Clinical Pharmacology for Saphnelo
Mechanism Of Action
Anifrolumab-fnia is a human IgG1κ monoclonal antibody that binds to subunit 1 of the type I interferon receptor (IFNAR) with high specificity and affinity. This binding inhibits type I IFN signaling, thereby blocking the biologic activity of type I IFNs. Anifrolumab-fnia also induces the internalization of IFNAR1, thereby reducing the levels of cell surface IFNAR1 available for receptor assembly. Blockade of receptor mediated type I IFN signaling inhibits IFN responsive gene expression as well as downstream inflammatory and immunological processes. Inhibition of type I IFN blocks plasma cell differentiation and normalizes peripheral T-cell subsets.
Type I IFNs play a role in the pathogenesis of SLE. Approximately 60-80% of adult patients with active SLE express elevated levels of type I IFN inducible genes.
Pharmacodynamics
In patients with moderate to severe SLE, following the administration of SAPHNELO, neutralization (≥80%) of a type I IFN gene signature was observed from Week 4 to Week 52 in blood samples of patients with elevated levels of type I IFN inducible genes and returned to baseline levels within 8 to 12 weeks following withdrawal of SAPHNELO at the end of the 52-week treatment period. However, the clinical relevance of the type I IFN gene signature neutralization is unclear.
In SLE patients with positive anti-dsDNA antibodies at baseline (Trials 2 and 3), treatment with SAPHNELO led to numerical reductions in anti-dsDNA antibodies over time through Week 52.
In patients with low complement levels (C3 and C4) at baseline (Trials 2 and 3), increases in complement levels were observed in patients receiving SAPHNELO through Week 52.
Pharmacokinetics
The pharmacokinetics (PK) of anifrolumab-fnia was studied in adult patients with SLE following intravenous doses ranging from one-third (100 mg) to 3.3 times (1000 mg) the approved intravenous dosage, 300 mg once every 4 weeks, and subcutaneous 120 mg weekly doses, as well as in healthy volunteers following a single intravenous dose at 300 mg and a single subcutaneous dose of 120 mg.
Anifrolumab-fnia exhibits non-linear PK in the dose range of 100 mg to 1000 mg with more than dose-proportional increases in the exposure as measured by AUC, following intravenous administration.
The estimated time to reach steady state is approximately 112 days for both intravenous and subcutaneous administration.
Following 300 mg intravenous administrations every 4 weeks, the accumulation ratio for Cmax was 1.11 and for Ctrough was 2.37. Following 120 mg subcutaneous administration weekly, the accumulation ratio for Cmax was 1.85 and Ctrough was 1.85.
Absorption
The bioavailability of anifrolumab-fnia was estimated to be 73% following subcutaneous injection. The estimated maximum serum concentration (Cmax) of anifrolumab-fnia at steady state was 63.7 μg/mL.
Distribution
Based on population PK analysis, the estimated volume of distribution at steady state for a typical patient with SLE (68 kg) is 5.16 L.
Elimination
From population PK analysis, anifrolumab-fnia exhibited non-linear PK due to IFNAR1-mediated drug clearance. The estimated systemic clearance (CL) for anifrolumab-fnia is 0.146 L/day.
Based on population PK analysis of patients who received SAPHNELO for one year, serum concentrations of anifrolumab-fnia were below detection in 95% of patients approximately 16 weeks after the last dose.
Specific Populations
There was no clinically meaningful difference in systemic clearance based on age, race, ethnicity, region, gender, IFN status or body weight, that requires dose adjustment.
Age: Based on population PK analyses, age (range 18 to 70 years) did not affect anifrolumab-fnia clearance. Limited PK data are available for geriatric patients; 3% (n=33) of the patients included in the PK analysis were 65 years or older [see Use in Specific Populations].
Patients with Renal Impairment: No specific clinical trials have been conducted to investigate the effect of renal impairment on anifrolumab-fnia. Based on population PK analyses, anifrolumab-fnia clearance was comparable in SLE patients with mild (60-89 mL/min/1.73 m2) and moderate (30-59 mL/min/1.73 m2) decrease in eGFR values and patients with normal renal function (≥90 mL/min/1.73 m2). There were no SLE patients with a severe decrease in eGFR or end stage renal disease (<30 mL/min/1.73 m2); anifrolumab-fnia is not cleared renally.
Patients with urine protein/creatinine ratio (UPCR) >2 mg/mg were excluded from the clinical trials. Based on population PK analyses, increased UPCR did not significantly affect anifrolumab-fnia clearance.
