A targeted amplicon next-generation sequencing assay for tryptase genotyping to support personalized therapy in mast cell-related disorders.

Tryptase, the most abundant mast cell granule protein, is elevated in severe asthma patients independent of type 2 inflammation status. Higher active ß tryptase allele counts are associated with higher levels of peripheral tryptase and lower clinical benefit from anti-IgE therapies. Tryptase is a therapeutic target of interest in severe asthma and chronic spontaneous urticaria. Active and inactive allele counts may enable stratification to assess response to therapies in asthmatic patient subpopulations. Tryptase gene loci TPSAB1 and TPSB2 have high levels of sequence identity, which makes genotyping a challenging task. Here, we report a targeted next-generation sequencing (NGS) assay and downstream bioinformatics analysis for determining polymorphisms at tryptase TPSAB1 and TPSB2 loci. Machine learning modeling using multiple polymorphisms in the tryptase loci was used to improve the accuracy of genotyping calls. The assay was tested and qualified on DNA extracted from whole blood of healthy donors and asthma patients, achieving accuracy of 96%, 96% and 94% for estimation of inactive α and ßΙΙΙFS tryptase alleles and α duplication on TPSAB1, respectively. The reported NGS assay is a cost-effective method that is more efficient than Sanger sequencing and provides coverage to evaluate known as well as unreported tryptase polymorphisms.

Evaluation of the reproducibility of responses to nasal allergen challenge and effects of inhaled nasal corticosteroids.

BACKGROUND: Similar immune responses in the nasal and bronchial mucosa implies that nasal allergen challenge (NAC) is a suitable early phase experimental model for drug development targeting allergic rhinitis (AR) and asthma. We assessed NAC reproducibility and the effects of intranasal corticosteroids (INCS) on symptoms, physiology, and inflammatory mediators. METHODS: 20 participants with mild atopic asthma and AR underwent three single blinded nasal challenges each separated by three weeks (NCT03431961). Cohort A (n = 10) underwent a control saline challenge, followed by two allergen challenges. Cohort B (n = 10) underwent a NAC with no treatment intervention, followed by NAC with 14 days pre-treatment with saline nasal spray (placebo), then NAC with 14 days pre-treatment with INCS (220 µg triamcinolone acetonide twice daily). Nasosorption, nasal lavage, blood samples, forced expiratory volume 1 (FEV1), total nasal symptom score (TNSS), peak nasal inspiratory flow (PNIF) were collected up to 24 h after NAC. Total and active tryptase were measured as early-phase allergy biomarkers (≤30 min) and IL-13 and eosinophil cell counts as late-phase allergy biomarkers (3-7 h) in serum and nasal samples. Period-period reproducibility was assessed by intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC), and sample size estimates were performed using effect sizes measured after INCS. RESULTS: NAC significantly induced acute increases in nasosorption tryptase and TNSS and reduced PNIF, and induced late increases in nasosorption IL-13 with sustained reductions in PNIF. Reproducibility across NACs varied for symptoms and biomarkers, with total tryptase 5 min post NAC having the highest reproducibility (ICC = 0.91). Treatment with INCS inhibited NAC-induced IL-13 while blunting changes in TNSS and PNIF. For a similar crossover study, 7 participants per treatment arm are needed to detect treatment effects comparable to INCS for TNSS. CONCLUSION: NAC-induced biomarkers and symptoms are reproducible and responsive to INCS. NAC is suitable for assessing pharmacodynamic activity and proof of mechanism for drugs targeting allergic inflammation.

A mechanistic PK/PD model to enable dose selection of the potent anti-tryptase antibody (MTPS9579A) in patients with moderate-to-severe asthma.

Tryptase, a protease implicated in asthma pathology, is secreted from mast cells upon activation during an inflammatory allergic response. MTPS9579A is a novel monoclonal antibody that inhibits tryptase activity by irreversibly dissociating the active tetramer into inactive monomers. This study assessed the relationship between MTPS9579A concentrations in healthy subjects and tryptase levels in serum and nasal mucosal lining fluid from healthy subjects and patients with moderate-to-severe asthma. These data were used to develop a mechanistic pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic (PK/PD) model that quantitatively inter-relates MTPS9579A exposure and inhibition of active tryptase in the airway of patients with asthma. From initial estimates of airway tryptase levels and drug partitioning, the PK/PD model predicted almost complete neutralization of active tryptase in the airway of patients with asthma with MTPS9579A doses of 900 mg and greater, administered intravenously (i.v.) once every 4 weeks (q4w). Suppression of active tryptase during an asthma exacerbation event was also evaluated using the model by simulating the administration of MTPS9579A during a 100-fold increase in tryptase secretion in the local tissue. The PK/PD model predicted that 1800 mg MTPS9579A i.v. q4w results in 95.7% suppression of active tryptase at the steady-state trough concentration. Understanding how the exposure-response relationship of MTPS9579A in healthy subjects translates to patients with asthma is critical for future clinical studies assessing tryptase inhibition in the airway of patients with moderate-to-severe asthma.

