All about Drugs, live, by DR ANTHONY MELVIN CRASTO, Worlddrugtracker, OPEN SUPERSTAR Helping millions, 10 million hits on google, pushing boundaries,2.5 lakh plus connections worldwide, 29 lakh plus VIEWS on this blog in 223 countries, 7 CONTINENTS The views expressed are my personal and in no-way suggest the views of the professional body or the company that I represent, USE CTRL AND+ KEY TO ENLARGE BLOG VIEW……………………A 90 % paralysed man in action for you, I am suffering from transverse mylitis and bound to a wheel chair, With death on the horizon, I have lot to acheive
DR ANTHONY MELVIN CRASTO, Born in Mumbai in 1964 and graduated from Mumbai University, Completed his Ph.D from ICT, 1991,Matunga, Mumbai, India, in Organic Chemistry, The thesis topic was Synthesis of Novel Pyrethroid Analogues, Currently he is working with GLENMARK PHARMACEUTICALS LTD, Research Centre as Principal Scientist, Process Research (bulk actives) at Mahape, Navi Mumbai, India. Total Industry exp 30 plus yrs, Prior to joining Glenmark, he has worked with major multinationals like Hoechst Marion Roussel, now Sanofi, Searle India Ltd, now RPG lifesciences, etc. He has worked with notable scientists like Dr K Nagarajan, Dr Ralph Stapel, Prof S Seshadri, Dr T.V. Radhakrishnan and Dr B. K. Kulkarni, etc, He did custom synthesis for major multinationals in his career like BASF, Novartis, Sanofi, etc., He has worked in Discovery, Natural products, Bulk drugs, Generics, Intermediates, Fine chemicals, Neutraceuticals, GMP, Scaleups, etc, he is now helping millions, has 9 million plus hits on Google on all Organic chemistry websites. His friends call him Open superstar worlddrugtracker. His New Drug Approvals, Green Chemistry International, All about drugs, Eurekamoments, Organic spectroscopy international,
etc in organic chemistry are some most read blogs He has hands on experience in initiation and developing novel routes for drug molecules
and implementation them on commercial scale over a 30 year tenure till date Dec 2017, Around 35 plus products in his career. He has good knowledge of IPM, GMP, Regulatory aspects, he has several International patents published worldwide . He has good proficiency in Technology transfer, Spectroscopy, Stereochemistry, Synthesis, Polymorphism etc., He suffered a paralytic stroke/ Acute Transverse mylitis in Dec 2007 and is 90 %Paralysed, He is bound to a wheelchair, this seems to have injected feul in him to help chemists all around the world, he is more active than before and is pushing boundaries, He has 9 million plus hits on Google, 2.5 lakh plus connections on all networking sites, 50 Lakh plus views on dozen plus blogs, He makes himself available to all, contact him on +91 9323115463, email amcrasto@gmail.com, Twitter, @amcrasto , He lives and will die for his family, 90% paralysis cannot kill his soul., Notably he has 19 lakh plus views on New Drug Approvals Blog in 216 countries......https://newdrugapprovals.wordpress.com/ , He appreciates the help he gets from one and all, Friends, Family, Glenmark, Readers, Wellwishers, Doctors, Drug authorities, His Contacts, Physiotherapist, etc
Dostarlimab, sold under the brand name Jemperli, is a monoclonal antibody medication used for the treatment of endometrial cancer.[1][2][3][4]
The most common adverse reactions (≥20%) were fatigue/asthenia, nausea, diarrhea, anemia, and constipation.[1][2] The most common grade 3 or 4 adverse reactions (≥2%) were anemia and transaminases increased.[1][2]
Dostarlimab is a programmed death receptor-1 (PD-1)–blocking antibody.[1][2]
Dostarlimab was approved for medical use in the United States in April 2021.[1][2][5]
NAME
DOSAGE
STRENGTH
ROUTE
LABELLER
MARKETING START
MARKETING END
Jemperli
Injection
50 mg/1mL
Intravenous
GlaxoSmithKline LLC
2021-04-22
Not applicable
Medical uses
Dostarlimab is indicated for the treatment of adults with mismatch repair deficient (dMMR) recurrent or advanced endometrial cancer, as determined by an FDA-approved test, that has progressed on or following prior treatment with a platinum-containing regimen.[1][2]
On April 22, 2021, the Food and Drug Administration granted accelerated approval to dostarlimab-gxly (Jemperli, GlaxoSmithKline LLC) for adult patients with mismatch repair deficient (dMMR) recurrent or advanced endometrial cancer, as determined by an FDA-approved test, that has progressed on or following a prior platinum-containing regimen.
Efficacy was evaluated based on cohort (A1) in GARNET Trial (NCT02715284), a multicenter, multicohort, open-label trial in patients with advanced solid tumors. The efficacy population consisted of 71 patients with dMMR recurrent or advanced endometrial cancer who progressed on or after a platinum-containing regimen. Patients received dostarlimab-gxly, 500 mg intravenously, every 3 weeks for 4 doses followed by 1,000 mg intravenously every 6 weeks.
The main efficacy endpoints were overall response rate (ORR) and duration of response (DOR), as assessed by blinded independent central review (BICR) according to RECIST 1.1. Confirmed ORR was 42.3% (95% CI: 30.6%, 54.6%). The complete response rate was 12.7% and partial response rate was 29.6%. Median DOR was not reached, with 93.3% of patients having durations ≥6 months (range: 2.6 to 22.4 months, ongoing at last assessment).
Serious adverse reactions occurred in 34% of patients receiving dostarlimab-gxly. Serious adverse reactions in >2% of patients included sepsis , acute kidney injury , urinary tract infection , abdominal pain , and pyrexia . The most common adverse reactions (≥20%) were fatigue/asthenia, nausea, diarrhea, anemia, and constipation. The most common grade 3 or 4 adverse reactions (≥2%) were anemia and transaminases increased. Immune-mediated adverse reactions can occur including pneumonitis, colitis, hepatitis, endocrinopathies, and nephritis.
The recommended dostarlimab-gxly dose and schedule (doses 1 through 4) is 500 mg every 3 weeks. Subsequent dosing, beginning 3 weeks after dose 4, is 1,000 mg every 6 weeks until disease progression or unacceptable toxicity. Dostarlimab-gxly should be administered as an intravenous infusion over 30 minutes.
This indication is approved under accelerated approval based on tumor response rate and durability of response. Continued approval for this indication may be contingent upon verification and description of clinical benefit in a confirmatory trial(s).
FDA also approved the VENTANA MMR RxDx Panel as a companion diagnostic device for selecting endometrial cancer patients for treatment with dostarlimab-gxly.
This review used the Real-Time Oncology Review (RTOR) pilot program, which streamlined data submission prior to the filing of the entire clinical application, and the Assessment Aid, a voluntary submission from the applicant to facilitate the FDA’s assessment.
Serious adverse reactions in >2% of patients included sepsis, acute kidney injury, urinary tract infection, abdominal pain, and pyrexia.[1][2]
Immune-mediated adverse reactions can occur including pneumonitis, colitis, hepatitis, endocrinopathies, and nephritis.[1][2]
History
Like several other available and experimental monoclonal antibodies, it is a PD-1 inhibitor. As of 2020, it is undergoing Phase I/II and Phase III clinical trials.[6][7][8] The manufacturer, Tesaro, announced prelimary successful results from the Phase I/II GARNET study.[6][9][10]
In 2020, the GARNET study announced that Dostarlimab was demonstrating potential to treat a subset of women with recurrent or advanced endometrial cancer.[11]
April 2021, Dostarlimab is approved for the treatment of recurrent or advanced endometrial cancer with deficient mismatch repair (dMMR), which are genetic anomalies abnormalities that disrupt DNA repair.[12]
On April 22, 2021, the Food and Drug Administration granted accelerated approval to dostarlimab-gxly (Jemperli, GlaxoSmithKline LLC).[1] Efficacy was evaluated based on cohort (A1) in GARNET Trial (NCT02715284), a multicenter, multicohort, open-label trial in patients with advanced solid tumors.[1]
Society and culture
Legal status
On 25 February 2021, the Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) of the European Medicines Agency (EMA) adopted a positive opinion, recommending the granting of a conditional marketing authorization for the medicinal product Jemperli, intended for the treatment of certain types of recurrent or advanced endometrial cancer.[13] The applicant for this medicinal product is GlaxoSmithKline (Ireland) Limited.[13]
^ Jump up to:ab Clinical trial number NCT02715284 for “A Phase 1 Dose Escalation and Cohort Expansion Study of TSR-042, an Anti-PD-1 Monoclonal Antibody, in Patients With Advanced Solid Tumors (GARNET)” at ClinicalTrials.gov
^ Clinical trial number NCT03981796 for “A Study of Dostarlimab (TSR-042) Plus Carboplatin-paclitaxel Versus Placebo Plus Carboplatin-paclitaxel in Patients With Recurrent or Primary Advanced Endometrial Cancer (RUBY)” at ClinicalTrials.gov
^ Clinical trial number NCT03602859 for “A Phase 3 Comparison of Platinum-Based Therapy With TSR-042 and Niraparib Versus Standard of Care Platinum-Based Therapy as First-Line Treatment of Stage III or IV Nonmucinous Epithelial Ovarian Cancer (FIRST)” at ClinicalTrials.gov
“Dostarlimab”. Drug Information Portal. U.S. National Library of Medicine.
