Population pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of IONIS-GCGRRx, an antisense oligonucleotide for type 2 diabetes mellitus: a red blood cell lifespan model.

IONIS-GCGRRx (ISIS 449884) is an antisense oligonucleotide inhibitor of the glucagon receptor (GCGR). The objective of this study was to evaluate the pharmacokinetics (PK) and pharmacodynamics (PD) of IONIS-GCGRRx via population-based modeling. The observed data were obtained from a Phase 1 (50, 100, 200, 300 and 400 mg) single- and multiple-dose study in healthy volunteers and a Phase 2 (100 and 200 mg) multiple-dose study in T2DM patients. The PK of IONIS GCGRRx was characterized by two primary systemic compartments and three absorption transit compartments with elimination out of the peripheral compartment. The fasting plasma glucose (FPG) PD was an indirect-response model (inhibition of FPG production) linked to the HbA1c PD model which was a semi-mechanistic model capturing RBC maturation dynamics. Stepwise covariate modeling was performed to identify relevant covariates. In the PK model, bodyweight (BW) was the only significant covariate influencing tissue clearance, tissue volume and plasma volume. Plots of parameter-covariate relations indicate the influence of BW is clinically relevant. In the PD models, baseline HbA1c had a positive correlation with I max and baseline FPG had a negative correlation with the glycosylation rate (k gl ). Simulations from the final model showed that the doses tested in the Phase 2 were at or close to the maximum of the dose-response curve and that dose reduction down to 50 mg resulted in minimal effect to efficacy. The model was useful in supporting the decision for dose reduction in a subsequent trial.

Blood Levels of Angiotensinogen and Hypertension in the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis (MESA).

BACKGROUND: Angiotensinogen is the proximal precursor of the angiotensin peptide hormones of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS). Clinical trials are ongoing targeting angiotensinogen for the treatment of hypertension and heart failure. The epidemiology of angiotensinogen is not well defined, particularly its relationship to ethnicity, sex, and blood pressure (BP)/hypertension. OBJECTIVES: The authors sought to determine the relationship of circulating angiotensinogen levels to ethnicity, sex, BP, incident hypertension, and prevalent hypertension in a modern sex-balanced ethnically diverse cohort. METHODS: Plasma angiotensinogen levels were measured in 5,786 participants from the MESA (Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis). Linear, logistic, and Cox proportional hazards models were utilized to examine the associations of angiotensinogen with BP, prevalent hypertension, and incident hypertension, respectively. RESULTS: Angiotensinogen levels were significantly higher in females than males and differed across self-reported ethnicities with the ordering (from highest to lowest): White, Black, Hispanic, and Chinese adults. Higher levels were associated with higher BP and odds of prevalent hypertension, after adjusting for other risk factors. Equivalent relative differences in angiotensinogen were associated with greater differences in BP in males vs females. In males not taking RAAS-blocking medications, a standard deviation increment in log-angiotensinogen was associated with 2.61 mm Hg higher systolic BP (95% CI: 1.49-3.80), while in females the same increment in angiotensinogen was associated with 0.97 mm Hg higher systolic BP (95% CI: 0.30-1.65). CONCLUSIONS: Significant differences in angiotensinogen levels are present between sexes and ethnicities. A positive association is present between levels and prevalent hypertension and BP, which differs between sexes.

Antisense Inhibition of Angiotensinogen With IONIS-AGT-LRx: Results of Phase 1 and Phase 2 Studies.

Targeting angiotensinogen (AGT) may provide a novel approach to more optimally inhibit the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system pathway. Double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trials were performed in subjects with hypertension as monotherapy or as an add-on to angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors/angiotensin receptor blockers with IONIS-AGT-LRx versus placebo up to 2 months. IONIS-AGT-LRx was well tolerated with no significant changes in platelet count, potassium levels, or liver and renal function. IONIS-AGT-LRx significantly reduced AGT levels compared with placebo in all 3 studies. Although not powered for this endpoint, trends were noted in blood pressure reduction. In conclusion, IONIS-AGT-LRx significantly reduces AGT with a favorable safety, tolerability, and on-target profile. (A Study to Assess the Safety, Tolerability and Efficacy of IONIS-AGT-LRx; NCT04083222; A Study to Assess the Safety, Tolerability and Efficacy of IONIS-AGT-LRx, an Antisense Inhibitor Administered Subcutaneously to Hypertensive Subjects With Controlled Blood Pressure; NCT03714776; Safety, Tolerability, Pharmacokinetics, and Pharmacodynamics of Ionis AGT-LRx in Healthy Volunteers; NCT03101878).