Astegolimab or Efmarodocokin Alfa in Patients With Severe COVID-19 Pneumonia: A Randomized, Phase 2 Trial.

OBJECTIVES: Severe cases of COVID-19 pneumonia can lead to acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). Release of interleukin (IL)-33, an epithelial-derived alarmin, and IL-33/ST2 pathway activation are linked with ARDS development in other viral infections. IL-22, a cytokine that modulates innate immunity through multiple regenerative and protective mechanisms in lung epithelial cells, is reduced in patients with ARDS. This study aimed to evaluate safety and efficacy of astegolimab, a human immunoglobulin G2 monoclonal antibody that selectively inhibits the IL-33 receptor, ST2, or efmarodocokin alfa, a human IL-22 fusion protein that activates IL-22 signaling, for treatment of severe COVID-19 pneumonia. DESIGN: Phase 2, double-blind, placebo-controlled study (COVID-astegolimab-IL). SETTING: Hospitals. PATIENTS: Hospitalized adults with severe COVID-19 pneumonia. INTERVENTIONS: Patients were randomized to receive IV astegolimab, efmarodocokin alfa, or placebo, plus standard of care. The primary endpoint was time to recovery, defined as time to a score of 1 or 2 on a 7-category ordinal scale by day 28. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: The study randomized 396 patients. Median time to recovery was 11 days (hazard ratio [HR], 1.01 d; p = 0.93) and 10 days (HR, 1.15 d; p = 0.38) for astegolimab and efmarodocokin alfa, respectively, versus 10 days for placebo. Key secondary endpoints (improved recovery, mortality, or prevention of worsening) showed no treatment benefits. No new safety signals were observed and adverse events were similar across treatment arms. Biomarkers demonstrated that both drugs were pharmacologically active. CONCLUSIONS: Treatment with astegolimab or efmarodocokin alfa did not improve time to recovery in patients with severe COVID-19 pneumonia.

Integrated systems modeling of severe asthma: Exploration of IL-33/ST2 antagonism.

Asthma is a complex, heterogeneous disease with a high unmet medical need, despite therapies targeting a multitude of pathways. The ability to quantitatively integrate preclinical and clinical data on these pathways could aid in the development and testing of novel targets and therapeutics. In this work, we develop a computational model of asthma biology, including key cell types and mediators, and create a virtual population capturing clinical heterogeneity. The simulated responses to therapies targeting IL-13, IL-4Rα, IL-5, IgE, and TSLP demonstrate agreement with clinical endpoints and biomarkers of type 2 (T2) inflammation, including blood eosinophils, FEV1, IgE, and FeNO. We use the model to explore the potential benefit of targeting the IL-33 pathway with anti-IL-33 and anti-ST2. Model predictions are compared with data on blood eosinophils, FeNO, and FEV1 from recent anti-IL-33 and anti-ST2 trials and used to interpret trial results based on pathway biology and pharmacology. Results of sensitivity analyses on the contributions of IL-33 to the predicted biomarker changes suggest that anti-ST2 therapy reduces circulating blood eosinophil levels primarily through its impact on eosinophil progenitor maturation and IL-5-dependent survival, and induces changes in FeNO and FEV1 through its effect on immune cells involved in T2 cytokine production. Finally, we also investigate the impact of ST2 genetics on the conferred benefit of anti-ST2. The model includes representation of a wide array of biologic mechanisms and interventions that will provide mechanistic insight and support clinical program design for a wide range of novel therapies during drug development.

Effects of inhaled JAK inhibitor GDC-4379 on exhaled nitric oxide and peripheral biomarkers of inflammation.