Clinical trial number NCT02715284 for “Study of TSR-042, an Anti-programmed Cell Death-1 Receptor (PD-1) Monoclonal Antibody, in Participants With Advanced Solid Tumors (GARNET)” at ClinicalTrials.gov
Kaplon H, Muralidharan M, Schneider Z, Reichert JM: Antibodies to watch in 2020. MAbs. 2020 Jan-Dec;12(1):1703531. doi: 10.1080/19420862.2019.1703531. [Article]
Temrikar ZH, Suryawanshi S, Meibohm B: Pharmacokinetics and Clinical Pharmacology of Monoclonal Antibodies in Pediatric Patients. Paediatr Drugs. 2020 Apr;22(2):199-216. doi: 10.1007/s40272-020-00382-7. [Article]
Green AK, Feinberg J, Makker V: A Review of Immune Checkpoint Blockade Therapy in Endometrial Cancer. Am Soc Clin Oncol Educ Book. 2020 Mar;40:1-7. doi: 10.1200/EDBK_280503. [Article]
Deshpande M, Romanski PA, Rosenwaks Z, Gerhardt J: Gynecological Cancers Caused by Deficient Mismatch Repair and Microsatellite Instability. Cancers (Basel). 2020 Nov 10;12(11). pii: cancers12113319. doi: 10.3390/cancers12113319. [Article]
FDA Approved Drug Products: Jemperli (dostarlimab-gxly) for intravenous injection [Link]
FDA News Release: FDA grants accelerated approval to dostarlimab-gxly for dMMR endometrial cancer [Link]
Statement on a Nonproprietary Name Adopted by the USAN Council: Dostarlimab [Link]
Immunoglobulin G4, anti-(human protein ANGPTL3 (angiopoietin-like 3)) (human monoclonal REGN1500 heavy chain), disulfide with human monoclonal REGN1500 light chain, dimer
Evinacumab is a recombinant human IgG4 monoclonal antibody targeted against angiopoietin-like protein 3 (ANGPTL3) and the first drug of its kind. The ANGPTL family of proteins serve a number of physiologic functions – including involvement in the regulation of lipid metabolism – which have made them desirable therapeutic targets in recent years.2 Loss-of-function mutations in ANGPTL3 have been noted to result in hypolipidemia and subsequent reductions in cardiovascular risk, whereas increases in function appear to be associated with cardiovascular risk, and it was these observations that provided a rationale for the development of a therapy targeted against ANGPTL3.3
In February 2021, evinacumab became the first-and-only inhibitor of ANGPTL3 to receive FDA approval after it was granted approval for the adjunctive treatment of homozygous familial hypercholesterolemia (HoFH) under the brand name “Evkeeza”.8 Evinacumab is novel in its mechanism of action compared with other lipid-lowering therapies and therefore provides a unique and synergistic therapeutic option in the treatment of HoFH.
Common side effects include nasopharyngitis (cold), influenza-like illness, dizziness, rhinorrhea (runny nose), and nausea. Serious hypersensitivity (allergic) reactions have occurred in the Evkeeza clinical trials.[2]
Evinacumab binds to the angiopoietin-like protein 3 (ANGPTL3).[2] ANGPTL3 slows the function of certain enzymes that break down fats in the body.[2] Evinacumab blocks ANGPTL3, allowing faster break down of fats that lead to high cholesterol.[2] Evinacumab was approved for medical use in the United States in February 2021.[2][3]
NAME
DOSAGE
STRENGTH
ROUTE
LABELLER
MARKETING START
MARKETING END
Evkeeza
Injection, solution, concentrate
150 mg/1mL
Intravenous
Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
2021-02-11
Not applicable
Evkeeza
Injection, solution, concentrate
150 mg/1mL
Intravenous
Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
2021-02-11
Not applicable
History
The effectiveness and safety of evinacumab were evaluated in a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled, 24-week trial enrolling 65 participants with homozygous familial hypercholesterolemia (HoFH).[2] In the trial, 43 participants received 15 mg/kg of evinacumab every four weeks and 22 participants received the placebo.[2] Participants were taking other lipid-lowering therapies as well.[2]
The primary measure of effectiveness was the percent change in low-density lipoprotein (LDL-C) from the beginning of treatment to week 24.[2] At week 24, participants receiving evinacumab had an average 47% decrease in LDL-C while participants on the placebo had an average 2% increase.[2]
EMA……Ogluo (glucagon), a hybrid medicine for the treatment of severe hypoglycaemia in diabetes mellitus. Hybrid applications rely in part on the results of pre-clinical tests and clinical trials of an already authorised reference product and in part on new data.
Ogluo will be available as 0.5 and 1 mg solution for injection. The active substance of Ogluo is glucagon, a pancreatic hormone (ATC code: H04AA01); glucagon increases blood glucose concentration by stimulating glycogen breakdown and release of glucose from the liver.
The benefits with Ogluo are its ability to restore blood glucose levels in hypoglycaemic subjects. The most common side effects are nausea and vomiting.
Ogluo is a hybrid medicine1 of GlucaGen/GlucaGen Hypokit; GlucaGen has been authorised in the EU since October 1962. Ogluo contains the same active substance as GlucaGen but is available as a ready-to-use formulation intended for subcutaneous injection.
1 Hybrid applications rely in part on the results of pre-clinical tests and clinical trials for a reference product and in part on new data.
Glucagon is a peptide hormone, produced by alpha cells of the pancreas. It works to raise the concentration of glucose and fatty acids in the bloodstream, and is considered to be the main catabolic hormone of the body.[3] It is also used as a medication to treat a number of health conditions. Its effect is opposite to that of insulin, which lowers extracellular glucose.[4] It is produced from proglucagon, encoded by the GCG gene.
The pancreas releases glucagon when the amount of glucose in the bloodstream is too low. Glucagon causes the liver to engage in glycogenolysis: converting stored glycogen into glucose, which is released into the bloodstream.[5] High blood-glucose levels, on the other hand, stimulate the release of insulin. Insulin allows glucose to be taken up and used by insulin-dependent tissues. Thus, glucagon and insulin are part of a feedback system that keeps blood glucose levels stable. Glucagon increases energy expenditure and is elevated under conditions of stress.[6] Glucagon belongs to the secretin family of hormones.
Function
Glucagon generally elevates the concentration of glucose in the blood by promoting gluconeogenesis and glycogenolysis.[7] Glucagon also decreases fatty acid synthesis in adipose tissue and the liver, as well as promoting lipolysis in these tissues, which causes them to release fatty acids into circulation where they can be catabolised to generate energy in tissues such as skeletal muscle when required.[8]
Glucose is stored in the liver in the form of the polysaccharide glycogen, which is a glucan (a polymer made up of glucose molecules). Liver cells (hepatocytes) have glucagon receptors. When glucagon binds to the glucagon receptors, the liver cells convert the glycogen into individual glucose molecules and release them into the bloodstream, in a process known as glycogenolysis. As these stores become depleted, glucagon then encourages the liver and kidney to synthesize additional glucose by gluconeogenesis. Glucagon turns off glycolysis in the liver, causing glycolytic intermediates to be shuttled to gluconeogenesis.
Glucagon also regulates the rate of glucose production through lipolysis. Glucagon induces lipolysis in humans under conditions of insulin suppression (such as diabetes mellitus type 1).[9]
Glucagon production appears to be dependent on the central nervous system through pathways yet to be defined. In invertebrate animals, eyestalk removal has been reported to affect glucagon production. Excising the eyestalk in young crayfish produces glucagon-induced hyperglycemia.[10]
Mechanism of action
Metabolic regulation of glycogen by glucagon.
Glucagon binds to the glucagon receptor, a G protein-coupled receptor, located in the plasma membrane of the cell. The conformation change in the receptor activates G proteins, a heterotrimeric protein with α, β, and γ subunits. When the G protein interacts with the receptor, it undergoes a conformational change that results in the replacement of the GDP molecule that was bound to the α subunit with a GTP molecule. This substitution results in the releasing of the α subunit from the β and γ subunits. The alpha subunit specifically activates the next enzyme in the cascade, adenylate cyclase.