Patients with Hepatic Impairment: No specific clinical trials have been conducted to investigate the effect of hepatic impairment on anifrolumab-fnia. IgG1 monoclonal antibodies are predominantly eliminated via catabolism and are not expected to undergo hepatic metabolism; changes in hepatic function are not expected to influence anifrolumab-fnia clearance. Based on population PK analyses, baseline hepatic function biomarkers (ALT and AST ≤2.0 × ULN, and total bilirubin) had no clinically relevant effect on anifrolumab-fnia clearance.
Drug Interactions
No formal drug-drug interaction trials have been conducted.
Based on population PK analysis, concomitant use of oral corticosteroids, anti-malarials, immunosuppressants (azathioprine, methotrexate, mycophenolate mofetil, mycophenolic acid, and mizoribine), NSAIDs, ACE inhibitors, and HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors did not significantly affect the PK of anifrolumab-fnia.
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 (ADA) in the trials described below with the incidence of anti-drug antibodies in other trials, including those of anifrolumab-fnia.
In Trials 2, 3, and the long-term extension trial, treatment emergent anti-anifrolumab-fnia antibodies were detected in 9 of 350 patients (ADA incidence 2.6%) who received SAPHNELO at the recommended intravenous dosing regimen for up to 4 years.
In Trial 5, treatment emergent anti-anifrolumab-fnia antibodies were detected in 6 of 107 patients (ADA incidence 5.6%) treated with SAPHNELO at the recommended subcutaneous dosing regimen during the 52-week treatment period. No neutralizing antibodies were detected.
Because of the low occurrence of anti-drug antibodies, the effect of these antibodies on the pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, safety, and/or effectiveness of anifrolumab-fnia products is unknown.
CLINICAL STUDIES
Intravenous Administration in Adults with Moderate to Severe SLE
Trial Design and Population
The safety and efficacy of SAPHNELO were evaluated in three 52-week treatment period, multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trials (Trial 1 [NCT01438489], Trial 2 [NCT02446912] and Trial 3 [NCT02446899]). Patients were diagnosed with SLE according to the American College of Rheumatology (1982 revised) classification criteria. All patients were ≥18 years of age and had moderate to severe disease, with a SLE Disease Activity Index 2000 (SLEDAI-2K) score ≥6 points, organ level involvement based on the British Isles Lupus Assessment Group (BILAG) assessment, and a Physician’s Global Assessment [PGA] score ≥1, despite receiving standard SLE therapy consisting of either one or any combination of oral corticosteroids (OCS), antimalarials and/or immunosuppressants at baseline.
Patients continued to receive their existing SLE therapy at stable doses during the clinical trials, with the exception of OCS (prednisone or equivalent) where tapering was a component of the protocol. Patients who had severe active lupus nephritis and patients who had severe active central nervous system lupus were excluded. The use of other biologic agents and cyclophosphamide were not permitted during the trials; patients receiving other biologic therapies were required to complete a wash-out period of at least 5 half-lives prior to enrollment. All three trials were conducted in North America, Europe, South America and Asia. Patients received SAPHNELO or placebo, administered by intravenous infusion, every 4 weeks.
Efficacy of SAPHNELO was established based on assessment of clinical response using the composite endpoints, the British Isles Lupus Assessment Group based Composite Lupus Assessment (BICLA) and the SLE Responder Index (SRI-4).
BICLA response at Week 52, was defined as improvement in all organ domains with moderate or severe activity at baseline:
- Reduction of all baseline BILAG A to B/C/D and baseline BILAG B to C/D, and no BILAG worsening in other organ systems, as defined by ≥1 new BILAG A or ≥2 new BILAG B;
- No worsening from baseline in SLEDAI-2K, where worsening is defined as an increase from baseline of >0 points in SLEDAI-2K;
- No worsening from baseline in patients’ lupus disease activity, where worsening is defined by an increase ≥0.30 points on a 3-point PGA visual analogue scale (VAS);
- No discontinuation of treatment;
- No use of restricted medication beyond the protocol-allowed threshold.
SRI-4 response, was defined as meeting each of the following criteria at Week 52 compared with baseline:
- Reduction from baseline of ≥4 points in the SLEDAI-2K;
- No new organ system affected as defined by 1 or more BILAG A or 2 or more BILAG B items compared to baseline;
- No worsening from baseline in the patients’ lupus disease activity defined by an increase ≥0.30 points on a 3-point PGA VAS;
- No discontinuation of treatment;
- No use of restricted medication beyond the protocol-allowed threshold.
