Abstract

OBJECTIVES We conducted a Phase 3, multicentre randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group trial to evaluate efficacy and safety of intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg) in patients with glucocorticoid-refractory neuropathy associated with microscopic polyangiitis. METHODS Patients received immunoglobulin or placebo intravenously for five consecutive days at baseline and after four weeks. IVIg and placebo groups received placebo and IVIg, respectively, after eight weeks. The primary and major secondary endpoint were least squares mean (LS mean) of change in manual muscle test (MMT) sum score after eight and four weeks, respectively. RESULTS A total of 37 patients were randomised into two groups (IVIg 19, placebo 18). The LS mean for change in MMT sum score after eight weeks was 9.02 for IVIg and 6.71 for placebo (difference 2.32, 95% CI -2.60 to 7.23, p = .345) and after four weeks was 6.81 and 2.83 (difference 3.99, 95% CI -1.22 to 9.19, p = .129). There were no new safety concerns for IVIg. CONCLUSIONS MMT sum scores improved with IVIg compared with placebo after eight weeks of dosing and two courses of treatment, but the differences were not statistically significant, and the results showed no clear efficacy of IVIg in this patient population. No new safety concerns were raised.

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.

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.

Abstract

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.

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.

Abstract

INTRODUCTION Intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) is a potential therapy for chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIDP). METHODS To investigate the efficacy and safety of the IVIG IgPro10 (Privigen(R)) for treatment of CIDP, results from PRIMA, a prospective, open-label, single-arm study of IVIG in Ig-naive or IVIG-pretreated subjects (NCT01184846, n=28) and PATH, a double-blind, randomized study including an open-label, single-arm IVIG phase in IVIG-pretreated subjects (NCT01545076 IVIG restabilization phase, n=207) were analyzed separately and together (n=235). Efficacy assessments included change in adjusted Inflammatory Neuropathy Cause and Treatment (INCAT) score, grip strength and Medical Research Council (MRC) sum score. Adverse drug reactions (ADRs) and ADRs/infusion were recorded. RESULTS Adjusted INCAT response rate was 60.7% in all PRIMA subjects at Week 25 (76.9% in IVIG-pre-treated subjects) and 72.9% in PATH. In the pooled cohort (n = 235), INCAT response rate was 71.9%, median time to INCAT improvement was 4.3 weeks. No clear demographic differences were noticed between early (responding before Week 7, n = 148) and late responders (n = 21). In the pooled cohort median change from baseline to last observation was -1.0 (IQR -2.0; 0.0) points for INCAT score; +8.0 (0.0; 20.0) kPa for maximum grip strength; +3.0 (1.0; 7.0) points for MRC sum score. In the pooled cohort, 271 adverse drug reactions (ADRs) were reported in 105 subjects (44.7%), a rate of 0.144 ADRs per infusion. CONCLUSIONS This analysis confirms the efficacy and safety of IgPro10, a recently FDA-approved IVIG for CIDP, in a population of mainly pre-treated subjects with CIDP. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

Abstract

Intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg) therapy is currently only one established treatment in patients with multifocal motor neuropathy (MMN), and many patients have an IVIg-dependent fluctuation. We aimed to investigate the efficacy and safety of every 3 week IVIg (1.0 g/kg) for 52 weeks. This study was an open-label phase 3 clinical trial., enrolling 13 MMN patients. After an induction IVIg therapy (0.4 g/kg/day for 5 consecutive days), maintenance dose (1.0 g/kg) was given every 3 weeks for 52 weeks. The major outcome measures were the Medical Research Council (MRC) sum score and hand-grip strength at Week 52. This trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT01827072. At Week 52, 11 of the 13 patients completed the study, and all 11 had a sustained improvement. The mean (SD) MRC sum score was 85.6 (8.7) at the baseline, and 90.6 (12.8) at Week 52. The mean grip strength was 39.2 (30.0) kPa at the baseline and 45.2 (32.8) kPa at Week 52. Two patients dropped out because of adverse event (dysphagia) and decision of an investigator, respectively. Three patients developed coronary spasm, dysphagia, or inguinal herniation, reported as the serious adverse events, but considered not related with the study drug. The other adverse effects were mild and resolved by the end of the study period. Our results show that maintenance treatment with 1.0 g/kg IVIg every 3 week is safe and efficacious for MMN patients up to 52 weeks. Further studies are required to investigate optimal dose and duration of maintenance IVIg for MMN.

