Long-term safety and erythroid response with luspatercept treatment in patients with ß-thalassemia.

Background: ß-thalassemia is a hereditary blood disorder resulting in ineffective erythropoiesis and anemia. Management of anemia with regular blood transfusions is associated with complications including iron overload. Here, we report long-term safety and efficacy results of the first clinical study of luspatercept in ß-thalassemia, initiated in 2013, enrolling adults with both nontransfusion-dependent (NTD) and transfusion-dependent (TD) ß-thalassemia. Objectives: The objective was to report long-term safety data, for up to 5 years of treatment, for 64 patients with TD or NTD ß-thalassemia, and long-term efficacy data for a subset of 63 patients with ß-thalassemia who received high-dose luspatercept (0.6-1.25 mg/kg): 31 NTD and 32 TD patients. Design: The study was a phase 2, noncontrolled, open-label trial comprising a dose-finding base phase and a 5-year extension phase. Methods: Endpoints include safety; erythroid response over a continuous 12-week period [NTD: hemoglobin increase from baseline ⩾1.0 or ⩾1.5 g/dl; TD: red blood cell (RBC) transfusion burden reduction, ⩾20%, ⩾33%, or ⩾50%]; and changes in biomarkers of ineffective erythropoiesis, iron metabolism parameters, Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy - Fatigue (FACIT-F) scores, and 6-min walking distance. Results: Median duration of luspatercept exposure for NTD and TD patients was 910 days (range, 40-1850) and 433 days (range, 21-1790), respectively. Seventeen of 31 (54.8%) NTD patients achieved a mean hemoglobin increase of ⩾1.5 g/dl and 19 of 32 (59.4%) TD patients achieved ⩾50% reduction in RBC transfusion burden, during any continuous 12-week period. Median cumulative duration of response was 1126 days (range, 127-1790) for NTD patients and 909 days (range, 87-1734) for TD patients. The most common treatment-related adverse events of any grade were bone pain, headache, and myalgia. Conclusion: Long-term assessment of patients with ß-thalassemia showed luspatercept was associated with sustained increases in hemoglobin levels in NTD patients and sustained transfusion burden reductions in TD patients. Trial registration: (ClinicalTrials.gov Identifiers: NCT01749540 and NCT02268409). Plain Language Summary: Long-term safety and erythroid response with luspatercept treatment in patients with ß-thalassemia Background: ß-thalassemia is a genetic blood disorder caused by mutations in the ß-globin gene, which encodes one of the proteins that comprise hemoglobin, a key constituent of red blood cells. Patients with ß-thalassemia experience anemia, the main treatment for which is blood transfusions. Long-term repeated blood transfusions lower patients' quality of life, use hospital resources, and the resulting accumulation of excess iron can cause organ failure and decrease life expectancy. The severity of the anemia experienced by patients with ß-thalassemia varies; patients with transfusion-dependent ß-thalassemia require regular blood transfusions, compared with those with nontransfusion-dependent ß-thalassemia who require infrequent transfusions, or even none at all, to manage their symptoms. Luspatercept (Reblozyl®) is an agent that stimulates the production of red blood cells and is used to treat anemia caused by ß-thalassemia. However, the long-term effects of luspatercept treatment on patients with ß-thalassemia are not known.Objective: In this study, we report the long-term safety of luspatercept in 64 adult patients with either transfusion-dependent or nontransfusion-dependent ß-thalassemia, and the long-term efficacy of high-dose luspatercept (0.6-1.25 mg/kg) in a subset of 63 patients.Results: The average time period that patients were treated with luspatercept was 910 days for nontransfusion-dependent ß-thalassemia and 433 days for transfusion-dependent ß-thalassemia. We report that in patients with nontransfusion-dependent ß-thalassemia, luspatercept treatment was associated with sustained increases, just over 3 years, in hemoglobin levels. Likewise, in transfusion-dependent ß-thalassemia, luspatercept treatment was associated with a sustained reduction, 2.5 years, in the amount of blood transfusion required to manage their anemia. Long-term treatment with luspatercept was not associated with any new side effects compared with previous short-term treatment studies. The most common side effects were headache (27 patients), bone pain (20 patients), and muscle pain (14 patients) with more than 90% of these patients experiencing these side effects as mild severity.Conclusion: The results of this study show that in patients with either transfusion-dependent or nontransfusion-dependent ß-thalassemia, luspatercept provides lasting reduction in anemia with mostly mild and predictable side effects.

Long-Term Efficacy and Safety of Luspatercept for Anemia Treatment in Patients With Lower-Risk Myelodysplastic Syndromes: The Phase II PACE-MDS Study.

