Targeting of rifamycin SV to the colon for treatment of travelers' diarrhea: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled phase 3 study.

BACKGROUND: Rifamycin SV is under development for treatment of travelers' diarrhea (TD) in a new oral formulation, Rifamycin SV MMX (RIF-MMX; Santarus Inc., San Diego, CA, USA), which targets its delivery to the colon, making it a unique rifamycin drug. METHODS: This was a randomized, double-blind, phase 3 study of adult travelers to Mexico or Guatemala experiencing acute diarrhea. A total of 264 patients received RIF-MMX (2 × 200 mg twice daily for 3 days, n = 199) or placebo (n = 65) in a 3 : 1 ratio. The primary endpoint was the length of time between the administration of first dose of study drug and passage of the last unformed stool (TLUS; after which clinical cure was declared). Other endpoints included eradication of pathogens from the stools, pathogen minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC), and adverse events (AEs). RESULTS: TLUS was significantly shorter in the RIF-MMX group (median: 46.0 hours) compared with placebo (median: 68.0 hours; p = 0.0008) and a larger percentage of RIF-MMX treated patients (81.4%) achieved clinical cure compared with placebo patients (56.9%). TLUS was significantly shorter in the subgroups of patients with enteroaggregative, enterotoxigenic, or diffusely adherent Escherichia coli infections (p = 0.0035) with nonsignificant activity against invasive bacteria (p = 0.3804). Overall pathogen eradication rates were numerically higher in the RIF-MMX group (67.0%) compared with placebo (54.8%) but the difference did not reach significance (p = 0.0836). In vitro resistance to rifamycin SV was observed in some bacteria remaining after treatment of patients with RIF-MMX but was not associated with lower efficacy in them. AEs appeared to be more frequent with placebo (38.5%) than with RIF-MMX (29.6%). CONCLUSIONS: RIF-MMX shortened the duration of TD in patients with a broad range of pathogens and was well tolerated. The unique pharmacokinetic properties of the drug offer evidence that TD pathogens work at the level of the colon.

Recombinant human C1-esterase inhibitor relieves symptoms of hereditary angioedema attacks: phase 3, randomized, placebo-controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Hereditary angioedema (HAE), caused by C1 inhibitor (C1INH) deficiency or dysfunction, is characterized by recurrent attacks of tissue swelling affecting multiple anatomic locations. Recombinant human C1INH (rhC1INH) has been shown effective for acute treatment of HAE attacks. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of rhC1INH (50 IU/kg to maximum 4,200 IU/treatment) vs placebo in a larger HAE population. METHODS: Seventy-five patients experiencing peripheral, abdominal, facial, and/or oropharyngeal laryngeal attacks were randomized (3:2) to rhC1INH (n = 44) or placebo (saline; n = 31). Efficacy was assessed by patient responses on a Treatment Effect Questionnaire (TEQ) and visual analog scale (VAS). Safety also was evaluated. RESULTS: Median (95% confidence interval) time to beginning of symptom relief at the primary attack location was 90 minutes (61-150) in rhC1INH-treated patients vs 152 minutes (93, not estimable) in placebo-treated patients (P = .031) based on the TEQ and 75 minutes (60-105) vs 303 minutes (81-720, P = .003) based on a VAS decrease of at least 20 mm. Median time to minimal symptoms was 303 minutes (240-720) in rhC1INH-treated patients vs 483 minutes (300-1,440) in placebo-treated patients based on the TEQ (P = .078) and 240 minutes (177-270) vs 362 minutes (240, not estimable; P = .005), based on an overall VAS less than 20 mm. Overall, rhC1INH was safe and well tolerated; no thromboembolic events, anaphylaxis, or neutralizing antibodies were observed. CONCLUSION: Relief of symptoms of HAE attacks was achieved faster with rhC1INH compared with placebo as assessed by the TEQ and VAS, with a positive safety profile. Results are consistent with previous studies showing efficacy and safety of rhC1INH in patients with HAE.

