A randomised, parallel-group, double-blind, placebo-controlled phase 3 study to Determine the effectiveness of the type I interferon receptor antibody, Anifrolumab, In SYstemic sclerosis: DAISY study design and rationale.

OBJECTIVES: The type I interferon pathway is a promising target for treatment of patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc). Here, we describe the design of a multinational, randomised phase 3 study to Determine the effectiveness of the type I interferon receptor antibody, Anifrolumab, In SYstemic sclerosis (DAISY). METHODS: DAISY includes a 52-week double-blind, placebo-controlled treatment period, a 52-week open-label active treatment period, and a 12-week safety follow-up period. The patient population includes a planned 306 adults with limited or diffuse cutaneous active SSc who satisfied American College of Rheumatology/European Alliance of Associations for Rheumatology 2013 SSc criteria. Use of standard immunosuppressants, including mycophenolate mofetil, at a stable dose prior to randomisation is permitted in addition to weekly subcutaneous anifrolumab or placebo. Efficacy will be assessed at Week 52 via Revised-Composite Response Index in SSc (CRISS)-25 response (primary endpoint). Lung function and skin thickness will be assessed via change from baseline in forced vital capacity in patients with SSc-associated interstitial lung disease and modified Rodnan Skin Score, respectively (key secondary endpoints). CONCLUSIONS: The DAISY trial will evaluate the efficacy and safety of anifrolumab as a first-in-class treatment option for patients with both limited and diffuse cutaneous SSc and will provide insight into the contributions of type I interferon to SSc pathogenesis. Revised-CRISS-25 can account for improvement and worsening in a broad set of validated clinical measures beyond lung function and skin thickness, including clinician- and patient-reported outcomes, capturing the heterogeneity of SSc.

Systemic sclerosis is a chronic autoimmune disease that leads to inflammation and scarring of the skin and internal organs, especially the lungs. Systemic sclerosis and lupus are both associated with increased interferon signalling, which is usually triggered by viral infections, but is related to damaging inflammation in these diseases. Anifrolumab, a drug that blocks interferon signalling, is already used to treat patients with lupus (also known as SLE), so it could potentially be used to treat patients with systemic sclerosis. This publication details the DAISY study design and explains why it is needed. This study will follow 2 groups of 153 patients with systemic sclerosis over 2 years. During the first year, in addition to any standard immunosuppressant therapy, the groups will receive weekly injections of either anifrolumab or "dummy drug" (placebo). In the second year, all patients will receive anifrolumab with their standard immunosuppressant therapy. Multiple factors will be considered to evaluate the efficacy of anifrolumab treatment, including clinical measurements of skin thickness and lung function, and questionnaires completed by clinicians and patients to report on patient health and their everyday function during treatment. The DAISY study will investigate the efficacy and safety of anifrolumab treatment in a diverse group of patients with systemic sclerosis who currently have limited options for effective treatment. The study will evaluate the impact of anifrolumab treatment on multiple aspects of the disease, and how patients feel about their overall health-related quality of life.

Anifrolumab efficacy and safety by type I interferon gene signature and clinical subgroups in patients with SLE: post hoc analysis of pooled data from two phase III trials.

OBJECTIVES: To characterise the efficacy and safety of anifrolumab in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) according to interferon gene signature (IFNGS), demographic and clinical subgroups. METHODS: We performed post hoc analyses of pooled data from the 52-week phase III TULIP-1/TULIP-2 placebo-controlled trials of intravenous anifrolumab in moderate-to-severe SLE. Outcomes were assessed in predefined subgroups: IFNGS (high/low), age, sex, body mass index, race, geographic region, age of onset, glucocorticoid use, disease activity and serological markers. RESULTS: In pooled data, patients received anifrolumab 300 mg (360/726) or placebo (366/726); 82.6% were IFNGS-high. IFNGS-high patients had greater baseline disease activity and were more likely to have abnormal serological markers versus IFNGS-low patients. In the total population, a greater proportion of patients treated with anifrolumab versus placebo achieved British Isles Lupus Assessment Group-based Composite Lupus Assessment (BICLA) response at week 52 (difference 16.6%; nominal p<0.001). BICLA response treatment differences with anifrolumab versus placebo were comparable to the total population across most predefined subgroups, including subgroups for baseline glucocorticoid dosage (<10/≥10 mg/day prednisone/equivalent) and for clinical disease activity (SLE Disease Activity Index 2000 score <10/≥10). Subgroups with larger treatment differences included IFNGS-high patients (18.2%), patients with abnormal baseline serological markers (23.1%) and Asian patients (29.2%). The safety profile of anifrolumab was similar across subgroups. CONCLUSIONS: Overall, this study supports the consistent efficacy and safety of anifrolumab across a range of patients with moderate-to-severe SLE. In a few subgroups, small sample sizes limited conclusions from being drawn regarding the treatment benefit with anifrolumab. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: NCT02446912, NCT02446899.

