Clinical Pharmacology for Afstyla
Mechanism Of Action
AFSTYLA is a recombinant protein that replaces the missing Coagulation Factor VIII needed for effective hemostasis. AFSTYLA is a single polypeptide chain with a truncated B-domain that allows for a covalent bridge to link the Factor VIII heavy and light chains. AFSTYLA has demonstrated a higher VWF affinity relative to full-length rFVIII.1 VWF stabilizes Factor VIII and protects it from degradation. Activated AFSTYLA has an amino acid sequence identical to endogenous FVIIIa.
Pharmacodynamics
Hemophilia A is an X-linked hereditary disorder of blood coagulation due to decreased levels of Factor VIII and results in bleeding into joints, muscles or internal organs, either spontaneously or as result of accidental or surgical trauma. Replacement therapy increases the plasma levels of Factor VIII enabling a temporary correction of the factor deficiency and correction of the bleeding tendencies.
Pharmacokinetics
Subjects ≥12 Years
The pharmacokinetics (PK) of AFSTYLA were evaluated in 91 (81 adults ≥18 years and 10 adolescents ≥12 to <18 years) previously treated subjects following an intravenous injection of a single dose of 50 IU/kg.
The PK parameters (Table 5) were based on plasma Factor VIII activity measured by the chromogenic assay after the first dose (initial PK assessment). The PK profile obtained 3 to 6 months after the initial PK assessment was comparable with the PK profile obtained after the first dose.
Table 5. Pharmacokinetic Parameters (Arithmetic Mean, Coefficient of Variation [CV%]) in Adults and Adolescents Following a Single Injection of 50 IU/kg of AFSTYLA - Chromogenic Assay
| PK Parameters |
≥18 years
(N=81) |
≥12 to <18 years
(N=10) |
| IR (IU/dL)/(IU/kg) |
2.00 (20.8) |
1.69 (24.8) |
| Cmax (IU/dL) |
106 (18.1) |
89.7 (24.8) |
| AUC0-inf (IU*h/dL) |
1960 (33.1) |
1540 (36.5) |
| t1/2 (h) |
14.2 (26.0) |
14.3 (33.3) |
| MRT (h) |
20.4 (25.8) |
20.0 (32.2) |
| CL (mL/h/kg) |
2.90 (34.4) |
3.80 (46.9) |
| Vss (mL/kg) |
55.2 (20.8) |
68.5 (29.9) |
| IR = incremental recovery recorded at 30 minutes after injection; Cmax = observed maximum plasma concentration; AUC0-inf = area under the Factor VIII activity time curve extrapolated to infinity; t = half-life; MRT = mean residence time; CL = body weight adjusted clearance; V = body weight adjusted volume of distribution at steady-state. |
Children <12 Years
Pharmacokinetic parameters of AFSTYLA were evaluated in 39 previously treated children (0 to <12 years) in open-label, multicenter studies following a 50 IU/kg intravenous injection of AFSTYLA.
Table 6 summarizes the PK parameters calculated from the pediatric data. These parameters were estimated based on the plasma Factor VIII activity over time profile.
Table 6. Comparison of Pharmacokinetic Parameters in Children by Age Category (Arithmetic Mean, Coefficient of Variation [CV%]) Following a Single Injection of 50 IU/kg of AFSTYLA - Chromogenic Assay
| PK Parameters |
0 to <6 years
(N=20) |
≥6 to <12 years
(N=19) |
| IR (IU/dL)/(IU/kg) |
1.60 (21.1) |
1.66 (19.7) |
| Cmax (IU/dL) |
80.2 (20.6) |
83.5 (19.5) |
| AUC0-inf (IU*h/dL) |
1080 (31.0) |
1170 (26.3) |
| t1/2 (h) |
10.4 (28.7) |
10.2 (19.4) |
| MRT (h) |
12.4 (25.0) |
12.3 (16.8) |
| CL (mL/h/kg) |
5.07 (29.6) |
4.63 (29.5) |
| Vss (mL/kg) |
71.0 (11.8) |
67.1 (22.3) |
| IR = incremental recovery recorded at 30 minutes after injection for subjects 12 to <18 years and at 60 minutes after injection for subjects 1 to <12 years; Cmax = observed maximum plasma concentration; AUC = area under the Factor VIII activity time curve extrapolated to infinity; t1/2 = half-life; MRT = mean residence time; CL = body weight adjusted clearance; Vss = body weight adjusted volume of distribution at steady-state. |
Clinical Studies
The safety and efficacy of AFSTYLA were evaluated in two studies: an Open-label, Multicenter, Crossover Safety, Efficacy and Pharmacokinetic Study in adults/adolescents as well as in an Open Label Pharmacokinetic, Efficacy and Safety study in children. These studies characterized the PK of AFSTYLA and determined hemostatic efficacy in the control of bleeding events, the prevention of bleeding events in prophylaxis and in the adult/adolescent study determined hemostatic efficacy during perioperative management of bleeding in subjects undergoing surgical procedures.