Rituximab for rheumatoid arthritis refractory to anti-tumor necrosis factor therapy: Results of a multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, phase III trial evaluating primary efficacy and safety at twenty-four weeks.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the efficacy and safety of treatment with rituximab plus methotrexate (MTX) in patients with active rheumatoid arthritis (RA) who had an inadequate response to anti-tumor necrosis factor (anti-TNF) therapies and to explore the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of rituximab in this population. METHODS: We evaluated primary efficacy and safety at 24 weeks in patients enrolled in the Randomized Evaluation of Long-Term Efficacy of Rituximab in RA (REFLEX) Trial, a 2-year, multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, phase III study of rituximab therapy. Patients with active RA and an inadequate response to 1 or more anti-TNF agents were randomized to receive intravenous rituximab (1 course, consisting of 2 infusions of 1,000 mg each) or placebo, both with background MTX. The primary efficacy end point was a response on the American College of Rheumatology 20% improvement criteria (ACR20) at 24 weeks. Secondary end points were responses on the ACR50 and ACR70 improvement criteria, the Disease Activity Score in 28 joints, and the European League against Rheumatism (EULAR) response criteria at 24 weeks. Additional end points included scores on the Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy-Fatigue (FACIT-F), Health Assessment Questionnaire (HAQ) Disability Index (DI), and Short Form 36 (SF-36) instruments, as well as Genant-modified Sharp radiographic scores at 24 weeks. RESULTS: Patients assigned to placebo (n = 209) and rituximab (n = 311) had active, longstanding RA. At week 24, significantly more (P < 0.0001) rituximab-treated patients than placebo-treated patients demonstrated ACR20 (51% versus 18%), ACR50 (27% versus 5%), and ACR70 (12% versus 1%) responses and moderate-to-good EULAR responses (65% versus 22%). All ACR response parameters were significantly improved in rituximab-treated patients, who also had clinically meaningful improvements in fatigue, disability, and health-related quality of life (demonstrated by FACIT-F, HAQ DI, and SF-36 scores, respectively) and showed a trend toward less progression in radiographic end points. Rituximab depleted peripheral CD20+ B cells, but the mean immunoglobulin levels (IgG, IgM, and IgA) remained within normal ranges. Most adverse events occurred with the first rituximab infusion and were of mild-to-moderate severity. The rate of serious infections was 5.2 per 100 patient-years in the rituximab group and 3.7 per 100 patient-years in the placebo group. CONCLUSION: At 24 weeks, a single course of rituximab with concomitant MTX therapy provided significant and clinically meaningful improvements in disease activity in patients with active, longstanding RA who had an inadequate response to 1 or more anti-TNF therapies.

Evaluation of safety and clinical activity of multiple doses of the anti-CD80 monoclonal antibody, galiximab, in patients with moderate to severe plaque psoriasis.

BACKGROUND: Reduction in lesional, activated T cells induces improvement in psoriatic plaques. Galiximab (IDEC-114), an IgG(1) anti-CD80 antibody, binds to CD80, a costimulatory molecule involved in T-cell activation. OBJECTIVE: A Phase I/II, multidose, multischedule, dose-finding study of galiximab to evaluate safety, pharmacokinetics, and clinical activity was conducted in 35 patients with moderate to severe plaque psoriasis. METHODS: Seven cohorts of five patients received galiximab intravenously on three different schedules at different dose levels. RESULTS: Adverse events (AEs) commonly occurred as mild and self-limiting. Improvements were observed in most cohorts without evidence of a dose response in Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (50% or greater reduction in PASI score in 40% of patients), Physician's Global Psoriasis Assessment (PGA rating of Good or above in 57% of patients), and Psoriasis Severity Scale (PSS, baseline mean of 7.6 decreased by Study Day 127 to 5.0). An association was observed between reduction in CD3(+) cell count in histologic studies and reduction in PASI score. No antibodies to galiximab were detected. CONCLUSION: Galiximab appears to be safe and well tolerated with preliminary evidence of clinical and histologic response.

Allergic asthma and an anti-CD23 mAb (IDEC-152): results of a phase I, single-dose, dose-escalating clinical trial.