Clinical trials frequently include multiple end points that mature at different times. The initial report, typically based on the primary end point, may be published when key planned co-primary or secondary analyses are not yet available. Clinical Trial Updates provide an opportunity to disseminate additional results from studies, published in JCO or elsewhere, for which the primary end point has already been reported.Luspatercept has high clinical activity in patients with transfusion-dependent lower-risk myelodysplastic syndromes (LR-MDS) and ring sideroblasts (RS) relapsed or refractory to erythropoietin. We report long-term luspatercept safety and efficacy in 108 patients with LR-MDS in the PACE-MDS study, including 44 non-RS and 34 non-transfusion-dependent or previously untreated patients. The primary end point was safety. Secondary end points included rates of hematologic improvement (HI) erythroid (HI-E), HI neutrophil, and HI platelet. Exploratory end points included erythropoiesis biomarker quantitation and mutation data. Median duration of luspatercept exposure was 315 days (range, 21-1,934 days). No new safety signals emerged. HI-E was observed in 53.7% of patients, including 36.4% of non-RS and 70.6% of non-transfusion-dependent patients. HI neutrophil and HI platelet were observed in 33.3% and 9.5% of patients, respectively. An almost three-fold increase in bone marrow late to early progenitor cell ratio accompanied HI-E response, irrespective of RS status. Lower baseline erythropoietin levels in non-RS patients (69.6 v 623.3 IU/L; P = .0077) and higher late to early erythroid progenitor cell ratio (10.44 v 4.48; P = .0106) in RS patients were associated with HI-E. This study highlights luspatercept's effects across LR-MDS subtypes, including untreated MDS-RS, serving as a platform for future trials.

Randomized Phase 2 Study of ACE-083 in Patients With Charcot-Marie-Tooth Disease.

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether locally acting ACE-083 is safe, well tolerated, and increases muscle volume, motor function, and quality of life (QoL) in adults with Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease (CMT) type 1. METHODS: This phase 2 study enrolled adults with CMT1 or CMTX (N=63). Part 1 was open-label and evaluated safety and tolerability of different dose levels of ACE-083 for use in Part 2. Part 2 was a randomized, placebo-controlled, 6-month study of 240 mg/muscle ACE-083 injected bilaterally in the tibialis anterior muscle, followed by a 6-month, open-label extension in which all patients received ACE-083. Pharmacodynamic endpoints included total muscle volume (TMV; primary endpoint), contractile muscle volume (CMV), and fat fraction. Additional secondary endpoints included 6-minute walk test, 10-meter walk/run, muscle strength, and QoL. Safety was assessed with treatment-emergent adverse events (TEAEs) and clinical laboratory tests. RESULTS: In Part 1 (n=18), ACE-083 was generally safe and well tolerated at all dose levels, with no serious AEs, TEAEs ≥Grade 3, or death reported. In Part 2 (n=45 enrolled, n=44 treated), there was significantly greater change in TMV with ACE-083 compared with placebo (LS mean difference: 13.5%; p = 0.0096). There was significant difference between ACE-083 and placebo for CMV and change in ankle dorsiflexion strength. Fat fraction and all other functional outcomes were not significantly improved by ACE-083. Moderate-to-mild injection-site reactions were the most common TEAEs. CONCLUSIONS: Despite significantly increased TMV and CMV, patients with CMT receiving ACE-083 in tibialis anterior muscles did not demonstrate greater functional improvement compared with those receiving placebo. CLASSIFICATION OF EVIDENCE: This study provides Class II evidence that intramuscular ACE-083 is safe, well tolerated, and increases total muscle volume after 6 months of treatment in adults with CMT1 or CMTX.

Randomized phase 2 study of ACE-083, a muscle-promoting agent, in facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy.

INTRODUCTION/AIMS: Facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy (FSHD) is a slowly progressive muscular dystrophy without approved therapies. In this study we evaluated whether locally acting ACE-083 could safely increase muscle volume and improve functional outcomes in adults with FSHD. METHODS: Participants were at least 18 years old and had FSHD1/FSHD2. Part 1 was open label, ascending dose, assessing safety and tolerability (primary objective). Part 2 was randomized, double-blind for 6 months, evaluating ACE-083240 mg/muscle vs placebo injected bilaterally every 3 weeks in the biceps brachii (BB) or tibialis anterior (TA) muscles, followed by 6 months of open label. Magnetic resonance imaging measures included total muscle volume (TMV; primary objective), fat fraction (FF), and contractile muscle volume (CMV). Functional measures included 6-minute walk test, 10-meter walk/run, and 4-stair climb (TA group), and performance of upper limb midlevel/elbow score (BB group). Strength, patient-reported outcomes (PROs), and safety were also evaluated. RESULTS: Parts 1 and 2 enrolled 37 and 58 participants, respectively. Among 55 participants evaluable in Part 2, the least-squares mean (90% confidence interval, analysis of covariance) treatment difference for TMV was 16.4% (9.8%-23.0%) in the BB group (P < .0001) and 9.5% (3.2%-15.9%) in the TA group (P = .01). CMV increased significantly in the BB and TA groups and FF decreased in the TA group. There were no consistent improvements in functional or PRO measures in either group. The most common adverse events were mild or moderate injection-site reactions. DISCUSSION: Significant increases in TMV with ACE-083 vs placebo did not result in consistent functional or PRO improvements with up to 12 months of treatment.