Adenylate cyclase manufactures cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cyclic AMP or cAMP), which activates protein kinase A (cAMP-dependent protein kinase). This enzyme, in turn, activates phosphorylase kinase, which then phosphorylates glycogen phosphorylase b (PYG b), converting it into the active form called phosphorylase a (PYG a). Phosphorylase a is the enzyme responsible for the release of glucose 1-phosphate from glycogen polymers. An example of the pathway would be when glucagon binds to a transmembrane protein. The transmembrane proteins interacts with Gɑβ𝛾. Gɑ separates from Gβ𝛾 and interacts with the transmembrane protein adenylyl cyclase. Adenylyl cyclase catalyzes the conversion of ATP to cAMP. cAMP binds to protein kinase A, and the complex phosphorylates phosphorylase kinase.[11] Phosphorylated phosphorylase kinase phosphorylates phosphorylase. Phosphorylated phosphorylase clips glucose units from glycogen as glucose 1-phosphate. Additionally, the coordinated control of glycolysis and gluconeogenesis in the liver is adjusted by the phosphorylation state of the enzymes that catalyze the formation of a potent activator of glycolysis called fructose 2,6-bisphosphate.[12] The enzyme protein kinase A (PKA) that was stimulated by the cascade initiated by glucagon will also phosphorylate a single serine residue of the bifunctional polypeptide chain containing both the enzymes fructose 2,6-bisphosphatase and phosphofructokinase-2. This covalent phosphorylation initiated by glucagon activates the former and inhibits the latter. This regulates the reaction catalyzing fructose 2,6-bisphosphate (a potent activator of phosphofructokinase-1, the enzyme that is the primary regulatory step of glycolysis)[13] by slowing the rate of its formation, thereby inhibiting the flux of the glycolysis pathway and allowing gluconeogenesis to predominate. This process is reversible in the absence of glucagon (and thus, the presence of insulin).
Glucagon stimulation of PKA also inactivates the glycolytic enzyme pyruvate kinase in hepatocytes.[14]
Physiology
Production
A microscopic image stained for glucagon
The hormone is synthesized and secreted from alpha cells (α-cells) of the islets of Langerhans, which are located in the endocrine portion of the pancreas. Production, which is otherwise freerunning, is suppressed/regulated by amylin, a peptide hormone co-secreted with insulin from the pancreatic β cells.[15] As plasma glucose levels recede, the subsequent reduction in amylin secretion alleviates its suppression of the α cells, allowing for glucagon secretion.
In rodents, the alpha cells are located in the outer rim of the islet. Human islet structure is much less segregated, and alpha cells are distributed throughout the islet in close proximity to beta cells. Glucagon is also produced by alpha cells in the stomach.[16]
Recent research has demonstrated that glucagon production may also take place outside the pancreas, with the gut being the most likely site of extrapancreatic glucagon synthesis.[17]
Elevated glucagon is the main contributor to hyperglycemic ketoacidosis in undiagnosed or poorly treated type 1 diabetes. As the beta cells cease to function, insulin and pancreatic GABA are no longer present to suppress the freerunning output of glucagon. As a result, glucagon is released from the alpha cells at a maximum, causing rapid breakdown of glycogen to glucose and fast ketogenesis.[29] It was found that a subset of adults with type 1 diabetes took 4 times longer on average to approach ketoacidosis when given somatostatin (inhibits glucagon production) with no insulin. Inhibiting glucagon has been a popular idea of diabetes treatment, however some have warned that doing so will give rise to brittle diabetes in patients with adequately stable blood glucose.[citation needed]
The absence of alpha cells (and hence glucagon) is thought to be one of the main influences in the extreme volatility of blood glucose in the setting of a total pancreatectomy.
History
In the 1920s, Kimball and Murlin studied pancreatic extracts, and found an additional substance with hyperglycemic properties. They described glucagon in 1923.[30] The amino acid sequence of glucagon was described in the late 1950s.[31] A more complete understanding of its role in physiology and disease was not established until the 1970s, when a specific radioimmunoassay was developed.[citation needed]
Etymology
Kimball and Murlin coined the term glucagon in 1923 when they initially named the substance the glucose agonist.[32]
^ Leinen RL, Giannini AJ (1983). “Effect of eyestalk removal on glucagon induced hyperglycemia in crayfish”. Society for Neuroscience Abstracts. 9: 604.
^ Claus TH, El-Maghrabi MR, Regen DM, Stewart HB, McGrane M, Kountz PD, Nyfeler F, Pilkis J, Pilkis SJ (1984). “The role of fructose 2,6-bisphosphate in the regulation of carbohydrate metabolism”. Current Topics in Cellular Regulation. 23: 57–86. doi:10.1016/b978-0-12-152823-2.50006-4. ISBN9780121528232. PMID6327193.
^ Skoglund G, Lundquist I, Ahrén B (November 1987). “Alpha 1- and alpha 2-adrenoceptor activation increases plasma glucagon levels in the mouse”. European Journal of Pharmacology. 143 (1): 83–8. doi:10.1016/0014-2999(87)90737-0. PMID2891547.
^ Honey RN, Weir GC (October 1980). “Acetylcholine stimulates insulin, glucagon, and somatostatin release in the perfused chicken pancreas”. Endocrinology. 107 (4): 1065–8. doi:10.1210/endo-107-4-1065. PMID6105951.
^ Xu E, Kumar M, Zhang Y, Ju W, Obata T, Zhang N, Liu S, Wendt A, Deng S, Ebina Y, Wheeler MB, Braun M, Wang Q (January 2006). “Intra-islet insulin suppresses glucagon release via GABA-GABAA receptor system”. Cell Metabolism. 3 (1): 47–58. doi:10.1016/j.cmet.2005.11.015. PMID16399504.
^ Krätzner R, Fröhlich F, Lepler K, Schröder M, Röher K, Dickel C, Tzvetkov MV, Quentin T, Oetjen E, Knepel W (February 2008). “A peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma-retinoid X receptor heterodimer physically interacts with the transcriptional activator PAX6 to inhibit glucagon gene transcription”. Molecular Pharmacology. 73 (2): 509–17. doi:10.1124/mol.107.035568. PMID17962386. S2CID10108970.
^ Unger RH, Orci L (June 1981). “Glucagon and the A cell: physiology and pathophysiology (first two parts)”. The New England Journal of Medicine. 304 (25): 1518–24. doi:10.1056/NEJM198106183042504. PMID7015132.
^ Orskov C, Holst JJ, Poulsen SS, Kirkegaard P (November 1987). “Pancreatic and intestinal processing of proglucagon in man”. Diabetologia. 30 (11): 874–81. doi:10.1007/BF00274797 (inactive 2020-10-11). PMID3446554.
^ John AM, Schwartz RA (December 2016). “Glucagonoma syndrome: a review and update on treatment”. Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology. 30 (12): 2016–2022. doi:10.1111/jdv.13752. PMID27422767. S2CID1228654.
^ Fasanmade OA, Odeniyi IA, Ogbera AO (June 2008). “Diabetic ketoacidosis: diagnosis and management”. African Journal of Medicine and Medical Sciences. 37 (2): 99–105. PMID18939392.
^ Bromer W, Winn L, Behrens O (1957). “The amino acid sequence of glucagon V. Location of amide groups, acid degradation studies and summary of sequential evidence”. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 79 (11): 2807–2810. doi:10.1021/ja01568a038.
On November 25, 2020, the Food and Drug Administration granted accelerated approval to naxitamab (DANYELZA, Y-mAbs Therapeutics, Inc.) in combination with granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) for pediatric patients one year of age and older and adult patients with relapsed or refractory high-risk neuroblastoma in the bone or bone marrow demonstrating a partial response, minor response, or stable disease to prior therapy.
Efficacy was evaluated in patients with relapsed or refractory neuroblastoma in the bone or bone marrow enrolled in two single-arm, open-label trials: Study 201 (NCT 03363373) and Study 12-230 (NCT 01757626). Patients with progressive disease following their most recent therapy were excluded. Patients received 3 mg/kg naxitamab administered as an intravenous infusion on days 1, 3, and 5 of each 4-week cycle in combination with GM-CSF subcutaneously at 250 µg/m2/day on days -4 to 0 and at 500 µg/m2/day on days 1 to 5. At the investigator’s discretion, patients were permitted to receive pre-planned radiation to the primary disease site in Study 201 and radiation therapy to non-target bony lesions or soft tissue disease in Study 12-230.