Anifrolumab reduces flare rates in patients with moderate to severe systemic lupus erythematosus.

BACKGROUND: Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) management objectives include preventing disease flares while minimizing glucocorticoid exposure. Pooled data from the phase 3 TULIP-1 and TULIP-2 trials in patients with moderate to severe SLE were analyzed to determine anifrolumab's effect on flares, including those arising with glucocorticoid taper. METHODS: TULIP-1 and TULIP-2 were randomized, placebo-controlled, 52-week trials of intravenous anifrolumab (300 mg every 4 weeks for 48 weeks). For patients receiving baseline glucocorticoid ≥10 mg/day, attempted taper to ≤7.5 mg/day prednisone or equivalent from Weeks 8-40 was required and defined as sustained reduction when maintained through Week 52. Flares were defined as ≥1 new BILAG-2004 A or ≥2 new BILAG-2004 B scores versus the previous visit. Flare assessments were compared for patients receiving anifrolumab versus placebo. RESULTS: Compared with placebo (n = 366), anifrolumab (n = 360) was associated with lower annualized flare rates (rate ratio 0.75, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.60-0.95), prolonged time to first flare (hazard ratio 0.70, 95% CI 0.55-0.89), and fewer patients with ≥1 flare (difference -9.3%, 95% CI -16.3 to -2.3), as well as flares in organ domains commonly active at baseline (musculoskeletal, mucocutaneous). Fewer BILAG-based Composite Lupus Assessment responders had ≥1 flare with anifrolumab (21.1%, 36/171) versus placebo (30.4%, 34/112). Of patients who achieved sustained glucocorticoid reductions from ≥10 mg/day at baseline, more remained flare free with anifrolumab (40.0%, 76/190) versus placebo (17.3%, 32/185). CONCLUSIONS: Analyses of pooled TULIP-1 and TULIP-2 data support that anifrolumab reduces flares while permitting glucocorticoid taper in patients with SLE.ClinicalTrials.gov identifiersTULIP-1 NCT02446912 (clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02446912);TULIP-2 NCT02446899 (clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02446899).

Impact of SARS-CoV-2 infection on patients with systemic lupus erythematosus in England prior to vaccination: a retrospective observational cohort study.

OBJECTIVES: Determine the prevaccination healthcare impact of COVID-19 in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) in England. DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study of adult patients with SLE from 1 May to 31 October 2020. SETTING: Clinical Practice Research Datalink (CPRD) Aurum and Hospital Episode Statistics (HES) databases from general practitioners across England combining primary care and other health-related data. PARTICIPANTS: Overall, 6145 adults with confirmed SLE diagnosis ≥1 year prior to 1 May 2020 were included. Most patients were women (91.0%), white (67.1%), and diagnosed with SLE at age <50 (70.8%). Patients were excluded if they had a COVID-19 diagnosis before 1 May 2020. PRIMARY AND SECONDARY OUTCOME MEASURES: Demographics and clinical characteristics were compared. COVID-19 severity was determined by patient care required and procedure/diagnosis codes. COVID-19 cumulative incidence, hospitalisation rates, lengths of stay and mortality rates were determined and stratified by SLE and COVID-19 severity. RESULTS: Of 6145 patients, 3927 had mild, 1288 moderate and 930 severe SLE at baseline. The majority of patients with moderate to severe SLE were on oral corticosteroids and antimalarial treatments. Overall, 54/6145 (0.88%) patients with SLE acquired and were diagnosed with COVID-19, with 45 classified as mild, 6 moderate and 3 severe COVID-19. Cumulative incidence was higher in patients with severe SLE (1.4%) compared with patients classified as mild (0.8%) or moderate (0.8%). Ten COVID-19-specific hospital admissions occurred (n=6 moderate; n=4 severe). Regardless of COVID-19 status, hospital admission rates and length of stay increased with SLE severity. Of 54 patients with SLE diagnosed with COVID-19, 1 (1.9%) COVID-19-related death was recorded in a patient with both severe SLE and severe COVID-19. CONCLUSIONS: SLE severity did not appear to impact COVID-19 outcomes in this study. The COVID-19 pandemic is evolving and follow-up studies are needed to understand the relationship between COVID-19 and SLE.