BACKGROUND: CD23, a cell-surface molecule, is involved in a variety of pathways likely to influence IgE production and inflammation in allergic disorders, such as allergic rhinitis and allergic asthma. OBJECTIVE: This study investigated the safety, clinical activity, and pharmacokinetic profile of IDEC-152, an IgG1 anti-CD23 antibody, in patients with mild-to-moderate persistent allergic asthma. METHODS: This single-dose, dose-escalating, placebo-controlled study involved 30 patients. Cohorts of 3 to 6 patients received single intravenous infusions of either placebo or IDEC-152 (0.05, 0.25, 1.0, 4.0, 10.0, or 15.0 mg/kg) on study day 1. Safety, clinical activity, and pharmacokinetics were assessed for 12 weeks after treatment. RESULTS: IDEC-152 was well tolerated. Adverse events (AEs) were mild, no grade 4 or serious AEs were reported, and no relationships were apparent between the dose of IDEC-152 and the frequency, severity, or type of event. The most common AEs in the IDEC-152 group included ecchymosis at the injection site, sinusitis, headache, arthralgia, cold syndrome, infection, throat irritation, and dysmenorrhea. Commonly reported AEs in the placebo group included headache, abdominal pain, and infection. Sustained and dose-dependent decreases in mean IgE concentrations were noted. The mean maximum concentration and area under the curve of IDEC-152 were proportional to the dose administered for the dose range 4.0 to 15.0 mg/kg. The serum half-life of the IDEC-152 antibody increased from 2 to 10 days with increasing doses. After single-dose administration of IDEC-152, no dose-dependent change in FEV(1) was observed, and most changes in peak expiratory flow rate were within 10% of baseline values. CONCLUSION: These data suggest that IDEC-152 is safe and has the potential for clinical activity in allergic asthma.

Treatment of systemic lupus erythematosus by inhibition of T cell costimulation with anti-CD154: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the safety and efficacy of a humanized monoclonal antibody against CD154 (IDEC-131) in patients with active systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). METHODS: In this phase II, double-blind, placebo-controlled, multiple-center, multiple-dose study, 85 patients with mild-to-moderately active SLE were randomized to receive 6 infusions of IDEC-131, ranging from 2.5 mg/kg to 10.0 mg/kg, or placebo over 16 weeks. Efficacy was assessed at week 20, primarily by the Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Disease Activity Index (SLEDAI) and secondarily, by multiple measures of disease activity. Safety was assessed through week 28 by clinical and laboratory evaluation. Immunogenicity studies were also performed. RESULTS: SLEDAI scores improved from the baseline levels of disease activity in all groups, including the placebo group. However, these scores were not statistically different among the IDEC-131 treatment and placebo groups at week 20. Evaluations of secondary variables did not indicate significant differences between the IDEC-131 treatment and placebo groups. The type and frequency of adverse events were similar between the IDEC-131 and placebo groups. CONCLUSION: IDEC-131 administered at doses ranging 2.5-10.0 mg/kg over 16 weeks was safe and well tolerated in patients with SLE. Efficacy of the drug compared with placebo was not demonstrated. There were statistically significant improvements from baseline in all groups, including the placebo group.

Clinical and histologic response to single-dose treatment of moderate to severe psoriasis with an anti-CD80 monoclonal antibody.

Pathologic T-cell activation is implicated in psoriasis progression. CD80, a costimulatory molecule involved in T-cell activation, likely plays a key role. IDEC-114, an IgG(1) anti-CD80 antibody, was evaluated for safety, pharmacokinetics, and preliminary clinical activity in this open-label, single-dose, dose-escalating study in patients with moderate to severe chronic plaque psoriasis. Twenty-four patients received IDEC-114 (0.05 mg/kg, 0.25 mg/kg, 1 mg/kg, 5 mg/kg, 10 mg/kg, or 15 mg/kg). Psoriasis Area and Severity Index, Physician's Global Psoriasis Assessment, and Psoriasis Severity Scale scores improved in the highest-dose groups. Average plaque thickness and plaque CD3+ and CD8+ T-cell counts decreased in the 10 mg/kg dose group. Adverse events were primarily mild, transient, constitutional symptoms; the most common related events were mild asthenia (29% of patients), chills (25%), and headache (21%). The serum half-life of IDEC-114 was approximately 13 days. A single dose of IDEC-114 appears to be safe and well tolerated and has promising clinical activity in psoriasis.