Trial 1 randomized 305 patients (1:1:1) who received SAPHNELO, 300 mg or 1000 mg, or placebo once every 4 weeks for up to 52 weeks. The primary endpoint was a combined assessment of the SRI-4 and the sustained reduction in OCS (<10 mg/day and ≤OCS dose at Week 1, sustained for 12 weeks) measured at Week 24.
Trial 2 and 3 were similar in design. Trial 2 randomized 457 patients (1:2:2) who received SAPHNELO 150 mg, 300 mg once every 4 weeks or placebo. Trial 3 randomized 362 patients (1:1) who received SAPHNELO 300 mg once every 4 weeks or placebo. The primary endpoints were improvement in disease activity evaluated at 52 weeks, measured by SRI-4 in Trial 2 and BICLA in Trial 3 (defined above). The common secondary efficacy endpoints included in both trials were the maintenance of OCS reduction, improvement in cutaneous SLE activity, and flare rate. During Weeks 8-40, patients with a baseline OCS ≥10 mg/day were required to taper their OCS dose to ≤7.5 mg/day, unless there was worsening of disease activity. Both trials evaluated the efficacy of SAPHNELO 300 mg once every 4 weeks versus placebo; a dose of 150 mg was also evaluated for dose-response in Trial 2.
Patient demographics and disease characteristics were generally similar and balanced across treatment arms (Table 2).
Table 2: Demographics and Baseline Characteristics of Adults with Moderate to Severe SLE in Trials 1, 2, and 3
|
Total Population |
| Trial 1 (N=305) |
Trial 2 (N=457) |
Trial 3 (N=362) |
| Mean Age (years) |
40 |
41 |
42 |
| Female (%) |
93 |
92 |
93 |
| White (%) |
42 |
71 |
60 |
| Black/African American (%) |
13 |
14 |
12 |
| Asian (%) |
7 |
5 |
17 |
| Hispanic or Latino (%) |
42 |
19 |
30 |
| Baseline SLEDAI-2K score |
| Mean (SD) |
10.9 (4.1) |
11.3 (3.72) |
11.5 (3.76) |
| ≥10 points, n (%) |
182 (60) |
328 (72) |
260 (72) |
| BILAG organ system scoring (Overall) |
| At least one A, n (%) |
152 (50) |
217 (48) |
176 (49) |
| No A and at least 2 Bs, n (%) |
134 (44) |
211 (46) |
169 (47) |
| Positive Anti-dsDNA levels, n (%) |
185 (77) |
207 (45) |
159 (44) |
| Abnormal ANA, n (%) |
299 (98) |
412 (90) |
325 (90) |
| Abnormal Complement C3 level, n (%) |
119 (39) |
157 (34) |
144 (40) |
| Abnormal Complement C4 level, n (%) |
74 (24) |
95 (21) |
95 (26) |
| Baseline SLE treatment |
| OCS, n (%) |
258 (85) |
381 (83) |
292 (81) |
| Antimalarials, n (%) |
219 (72) |
334 (73) |
252 (70) |
| Immunosuppressants, n (%) |
150 (49) |
214 (47) |
174 (48) |
Randomization was stratified by disease severity (SLEDAI-2K score at baseline, <10 vs ≥10 points), OCS dose on Day 1 (<10 mg/day vs ≥10 mg/day prednisone or equivalent) and interferon gene signature test results (high vs low).
Trials 1, 2, and 3 Results
Although other intravenous SAPHNELO dosages were studied in Trials 1 and 2, only data for the approved intravenous SAPHNELO dosage of 300 mg every 4 weeks are presented below.
The reduction in disease activity seen in the BICLA and SRI-4 was related primarily to improvement in the mucocutaneous and musculoskeletal organ systems. Flare rate was reduced in SAPHNELO patients compared to placebo patients although the difference was not statistically significant.
BICLA responder analysis
BICLA was the primary endpoint in Trial 3, SAPHNELO 300 mg once every 4 weeks demonstrated statistically significant and clinically meaningful efficacy in overall disease activity compared with placebo, with greater improvements in all components of the composite endpoint. In Trial 1 and 2, BICLA was a pre-specified analysis. The BICLA results are presented in Table 3.