Safety profile of anifrolumab in patients with active SLE: an integrated analysis of phase II and III trials.

OBJECTIVE: In phase II and III trials, anifrolumab, a human monoclonal antibody that binds type I interferon receptor subunit 1, has shown efficacy in adults with moderate to severe SLE. We evaluated the safety and tolerability of anifrolumab using data pooled from these trials to more precisely estimate the rate and severity of adverse events (AEs). METHODS: Data were pooled from patients receiving monthly intravenous anifrolumab 300 mg or placebo in MUSE, TULIP-1 and TULIP-2. Key safety endpoints included percentages and exposure-adjusted incidence rates (EAIRs) of patients who experienced AEs, serious AEs (SAEs), AEs leading to discontinuation and AEs of special interest. RESULTS: During treatment, 86.9% of patients receiving anifrolumab 300 mg (n=459) experienced AEs (≥1) versus 79.4% receiving placebo (n=466), and 4.1% versus 5.2% experienced an AE leading to discontinuation of investigational product. SAEs (≥1) were experienced by 11.8% and 16.7% of patients receiving anifrolumab and placebo, respectively (EAIR risk difference (95% CI) -7.2 (-12.5 to -1.9)), including lupus exacerbations classified as SAEs (1.5% and 3%, respectively). Infections occurred in 69.7% and 55.4% of patients receiving anifrolumab and placebo, respectively; difference in reported rates was driven by herpes zoster (HZ) and mild and moderate respiratory (excluding pneumonia) infections. The risk of HZ was increased with anifrolumab versus placebo (6.1% vs 1.3%, respectively; EAIR risk difference (95% CI) 5.4 (2.8 to 8.4)); most HZ events were mild or moderate, cutaneous and resolved without treatment discontinuation. Serious infections occurred in 4.8% and 5.6% of patients receiving anifrolumab and placebo, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: In this pooled analysis of 925 patients with moderate to severe SLE, monthly intravenous anifrolumab 300 mg was generally well tolerated over 52 weeks with an acceptable safety profile. Anifrolumab was associated with an increased incidence of HZ and respiratory tract infections and lower reported rate of SLE worsening as SAEs.

Optimization of privileged structures for selective and potent melanocortin subtype-4 receptor ligands.

Design, syntheses and structure-activity relationships of N-acetylated piperazine privileged structures containing MC4R agonist compounds were described. The most potent derivatives were low nM MC4R selective full agonists. Several compounds from the series had modest pharmacokinetic properties.

A study to evaluate the immunogenicity and shedding of live attenuated influenza vaccine strains in children 24-<48 months of age.

BACKGROUND: Quadrivalent live attenuated influenza vaccine (LAIV4) showed reduced effectiveness against the A/H1N1 component in the 2013-2014 and 2015-2016 influenza seasons. The most likely cause of reduced LAIV effectiveness against A(H1N1)pdm09 strains was poor intranasal replication. OBJECTIVES: To compare the immunogenicity and shedding of a new A/H1N1 strain (A/Slovenia), to a A/H1N1 strain known to have reduced effectiveness (A/Bolivia). PATIENTS/METHODS: This was a randomized, double-blind, multicenter study. Children aged 24-<48 months of age were randomized 1:1:1 to receive two doses of LAIV4 2017-2018 (LAIV4A/Slovenia), or LAIV4 2015-2016 or trivalent LAIV (LAIV3) 2015-2016 formulations (LAIV4A/Bolivia or LAIV3A/Bolivia, respectively) on days 1 and 28. The primary endpoint was strain-specific hemagglutination inhibition (HAI) antibody seroresponse at 28 days post each dose, and secondary endpoints included immunogenicity, shedding, and safety. Solicited symptoms, adverse events (AEs), and serious AEs (SAEs) were recorded. Pre-specified statistical testing was limited to the primary endpoint of HAI antibody responses. RESULTS: A total of 200 children were randomized (median age 35.3 months; 53% male; 57% had previously received influenza vaccine). Significantly higher HAI antibody responses for the A/Slovenia strain were observed after Dose 1 and Dose 2. Neutralizing antibodies and nasal immunoglobulin A antibody responses were higher for A/Slovenia versus A/Bolivia. More children shed the A/Slovenia vaccine strain than the A/Bolivia strain on Days 4-7 after Dose 1. No deaths, SAEs, or discontinuations from vaccine occurred. CONCLUSIONS: The new A(H1N1)pdm09 A/Slovenia LAIV strain demonstrated improved immunogenicity compared with a previous strain with reduced effectiveness and induced immune responses comparable to a highly efficacious pre-pandemic H1N1 LAIV strain. These results support the use of LAIV4 containing A/Slovenia as a vaccine option in clinical practice.