Luspatercept improves hemoglobin levels and blood transfusion requirements in a study of patients with ß-thalassemia.

ß-thalassemia is a hereditary disorder with limited approved treatment options; patients experience anemia and its complications, including iron overload. The study aim was to determine whether luspatercept could improve anemia and disease complications in patients with ß-thalassemia. This open-label, nonrandomized, uncontrolled study consisted of a 24-week dose-finding and expansion stage (initial stage) and a 5-year extension stage, currently ongoing. Sixty-four patients were enrolled; 33 were non-transfusion dependent (mean hemoglobin, <10.0 g/dL; <4 red blood cell [RBC] units transfused per 8 weeks), and 31 were transfusion dependent (≥4 RBC units per 8 weeks). Patients received 0.2 to 1.25 mg/kg luspatercept subcutaneously every 21 days for ≥5 cycles (dose-finding stage) and 0.8 to 1.25 mg/kg (expansion cohort and 5-year extension). The primary end point was erythroid response, defined as hemoglobin increase of ≥1.5 g/dL from baseline for ≥14 consecutive days (without RBC transfusions) for non-transfusion-dependent patients or RBC transfusion burden reduction ≥20% over a 12-week period vs the 12 weeks before treatment for transfusion-dependent patients. Eighteen non-transfusion-dependent patients (58%) receiving higher dose levels of luspatercept (0.6-1.25 mg/kg) achieved mean hemoglobin increase ≥1.5 g/dL over ≥14 days vs baseline. Twenty-six (81%) transfusion-dependent patients achieved ≥20% reduction in RBC transfusion burden. The most common grade 1 to 2 adverse events were bone pain, headache, and myalgia. As of the cutoff, 33 patients remain on study. In this study, a high percentage of ß-thalassemia patients receiving luspatercept had hemoglobin or transfusion burden improvements. These findings support a randomized clinical trial to assess efficacy and safety. This study was registered at www.clinicaltrials.gov as #NCT01749540 and #NCT02268409.

Sotatercept, a novel transforming growth factor ß ligand trap, improves anemia in ß-thalassemia: a phase II, open-label, dose-finding study.

ß-thalassemia, a hereditary blood disorder caused by defective synthesis of hemoglobin ß globin chains, leads to ineffective erythropoiesis and chronic anemia that may require blood transfusions. Sotatercept (ACE-011) acts as a ligand trap to inhibit negative regulators of late-stage erythropoiesis in the transforming growth factor ß superfamily, correcting ineffective erythropoiesis. In this phase II, open-label, dose-finding study, 16 patients with transfusion-dependent ß -thalassemia and 30 patients with non-transfusion-dependent ß-thalassemia were enrolled at seven centers in four countries between November 2012 and November 2014. Patients were treated with sotatercept at doses of 0.1, 0.3, 0.5, 0.75, or 1.0 mg/kg to determine a safe and effective dose. Doses were administered by subcutaneous injection every 3 weeks. Patients were treated for ≤22 months. Response was assessed as a ≥20% reduction in transfusion burden sustained for 24 weeks in transfusion-dependent ß-thalassemia patients, and an increase in hemoglobin level of ≥1.0 g/dL sustained for 12 weeks in non-transfusion-dependent ß-thalassemia patients. Sotatercept was well tolerated. After a median treatment duration of 14.4 months (range 0.6-35.9), no severe life-threatening adverse events were observed. Thirteen percent of patients reported serious but manageable adverse events. The active dose of sotatercept was ≥0.3 mg/kg for patients with non-transfusion-dependent ß-thalassemia and ≥0.5 mg/kg for those with transfusion-dependent ß-thalassemia. Of 30 non-transfusion-dependent ß-thalassemia patients treated with ≥0.1 mg/kg sotatercept, 18 (60%) achieved a mean hemoglobin increase ≥1.0 g/dL, and 11 (37%) an increase ≥1.5 g/dL, sustained for ≥12 weeks. Four (100%) transfusion-dependent ß-thalassemia patients treated with 1.0 mg/kg sotatercept achieved a transfusion-burden reduction of ≥20%. Sotatercept was effective and well tolerated in patients with ß-thalassemia. Most patients with non-transfusion-dependent ß-thalassemia treated with higher doses achieved sustained increases in hemoglobin level. Transfusion-dependent ß-thalassemia patients treated with higher doses of sotatercept achieved notable reductions in transfusion requirements. This trial was registered at ClinicalTrials.gov with the number NCT01571635.

Validation of a patient-reported outcomes symptom measure for patients with nontransfusion-dependent thalassemia (NTDT-PRO© ).

