Clinical Pharmacology for Brineura
Mechanism Of Action
CLN2 disease is a neurodegenerative disease caused by deficiency of the lysosomal enzyme tripeptidyl peptidase-1 (TPP1), which catabolizes polypeptides in the CNS. TPP1 has no known substrate specificity. Deficiency in TPP1 activity results in the accumulation of lysosomal storage materials normally metabolized by this enzyme in the central nervous system (CNS), leading to progressive decline in motor function.
Cerliponase alfa (rhTTP1), a proenzyme, is taken up by target cells in the CNS and is translocated to the lysosomes through the Cation Independent Mannose-6-Phosphate Receptor (CI-MPR, also known as M6P/IGF2 receptor). Cerliponase alfa is activated in the lysosome and the activated proteolytic form of rhTPP1 cleaves tripeptides from the N-terminus of proteins.
Pharmacodynamics
No formal pharmacodynamic studies have been conducted with cerliponase alfa.
Pharmacokinetics
Patients 3 Years Of Age And Older
The pharmacokinetics of cerliponase alfa were evaluated in patients with CLN2 disease who received intraventricular infusions of 30 mg (0.1 times the maximum approved recommended dosage), 100 mg (approximately 0.3 times the maximum approved recommended dosage), and 300 mg over approximately 4.5 hours once every other week.
Cerliponase alfa CSF exposure following the initial single dose administration of BRINEURA increased less than proportionally across doses of 30 mg, 100 mg, and 300 mg. There was no apparent accumulation of cerliponase alfa in CSF or plasma when BRINEURA was administered at a dose of 300 mg once every other week.
Cerliponase alfa pharmacokinetics have high inter-subject and intra-subject variability. Following intraventricular infusions of 300 mg of BRINEURA at Day 1, Week 5, and Week 13, the pharmacokinetic parameters in CSF and plasma were assessed in 14 patients and are summarized in Table 4.
Table 4: Pharmacokinetic Parameters of Cerliponase Alfa Following Intraventricular Infusion (approximately 4.5 hours in duration) of BRINEURA 300 mg Every Two Weeks in Patients ≥ 3 years
|
Parameter |
Median [Min, Max] |
| Day 1 |
Week 5 |
Week 13 |
| CSF |
N |
13 |
14 |
13 |
| Tmax1, hr |
4.5 [4.3, 5.8] |
4.3 [3.8, 4.5] |
4.3 [4.0, 4.5] |
| Cmax, mcg/mL |
1260 [359, 4380] |
1630 [376, 4670] |
1390 [1110, 2340] |
| AUC0-t, mcg-hr/mL |
9290 [3660, 19000] |
12400 [4620, 26200] |
10500 [7000, 18200] |
| Vss, mL |
245 [78.4, 909] |
196 [85.4, 665] |
186 [131, 257] |
| CL, mL/hr |
32.3 [15.8, 81.9] |
24.2 [11.4, 64.9] |
28.7 [16.5, 42.9] |
| t1/2, hr |
6.2 [5.5, 16.3] |
7.4 [3.3, 9.5] |
7.7 [5.1, 9.4] |
| Plasma2 |
N |
12 |
12 |
9 |
| Tmax1, hr |
12.0 [4.3, 24.5] |
12.0 [7.5, 24.2] |
12.3 [4.3, 75.9] |
| Cmax, mcg/mL |
1.3 [0.2, 3.9] |
1.9 [0.2, 4.3] |
1.0 [0.03, 2.6] |
| AUC0-t, mcg-hr/mL |
16.2 [1.1, 69.9] |
40.1 [11.1, 78.9] |
9.5 [0.2, 51.6] |
| CSF/Plasma Ratio |
N |
11 |
12 |
9 |
| Cmax |
1200 [305, 4530] |
809 [202, 9370] |
1320 [541, 51200] |
| AUC0-t |
393 [115, 1910] |
340 [126, 1780] |
1330 [167, 38900] |
1 Tmax expressed as time since start of ~4.5 hour infusion.
2 Vss, CL, and t1/2 were not estimated due to insufficient plasma pharmacokinetic data |
The estimated CSF volume of distribution of cerliponase alfa following intraventricular infusion of 300 mg of BRINEURA (median Vss = 245 mL) exceeds the typical CSF volume (100 mL).