Structure-activity relationship of linear tetrapeptides Tic-DPhe-Arg-Trp-NH2 at the human melanocortin-4 receptor and effects on feeding behaviors in rat.

The melanocortin subtype-4 receptor (MC4R) has been implicated in the control of feeding behavior and body weight regulation. A series of tetrapeptides, based on Tic-DPhe-Arg-Trp-NH2-a mimic of the putative message sequence "His-Phe-Arg-Trp" and modified at the DPhe position, were prepared and pharmacologically characterized for potency and selectivity. Substitution of His with Tic gave peptides with significant increases in selectivity. The effects of the substitution pattern of DPhe were investigated and it has significant influences on potency and the level of the maximum cAMP accumulation. Intracerebroventricular administration of peptide 10 induced significant inhibition of cumulative overnight food intake and feeding duration in rats.

Design and pharmacology of N-[(3R)-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinolinium- 3-ylcarbonyl]-(1R)-1-(4-chlorobenzyl)- 2-[4-cyclohexyl-4-(1H-1,2,4-triazol- 1-ylmethyl)piperidin-1-yl]-2-oxoethylamine (1), a potent, selective, melanocortin subtype-4 receptor agonist.

Synthetic and natural peptides that act as nonselective melanocortin receptor agonists have been found to be anorexigenic and to stimulate erectile activity. We report the design and development of 1, a potent, selective (1184-fold vs MC3R, 350-fold vs MC5R), small-molecule agonist of the MC4 receptor. Pharmacological testing confirms the food intake lowering effects of MC4R agonism and suggests another role for the receptor in the stimulation of erectile activity.

Melanocortin subtype 4 receptor agonists: structure-activity relationships about the 4-alkyl piperidine core.

SAR about the piperidine core in a series of MC4R agonists is described. A number of alkyl substituents that furnish compounds with good affinity and functional potency are reported.

Optimization of a privileged structure leading to potent and selective human melanocortin subtype-4 receptor ligands.

Design and synthesis of potent MC4 selective agonists based on cyclohexylpiperidine derived cyclic urea, oxazolidinones, and sulfonamide based privileged structures are disclosed.

Design and syntheses of melanocortin subtype-4 receptor agonists. Part 2: discovery of the dihydropyridazinone motif.

Optimization of the biological activity of a new class of non-peptidyl, pyridazinone derived human melanocortin subtype-4 receptor agonists is disclosed.

1-Amino-1,2,3,4-tetrahydronaphthalene-2-carboxylic acid as a Tic mimetic: application in the synthesis of potent human melanocortin-4 receptor selective agonists.

The discovery of 1-amino-1,2,3,4-tetrahydronaphthalene-2-carboxylic acid analogs as potent human melanocortin-4 selective agonists is described.

Discovery of (2S)-N-[(1R)-2-[4-cyclohexyl-4-[[(1,1-dimethylethyl)amino]carbonyl]-1-piperidinyl]-1-[(4-fluorophenyl)methyl]-2-oxoethyl]-4-methyl-2-piperazinecarboxamide (MB243), a potent and selective melanocortin subtype-4 receptor agonist.

We report the discovery and optimization of substituted 2-piperazinecarboxamides as potent and selective agonists of the melanocortin subtype-4 receptor. Further in vivo development of lead agonist, MB243, is disclosed.

Discovery and activity of (1R,4S,6R)-N-[(1R)-2-[4-cyclohexyl-4-[[(1,1-dimethylethyl)amino]carbonyl]-1-piperidinyl]-1-[(4-fluorophenyl)methyl]-2-oxoethyl]-2-methyl-2-azabicyclo[2.2.2]octane-6-carboxamide (3, RY764), a potent and selective melanocortin subtype-4 receptor agonist.

A novel isoquinuclidine containing selective melanocortin subtype-4 receptor small molecule agonist, 3 (RY764), is reported. Its in vivo characterization revealed mechanism-based food intake reduction and erectile activity augmentation in rodents.

Design and syntheses of melanocortin subtype-4 receptor agonists: evolution of the pyridazinone archetype.

The discovery and optimization of a new class of non-peptidyl, pyridazinone derived melanocortin subtype-4 receptor agonists is disclosed.