The adult/adolescent study enrolled a total of 175 previously treated male subjects with severe hemophilia A (<1% endogenous Factor VIII activity). Subjects ranged in age from 12 to 65 years, including 14 adolescent subjects (≥12 to <18 years). Of the 175 enrolled subjects, 174 received at least one dose of AFSTYLA and 173 (99%) were evaluable for efficacy. A total of 161 subjects (92.5%) completed the study. A total of 120 (69.0%) subjects were treated for at least 50 EDs and 52 (29.9%) of those subjects were treated for at least 100 EDs. Subjects received a total of 14,592 injections with a median of 67.0 (range 1 to 395) injections per subject.
The pediatric study enrolled 84 previously treated male subjects with severe hemophilia A (35 subjects 0 to <6 years and 49 subjects ≥6 to <12 years). Of the 84 enrolled subjects, all received at least one dose of AFSTYLA and 83 (99%) were evaluable for efficacy. A total of 65 (77.4%) subjects were treated for at least 50 EDs and 8 (9.5%) of those subjects were treated for at least 100 EDs. Subjects received a total of 5,313 injections with a median of 59 (range 4 to 145) injections per subject.
On-Demand Treatment And Control Of Bleeding Episodes
In the adult/adolescent study a total of 848 bleeding episodes were treated with AFSTYLA and 835 received an efficacy assessment by the investigator. The majority of the bleeding episodes occurred in joints. The median dose per injection used to treat a bleeding episode was 31.7 IU/kg (range 6 to 84 IU/kg). Of the 848 bleeding episodes, 686 (81%) were controlled with a single AFSTYLA injection and another 107 (13%) were controlled with 2 injections. Fifty-five (6%) of the 848 bleeding episodes required 3 or more injections. For 94% of bleeding episodes the hemostatic efficacy rating by the investigator was either excellent or good.
In the pediatric study a total of 347 bleeding episodes were treated with AFSTYLA all of which received an efficacy assessment by the investigator. The majority of the bleeding episodes occurred in joints. The median dose per injection used to treat a bleeding episode was 27.3 IU/kg (range 16 to 76 IU/kg). Of the 347 bleeding episodes, 298 (86%) were controlled with a single AFSTYLA injection and another 34 (10%) were controlled with 2 injections. Fifteen (4%) of the 347 bleeding episodes required 3 or more injections. For 96% of bleeding episodes the hemostatic efficacy rating by the investigator was either excellent or good.
Assessment of response to treatment of bleeds by the investigator was as follows:
Excellent
Pain relief and/or improvement in signs of bleeding (i.e., swelling, tenderness, and/or increased range of motion in the case of musculoskeletal hemorrhage) within approximately 8 hours after the first infusion
Good
Pain relief and/or improvement in signs of bleeding at approximately 8 hours after the first infusion, but requires two infusions for complete resolution
Moderate
Probable or slight beneficial effect within approximately 8 hours after the first infusion; requires more than two infusions for complete resolution
No Response
No improvement at all or condition worsens (i.e., signs of bleeding) after the first infusion and additional hemostatic intervention is required with another FVIII product, cryoprecipitate, or plasma for complete resolution.
Efficacy in control of bleeding episodes in both studies is summarized in Table 7.
Table 7. Efficacy of AFSTYLA in Control of Bleeding
| Bleeding Episodes Treated |
Adult and Adolescent
(≥12 to 65 years of age)
(N=848) |
Pediatric
(0 to <12 years of age)
(N=347) |
| Number of injections |
|
|
| 1 injection, n (%) |
686 (81%) |
298 (85.9%) |
| 2 injections, n (%) |
107 (13%) |
34 (9.8%) |
| 3 injections, n (%) |
29 (3%) |
8 (2.3%) |
| >3 injections, n (%) |
26 (3%) |
7 (2.0%) |
| Efficacy evaluation by investigator |
(N=835) |
(N=347) |
| Excellent or Good, n (%) |
783 (94%) |
334 (96.3%) |
| Moderate, n (%) |
52 (6%) |
12 (3.5%) |
| No response, n (%) |
0 |
1 (0.3%) |
Routine Prophylaxis
Adult and Adolescent Study
In the adult/adolescent and pediatric studies, subjects received prophylaxis in a regimen that was determined by the investigator, taking into account the subject's Factor VIII treatment regimen used prior to enrollment and the subject's bleeding phenotype.
In the adult/adolescent study, 54% of the 146 subjects on prophylaxis received AFSTYLA 3 times weekly; 32% of subjects received AFSTYLA 2 times weekly; 6% received AFSTYLA every other day, and 8% of subjects received other regimens.
The annualized bleeding rate (ABR) was comparable between subjects on a 3 times weekly regimen (median ABR of 1.53) and those on a 2 times weekly regimen (median ABR of 0.00). The annualized spontaneous bleeding rate (AsBR) was also comparable between subjects on a 3 times weekly regimen (median AsBR of 0.0) and those on a 2 times weekly regimen (median AsBR of 0.0). The number of subjects who needed dose adjustments was comparable between the two groups (34.2% [27 subjects] for three times weekly and 27.7% [13 subjects] for twice weekly).