This study demonstrates the quantitative characteristics of the first patient-reported outcome (PRO) tool developed for patients with nontransfusion-dependent ß-thalassemia (NTDT), the NTDT-PRO© . A multicenter validation study was performed over 24 weeks, involving 48 patients from Italy, Lebanon, Greece, and Thailand. Most patients were female (68.8%), with a median age of 34.5 years (range, 18-52); 66.7% were diagnosed with ß-thalassemia intermedia, and median time since diagnosis was 22 years (range, 0-43). The NTDT-PRO comprises 6 items across 2 domains (Tiredness/Weakness and Shortness of Breath [SoB]), and was valid and reliable, with good consistency. At baseline, most patients reported symptoms as present via the NTDT-PRO, and were highly compliant, ≥90% completing the NTDT-PRO tool. In a pairwise correlation analysis, all items were positively correlated. Correlations between NTDT-PRO and existing tools-36-Item Short Form Health Survey version 2 (SF-36v2) and Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-Anemia (FACT-An)-were assessed at weeks 1, 3, and 12; robust correlations were seen between SoB and SF-36v2-Vitality (rs = -0.53), and between SoB and Fact-An-Fatigue Experience (rs = -0.66) at week 1. Internal consistency was high for both Tiredness/Weakness (Cronbach alpha, 0.91) and SoB (Spearman-Brown coefficient, 0.78); intraclass correlation coefficients were high (Tiredness/Weakness, 0.88 and 0.97; SoB, 0.92 and 0.98), demonstrating stability. Further studies are required to fully support the validity of this tool, this study demonstrated the usefulness of the NTDT-PRO in the clinical setting and for longitudinal clinical research, particularly in trials where patient health-related quality of life is expected to change.

Development of a patient-reported outcomes symptom measure for patients with nontransfusion-dependent thalassemia (NTDT-PRO© ).

ß-Thalassemia, a hereditary blood disorder caused by reduced or absent synthesis of the ß-globin chain of hemoglobin, is characterized by ineffective erythropoiesis, and can manifest as nontransfusion-dependent thalassemia (NTDT) or transfusion-dependent thalassemia (TDT). Many patients with NTDT develop a wide range of serious complications that affect survival and quality of life (QoL). Patient-reported outcomes (PRO), including health-related QoL (HRQoL), are important tools for determining patient health impairment and selecting appropriate treatment. However, there are currently no disease-specific PRO tools available to assess symptoms related to chronic anemia experienced by patients with NTDT. This study aimed to develop a new, US Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-compliant PRO of chronic anemia symptoms, the NTDT-PRO© tool, for use in patients with NTDT. Participants had a median age of 36 years (range, 18-47) and 60% were female. The initial development of the NTDT-PRO tool involved concept-elicitation interviews with 25 patients from 3 centers (in Lebanon, Greece, and Canada); subsequent interview discussions and clinical input resulted in the generation of 9 items for inclusion in the draft NTDT-PRO. Following a round of cognitive interviews involving 21 patients from 2 centers (in Lebanon and Greece), 4 items (Pain, Headaches, Ability to Concentrate, and Paleness) were removed from the draft NTDT-PRO. The final NTDT-PRO comprises 6 items that measure Tiredness, Weakness, and Shortness of Breath, with or without Physical Activity. The NTDT-PRO is a new disease-specific HRQoL tool for patients with NTDT, developed using a thorough methodology based on FDA 2009 PRO development guidelines.

Locally acting ACE-083 increases muscle volume in healthy volunteers.

INTRODUCTION: ACE-083 is a locally acting follistatin-based therapeutic that binds myostatin and other muscle regulators and has been shown to increase muscle mass and force in neuromuscular disease mouse models. This first-in-human study examined these effects. METHODS: In this phase 1, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, dose-ranging study in healthy postmenopausal women, ACE-083 (50-200 mg) or placebo was administered unilaterally into rectus femoris (RF) or tibialis anterior (TA) muscles as 1 or 2 doses 3 weeks apart. RESULTS: Fifty-eight postmenopausal women were enrolled, 42 ACE-083 and 16 placebo. No serious adverse events (AE), dose-limiting toxicities, or discontinuations resulting from AEs occurred. Maximum (mean ± SD) increases in RF and TA muscle volume were 14.5% ± 4.5% and 8.9% ± 4.7%, respectively. No significant changes in mean muscle strength were observed. DISCUSSION: ACE-083 was well tolerated and resulted in significant targeted muscle growth. ACE-083 may have the potential to increase muscle mass in a wide range of neuromuscular disorders. Muscle Nerve 57: 921-926, 2018.

Sotatercept with long-term extension for the treatment of anaemia in patients with lower-risk myelodysplastic syndromes: a phase 2, dose-ranging trial.