The main efficacy outcome measures were confirmed overall response rate (ORR) per the revised International Neuroblastoma Response Criteria (INRC) and duration of response (DOR). Among 22 patients treated in the multicenter Study 201, the ORR was 45% (95% CI: 24%, 68%) and 30% of responders had a DOR greater or equal to 6 months. Among 38 patients treated in the single-center Study 12-230, the ORR was 34% (95% CI: 20%, 51%) with 23% of patients having a DOR greater or equal to 6 months. For both trials, responses were observed in either the bone, bone marrow or both.
The prescribing information contains a Boxed Warning stating that naxitamab can cause serious infusion-related reactions and neurotoxicity, including severe neuropathic pain, transverse myelitis and reversible posterior leukoencephalopathy syndrome (RPLS). To mitigate these risks, patients should receive premedication prior to each naxitamab infusion and be closely monitored during and for at least two hours following completion of each infusion.
The most common adverse reactions (incidence ≥25% in either trial) in patients receiving naxitamab were infusion-related reactions, pain, tachycardia, vomiting, cough, nausea, diarrhea, decreased appetite, hypertension, fatigue, erythema multiforme, peripheral neuropathy, urticaria, pyrexia, headache, injection site reaction, edema, anxiety, localized edema, and irritability. The most common Grade 3 or 4 laboratory abnormalities (≥5% in either trial) were decreased lymphocytes, decreased neutrophils, decreased hemoglobin, decreased platelet count, decreased potassium, increased alanine aminotransferase, decreased glucose, decreased calcium, decreased albumin, decreased sodium and decreased phosphate.
The recommended naxitamab dose is 3 mg/kg/day (up to 150 mg/day) on days 1, 3, and 5 of each treatment cycle, administered after dilution as an intravenous infusion in combination with GM-CSF, subcutaneously at 250 µg/m2/day on days -4 to 0 and at 500 µg/m2/day on days 1 to 5. Treatment cycles are repeated every 4 to 8 weeks.
This review used the Real-Time Oncology Review (RTOR) pilot program and the Assessment Aid, a voluntary submission from the applicant to facilitate the FDA’s assessment.
This application was granted accelerated approval based on overall response rate and duration of response. Continued approval may be contingent upon verification and description of clinical benefit in confirmatory trials.
FDA 11/25/2020, Imcivree, To treat obesity and the control of hunger associated with pro-opiomelanocortin deficiency, a rare disorder that causes severe obesity that begins at an early age Drug Trials Snapshot, 10MG/ML, SOLUTION;SUBCUTANEOUS, Orphan
DESCRIPTION
IMCIVREE contains setmelanotide acetate, a melanocortin 4 (MC4) receptor agonist. Setmelanotide is an 8 amino acid cyclic peptideanalog of endogenous melanocortin peptide α-MSH (alpha-melanocyte stimulating hormone).
The chemical name for setmelanotide acetate is acetyl-L-arginyl-L-cysteinyl-D-alanyl-Lhistidinyl-D-phenylalanyl-L-arginyl-L-tryptophanyl-L-cysteinamide cyclic (2→8)-disulfide acetate. Its molecular formula is C49H68N18O9S2 (anhydrous, free-base), and molecular mass is 1117.3 Daltons (anhydrous, free-base).
The chemical structure of setmelanotide is:
IMCIVREE injection is a sterile clear to slightly opalescent, colorless to slightly yellow solution. Each 1 mL of IMCIVREE contains 10 mg of setmelanotide provided as setmelanotide acetate, which is a salt with 2 to 4 molar equivalents of acetate, and the following inactive ingredients: 100 mg N-(carbonyl-methoxypolyethylene glycol 2000)-1,2-distearoyl-glycero-3phosphoethanolamine sodium salt, 8 mg carboxymethylcellulose sodium (average MWt 90,500), 11 mg mannitol, 5 mg phenol, 10 mg benzyl alcohol, 1 mg edetate disodium dihydrate, and Water for Injection. The pH of IMCIVREE is 5 to 6.
Setmelanotide is a peptide drug and investigational anti-obesity medication which acts as a selective agonist of the MC4 receptor. Setmelanotide binds to and activates MC4 receptors in the paraventricular nucleus (PVN) of the hypothalamus and in the lateral hypothalamic area (LHA), areas involved in the regulation of appetite, and this action is thought to underlie its appetite suppressant effects. Setmelanotide increases resting energy expenditure in both obese animals and humans. Setmelanotide has been reported to possess the following activity profile (cAMP, EC50): MC4 (0.27 nM) > MC3 (5.3 nM) ≈ MC1 (5.8 nM) > MC5 (1600 nM) ≟ MC2 (>1000 nM).
Setmelanotide, sold under the brand name Imcivree, is a medication for the treatment of obesity.[1]
The most common side effects include injection site reactions, skin hyperpigmentation (skin patches that are darker than surrounding skin), headache and gastrointestinal side effects (such as nausea, diarrhea, and abdominal pain), among others.[1] Spontaneous penile erections in males and adverse sexual reactions in females have occurred with treatment.[1] Depression and suicidal ideation have also occurred with setmelanotide.[1]
SYN
WO 2011060355
Medical uses
Setmelanotide is indicated for chronic weight management (weight loss and weight maintenance for at least one year) in people six years and older with obesity due to three rare genetic conditions: pro-opiomelanocortin (POMC) deficiency, proprotein subtilisin/kexin type 1 (PCSK1) deficiency, and leptin receptor (LEPR) deficiency confirmed by genetic testing demonstrating variants in POMC, PCSK1, or LEPR genes considered pathogenic (causing disease), likely pathogenic, or of uncertain significance.[1] Setmelanotide is the first FDA-approved treatment for these genetic conditions.[1]
Setmelanotide is not approved for obesity due to suspected POMC, PCSK1, or LEPR deficiency with variants classified as benign (not causing disease) or likely benign or other types of obesity, including obesity associated with other genetic syndromes and general (polygenic) obesity.[1]
Setmelanotide has been reported to possess the following activity profile (cAMP, EC50): MC4 (0.27 nM) > MC3 (5.3 nM) ≈ MC1 (5.8 nM) > MC5 (1600 nM) ≟ MC2 (>1000 nM).[5] (19.6-fold selectivity for MC4 over MC3, the second target of highest activity.)
History
Setmelanotide was evaluated in two one-year studies.[1] The first study enrolled participants with obesity and confirmed or suspected POMC or PCSK1 deficiency while the second study enrolled participants with obesity and confirmed or suspected LEPR deficiency; all participants were six years or older.[1] The effectiveness of setmelanotide was determined by the number of participants who lost more than ten percent of their body weight after a year of treatment.[1]
The effectiveness of setmelanotide was assessed in 21 participants, ten in the first study and eleven in the second.[1] In the first study, 80 percent of participants with POMC or PCSK1 deficiency lost ten percent or more of their body weight.[1] In the second study, 46 percent of participants with LEPR deficiency lost ten percent or more of their body weight.[1]
The study also assessed the maximal (greatest) hunger in sixteen participants over the previous 24 hours using an eleven-point scale in participants twelve years and older.[1] In both studies, some, but not all, of participants’ weekly average maximal hunger scores decreased substantially from their scores at the beginning of the study.[1] The degree of change was highly variable among participants.[1]
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) granted the application for setmelanotide orphan disease designation, breakthrough therapy designation, and priority review.[1] The FDA granted the approval of Imcivree to Rhythm Pharmaceutical, Inc.[1]
Synthesis of Example 1i.e., Ac-Arg-cyclo(Cys-D-Ala-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys)-NH2
The title peptide having the above structure was assembled using Fmoc chemistry on an Apex peptide synthesizer (Aapptec; Louisville, Ky., USA). 220 mg of 0.91 mmol/g (0.20 mmoles) Rink Amide MBHA resin (Polymer Laboratories; Amherst, Mass., USA) was placed in a reaction well and pre-swollen in 3.0 mL of DMF prior to synthesis. For cycle 1, the resin was treated with two 3-mL portions of 25% piperidine in DMF for 5 and 10 minutes respectively, followed by 4 washes of 3-mL DMF—each wash consisting of adding 3 mL of solvent, mixing for 1 minute, and emptying for 1 minute. Amino acids stocks were prepared in NMP as 0.45M solutions containing 0.45M HOBT. HBTU was prepared as a 0.45M solution in NMP and DIPEA was prepared as a 2.73M solution in NMP. To the resin, 2 mL of the first amino acid (0 9 mmoles, Fmoc-Cys(Trt)-OH) (Novabiochem; San Diego, Calif., USA) was added along with 2 mL (0.9 mmoles) of HBTU and 1.5 mL (4.1 mmoles) of DIPEA. After one hour of constant mixing, the coupling reagents were drained from the resin and the coupling step was repeated. Following amino acid acylation, the resin was washed with two 3-mL aliquots of DMF for 1 minute. The process of assembling the peptide (deblock/wash/acylate/wash) was repeated for cycles 2-9 identical to that as described for cycle 1. The following amino acids were used: cycle 2) Fmoc-Trp(Boc)-OH (Genzyme; Cambridge, Mass., USA); cycle 3) Fmoc-Arg(Pbf)-OH (Novabiochem); cycle 4) Fmoc-DPhe-OH (Genzyme); cycle 5) Fmoc-His(Trt)-OH (Novabiochem); cycle 6) Fmoc-D-Ala-OH (Genzyme); cycle 7) Fmoc-Cys(Trt)-OH, (Novabiochem); and cycle 8) Fmoc-Arg(Pbf)-OH (Genzyme). The N-terminal Fmoc was removed with 25% piperidine in DMF as described above, followed by four 3-mL DMF washes for 1 minute. Acetylation of the N-terminus was performed by adding 0.5 mL of 3M DIPEA in NMP to the resin along with 1.45 mL of 0.45M acetic anhydride in NMP. The resin was mixed for 30 minutes and acetylation was repeated. The resin was washed with 3 mL of DMF for a total of 5 times followed with 5 washes with 5 mL of DCM each.