The median prescribed dose for subjects on a 3 times weekly prophylaxis regimen was 30 IU/kg (12 to 50 IU/kg). The median prescribed dose for subjects on a 2 times weekly regimen was 35 IU/kg (17 to 50 IU/kg).
The ABR in prophylaxis (median of 1.14) was significantly lower (p <0.0001) than the ABR that was observed in subjects treated on-demand (median of 19.64). Sixty-three of 146 subjects (43%) experienced no bleeding episodes while on prophylaxis. There were no severe or life-threatening bleeds (e.g., intracranial hemorrhage) in subjects receiving prophylaxis.
Pediatric Study
In the pediatric study, 54% of the 80 subjects on prophylaxis received AFSTYLA 2 times a week; 30% of subjects received AFSTYLA 3 times a week; 4% received AFSTYLA every other day; and 12% of subjects received other regimens.
Twenty-one of 80 subjects (26%) experienced no bleeding episodes while on prophylaxis. There was one severe bleed (hip joint hemorrhage) in the pediatric study that was successfully treated.
For subjects on prophylaxis the overall ABR was 3.69, with a median ABR of 2.30 for subjects on a 3 times a week regimen and 4.37 for subjects on a 2 times a week regimen. The median AsBR (0.00) was identical between subjects on the 3 times a week and 2 times a week regimens.
The median prescribed dose for subjects on a 3 times a week regimen was 32 IU/kg (19 to 50 IU/kg) and for subjects on a 2 times a week regimen was 35 IU/kg (20 to 57 IU/kg).
The ABRs for prophylaxis and on-demand in both studies are summarized in Table 8.
Table 8. Summary of Annualized Bleeding Rate (ABR) by AFSTYLA Treatment Regimen
|
Phase I/III Adult/ Adolescent Study |
Phase III Pediatric Study |
Prophylaxis
(N=146) |
On-demand
(N=27) |
Prophylaxis
(N=80) |
On-demand
(N=3) |
| Overall ABR |
|
|
|
|
| Median (IQR*) |
1.14 (0–4.2) |
19.64 (6.2–46.5) |
3.69 (0–7.2) |
78.56 (35.1–86.6) |
Annualized Spontaneous
Bleeding Rate (AsBR)
Median (IQR*) |
0 (0–2.4) |
11.73 (2.8–36.5) |
0 (0–2.2) |
31.76 (0–42.7) |
| Number of subjects with zero bleeding episodes |
63 (43.2%) |
1 (3.7%) |
21 (26.3%) |
0 |
| *IQR = interquartile range, 25th percentile to 75th percentile |
Perioperative Management Of Bleeding
Thirteen subjects in the adult/adolescent study underwent a total of 16 surgical procedures. Overall, investigators assessed hemostatic efficacy of AFSTYLA in perioperative management of bleeding as excellent in 15 of 16 surgeries and as good in 1 of 16 surgeries (see Table 9). Median factor consumption pre- and intra-operatively was 89.4 IU/kg (range 40.5 to 108.6 IU/kg).
Assessment of hemostasis during surgical procedures by the investigator was as follows:
Excellent
Hemostasis clinically not significantly different from normal (e.g., achieved hemostasis comparable to that expected during similar surgery in a non-factor deficient patient) in the absence of other hemostatic intervention and estimated blood loss during surgery is not more than 20% higher than the predicted blood loss for the intended surgery
Good
Normal or mildly abnormal hemostasis in terms of quantity and/or quality (e.g., slight oozing, prolonged time to hemostasis with somewhat increased bleeding compared to a non-factor deficient patient in the absence of other hemostatic intervention) or estimated blood loss is >20%, but ≤30% higher than the predicted blood loss for intended surgery
Moderate
Moderately abnormal hemostasis in terms of quantity and/or quality (e.g., moderate hemorrhage that is difficult to control) with estimated blood loss greater than what is defined as good
Poor/No Response
Severely abnormal hemostasis in terms of quantity and/or quality (e.g., severe hemorrhage that is difficult to control) and/or additional hemostatic intervention required with another FVIII product, cryoprecipitate, or plasma for complete resolution.
Table 9. Efficacy of AFSTYLA in Perioperative Management of Bleeding
| Procedure |
Efficacy Evaluation |
Factor Consumption (IU/kg)
(pre- and intra-operatively) |
| Extraction of wisdom teeth |
Excellent |
51.09 |
| Abdominal hernia repair |
Excellent |
47.89 |
| Elbow replacement |
Excellent |
108.58 |
| Ankle arthroplasty |
Excellent |
76.83 |
| Knee replacement (5) |
Excellent (4), Good (1) |
92.49 100.9 67.26 105.79 86.09 |
| Cholecystectomy and Lengthening of the Achilles tendon combined with: Straightening of the right toes |
Excellent |
105.95 |
|
Excellent |
|
| Circumcision (3) |
Excellent (3) |
99.04 92.74 81.5 |
| Open reduction internal fixation (ORIF) right ankle |
Excellent |
89.36 |
| Hardware removal, Right ankle |
Excellent |
40.45 |