Pediatric Patients Less Than 3 Years
Pediatric CLN2 patients ages 1 to < 2 years (n=2) and 2 to < 3 years (n=6) were administered cerliponase alfa according to the recommended dosing regimen based on age for up to 144 weeks. CSF exposure with 300 mg cerliponase alfa was within the range characterized to be safe and effective in pivotal Trial 1.
Plasma exposure in younger patients trended higher than the range characterized in the pivotal study. The pharmacokinetic parameters summarized by age at time of visit and dose are shown in Table 5.
Table 5: Pharmacokinetic Parameters of Cerliponase Alfa by Age at Visit and Dose Following Intraventricular Infusion of BRINEURA Every Two Weeks in Pediatric Patients < 3 years
| Age at Visit |
Dose (mg) |
|
Parameter |
Median [Min, Max] |
| 1 to < 2 years |
200 |
CSF |
N |
3 |
| Cmax, mcg/mL |
511 [163, 987] |
| AUC0-t, mcg-hr/mL |
2720
[1100, 5050] |
| Plasma |
N |
2 |
| Cmax, mcg/mL |
10.4 [9.46, 11.3] |
| AUC0-t, mcg-hr/mL |
91.8 [72.7, 111] |
| 300 |
CSF |
N |
2 |
| Cmax, mcg/mL |
566 [496, 636] |
| AUC0-t, mcg-hr/mL |
8030
[8030, 8030]1 |
| Plasma |
N |
2 |
| Cmax, mcg/mL |
14.1 [11.2, 17.0] |
| AUC0-t, mcg-hr/mL |
145 [82.7, 206] |
| 2 to < 3 years |
300 |
CSF |
N |
6 |
| Cmax, mcg/mL |
896 [508, 1790] |
| AUC0-t, mcg-hr/mL |
4100
[2380, 6720]2 |
| Plasma |
N |
6 |
| Cmax, mcg/mL |
14.9 [9.08, 35.3] |
| AUC0-t, mcg-hr/mL |
163 [91.5, 320] |
1 N=1 due to less than 3 evaluable datapoints for determination of AUC0-t
2 N=5 due to less than 3 evaluable datapoints for determination of AUC0-t |
Cerliponase alfa is a protein and is expected to be degraded through peptide hydrolysis.
Immunogenicity
The observed incidence of anti-drug antibodies is highly dependent on the sensitivity and specificity of the assay. Differences in assay methods preclude meaningful comparisons of the incidence of anti-drug antibodies in the studies described below with the incidence of anti-drug antibodies in other studies including cerliponase alfa.
In Trials 1 and 2 [see Clinical Studies], 19 of 24 (79%) and 10 of 24 (42%) patients treated with BRINEURA developed anti-drug antibodies (ADAs) in serum and CSF, respectively. Drug-specific neutralizing antibodies (NAb) capable of inhibiting receptor-mediated cellular uptake of cerliponase alfa were detected in the CSF of 3 of 24 (13%) patients at a single visit and were undetectable in all other CSF samples tested in ADA positive patients. In Trial 3 [see Clinical Studies], 14 of 14 (100%) and 3 of 14 (21%, all of the 3 patients were < 3 years of age) patients treated with BRINEURA developed ADAs in serum and CSF, respectively. NAb responses were not detected in the CSF of any ADA positive patients. Overall, patients younger than 3 years of age had higher ADA titers compared to patients 3 years of age and older.
In Trials 1 and 2, patients who experienced moderate to severe hypersensitivity adverse reactions were tested for drug-specific IgE and found to be negative. No association was found between serum ADA titers and incidence or severity of hypersensitivity. In Trial 3, hypersensitivity occurred in higher percentage in BRINEURA-treated patients < 3 years of age at baseline (amongst these patients, one patient experienced anaphylaxis), and higher ADA titers were also observed in this age group compared to patients ≥ 3 years of age at baseline. There was no identified clinically significant effect of ADA on pharmacokinetics or efficacy of BRINEURA. There is insufficient information to characterize the effects of ADA on safety.