Table 3: BICLA Response Rate at Week 52 in Adults with Moderate to Severe SLE in Trials 1, 2, and 3
|
Trial 1*,† |
Trial 2*,† |
Trial 3? |
SAPHNELO 300 mg once every 4 weeks
(N=99) |
Placebo
(N=102) |
SAPHNELO 300 mg once every 4 weeks
(N=180) |
Placebo
(N=184) |
SAPHNELO 300 mg once every 4 weeks
(N=180) |
Placebo
(N=182) |
| BICLA Response Rate§ |
| Responder, n (%) |
54 (54.6) |
27 (25.8) |
85 (47.1) |
55 (30.2) |
86 (47.8) |
57 (31.5) |
| Difference in Response Rates (95% CI) |
28.8 (15.7, 41.9) |
17.0 (7.2, 26.8) |
16.3 (6.3, 26.3)
p-value=0.001 |
| Components of BICLA Response§ |
| BILAG Improvement, n (%) |
54 (54.5) |
28 (27.5) |
85 (47.2) |
58 (31.5) |
88 (48.9) |
59 (32.4) |
| No Worsening of SLEDAI-2K, n (%) |
73 (73.7) |
61 (59.8) |
121 (67.2) |
104 (56.5) |
122 (67.8) |
94 (51.6) |
| No Worsening of PGA, n (%) |
76 (76.8) |
62 (60.8) |
117 (65.0) |
105 (57.1) |
122 (67.8) |
95 (52.2) |
The response rates and associated difference and 95% CI are calculated using a Cochran-Mantel-Haenszel approach adjusted for stratification factors. The reported percentages for the components are unadjusted.
* Not formally tested in a pre-specified testing scheme and findings should be interpreted with caution.
† Based on post hoc analysis.
? Primary endpoint.
§ In all 3 trials, patients who discontinued investigational product or initiated restricted medications beyond the protocol-specified thresholds are considered non-responders. For consistency, the results presented for Trial 2 represent the post-hoc analysis using the restricted medication thresholds as defined in Trial 3. |
In Trial 3, examination of subgroups by age, race, gender, ethnicity, disease severity [SLEDAI-2K at baseline], and baseline OCS use did not identify differences in response to SAPHNELO.
Figure 1 shows the proportion of BICLA responders through the 52-week treatment period in Trial 3.
Figure 1: Trial 3: Proportion (%) of BICLA Responders in Adults with Moderate to Severe SLE by Visit*
 |
| * The same patients may not have responded at each timepoint. |
SRI-4 responder analysis
SRI-4 was the primary endpoint in Trial 2, treatment with SAPHNELO did not result in statistically significant improvements over placebo. In Trials 1 and 3, SRI-4 was a pre-specified analysis. The SRI-4 results are presented in Table 4.
Table 4: SRI-4 Response Rate at Week 52 in Adults with Moderate to Severe SLE in Trials 1, 2, and 3
|
Trial 1* |
Trial 2† |
Trial 3* |
SAPHNELO 300 mg once every 4 weeks
(N=99) |
Placebo
(N=102) |
SAPHNELO 300 mg once every 4 weeks
(N=180) |
Placebo
(N=184) |
SAPHNELO 300 mg once every 4 weeks
(N=180) |
Placebo
(N=182) |
| SRI-4 Response Rate? |
| Responder, n (%) |
62 (62.8) |
41 (38.8) |
88 (49.0) |
79 (43.0) |
100 (55.5) |
68 (37.3) |
| Difference in Response Rates (95% CI) |
24.0 (10.9, 37.2) |
6.0 (-4.2, 16.2) |
18.2 (8.1, 28.3) |
| Components of SRI-4 Response? |
| SLEDAI-2K improvement, n (%) |
62 (62.6) |
41 (40.2) |
89 (49.4) |
80 (43.5) |
101 (56.1) |
71 (39.0) |
| No worsening of BILAG, n (%) |
75 (75.8) |
61 (59.8) |
119 (66.1) |
105 (57.1) |
125 (69.4) |
94 (51.6) |
| No worsening of PGA, n (%) |
76 (76.8) |
62 (60.8) |
117 (65.0) |
105 (57.1) |
122 (67.8) |
95 (52.2) |
The response rates and associated difference and 95% CI are calculated using a Cochran-Mantel-Haenszel approach adjusted for stratification factors. The reported percentages for the components are unadjusted.
* Not formally tested in a pre-specified testing scheme and findings should be interpreted with caution.
† Primary endpoint.
? In all 3 trials, patients who discontinued investigational product or initiated restricted medications beyond the protocol-specified thresholds are considered non-responders. For consistency, the results presented for Trial 2 represent the post-hoc analysis using the restricted medication thresholds as defined in Trial 3. The most commonly involved SLEDAI-2K organ domains were mucocutaneous, musculoskeletal and immune. |
Effect on Concomitant Steroid Treatment
In Trial 3, among the 47% of patients with a baseline OCS use ≥10 mg/day, SAPHNELO demonstrated a statistically significant difference in the proportion of patients able to reduce OCS use by at least 25% to ≤7.5 mg/day at Week 40 and maintain the reduction through Week 52 (p-value = 0.004); 52% (45/87) of patients in the SAPHNELO group versus 30% (25/83) in the placebo group achieved this level of steroid reduction (difference 21% [95% CI 6.8, 35.7]). Consistent trends in favor of SAPHNELO compared to placebo, on effect of reduction of OCS use, were observed in Trial 1 and 2, but the difference was not statistically significant.