Antisense Inhibition of Glucagon Receptor by IONIS-GCGRRx Improves Type 2 Diabetes Without Increase in Hepatic Glycogen Content in Patients With Type 2 Diabetes on Stable Metformin Therapy.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the safety and efficacy of IONIS-GCGRRx, a 2'-O-methoxyethyl antisense oligonucleotide targeting the glucagon receptor (GCGR), and the underlying mechanism of liver transaminase increases in patients with type 2 diabetes on stable metformin therapy. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: In three phase 2, randomized, double-blind studies, patients with type 2 diabetes on metformin received weekly subcutaneous injections of IONIS-GCGRRx (50-200 mg) or placebo for 13 or 26 weeks. RESULTS: Significant reductions in HbA1c were observed after IONIS-GCGRRx treatment versus placebo at week 14 (-2.0% 200 mg, -1.4% 100 mg, -0.3% placebo; P < 0.001) or week 27 (-1.6% 75 mg, -0.9% 50 mg, -0.2% placebo; P < 0.001). Dose-dependent increases in transaminases were observed with IONIS-GCGRRx, which were attenuated at lower doses and remained mostly within the normal reference range at the 50-mg dose. There were no other significant safety observations and no symptomatic hypoglycemia or clinically relevant changes in blood pressure, LDL cholesterol, or other vital signs. At week 14, IONIS-GCGRRx 100 mg did not significantly affect mean hepatic glycogen content compared with placebo (15.1 vs. -20.2 mmol/L, respectively; P = 0.093) but significantly increased hepatic lipid content (4.2 vs. -2.7%, respectively; P = 0.005) in the presence of transaminase increases. CONCLUSIONS: IONIS-GCGRRx is a potent inhibitor of hepatic glucagon receptor expression with a potential to improve glycemic control at low weekly doses in combination with metformin. Significant reductions in HbA1c occurred across the full-dose range tested, with minimal transaminase elevations at lower doses. Furthermore, novel results suggest that despite inhibition of glycogenolysis after GCGR antagonism, IONIS-GCGRRx did not increase hepatic glycogen content.

Antisense Inhibition of Protein Tyrosine Phosphatase 1B With IONIS-PTP-1BRx Improves Insulin Sensitivity and Reduces Weight in Overweight Patients With Type 2 Diabetes.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate safety and efficacy of IONIS-PTP-1BRx, a second-generation 2'-O-methoxyethyl antisense inhibitor of protein tyrosine phosphatase 1B, as add-on therapy in overweight patients with type 2 diabetes inadequately controlled with metformin with or without sulfonylurea therapy. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: In this phase II, double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled, multicenter trial, overweight and obese patients (BMI ≥27 kg/m2) with type 2 diabetes (HbA1c ≥7.5% [58 mmol/mol] and ≤10.5% [91 mmol/mol]) on a stable dose of metformin alone or with sulfonylurea were randomized 2:1 to IONIS-PTP-1BRx 200 mg (n = 62) or placebo (n = 30) once weekly for 26 weeks. RESULTS: Mean baseline HbA1c was 8.6% (70 mmol/mol) and 8.7% (72 mmol/mol) in placebo and active treatment, respectively. At week 27, IONIS-PTP-1BRx reduced mean HbA1c levels by -0.44% (-4.8 mmol/mol; P = 0.074) from baseline and improved leptin (-4.4 ng/mL; P = 0.007) and adiponectin (0.99 µg/mL; P = 0.026) levels compared with placebo. By week 36, mean HbA1c was significantly reduced (-0.69% [-7.5 mmol/mol]; P = 0.034) and accompanied by reductions in fructosamine (-33.2 µmol/L; P = 0.005) and glycated albumin (-1.6%; P = 0.031) versus placebo. Despite both treatment groups receiving similar lifestyle counseling, mean body weight significantly decreased from baseline to week 27 with IONIS-PTP-1BRx versus placebo (-2.6 kg; P = 0.002) independent of HbA1c reduction (R2 = 0.0020). No safety concerns were identified in the study. CONCLUSIONS: Compared with placebo, IONIS-PTP-1BRx treatment for 26 weeks produced prolonged reductions in HbA1c, improved medium-term glycemic parameters, reduced leptin and increased adiponectin levels, and resulted in a distinct body weight-reducing effect.

First proof of pharmacology in humans of a novel glucagon receptor antisense drug.

Fasting and postprandial hyperglucagonemia in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients cause excessive hepatic glucose production (HGP), suggesting that attenuation of hepatic glucagon action could be a therapeutic strategy for T2DM. In this study we evaluated the safety, tolerability, PK, and pharmacodynamics in healthy human volunteers of single and multiple doses (50-400 mg) ISIS 325568, a 2'-O-MOE antisense (ASO) developed to reduce hepatic glucagon receptor (GCGR) mRNA expression. In the multiple dose cohorts, treatment consisted of eight doses of ISIS 325568 or placebo over 6-weeks. Drug effects were assessed using serial fasting glucagon measurements and the glycemic response to a glucagon challenge at baseline and at the end of 6-week treatment. ISIS 325568 was not associated with clinically relevant changes. Dose-dependent predominantly mild injection site reactions were the most common side-effect. Active treatment caused a gradual increase in fasting glucagon levels and, compared to placebo, a significantly blunted glucagon-induced increase in plasma glucose AUC (24%, P < 0.0001) and HGP (13%, P = 0.007) at the 400 mg/week dose. Six weeks treatment with ISIS 325568 in healthy volunteers attenuated glucagon-stimulated HGP and glucose excursions, supporting further evaluation of the GCGR antisense approach in patients with T2DM.