Clinical Studies
The efficacy of BRINEURA was assessed over 96 weeks in a non-randomized single-arm dose escalation clinical study with extension in symptomatic pediatric patients with late infantile neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis type 2 (CLN2) disease, confirmed by TPP1 deficiency. BRINEURA-treated patients were compared to untreated patients from a natural history cohort. The Motor domain of a CLN2 Clinical Rating Scale was used to assess disease progression. Scores ranged from 3 (grossly normal) to 0 (profoundly impaired) with unit decrements representing milestone events in the loss of motor function (ability to walk or crawl). Due to the inability to establish comparability for the CLN2 Language domain ratings between the clinical study with extension and the natural history cohort, efficacy of BRINEURA for the Language domain cannot be established.
Twenty-four patients, aged 3 to 8 years were enrolled in the BRINEURA single-arm clinical study (Trial 1, NCT01907087). Sixty-three percent of patients were female and 37% were male. Ninety-six percent of patients were White and 4% were Asian; for ethnicity, 4% identified as Hispanic/Latino, 96% as non-Hispanic/Latino. One patient withdrew after week 1 due to inability to continue with study procedures; 23 patients were treated with BRINEURA 300 mg every other week by intraventricular infusion for 48 weeks, and continued treatment during the 240-week extension period, Trial 2 (NCT02485899), for a total duration of 288 weeks, plus a 24-week safety follow-up.
In the clinical study with extension, patients were assessed for decline in the Motor domain of the CLN2 Clinical Rating Scale at 48, 72 and 96 weeks. Decline was defined as having an unreversed (sustained) 2-category decline or an unreversed score of 0 in the Motor domain of the CLN2 Clinical Rating Scale. Patients’ responses to BRINEURA treatment were evaluated if at screening a combined Motor plus Language CLN2 score of less than 6 was recorded. Two patients with a combined Motor plus Language CLN2 score of 6 were excluded from the analyses; they maintained that score throughout the study period. The patient who terminated early was analyzed as having a decline at the time of termination. Data used in the analyses from the natural history cohort began at 36 months of age or greater and at the first time a Motor plus Language CLN2 score less than 6 was recorded.
Motor scores of the 22 BRINEURA-treated patients in the clinical study with extension were compared to scores of the independent natural history cohort that included 42 untreated patients who satisfied inclusion criteria for the clinical study. The results of logistic modeling with covariates (screening age, screening motor score, genotype: 0 key mutations (yes/no)), demonstrated the odds of BRINEURA-treated patients not having a decline by 96 weeks were 13 times the odds of natural history cohort patients not having a decline (Odds Ratio (95% CI): 13.1 (1.2, 146.9)).
Descriptive Non-Randomized Comparison
In an unadjusted non-randomized comparison, of the 22 patients treated with BRINEURA and evaluated for efficacy at week 96, 21 (95%) did not decline, and only the patient who terminated early was deemed to have a decline in the Motor domain of the CLN2 Clinical Rating Scale. Results from the natural history cohort demonstrated progressive decline in motor function; of the 42 patients in the natural history cohort, 21 (50%) experienced an unreversed (sustained) 2-category decline or unreversed score of 0 in the Motor domain of the CLN2 Clinical Rating Scale over 96 weeks.
Given the non-randomized study design, a Cox Proportional Hazards Model adjusted for age, initial motor score, and genotype was used to evaluate time to unreversed 2-category decline or unreversed score of 0 in the Motor domain. This model showed a lesser decrease in motor function in the BRINEURA-treated patients when compared to the natural history cohort (see Figure 7).
Figure 7. Estimated Time to Unreversed (Sustained) 2-Category Decline or Unreversed Score of Zero in Motor Domain for Symptomatic Pediatric Patients in the BRINEURA Trials 1 and 2 at 96 Weeks and for Patients in a Natural History Cohort (Based on the Cox Proportional Hazards Model Adjusting for Covariates)
 |
Shading represents 95% confidence intervals.
Follow-up for the natural history cohort begins at 36 months of age or greater and at the first time a Motor plus Language CLN2 score less than 6 was recorded.
The BRINEURA-treated population is the full population (N=24) minus two patients with baseline Motor plus Language CLN2 score = 6.
Covariates: screening age, screening Motor score, genotype: 0 key mutations (yes/no). “Screening age” was defined in the natural history cohort as the age at the first time a Motor plus Language CLN2 score less than 6 was recorded, and no earlier than 36 months of age. The “screening Motor score” of the natural history cohort was defined as the Motor score at the screening age.