BACKGROUND: Myelodysplastic syndromes are characterised by ineffective erythropoiesis leading to anaemia. Sotatercept (ACE-011) is a novel activin receptor type IIA fusion protein that acts as a ligand trap to neutralise negative regulators of late-stage erythropoiesis. The aim of the study was to establish a safe and effective dose of sotatercept for the treatment of anaemia in patients with lower-risk myelodysplastic syndromes. METHODS: This open-label, multicentre, dose-ranging, phase 2 trial took place at 11 treatment centres in the USA and France. Eligible patients were aged 18 years or older, had International Prognostic Scoring System-defined low-risk or intermediate-1-risk myelodysplastic syndromes, had anaemia requiring red blood cell (RBC) transfusions, and were ineligible for, or refractory to, erythropoiesis-stimulating agents (ESAs). Patients were not eligible if they had chromosome 5q deletion myelodysplastic syndromes without documented failure of lenalidomide. Patients were randomly assigned to receive either 0·1 or 0·3 mg/kg sotatercept subcutaneously, using a permuted-block method with stratification for serum erythropoietin concentration and transfusion burden. Patients were assigned to 0·5, 1·0, and 2·0 mg/kg groups in a non-randomised fashion. The primary efficacy endpoint was the proportion of patients who achieved haematological improvement-erythroid (HI-E), according to International Working Group 2006 criteria. Efficacy and safety analyses were done in the intention-to-treat population. This trial is registered at ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT01736683 and at EU Clinical Trials Register, number 2012-002601-22, and is ongoing. FINDINGS: Between Dec 5, 2012, and July 22, 2015, 74 patients were enrolled into the study (seven to receive 0·1 mg/kg sotatercept, six to 0·3 mg/kg, 21 to 0·5 mg/kg, 35 to 1·0 mg/kg, and five to 2·0 mg/kg). 36 (49%; 95% CI 38-60) of 74 patients achieved HI-E; 29 (47%; 95% CI 35-59) of 62 patients with a high transfusion burden achieved HI-E (RBC-transfusion reduction from baseline of 4 or more units for at least 56 days), and seven (58%; 95% CI 32-81) of 12 patients with a low transfusion burden achieved HI-E (haemoglobin increase of 1·5 g/dL or more sustained for at least 56 days in the absence of transfusions). The most commonly reported adverse events were fatigue in 19 (26%) of 74 patients and peripheral oedema in 18 (24%) of 74 patients. Grade 3-4 treatment-emergent adverse events (TEAEs) were reported in 25 (34%) of 74 patients; four (5%) patients had grade 3-4 TEAEs that were considered to be treatment related. The most common grade 3-4 TEAEs were lipase increase and anaemia, which each occurred in three (4%) of 74 patients. 17 (23%) of 74 patients had at least one serious TEAE, and one patient died from a treatment-emergent subdural haematoma due to a fall. INTERPRETATION: Sotatercept, a novel activin-receptor fusion protein, was well tolerated and effective for the treatment of anaemia in patients with lower-risk myelodysplastic syndromes in whom previous ESA treatment had failed. Treatment with sotatercept could be beneficial for these patients who have few available treatment options. FUNDING: Celgene Corporation.

Luspatercept for the treatment of anaemia in patients with lower-risk myelodysplastic syndromes (PACE-MDS): a multicentre, open-label phase 2 dose-finding study with long-term extension study.

