M, de Greef BTA, Sopacua M, van Kuijk SMJ, Hoeijmakers JGJ, Faber CG, Merkies ISJ
Neurology. 2021
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Abstract
OBJECTIVE This is the first double-blind, randomized, controlled trial evaluating the efficacy and safety of intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg) versus placebo in patients with idiopathic small fiber neuropathy (I-SFN). METHODS Between July 2016 and November 2018, 60 Dutch patients with skin-biopsy proven idiopathic SFN randomly received a starting dose of IVIg (2 g/kg body weight) or matching placebo (0.9% saline). Subsequently, 3 additional infusions of IVIg (1 g/kg) or placebo were administered at 3-weekly intervals. The primary outcome was a 1-point change in Pain Intensity Numerical Rating Scale (PI-NRS) at 12 weeks compared to baseline. RESULTS Thirty patients received IVIg, and 30 received placebo. In both groups, 29 patients completed the trial. In 40% of patients receiving IVIg, the mean average pain was decreased with at least 1 point, compared to 30% of the patients receiving placebo (p-value 0.588, OR 1.56, 95%CI 0.53-4.53). No significant differences were found on any of the other pre-specified outcomes including general wellbeing, autonomic symptoms, and overall functioning and disability. CONCLUSIONS This RCT showed that IVIg treatment had no significant effect on pain in patients with painful idiopathic SFN.
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Placebo Effect in Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinating Polyneuropathy: The PATH study and a systematic review
Lewis RA, Cornblath DR, Hartung HP, Sobue G, Lawo JP, Mielke O, Durn BL, Bril V, Merkies ISJ, Bassett P, et al
J Peripher Nerv Syst. 2020
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Background and Aims The PATH study required subjects with chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIDP) to show dependency on immunoglobulin G (IgG) and then be restabilized on IgG before being randomized to placebo or one of two doses of subcutaneous immunoglobulin (SCIG). Nineteen of the 51 subjects (37%) randomized to placebo did not relapse over the next 24 weeks. This article explores the reasons for this effect. A post-hoc analysis of the PATH placebo group was undertaken. A literature search identified other placebo controlled CIDP trials for review and comparison. In PATH, subjects randomized to placebo who did not relapse were significantly older, had more severe disease, and took longer to deteriorate in the IgG dependency period compared with those who relapsed. Published trials in CIDP, whose primary endpoint was stability or deterioration, had a mean non-deterioration (placebo effect) of 43%, while trials with a primary endpoint of improvement had a placebo response of only 11%. Interpretation Placebo is an important variable in the design of CIDP trials. Trials designed to show clinical improvement will have a significantly lower effect of this phenomenon than those designed to show stability or deterioration. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
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Randomised trial of intravenous immunoglobulin maintenance treatment regimens in chronic inflammatory demyelinating polradiculoneuropathy
Kuitwaard K, Brusse E, Jacobs BC, Vrancken Afje, Eftimov F, Notermans NC, Kooi AJV, Fokkink WR, Nieboer D, Lingsma HF, et al
European journal of neurology. 2020
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Abstract
BACKGROUND High peak serum IgG levels may not be needed for maintenance treatment of Intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg) in chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy (CIDP) and cause side-effects. More frequent lower dosing may lead to more stable IgG levels and higher trough levels which might improve its efficacy. METHODS In this randomized placebo-controlled cross-over trial we included CIDP patients proven to be IVIg dependent and receiving an individually established stable dose and interval of IVIg maintenance treatment. In the control arm patients received their individual IVIg dose and interval followed by a placebo infusion at half the interval. In the intervention arm patients received half their individual dose at half the interval. After a wash-out phase patients crossed-over. The primary outcome measure was hand grip strength (Vigorimeter). Secondary outcome indicators were health related quality of life (SF-36), disability (I-RODS), fatigue (R-FSS) and side-effects. RESULTS Twenty-five patients were included and were treated at baseline with individual adjusted dosages of IVIg ranging from 20-80 grams and intervals ranging from 14-35 days. Three participants did not complete the trial; the main analysis was therefore based on the 22 patients completing both treatment periods. There was no significant difference in Vigorimeter change from baseline between the two treatment regimens (coefficient -2.71, 95% CI -5.4, 0.01). Furthermore there were no significant differences in any of the secondary outcomes or side effects. CONCLUSIONS More frequent lower dosing does not further improve the efficacy of IVIg in stable IVIg dependent CIDP and does not result in fewer side effects.
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Patient-reported outcomes with subcutaneous immunoglobulin in chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy: the PATH Study
Hartung HP, Mallick R, Bril V, Lewis RA, Sobue G, Lawo JP, Mielke O, Durn BL, Cornblath DR, Merkies ISJ, et al
European journal of neurology. 2019
Abstract
BACKGROUND Chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIDP) causes weakness which adversely impacts function and quality of life (QOL). CIDP often requires long-term management with intravenous or subcutaneous immunoglobulin. The Polyneuropathy and Treatment with Hizentra((R)) (PATH) study showed subcutaneous immunoglobulin (SCIG) was efficacious in CIDP maintenance. Here, we assess patient-reported outcomes in patients on SCIG. METHODS Subjects stabilised on IVIG were randomly allocated to receive weekly 0.2 g/kg or 0.4 g/kg bodyweight of 20% SCIG (IgPro20) or placebo. Overall QOL/health status was assessed using the EuroQoL 5-Dimension Questionnaire (EQ-5D) health profile and visual analog scale (VAS), treatment satisfaction with the Treatment Satisfaction Questionnaire for Medicine (TSQM), and work-related impact with the Work Productivity and Activity Impairment Questionnaire for General Health (WPAI-GH). EQ-5D health profile was assessed in terms of the percentage of subjects maintained or improved at Week 25 of SCIG therapy on each of the EQ-5D domains versus baseline after IVIG stabilisation. TSQM and WPAI-GH were assessed by median score changes from baseline to Week 25. RESULTS 172 subjects were randomised to placebo (n=57), 0.2 g/kg IgPro20 (n=57) and 0.4 g/kg IgPro20 (n=58). Significantly higher proportions of IgPro20-treated subjects improved/maintained their health status on the EQ-5D usual activities dimension, and in additional dimensions (mobility and pain/discomfort) in sensitivity analyses. TSQM and WPAI-GH scores were more stable with IgPro20 treatment compared with placebo. CONCLUSIONS IgPro20 maintained, or improved, QOL in most subjects with CIDP, consistent with the PATH study findings that both IgPro20 doses were efficacious in maintaining CIDP. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.