To cleave and deprotect the peptide, 5mL of the following reagent was added to the resin: 2% TIS/5% water/5% (w/v) DTT/88% TFA. The solution was allowed to mix for 3.5 hours. The filtrate was collected into 40 mL of cold anhydrous ethyl ether. The precipitate was pelleted for 10 minutes at 3500 rpm in a refrigerated centrifuge. The ether was decanted and the peptide was re-suspended in fresh ether. The ether workup was performed three times. Following the last ether wash, the peptide was allowed to air dry to remove residual ether.
The peptide was dissolved in 10% acetonitrile and analyzed by mass spectrometry and reverse-phase HPLC employing a 30×4.6 cm C18 column (Vydac; Hesperia, Calif., USA) with a gradient of 2-60% acetonitrile (0.1% TFA) over 30 minutes. This analysis identified a product with ˜53% purity. Mass analysis employing electrospray ionization identified a main product containing a mass of 1118.4 corresponding to the desired linear product. The crude product (˜100 mg) was diluted to a concentration of 2 mg/mL in 5% acetic acid. To this solution, 0.5M iodine/methanol was added dropwise with vigorous stirring until a pale yellow color was achieved. The solution was vigorously stirred for another 10 minutes. Excess iodine was then quenched by adding 1.0M sodium thiosulfate under continuous mixing until the mixture was rendered colorless. The peptide was re-examined by mass spectrometry analysis and HPLC. Mass spectrometry analysis identified a main species with a mass of 1116.4 which indicated successful oxidation to form the cyclic peptide. The peptide solution was purified on a preparative HPLC equipped with a C18 column using a similar elution gradient. The purified product was re-analyzed by HPLC for purity (>95%) and mass spectrometry (1116.9 which is in agreement with the expected mass of 1117.3) and subsequently lyophilized. Following lyophilization, 28 mg of purified product was obtained representing a 24% yield.
The other exemplified peptides were synthesized substantially according to the procedure described for the above-described synthetic process. Physical data for select exemplified peptides are given in Table 1.
The acetate salt of Example 1 (200 mg, 0.18 mmole) was dissolved in 10 mL of water. Sodium pamoate (155 mg, 0.36 mmole) was dissolved in 10 mL of water. The two solutions were combined and mixed well. The precipitates were collected by centrifugation at 3000 rpm for 20 minutes, washed for three times with water, and dried by lyophilization.
^ Jump up to:abc Lee EC, Carpino PA (2015). “Melanocortin-4 receptor modulators for the treatment of obesity: a patent analysis (2008-2014)”. Pharmaceutical Patent Analyst. 4 (2): 95–107. doi:10.4155/ppa.15.1. PMID25853469.
^ Jackson VM, Price DA, Carpino PA (August 2014). “Investigational drugs in Phase II clinical trials for the treatment of obesity: implications for future development of novel therapies”. Expert Opinion on Investigational Drugs. 23 (8): 1055–66. doi:10.1517/13543784.2014.918952. PMID25000213. S2CID23198484.
The peptide sequence is Ac-Arg-Cys(1)-D-Ala-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys(1)-NH2. It is being researched by Rhythm Pharmaceuticals for the treatment of obesity and diabetes. In addition, Rhythm Pharmaceuticals is conducting trials of setmelanotide for the treatment of Prader–Willi syndrome (PWS), a genetic disorder which includes MC4 receptor deficiency and associated symptoms such as excessive appetite and obesity. As of December 2014, the drug is in phase II clinical trials for obesity and PWS.
1: Lee EC, Carpino PA. Melanocortin-4 receptor modulators for the treatment of obesity: a patent analysis (2008-2014). Pharm Pat Anal. 2015;4(2):95-107. doi: 10.4155/ppa.15.1. PubMed PMID: 25853469.
2: Chen KY, Muniyappa R, Abel BS, Mullins KP, Staker P, Brychta RJ, Zhao X, Ring M, Psota TL, Cone RD, Panaro BL, Gottesdiener KM, Van der Ploeg LH, Reitman ML, Skarulis MC. RM-493, a melanocortin-4 receptor (MC4R) agonist, increases resting energy expenditure in obese individuals. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2015 Apr;100(4):1639-45. doi: 10.1210/jc.2014-4024. Epub 2015 Feb 12. PubMed PMID: 25675384; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC4399297.
3: Clemmensen C, Finan B, Fischer K, Tom RZ, Legutko B, Sehrer L, Heine D, Grassl N, Meyer CW, Henderson B, Hofmann SM, Tschöp MH, Van der Ploeg LH, Müller TD. Dual melanocortin-4 receptor and GLP-1 receptor agonism amplifies metabolic benefits in diet-induced obese mice. EMBO Mol Med. 2015 Feb 4;7(3):288-98. doi: 10.15252/emmm.201404508. PubMed PMID: 25652173; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC4364946.
4: Jackson VM, Price DA, Carpino PA. Investigational drugs in Phase II clinical trials for the treatment of obesity: implications for future development of novel therapies. Expert Opin Investig Drugs. 2014 Aug;23(8):1055-66. doi: 10.1517/13543784.2014.918952. Epub 2014 Jul 7. Review. PubMed PMID: 25000213.
5: Kievit P, Halem H, Marks DL, Dong JZ, Glavas MM, Sinnayah P, Pranger L, Cowley MA, Grove KL, Culler MD. Chronic treatment with a melanocortin-4 receptor agonist causes weight loss, reduces insulin resistance, and improves cardiovascular function in diet-induced obese rhesus macaques. Diabetes. 2013 Feb;62(2):490-7. doi: 10.2337/db12-0598. Epub 2012 Oct 9. PubMed PMID: 23048186; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC3554387.
6: Kumar KG, Sutton GM, Dong JZ, Roubert P, Plas P, Halem HA, Culler MD, Yang H, Dixit VD, Butler AA. Analysis of the therapeutic functions of novel melanocortin receptor agonists in MC3R- and MC4R-deficient C57BL/6J mice. Peptides. 2009 Oct;30(10):1892-900. doi: 10.1016/j.peptides.2009.07.012. Epub 2009 Jul 29. PubMed PMID: 19646498; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC2755620.
External links
“Setmelanotide”. Drug Information Portal. U.S. National Library of Medicine.