BACKGROUND: Myelodysplastic syndromes are characterised by ineffective erythropoiesis. Luspatercept (ACE-536) is a novel fusion protein that blocks transforming growth factor beta (TGF ß) superfamily inhibitors of erythropoiesis, giving rise to a promising new investigative therapy. We aimed to assess the safety and efficacy of luspatercept in patients with anaemia due to lower-risk myelodysplastic syndromes. METHODS: In this phase 2, multicentre, open-label, dose-finding study (PACE-MDS), with long-term extension, eligible patients were aged 18 years or older, had International Prognostic Scoring System-defined low or intermediate 1 risk myelodysplastic syndromes or non-proliferative chronic myelomonocytic leukaemia (white blood cell count <13 000/µL), and had anaemia with or without red blood cell transfusion support. Enrolled patients were classified as having low transfusion burden, defined as requiring less than 4 red blood cell units in the 8 weeks before treatment (and baseline haemoglobin <10 g/dL), or high transfusion burden, defined as requiring 4 or more red blood cell units in the 8 weeks before treatment. Patients received luspatercept subcutaneously once every 21 days at dose concentrations ranging from 0·125 mg/kg to 1·75 mg/kg bodyweight for five doses (over a maximum of 12 weeks). Patients in the expansion cohort were treated with 1·0 mg/kg luspatercept; dose titration up to 1·75 mg/kg was allowed, and patients could be treated with luspatercept for a maximum of 5 years. Patients in the base study were assessed for response and safety after 12 weeks in order to be considered for enrolment into the extension study. The primary endpoint was the proportion of patients achieving modified International Working Group-defined haematological improvement-erythroid (HI-E), defined as a haemoglobin concentration increase of 1·5 g/dL or higher from baseline for 14 days or longer in low transfusion burden patients, and a reduction in red blood cell transfusion of 4 or more red blood cell units or a 50% or higher reduction in red blood cell units over 8 weeks versus pre-treatment transfusion burden in high transfusion burden patients. Patient data were subcategorised by: luspatercept dose concentrations (0·125-0·5 mg/kg vs 0·75-1·75 mg/kg); pre-study transfusion burden (high transfusion burden vs low transfusion burden, defined as ≥4 vs <4 red blood cell units per 8 weeks); pre-study serum erythropoietin concentration (<200 IU/L, 200-500 IU/L, and >500 IU/L); presence of 15% or more ring sideroblasts; and presence of SF3B1 mutations. Efficacy analyses were carried out on the efficacy evaluable and intention-to-treat populations. This trial is currently ongoing. This study is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, numbers NCT01749514 and NCT02268383. FINDINGS: Between Jan 21, 2013, and Feb 12, 2015, 58 patients with myelodysplastic syndromes were enrolled in the 12 week base study at nine treatment centres in Germany; 27 patients were enrolled in the dose-escalation cohorts (0·125-1·75 mg/kg) and 31 patients in the expansion cohort (1·0-1·75 mg/kg). 32 (63% [95% CI 48-76]) of 51 patients receiving higher dose luspatercept concentrations (0·75-1·75 mg/kg) achieved HI-E versus two (22% [95% CI 3-60]) of nine receiving lower dose concentrations (0·125-0·5 mg/kg). Three treatment-related grade 3 adverse events occurred in one patient each: myalgia (one [2%]), increased blast cell count (one [2%]), and general physical health deterioration (one [2%]). Two of these treatment-related grade 3 adverse events were reversible serious grade 3 adverse events: one patient (2%) had myalgia and one patient (2%) had general physical health deterioration. INTERPRETATION: Luspatercept was well tolerated and effective for the treatment of anaemia in lower-risk myelodysplastic syndromes and so could therefore provide a novel therapeutic approach for the treatment of anaemia associated with lower-risk myelodysplastic syndromes; further studies are ongoing. FUNDING: Acceleron Pharma.

The DART Study: Results from the Dose-Escalation and Expansion Cohorts Evaluating the Combination of Dalantercept plus Axitinib in Advanced Renal Cell Carcinoma.

Purpose: Activin receptor-like kinase 1 (ALK1) is a novel target in angiogenesis. Concurrent targeting of ALK1 and VEGF signaling results in augmented inhibition of tumor growth in renal cell carcinoma (RCC) xenograft models. Dalantercept is an ALK1-receptor fusion protein that acts as a ligand trap for bone morphogenetic proteins 9 and 10. The DART Study evaluated the safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, and antitumor activity of dalantercept plus axitinib in patients with advanced RCC and determined the optimal dose for further testing.Experimental Design: Patients received dalantercept 0.6, 0.9, or 1.2 mg/kg subcutaneously every 3 weeks plus axitinib 5 mg by mouth twice daily until disease progression or intolerance.Results: Twenty-nine patients were enrolled in the dose escalation (n = 15) and expansion (n = 14) cohorts. There were no dose-limiting toxicities or grade 4/5 treatment-related adverse events. In addition to common VEGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitor effects, such as fatigue and diarrhea, commonly seen treatment-related adverse events were peripheral edema, epistaxis, pericardial effusion, and telangiectasia. The objective response rate by RECIST v1.1 was 25% with responses seen at all dose levels. The overall median progression-free survival was 8.3 months.Conclusions: The combination of dalantercept plus axitinib is well tolerated and associated with clinical activity. On the basis of safety and efficacy results, the 0.9 mg/kg dose level was chosen for further study in a randomized phase II trial of dalantercept plus axitinib versus placebo plus axitinib. Clin Cancer Res; 23(14); 3557-65. ©2016 AACR.

Myostatin inhibitor ACE-031 treatment of ambulatory boys with Duchenne muscular dystrophy: Results of a randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial.

INTRODUCTION: ACE-031 is a fusion protein of activin receptor type IIB and IgG1-Fc, which binds myostatin and related ligands. It aims to disrupt the inhibitory effect on muscle development and provide potential therapy for myopathies like Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD). METHODS: ACE-031 was administered subcutaneously every 2-4 weeks to DMD boys in a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, ascending-dose trial. The primary objective was safety evaluation. Secondary objectives included characterization of pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics. RESULTS: ACE-031 was not associated with serious or severe adverse events. The study was stopped after the second dosing regimen due to potential safety concerns of epistaxis and telangiectasias. A trend for maintenance of the 6-minute walk test (6MWT) distance in the ACE-031 groups compared with a decline in the placebo group (not statistically significant) was noted, as was a trend for increased lean body mass and bone mineral density (BMD) and reduced fat mass. CONCLUSION: ACE-031 use demonstrated trends for pharmacodynamic effects on lean mass, fat mass, BMD, and 6MWT. Non-muscle-related adverse events contributed to the decision to discontinue the study. Myostatin inhibition is a promising therapeutic approach for DMD. Muscle Nerve 55: 458-464, 2017.