Abstract

BACKGROUND Approximately two-thirds of patients with chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIDP) need long-term intravenous immunoglobulin. Subcutaneous immunoglobulin (SCIg) is an alternative option for immunoglobulin delivery, but has not previously been investigated in a large trial of CIDP. The PATH study compared relapse rates in patients given SCIg versus placebo. METHODS Between March 12, 2012, and Sept 20, 2016, we studied patients from 69 neuromuscular centres in North America, Europe, Israel, Australia, and Japan. Adults with definite or probable CIDP who responded to intravenous immunoglobulin treatment were eligible. We randomly allocated participants to 0.2 g/kg or 0.4 g/kg of a 20% SCIg solution (IgPro20) weekly versus placebo (2% human albumin solution) for maintenance treatment for 24 weeks. We did randomisation in a 1:1:1 ratio with an interactive voice and web response system with a block size of six, stratified by region (Japan or non-Japan). The primary outcome was the proportion of patients with a CIDP relapse or who were withdrawn for any other reason during 24 weeks of treatment. Patients, caregivers, and study personnel, including those assessing outcomes, were masked to treatment assignment. Analyses were done in the intention-to-treat and per-protocol sets. This trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT01545076. FINDINGS In this randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, we randomly allocated 172 patients: 57 (33%) to the placebo group, 57 (33%) to the low-dose group, and 58 (34%) to the high-dose group. In the intention-to-treat set, 36 (63% [95% CI 50-74]) patients on placebo, 22 (39% [27-52]) on low-dose SCIg, and 19 (33% [22-46]) on high-dose SCIg had a relapse or were withdrawn from the study for other reasons (p=0.0007). Absolute risk reductions were 25% (95% CI 6-41) for low-dose versus placebo (p=0.007), 30% (12-46) for high-dose versus placebo (p=0.001), and 6% (-11 to 23) for high-dose versus low-dose (p=0.32). Causally related adverse events occurred in 47 (27%) patients (ten [18%] in the placebo group, 17 [30%] in the low-dose group, and 20 [34%] in the high-dose group). Six (3%) patients had 11 serious adverse events: one (2%) patient in the placebo group, three (5%) in the low-dose group, and two (3%) in the high-dose group; only one (an acute allergic skin reaction in the low-dose group) was assessed to be causally related. INTERPRETATION This study, which is to our knowledge, the largest trial of CIDP to date and the first to study two administrations of immunoglobulins and two doses, showed that both doses of SCIg IgPro20 were efficacious and well tolerated, suggesting that SCIg can be used as a maintenance treatment for CIDP. FUNDING CSL Behring.

Abstract

INTRODUCTION Patients with chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIDP) often require long-term intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) maintenance therapy. Subcutaneous immunoglobulin (SCIG) offers an alternative administration option with anticipated improvements in patient quality of life, convenience, and flexibility. OBJECTIVES To evaluate IgPro20 (SCIG) as a maintenance treatment in CIDP. METHODS A randomized, double-blind trial in CIDP patients (n=172) investigated 0.2 and 0.4 g/kg weekly doses of IgPro20 versus placebo. The primary outcome was percentage of patients with CIDP relapse/withdrawal during 24-weeks of treatment determined by Inflammatory Neuropathy Cause and Treatment score. Secondary endpoints included grip strength and patient satisfaction. RESULTS Both IgPro20 doses significantly reduced rate of CIDP relapse/withdrawal versus placebo. Grip strength remained stable with Hizentra(R), but deteriorated with placebo. Most subjects preferred SCIG over IVIG. Local reactions, reported in 33% of IgPro20-treated patients, were mild or moderate in intensity. CONCLUSION IgPro20 is efficacious and well-tolerated as maintenance treatment in CIDP. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

Abstract

Eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis (EGPA), previously called Churg-Strauss syndrome, frequently affects the peripheral nervous system. We conducted a multicenter, double-blind, three-arm treatment period, randomized, pre-post trial to assess the efficacy of intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg) administration for residual peripheral neuropathy in patients with EGPA that is in remission, indicated by laboratory indices. Twenty-three patients were randomly assigned into three groups, in which the timing of IVIg and placebo administration was different. Each group received one course of intervention and two courses of placebo at 2-week intervals. Treatment effects were assessed every 2 weeks for 8 weeks. The primary outcome measure, the amount of change in the manual muscle testing sum score 2 weeks after IVIg administration, significantly increased (p = 0.002). The results over time suggested that this effect continued until the last assessment was done 8 weeks later. The number of muscles with manual muscle testing scores of three or less (p = 0.004) and the neuropathic pain scores represented by the visual analogue scale (p = 0.005) also improved significantly 2 weeks after IVIg administration. This study indicates that IVIg treatment for EGPA patients with residual peripheral neuropathy should be considered even when laboratory indices suggest remission of the disease.