The most common side effects include neutropenia (low levels of neutrophils, a type of white blood cell), infusion reactions, pneumonia (infection of the lungs), upper respiratory tract infection (such as nose and throat infections), diarrhoea and bronchitis (inflammation of the airways in the lungs).[3]
In the European Union it is indicated, in combination with pomalidomide and dexamethasone, for the treatment of adults with relapsed and refractory multiple myeloma (MM) who have received at least two prior therapies including lenalidomide and a proteasome inhibitor (PI) and have demonstrated disease progression on the last therapy.[3]
Researchers started a Phase I study with isatuximab in combination with pomalidomide and dexamethasone for the treatment of patients with multiple myeloma (MM). The results during the Phase I trial showed that 26 out of the 45 patients discontinued the treatment due to progression of the disease. The patients had already been heavily pretreated. The latter lead to a manageable safety profile where the dose of isatuximab in combination with pomalidomide and dexamethasone would be capped to the maximum of 10 mg/kg weekly every two weeks for future studies.[12]
Based on the remarkable findings during the Phase I trial, a Phase II trial was launched where researchers investigated isatuximab as a single agent in patients with MM. The heavily pretreated patients reacted well to the single administration of isatuximab during Phase II of the trial.[13]
A Phase III combination trial for plasma cell myeloma is comparing pomalidomide and dexamethasone with and without isatuximab is in progress with an estimated completion date of 2021.[medical citation needed]
Additionally, two Phase III trials were added in 2017. The first trial highlights whether there is an added value in the combination of isatuximab with bortezomib, lenalidomide and dexamethasone. The latter will be tested in patients with newly diagnosed MM who are not qualified for a transplant (IMROZ trial). The second trial evaluates the combinations of isatuximab with carfilzomib and dexamethasone compared to carfilzomib with dexamethasone. The second trial was designed for patients who were previously treated with one to three prior lines (IKEMA). There is currently[when?] no treatment for MM, however promising improvements have been made and the study is still ongoing.[14][15]
In March 2020, it was approved for medical use in the United States.[8][9][10]
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved isatuximab-irfc in March 2020, based on evidence from a clinical trial (NCT02990338) of 307 subjects with previously treated multiple myeloma.[10] The trial was conducted at 102 sites in Europe, North America, Asia, Australia and New Zealand.[10]
The trial evaluated the efficacy and side effects of isatuximab-irfc in subjects with previously treated multiple myeloma.[10] Subjects were randomly assigned to receive either isatuximab-irfc (in combination with pomalidomide and low-dose dexamethasone) or active comparator (pomalidomide and low-dose dexamethasone).[10] Treatment was administered in both groups in 28-day cycles until disease progression or unacceptable toxicity.[10] Both subjects and health care providers knew which treatment was given.[10] The trial measured the time patients lived without the cancer growing (progression-free survival or PFS).[10]
It was approved for medical use in the European Union in May 2020.[3]
Structure and reactivity
The structure of isatuximab consists of two identical immunoglobulin kappa light chains and also two equal immunoglobulin gamma heavy chains. Chemically, isatuximab is similar to the structure and reactivity of daratumumab, hence both drugs show the same CD38 targeting. However, isatuximab shows a more potent inhibition of its ectozyme function. The latter gives potential for some non-cross reactivity. Isatuximab shows action of an allosteric antagonist with the inhibition of the CD38 enzymatic activity. Additionally, isatuximab shows potential where it can induce apoptosis without cross linking.[16] Lastly, Isatuximab reveals direct killing activity when a larger increase in apoptosis is detected in CD38 expressing cancer cells. Furthermore, isatuximab demonstrated a dose dependent inhibition of CD38 enzymatic activity. However, daratumumab with the same experimental conditions shows a more limited inhibition without a dose response.[17]
Reactions
Isatuximab binds uniquely to an epitope on the CD38 receptor and is the only CD38 antibody which can start apoptosis directly.[18] Isatuximab binds to a different CD38 epitopeamino-acid sequence than does the anti-CD38 monoclonal antibody daratumumab.[19] The binding with the CD38 receptor is mainly via the gamma heavy chains and are more potent than other CD38 antibodies such as daratumumab which can inhibit the enzymatic activity of CD38. Moreover, isatuximab inhibits the hydrolase activity of CD38.[medical citation needed]
The antibodies show signs of improving antitumor immunity by eliminating regulatory T cells, B cells and myeloid-derived suppressor cells. The difference in binding between isatuximab and daratumumab is in the recognition of the different amino acid groups. Isatuximab identifies 23 amino acids of CD38 to the contrary with daratumumab who has 27. The residue of Glu233 has a flexible sidechain and faces the N-terminal of Asp1 residue in the isatuximab light chain. The latter light chain of isatuximab is also flexible which makes the interaction between CD38/Glu233 and the Asp1 weaker than the other interactions between CD38 and isatuximab. The caspase-dependent apoptotic pathway and the lysosomal mediated cell death pathway in MM cells is induced by isatuximab. The MM cell death follows the downstream reactions of the lysosomal activation. The latter also activates the production of reactive oxygen species.[20]
Available forms
Isatuximab or isatuximab-irfc is available as a drug in an intravenous infusion form. Injection doses are 100 mg/5 mL (20 mg/mL) solution in single-dose vial or 500 mg/25 mL (20 mg/mL) solution in single-dose vial.[4]
Mechanism of action
Cancer of the blood that is distinguished by an overproduction of malignant plasma cells in the bone marrow is called multiple myeloma. The myeloma cells are marked with uniformed overexpression of CD38 surface glycoproteins. Although these proteins are also expressed on other myeloid and lymphoid cells, the extent is relatively minor compared to myeloma cells. The fact that CD38 glycoproteins carry out various important cellular functions, and that they are plentiful on the surface of myeloma cells, has made them an appealing target for multiple myeloma treatment.[21] CD38 was first described as an activation marker, but later the molecule displayed functions in adhesion to endothelial CD31 proteins, e.g. as an aiding component of the synapse complex, as well as an ectoenzyme implicated in the metabolism of extracellular NAD+ and cytoplasmic NADP. The tumour cells can evade the immune system, possibly due to adenosine, an immunosuppressive molecule that arises as a product of the ectoenzymatic activity of CD38.[22]
Isatuximab-irfc is an IgG1-derived monoclonal antibody that selectively binds to the CD38 that exists on the exterior of hematopoietic and multiple myeloma cells (as well as other tumor cells). This drug induces apoptosis of tumor cells and activates immune effector mechanisms such as complement dependent cytotoxicity (CDC), antibody-dependent cellular phagocytosis (ADCP), and antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity (ADCC). Isatuximab-irfc is able to stimulate natural killer (NK) cells in the absence of CD38-positive target tumor cells and blocks CD38-positive T-regulatory cells.[4] Furthermore, the NADase activity of CD38 is adjusted by isatuximab, similarly to other CD38 antibodies. Contrarily to daratumumab however, isatuximab can incite apoptosis directly without cross-linking, and in its binding epitope.[23] According to the FDA, isatuximab-irfc alone has reduced ADCC and direct tumor cell killing activity in vitro in comparison to when it is combined with pomalidomide. As well as increased anti-tumor activity as opposed to isatuximab-irfc or pomalidomide only in a human multiple myeloma xenograft model.[4]
Metabolism and toxicity
Metabolism
Isatuximab-irfc is likely to be metabolized through catabolic pathways into smaller peptides. When isatuximab is at a constant state it is expected that the ≥99% elimination will occur approximately two months after the last dose was administered. The clearance percentage diminished when the dosages were increased over time, as well as when multiple doses were administered. However, the elimination of isatuximab-irfc did not differ when applied as a single agent or as a combination therapy.[4]
Toxicity
A dose-limiting toxicity (DLT) has characterized been characterized as the development of any of the following: grade ≥ 3 non-hematologic toxicity; grade 4 neutropenia or grade 4 thrombocytopenia lasting more than 5 days; grade ≥ 2 allergic reactions or hypersensitivity (i.e., infusion reactions); or any other toxicity considered to be dose-limiting by the investigators or sponsor. Grade ≤ 2 infusion reactions were excluded from the DLT definition, because, with suitable care, patients that suffered a grade 2 infusion reaction prior to completion of the infusion were able to finalize isatuximab administration.[23]
There is no recommended reduced dose of isatuximab-irfc. In the eventuality of hematological toxicity it may be necessary to delay administration so that the blood count may be recovered.[4] Although there is no counteracting agent for isatuximab, clinical experience with overdoses is seemingly nonexistent as well. Overdose symptoms will probably be in line with the side effects attached to isatuximab. Therefore, infusion reactions, gastrointestinal disturbances and an elevated risk of infections may occur. It is necessary to carefully monitor the patient in case of an overdose and to employ clinically indicated symptomatic and supportive procedures.[21]
No studies have been conducted with isatuximab concerning carcinogenicity, genotoxicity or fertility.[4]
Pregnancy
When given to pregnant women isatuximab-irfc can cause fetal injury, due to the mechanism of action. It can precipitate depletion of immune cells as well as decreased bone density in the fetus. Pregnant women are therefore notified of the potential risks to a fetus, and women that are able to reproduce are advised to use effective contraceptives during treatment and at least five months subsequent to the last dose of isatuximab-irfc.
Furthermore, it is not recommended to combine isatuximab-irfc with pomalidomide in women that are carrying a child, because pomalidomide may cause birth defects and death of the unborn child.[4]
Indications
Isatuximab is indicated as a CD38-directed cytolytic antibody. By inhibiting the enzymatic activity of CD38.