A phase 2 study of dalantercept, an activin receptor-like kinase-1 ligand trap, in patients with recurrent or metastatic squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck.

BACKGROUND: Patients with platinum-refractory, recurrent or metastatic squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (RM-SCCHN) have limited options. Activin receptor-like kinase 1 (ALK1) is a type I receptor of the transforming growth factor ß superfamily expressed on activated endothelial cells. Dalantercept is an ALK1 receptor fusion protein that acts as a ligand trap to block signaling through ALK1 and inhibits stages of angiogenesis involved in blood vessel maturation and stabilization. In a phase 1 study, dalantercept demonstrated clinical activity in patients with RM-SCCHN. The objective of the current study was to evaluate the activity of dalantercept in RM-SCCHN. METHODS: Forty-six patients received dalantercept at doses of 80 mg (n = 2), 0.6 mg/kg (n = 13), or 1.2 mg/kg (n = 31) subcutaneously every 3 weeks. The primary endpoint was the overall response rate according to Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (RECIST version 1.1). Secondary endpoints included progression-free survival and overall survival, safety and tolerability, and pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic assessments. RESULTS: Forty patients were evaluable for response (13 who received dalantercept 0.6 mg/kg and 27 who received dalantercept 1.2 mg/kg). The overall response rate was 5% (n = 2), and 35% of patients had stable disease; 44% of patients who received 1.2 mg/kg and 30.8% of those who received 0.6 mg/kg achieved disease control (partial response or stable disease). The median progression-fee survival was 1.4 months (95% confidence interval, 1.3-2.2 months), and the median overall survival was 7.1 months (95% confidence interval, 5.5-11.1 months). Drug-related adverse events (>15%) were anemia, fatigue, peripheral edema, headache, and hyponatremia. CONCLUSIONS: In an unselected, heavily pretreated population of patients with RM-SCCHN, dalantercept monotherapy resulted in a favorable safety profile but only modest dose-dependent activity, and it did not meet the primary efficacy objective of the study. Cancer 2016;122:3641-9. © 2016 American Cancer Society.

A phase 1 study of ACE-536, a regulator of erythroid differentiation, in healthy volunteers.

ACE-536, a recombinant protein containing a modified activin receptor type IIB, is being developed for the treatment of anemias caused by ineffective erythropoiesis, such as thalassemias and myelodysplastic syndromes. ACE-536 acts through a mechanism distinct from erythropoiesis-stimulating agents to promote late-stage erythroid differentiation by binding to transforming growth factor-ß superfamily ligands and inhibiting signaling through transcription factors Smad 2/3. The goal of this Phase 1 study was to evaluate the safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetics, and pharmacodynamic effects of ascending dose levels of ACE-536 in healthy volunteers. Thirty-two postmenopausal women were randomized in sequential cohorts of eight subjects each to receive up to two doses of either ACE-536 (0.0625-0.25 mg/kg) or placebo (3:1 randomization) given subcutaneously every 2 weeks. Mean baseline age was 59.4 years, and hemoglobin was 13.2 g/dL. ACE-536 was well tolerated at dose levels up to 0.25 mg/kg over the 1-month treatment period. There were no serious or severe adverse events, nor clinically meaningful changes in safety laboratory measures or vital signs. Mean ACE-536 AUC0-14d and Cmax increased proportionally after first dose; mean t½ was 15-16 days. Dose-dependent increases in hemoglobin concentration were observed, beginning 7 days after initiation of treatment and maintained for several weeks following treatment. The proportion of subjects with a hemoglobin increase ≥1.0 g/dL increased in a dose-dependent manner to 83.3% of subjects in the highest dose group, 0.25 mg/kg. ACE-536 was well tolerated and resulted in sustained increases in hemoglobin levels in healthy postmenopausal women.

Safety, pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, and antitumor activity of dalantercept, an activin receptor-like kinase-1 ligand trap, in patients with advanced cancer.