Decline is defined as an unreversed (sustained) 2-category decline or unreversed score of 0 in the Motor domain of the CLN2 Clinical
Rating Scale |
Motor Domain Scores: Matched Patients Only
To further assess efficacy, the 22 patients from the BRINEURA clinical study with a baseline combined Motor plus Language CLN2 score less than 6 were matched to 42 patients in the natural history cohort. Patients were matched based on the following covariates: baseline age at time of screening within 3 months, genotype (0, 1, or 2 key mutations), and baseline Motor domain CLN2 score at time of screening.
Using the Motor domain of the CLN2 Clinical Rating Scale, decline was defined as having an unreversed 2-category decline or an unreversed score of 0. At 96 weeks, the matched analysis based on 17 pairs demonstrated fewer declines in the Motor domain for BRINEURA-treated patients compared to untreated patients in the natural history cohort (see Table 6).
Table 6: Proportion of Matched Symptomatic Pediatric Patients with CLN2 Disease without Decline1 in the BRINEURA Trials 1 and 2 and in the Natural History Cohort assessed at Weeks 48, 72, and 96
| Time Point/Period |
Natural History Cohort
(N=17) |
BRINEURA
Treated (N=17) |
Difference |
Odds Ratio3 |
| n (%) |
n (%) |
%
(95% CI2) |
OR
(95% CI) |
| Follow-up through Week 48 |
13 (76) |
16 (94) |
18%
(-19, 51) |
4
(0.4, 200) |
| Follow-up through Week 72 |
11 (65) |
16 (94) |
29%
(-7, 61) |
5.9
(0.7, 250) |
| Follow-up through Week 96 |
6 (35) |
16 (94) |
59%
(24, 83) |
11
(1.6, 500) |
1 Decline is defined as an unreversed (sustained) 2-category decline or unreversed score of 0 in the Motor domain of the CLN2 Clinical Rating Scale.
2 Exact confidence interval for risk difference (Santner and Snell)
3 Based on McNemar’s Exact test
Matched on baseline age at time of screening within 3 months, genotype (0, 1, or 2 key mutations), and baseline Motor domain CLN2 score at time of screening.
The BRINEURA-treated population is based on the full population minus two patients with baseline Motor plus Language CLN2 score = 6. |
Trial 3 (NCT02678689) was a Phase 2, open label clinical study designed to enroll symptomatic and presymptomatic CLN2 patients less than 18 years of age. The trial enrolled 14 patients ranging in age from 1 to 6 years at baseline, including 8 patients less than 3 years of age, the median age was 2.7 years. Patients received BRINEURA at the recommended dose every 2 weeks by intraventricular infusion for 144 weeks (1 patient withdrew to receive treatment commercially). Fifty-seven percent of patients were female and 43% were male. All patients were White; for ethnicity, 14% identified as Hispanic/Latino, 86% as non-Hispanic/Latino. The mean baseline CLN2 Motor score was 2.3 (standard deviation (SD) 0.83) with a range from 1 to 3.
Thirteen of the 14 BRINEURA treated patients were matched with up to 3 natural history comparators on the basis of age within 3 months, equal CLN2 Motor score, and genotype (0, 1, or 2 key mutations). None of the BRINEURA treated patients (N=14) had a 2-point decline or score of zero in the Motor scale by Week 169. Among the matched natural history comparators (N=31), 20 subjects (65%) had an unreversed 2-point decline or score of zero by last assessment.
The median time to an unreversed 2-point decline in Motor score or score of 0 was 133 weeks among the natural history comparators and was not reached by last assessment (Week 169) in patients treated with BRINEURA.
In patients below 3 years of age, none (0%) of the BRINEURA treated patients (N=8) had a 2-point decline or score of zero in the Motor score by Week 169. Among the 8 treated patients, 7 were matched to 18 untreated patients from the natural history cohort. Among the matched natural history comparators (N=18), 11 subjects (61%) had an unreversed 2-point decline or score of zero in the Motor score by last assessment. All seven of the treated patients below 3 years of age with a motor score of 3 at baseline remained at a motor score of 3 at the last measured timepoint, which represents grossly normal gait. In this population BRINEURA treated patients showed a delay in disease onset.