Subcutaneous Administration in Adults with Moderate to Severe SLE
The safety and efficacy of SAPHNELO administered subcutaneously were evaluated in a 52-week treatment period, multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial (Trial 5 [NCT04877691]). All patients were ≥18 years of age, diagnosed with SLE according to the American College of Rheumatology (1997 revised) classification criteria, and had moderate to severe disease, with a SLEDAI-2K score ≥6 points, organ level involvement based on BILAG assessment, and a PGA score ≥1, despite receiving standard SLE therapy consisting of either one or any combination of OCS, antimalarials and/or immunosuppressants at baseline. Patients continued to receive their existing SLE therapy at stable doses during the trial, with the exception of OCS (prednisone or equivalent) where tapering was a component of the protocol. Patients who had severe active lupus nephritis or severe active central nervous system lupus were excluded.
Patients were randomized (1:1) to receive SAPHNELO 120 mg plus standard therapy or placebo plus standard therapy by subcutaneous injection once every week. Randomization was stratified by SLEDAI-2K score at baseline (<10 vs ≥10 points), OCS dose on Day 1 (<10 mg/day vs ≥10 mg/day prednisone or equivalent) and interferon gene signature test results (high vs low).
A pre-specified interim analysis was conducted when the first 220 randomized patients completed Week 52 or had withdrawn from the trial. Of these, 89% were female, 45% Hispanic or Latino, 78% White, 7% American Indian or Alaska Native, 7% Asian, and 4% Black/African American. The mean age was 43 years. At baseline, the mean SLEDAI-2K score was 10.9 (SD: 3.4) and 67% had high disease activity (SLEDAI-2K score ≥10), 45% had severe disease (BILAG A) in at least 1 organ system and 50% had moderate disease (BILAG B) in at least 2 organ systems. The most commonly affected organ systems (BILAG A or B at baseline) were the musculoskeletal (95%) and mucocutaneous (92%) systems; 2% cardiorespiratory and 2% renal organ domain involvement. At baseline, 95% had abnormal ANA, 40% were positive for anti-dsDNA antibodies; 33% of patients had abnormal C3, and 24% abnormal C4. Background SLE standard therapy included OCS (82%; mean daily dose, prednisone or equivalent, 9.8 mg), immunosuppressants (56%), and anti-malarials (80%). During Weeks 8-40, patients with a baseline OCS ≥10 mg/day were required to taper their OCS dose to ≤7.5 mg/day, unless there was worsening of disease activity.
The primary endpoint was BICLA response rate measured at Week 52. At the interim analysis, SAPHNELO by subcutaneous administration demonstrated a statistically significant and clinically meaningful reduction of overall disease activity compared with placebo (Table 5).
Table 5: BICLA Response Rate at Week 52 in Adults with Moderate to Severe SLE in Trial 5
|
SAPHNELO
120 mg once weekly
(N=109) |
Placebo
(N=111) |
| BICLA Response |
| Responder, n (%)* |
64 (58.5) |
48 (43.2) |
| Difference in Response Rates, % (95% CI) |
15.3 (2.1, 28.5)
p-value=0.0231† |
| Components of BICLA Response |
| BILAG Improvement, n (%) |
64 (58.5) |
48 (43.3) |
| No Worsening of SLEDAI-2K, n (%) |
80 (73.4) |
77 (68.9) |
| No Worsening of PGA, n (%) |
80 (73.5) |
78 (70.0) |
The response rates, associated difference, and 95% CI are calculated using a Cochran-Mantel-Haenszel approach adjusted for stratification factors.
* Per protocol, patients who used restricted medications beyond the protocol-specified thresholds, discontinued investigational product or died were considered non-responders.
† Based on an interim analysis using Pocock alpha spending function with an information fraction of 0.6. The primary endpoint was tested at the alpha level of 0.0354 at the interim analysis. |
Subgroup analysis by disease severity (based on baseline SLEDAI-2K, <10 points, ≥10 points) and baseline OCS use (<10 mg/day, ≥10 mg/day) did not identify differences in response to SAPHNELO.