PURPOSE: The angiogenesis inhibitor dalantercept (formerly ACE-041) is a soluble form of activin receptor-like kinase-1 (ALK1) that prevents activation of endogenous ALK1 by bone morphogenetic protein-9 (BMP9) and BMP10 and exhibits antitumor activity in preclinical models. This first-in-human study of dalantercept evaluated its safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, and antitumor activity in adults with advanced solid tumors. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN: Patients in dose-escalating cohorts received dalantercept subcutaneously at one of seven dose levels (0.1-4.8 mg/kg) every 3 weeks until disease progression. Patients in an expansion cohort received dalantercept at 0.8 or 1.6 mg/kg every 3 weeks until disease progression. RESULTS: In 37 patients receiving dalantercept, the most common treatment-related adverse events were peripheral edema, fatigue, and anemia. Edema and fluid retention were dose-limiting toxicities and responded to diuretic therapy. No clinically significant, treatment-related hypertension, proteinuria, gross hemorrhage, or gastrointestinal perforations were observed. One patient with refractory squamous cell cancer of the head and neck had a partial response, and 13 patients had stable disease according to RECISTv1.1, eight of whom had prolonged periods (≥12 weeks) of stable disease. Correlative pharmacodynamic markers included tumor metabolic activity and tumor blood flow, which decreased from baseline in 63% and 82% of evaluable patients, respectively, and telangiectasia in eight patients. CONCLUSION: Dalantercept was well-tolerated at doses up to 1.6 mg/kg, with a safety profile distinct from inhibitors of the VEGF pathway. Dalantercept displayed promising antitumor activity in patients with advanced refractory cancer, and multiple phase II studies are underway.

A single ascending-dose study of muscle regulator ACE-031 in healthy volunteers.

INTRODUCTION: ACE-031 is a soluble form of activin receptor type IIB (ActRIIB). ACE-031 promotes muscle growth by binding to myostatin and other negative regulators of muscle mass. METHODS: This double-blind, placebo-controlled study evaluated the safety, pharmacokinetics, and pharmacodynamics of ACE-031 in 48 healthy, postmenopausal women randomized to receive 1 dose of ACE-031 (0.02-3 mg/kg s.c.) or placebo (3:1). RESULTS: ACE-031 was generally well-tolerated. Adverse events included injection site erythema. Mean ACE-031 AUC(0-∞) and C(max) increased linearly with dose; mean T(½) was 10-15 days. Statistically significant increases in mean total body lean mass (3.3%; P = 0.03, by DXA) and thigh muscle volume (5.1%; P = 0.03, by MRI) were observed at day 29 in the 3 mg/kg group. Statistically significant changes in serum biomarkers suggest ACE-031 also improved bone and fat metabolism. CONCLUSIONS: Single-dose ACE-031 treatment was generally well-tolerated and resulted in increases in muscle mass in healthy postmenopausal women.

Abnormal growth in noonan syndrome: genetic and endocrine features and optimal treatment.

Noonan syndrome (NS) is a phenotypically heterogeneous syndrome which is frequently associated with short stature. Recent genetic investigations have identified mutations in five genes, namely PTPN11, KRAS, SOS1, NF1 and RAF1 in patients with the NS phenotype. PTPN11 is the commonest, being present in approximately 50% of cases. The degree of short stature in children does not associate closely with the presence of mutations, however some PTPN11-positive patients have decreased GH-dependent growth factors consistent with mild GH insensitivity. GH therapy, using doses similar to those approved for Turner syndrome (TS), induced short-term increases in height velocity over 1-3 years, and may improve final adult height with longer-term treatment.

Relationship between insulin sensitivity and IGF-I sensitivity in low birth weight prepubertal children.

BACKGROUND: Insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) and insulin are structurally related proteins with similar receptors and signal transduction systems. AIM: We postulate that some low birth weight (LBW) children may have decreased sensitivity to both insulin and IGF-I. METHODS: We studied 48 prepubertal LBW children aged 7.6 +/- 2.4 years. Insulin sensitivity was determined using an oral glucose tolerance test, and IGF-I sensitivity was assessed by determining nocturnal GH concentrations at baseline and after administration of recombinant human IGF-I/IGFBP-3 complex. RESULTS: Children were classified into quartiles of insulin sensitivity based on their glucose AUC/insulin AUC index. Children in the lowest quartile of insulin sensitivity exhibited a lower IGF-I sensitivity after administration of the rhIGF-I/rhIGFBP-3 complex compared to children in the highest quartile of insulin sensitivity (percent change in GH AUC: -44.2 +/- 5.7 vs. -21.6 +/- 6.8, p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: LBW children in the lowest quartile of insulin sensitivity exhibited a lower pituitary GH response to the administration of rhIGF-I/rhIGFBP-3. Our findings suggest that reduced sensitivity to insulin and IGF-I may coexist in some prepubertal LBW children.

Endocrine assessment, molecular characterization and treatment of growth hormone insensitivity disorders.

Advances in the diagnosis and treatment of growth hormone insensitivity disorders have occurred in the past 15 years. We discuss the current status of endocrine and molecular evaluation, focusing on the pediatric age range. All the identified mutations of the growth hormone receptor are included. Treatment with recombinant human insulin-like growth factor (rhIGF) 1 in classical cases is summarized and new targets for treatment are discussed, together with therapy using the complex formed between rhIGF1 and rhIGF-binding protein 3.