The binding of isatuximab to CD38 on multiple myeloma (MM) cells leads to a trigger to several mechanisms leading to direct apoptosis of target cancer cells. The triggered pathways are the caspase-dependent apoptotic and the lysosome-mediated cell death pathway in MM cells.[24]
It is used in a combination with dexamethasone and pomalidomide. The drug is thus to treat patients with multiple myeloma. Restrictions for the use of isatuximab is that the patients have to be adults who have at least received two previous treatments with lenalidomide and a proteasome inhibitor.[4]
Isatuximab is currently[when?] also being tested in a Phase II trial as a monotherapy against refractory/recurrent systemic light-chain amyloidosis.[24]
Efficacy and side effects
Efficacy
A Phase III study of patients with refractory and relapsed MM, who were resistant to lenalidomide and a proteasome inhibitor, and could not have received daratumumab, another anti-CD38 monoclonal antibody was published in 2019 (ICARIA-MM). The addition of isatuximab to pomalidomide and dexamethasone improved progression free survival to 11.5 months compared to 6.5 months, with an overall response rate of 63%.[25]
Side effects
Adverse reactions to isatuximab-irfc may include neutropenia, infusion-related reactions and/or secondary primary malignancies.[4] Of these three the most commonly occurring ones are the infusion-related reactions.[24] Examples of the most frequent symptoms of infusion-related reactions are dyspnea, cough, chills, and nausea, while the severest signs and symptoms included hypertension and dyspnea.[4]
Effects on animals
The activity of isatuximab has been researched in mouse tumor models. It has been proven that isatuximab leads to antitumor activity in MM cells. Furthermore, the combination of isatuximab and pomalidomide will lead to an extra enhanced antitumor activity in MM cells. Thus, pomalidomide in vivo and in vitro leads to an increase of the activity of isatuximab.[24]
Animal studies in reproduction toxicity have not yet been carried out. So, the risks of birth defects and miscarriage risks are unknown.[4]
^ Orlowski RZ, Goldschmidt H, Cavo M, Martin TG, Paux G, Oprea C, Facon T (20 May 2018). “Phase III (IMROZ) study design: Isatuximab plus bortezomib (V), lenalidomide (R), and dexamethasone (d) vs VRd in transplant-ineligible patients (pts) with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma (NDMM)”. Journal of Clinical Oncology. 36 (15_suppl): TPS8055. doi:10.1200/JCO.2018.36.15_suppl.TPS8055.
“Isatuximab”. Drug Information Portal. U.S. National Library of Medicine.
Clinical trial number NCT02990338 for “Multinational Clinical Study Comparing Isatuximab, Pomalidomide, and Dexamethasone to Pomalidomide and Dexamethasone in Refractory or Relapsed and Refractory Multiple Myeloma Patients (ICARIA-MM)” at ClinicalTrials.gov
Bulevirtide is a 47-amino acid peptide with a fatty acid, a myristoyl residue, at the N-terminus and an amidated C-terminus. The active substance is available as acetate salt. The counter ion acetate is bound in ionic form to basic groups of the peptide molecule and is present in a non-stoichiometric ratio. The chemical name of bulevirtide is (N-Myristoyl-glycyl-L-threonyl-L-asparaginyl-L-leucyl-L-seryl-L-valyl-Lprolyl-L-asparaginyl-L-prolyl-L-leucyl-glycyl-L-phenylalanyl-L-phenylalanyl-L-prolyl-L-aspartyl-L-histidyl-Lglutaminyl-L-leucyl-L-aspartyl-L-prolyl-L-alanyl-L-phenylalanyl-glycyl-L-alanyl-L-asparaginyl-L-seryl-Lasparaginyl-L-asparaginyl-Lprolyl-L-aspartyl-L-tryptophanyl-L-aspartyl-L-phenylalanyl-L-asparaginyl-L-prolylL-asparaginyl-L-lysyl-L-aspartyl-L-histidyl-L-tryptophanyl-L-prolyl-L-glutamyl-L-alanyl-L-asparaginyl-L-lysylL-valylglycinamide, acetate salt. It corresponds to the molecular formula C248H355N65O72, its relative molecular mass is 5398.9 g/mol
Bulevirtide appears as a white or off-white hygroscopic powder. It is practically insoluble in water and soluble at concentrations of 1 mg/ml in 50% acetic acid and about 7 mg/ml in carbonate buffer solution at pH 8.8, respectively. The structure of the active substance (AS) was elucidated by a combination of infrared spectroscopy (IR), mass spectrometry (MS), amino acid analysis and sequence analysis Other characteristics studied included ultraviolet (UV) spectrum, higher order structure (1D- and 2D- nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (NMR)) and aggregation (Dynamic Light Scattering). Neither tertiary structure nor aggregation states of bulevirtide have been identified. With regard to enantiomeric purity, all amino acids are used in L-configuration except glycine, which is achiral by nature. Two batches of bulevirtide acetate were evaluated for enanatiomeric purity and no relevant change in configuration during synthesis was detected.
Bulevirtide is manufactured by a single manufacturer. It is a chemically synthesised linear peptide containing only naturally occurring amino acids. The manufacturing of this peptide is achieved using standard solidphase peptide synthesis (SPPS) on a 4-methylbenzhydrylamine resin (MBHA resin) derivatised with Rink amide linker in order to obtain a crude peptide mixture. This crude mixture is purified through a series of washing and preparative chromatography steps. Finally, the purified peptide is freeze-dried prior to final packaging and storage. The process involves further four main steps: synthesis of the protected peptide on the resin while side-chain functional groups are protected as applicable; cleavage of the peptide from the resin, together with the removal of the side chain protecting groups to obtain the crude peptide; purification; and lyophilisation. Two chromatographic systems are used for purification. No design space is claimed. Resin, Linker Fmoc protected amino acids and myristic acid are starting materials in line with ICH Q11. Sufficient information is provided on the source and the synthetic route of the starting materials. The active substance is obtained as a nonsterile, lyophilised powder. All critical steps and parameters were presented and clearly indicated in the description of the manufacturing process. The process description includes also sufficient information on the type of equipment for the SPPS, in-process controls (IPCs). The circumstances under which reprocessing might be performed were clearly presented. No holding times are proposed. Overall the process is sufficiently described.
The finished product is a white to off white lyophilised powder for solution for injection supplied in single-use vials. Each vial contains bulevirtide acetate equivalent to 2 mg bulevirtide. The composition of the finished product was presented. The powder is intended to be dissolved in 1 ml of water for injection per vial. After reconstitution the concentration of bulevirtide net peptide solution in the vial is 2 mg/ml. The components of the formulation were selected by literature review and knowledge of compositions of similar products available on the market at that time, containing HCl, water, mannitol, sodium carbonate, sodium hydrogen carbonate and sodium hydroxide. All excipients are normally used in the manufacture of lyophilisates. The quality of the excipients complies with their respective Ph. Eur monographs. The intrinsic properties of the active substance and the compounding formulation do not support microbiological growth as demonstrated by the stability data. No additional preservatives are therefore needed.
Hepcludex is an antiviral medicine used to treat chronic (long-term) hepatitis delta virus (HDV) infection in adults with compensated liver disease (when the liver is damaged but is still able to work), when the presence of viral RNA (genetic material) has been confirmed by blood tests.
HDV is an ‘incomplete’ virus, because it cannot replicate in cells without the help of another virus, the hepatitis B virus. Because of this, patients infected with the virus always also have hepatitis B.
HDV infection is rare, and Hepcludex was designated an ‘orphan medicine’ (a medicine used in rare diseases) on 19 June 2015. For further information on the orphan designation, see EU/3/15/1500.
The most common side effects include raised levels of bile salts in the blood and reactions at the site of injection.[2]
Bulevirtide works by attaching to and blocking a receptor (target) through which the hepatitis delta and hepatitis B viruses enter liver cells.[2] By blocking the entry of the virus into the cells, it limits the ability of HDV to replicate and its effects in the body, reducing symptoms of the disease.[2]
Bulevirtide was approved for medical use in the European Union in July 2020.[2]
Medical uses
Bulevirtide is indicated for the treatment of chronic hepatitis delta virus (HDV) infection in plasma (or serum) HDV-RNA positive adult patients with compensated liver disease.[2][3]
The hepatitis B virus uses its surface lipopeptide pre-S1 for docking to mature liver cells via their sodium/bile acid cotransporter (NTCP) and subsequently entering the cells. Myrcludex B is a synthetic N-acylated pre-S1[5][6] that can also dock to NTCP, blocking the virus’s entry mechanism.[7]
The drug is also effective against hepatitis D because the hepatitis D virus is only infective in the presence of a hepatitis B virus infection.[7]
References
^Deterding, K.; Wedemeyer, H. (2019). “Beyond Pegylated Interferon-Alpha: New Treatments for Hepatitis Delta”. Aids Reviews. 21 (3): 126–134. doi:10.24875/AIDSRev.19000080. PMID31532397.
^Francisco, Estela Miranda (29 May 2020). “Hepcludex”. European Medicines Agency. Retrieved 6 August 2020.
^Volz T, Allweiss L, Ben MBarek M, Warlich M, Lohse AW, Pollok JM, et al. (May 2013). “The entry inhibitor Myrcludex-B efficiently blocks intrahepatic virus spreading in humanized mice previously infected with hepatitis B virus”. Journal of Hepatology. 58 (5): 861–7. doi:10.1016/j.jhep.2012.12.008. PMID23246506.
Pre-transplant treatment to make patients with donor specific IgG eligible for kidney transplantation
Immunosuppressant, Immunoglobulin modulator (enzyme)
Imlifidase is under investigation in clinical trial NCT02854059 (IdeS in Asymptomatic Asymptomatic Antibody-Mediated Thrombotic Thrombocytopenic Purpura (TTP) Patients).
Imlifidase is a cysteine protease derived from the immunoglobulin G (IgG)‑degrading enzyme of Streptococcus pyogenes.[1] It cleaves the heavy chains of all human IgG subclasses (but no other immunoglobulins), eliminating Fc-dependent effector functions, including CDC and antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity (ADCC).[1] Thus, imlifidase reduces the level of donor specific antibodies, enabling transplantation.[1]
The benefits with imlifidase are its ability to convert a positive crossmatch to a negative one in highly sensitized people to allow renal transplantation.[1] The most common side effects are infections and infusion related reactions.[1]
Per the CHMP recommendation, imlifidase will be indicated for desensitization treatment of highly sensitized adult kidney transplant people with positive crossmatch against an available deceased donor.[1] The use of imlifidase should be reserved for people unlikely to be transplanted under the available kidney allocation system including prioritization programmes for highly sensitized people.[1]
History
Imlifidase was granted orphan drug designations by the European Commission in January 2017, and November 2018,[3][4] and by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in both February and July 2018.[5][6]
In February 2019, Hansa Medical AB changed its name to Hansa Biopharma AB.[4]
Ge S, Chu M, Choi J, Louie S, Vo A, Jordan SC, et al. (October 2019). “Imlifidase Inhibits HLA Antibody-Mediated NK Cell Activation and Antibody-Dependent Cell-Mediated Cytotoxicity (ADCC) In Vitro”. Transplantation. doi:10.1097/TP.0000000000003023. PMID31644495.
Immunoglobulin G1, anti-(calcitonin gene-related peptide) (human-oryctolagus cuniculus monoclonal ALD403 heavy chain), disulfide with human-oryctolagus cuniculus monoclonal ALD403 kappa-chain, dimer
Approved 2020 fda
ALD403, UNII-8202AY8I7H
Humanized anti-calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) IgG1 antibody for the treatment of migraine.
Eptinezumab, sold under the brand name Vyepti, is a medication for the preventive treatment of migraine in adults.[2] It is a monoclonal antibody that targets calcitonin gene-related peptides (CGRP) alpha and beta.[3][4] It is administered by intravenous infusion every three months.[2]
Eeptinezumab-jjmr was approved for use in the United States in February 2020.[5]
^Dodick DW, Goadsby PJ, Silberstein SD, Lipton RB, Olesen J, Ashina M, et al. (November 2014). “Safety and efficacy of ALD403, an antibody to calcitonin gene-related peptide, for the prevention of frequent episodic migraine: a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, exploratory phase 2 trial”. The Lancet. Neurology. 13 (11): 1100–1107. doi:10.1016/S1474-4422(14)70209-1. PMID25297013.
Alder BioPharmaceuticals has submitted a biologics license application (BLA) for eptinezumab, a humanized IgG1 monoclonal antibody that targets calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP), for migraine prevention. If the US Food and Drug Administration grants approval, Alder will be on track to launch the drug in Q1 2020. The BLA included data from the PROMISE 1 and PROMISE 2 studies, which evaluated the effects of eptinezumab in episodic migraine patients (n=888) or chronic migraine patients (n=1,072), respectively. In PROMISE 1, the primary and key secondary endpoints were met, and the safety and tolerability were similar to placebo, while in PROMISE 2, the primary and all key secondary endpoints were met, and the safety and tolerability was consistent with earlier eptinezumab studies.
Alder announced one-year results from the PROMISE 1 studyin June 2018, which indicated that, following the first quarterly infusion, episodic migraine patients treated with 300 mg eptinezumab experienced 4.3 fewer monthly migraine days (MMDs) from a baseline of 8 MMDs, compared to 3.2 fewer MMDs for placebo from baseline (p= 0.0001). At one year after the third and fourth quarterly infusions, patients treated with 300 mg eptinezumab experienced further gains in efficacy, with a reduction of 5.2 fewer MMDs compared to 4.0 fewer MMDs for placebo-treated patients. In addition, ~31% of episodic migraine patients achieved, on average per month, 100% reduction of migraine days from baseline compared to ~ 21% for placebo. New 6-month results from the PROMISE 2 study were also released in June 2018. These results indicated that, after the first quarterly infusion, chronic migraine patients dosed with 300 mg of eptinezumab experienced 8.2 fewer MMDs, from a baseline of 16 MMDs, compared to 5.6 fewer MMDs for placebo from baseline (p <.0001). A further reduction in MMDs was seen following a second infusion; 8.8 fewer MMDs for patients dosed with 300 mg compared to 6.2 fewer MMDs for those with placebo. In addition, ~ 21% of chronic migraine patients achieved, on average, 100% reduction of MMDs from baseline compared to 9% for placebo after two quarterly infusions of 300 mg of eptinezumab.
SP ROT +3.8 ° Conc: 1.032 g/100mL; methanol; Wavlenght: 589.3 nm, Development of an efficient strategy for the synthesis of the ETB receptor antagonist BQ-788 and some related analogues
Peptides (New York, NY, United States) (2005), 26, (8), 1441-1453., https://doi.org/10.1016/j.peptides.2005.03.022
FOR FREE FORM +19.6 °, Conc: 0.998 g/100mL; : N,N-dimethylformamide; 589.3 nm
presumed to be under license from Banyu , was investigating BQ-788, a selective endothelin receptor B (ETRB) antagonist, for treating metastatic melanoma. By December 2009, the drug was in validation.
Also claimed is their use as an ETBR antagonist and for treating cancers, such as brain cancer, pancreas cancer, colon cancer, breast cancer, ovary cancer, prostate cancer, glioblastoma, solid tumor, melanoma and squamous cell carcinoma. Represent a first filing from ENB Therapeutics Inc and the inventors on these deuterated forms of BQ-788. Melcure SarL ,
SYN
By Brosseau, Jean-Philippe et alFrom Peptides (New York, NY, United States), 26(8), 1441-1453; 2005
N-(cw-2,6-Dimethylpiperidinocarbonyl)-y-methylleucylD-l-(methoxycarbonyl)tryptophanyl-D-norleucine Sodium Salt (1, BQ-788). To a solution of 15 (3.5 g, 5.5 mmol) in methanol (50 mL) was slowly added 5% aqueous NaHCOs (300 mL) over a period of 30 min. The solution was stirred until clarity was achieved (30 min, 23 °C). The solution was diluted with water (200 mL), and the resulting solution was passed through a C18 (60 mL) cartridge preequilbrated in water. BQ-788 (1) was eluted with methanol (2 x 50 mL), concentrated under reduced pressure, resuspended in water (50 mL), and lyophilized to quantitatively yield compound 1 as a white powder:
Novel deuterated analogs of a substituted heterocyclic compound, particularly BQ-788 , processes for their preparation and compositions and combinations comprising them are claimed.
By He, John X.; Cody, Wayne L.; Doherty, Annette M., From Journal of Organic Chemistry (1995), 60(25), 8262-6
Journal of medicinal chemistry (1996), 39(12), 2313-30.
References
^Okada, M; Nishikibe, M (Winter 2002). “BQ-788, a selective endothelin ET(B) receptor antagonist”. Cardiovascular drug reviews. 20 (1): 53–66. PMID12070534.
DRUG APPROVALS BY DR ANTHONY MELVIN CRASTO
.....
This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the 
Alder BioPharmaceuticals has submitted a biologics license application (BLA) for eptinezumab, a humanized IgG1 monoclonal antibody that targets calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP), for migraine prevention. If the US Food and Drug Administration grants approval, Alder will be on track to launch the drug in Q1 2020. The BLA included data from the PROMISE 1 and PROMISE 2 studies, which evaluated the effects of eptinezumab in episodic migraine patients (n=888) or chronic migraine patients (n=1,072), respectively. In PROMISE 1, the primary and key secondary endpoints were met, and the safety and tolerability were similar to placebo, while in PROMISE 2, the primary and all key secondary endpoints were met, and the safety and tolerability was consistent with earlier eptinezumab studies.