BACKGROUND: Janus Kinases (JAKs) mediate activity of many asthma-relevant cytokines. GDC-0214, an inhaled small molecule JAK1 inhibitor, has previously been shown to reduce fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO) in patients with mild asthma, but required an excessive number of inhalations. AIM: To assess whether GDC-4379, a new inhaled JAK inhibitor, reduces FeNO and peripheral biomarkers of inflammation. METHODS: This study assessed the activity of GDC-4379 in a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled, Phase 1 study in patients with mild asthma. Participants included adults (18-65y) with a diagnosis of asthma for ≥6 months, forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1)> 70% predicted, FeNO >40 ppb, using as-needed short-acting beta-agonist medication only. Four sequential, 14-day, ascending-dose cohorts (10 mg QD, 30 mg QD, 40 mg BID, and 80 mg QD) of 12 participants each were randomized 2:1 to GDC-4379 or placebo. The primary activity outcome was percent change from baseline (CFB) in FeNO to Day 14 compared to the pooled placebo group. Safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetics, and pharmacodynamic biomarkers, including blood eosinophils, serum CCL17, and serum CCL18, were also assessed. RESULTS: Of 48 enrolled participants, the mean age was 25 years and 54% were female. Median (range) FeNO at baseline was 79 (41-222) ppb. GDC-4379 treatment led to dose-dependent reductions in FeNO. Compared to placebo, mean (95% CI) percent CFB in FeNO to Day 14 was: -6 (-43, 32) at 10 mg QD, -26 (-53, 2) at 30 mg QD, -55 (-78, -32) at 40 mg BID and -52 (-72, -32) at 80 mg QD. Dose-dependent reductions in blood eosinophils and serum CCL17 were also observed. Higher plasma drug concentrations corresponded with greater FeNO reductions. No serious AEs occurred. The majority of AEs were mild to moderate. The most common AEs were headache and oropharyngeal pain. Minor changes in neutrophils were noted at 80 mg QD, but were not considered clinically meaningful. CONCLUSIONS: In patients with mild asthma, 14-day treatment with GDC-4379 reduced FeNO levels and peripheral biomarkers of inflammation. Treatment was well tolerated without any major safety concerns. AUSTRALIAN NEW ZEALAND CLINICAL TRIALS REGISTRY: ACTRN12619000227190.

A whole genome sequencing study of moderate to severe asthma identifies a lung function locus associated with asthma risk.

Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have identified many common variant loci associated with asthma susceptibility, but few studies investigate the genetics underlying moderate-to-severe asthma risk. Here, we present a whole-genome sequencing study comparing 3181 moderate-to-severe asthma patients to 3590 non-asthma controls. We demonstrate that asthma risk is genetically correlated with lung function measures and that this component of asthma risk is orthogonal to the eosinophil genetics that also contribute to disease susceptibility. We find that polygenic scores for reduced lung function are associated with younger asthma age of onset. Genome-wide, seven previously reported common asthma variant loci and one previously reported lung function locus, near THSD4, reach significance. We replicate association of the lung function locus in a recently published GWAS of moderate-to-severe asthma patients. We additionally replicate the association of a previously reported rare (minor allele frequency < 1%) coding variant in IL33 and show significant enrichment of rare variant burden in genes from common variant allergic disease loci. Our findings highlight the contribution of lung function genetics to moderate-to-severe asthma risk, and provide initial rare variant support for associations with moderate-to-severe asthma risk at several candidate genes from common variant loci.

Population Pharmacokinetics and Exposure-Response Relationships of Astegolimab in Patients With Severe Asthma.

Astegolimab is a fully human immunoglobulin G2 monoclonal antibody that binds to the ST2 receptor and blocks the interleukin-33 signaling. It was evaluated in patients with uncontrolled severe asthma in the phase 2b study (Zenyatta) at doses of 70, 210, and 490 mg subcutaneously every 4 weeks for 52 weeks. This work aimed to characterize astegolimab pharmacokinetics, identify influential covariates contributing to its interindividual variability, and make a descriptive assessment of the exposure-response relationships. A population pharmacokinetic model was developed using data from 368 patients in the Zenyatta study. Predicted average steady-state concentration was used in the subsequent exposure-response analyses, which evaluated efficacy (asthma exacerbation rate) and biomarker end points including forced expiratory volume in 1 second, fraction exhaled nitric oxide, blood eosinophils, and soluble ST2. A 2-compartment disposition model with first-order elimination and first-order absorption best described the astegolimab pharmacokinetics. The relative bioavailability for the 70-mg dose was 15.3% lower. Baseline body weight, estimated glomerular filtration rate, and eosinophils were statistically correlated with pharmacokinetic parameters, but only body weight had a clinically meaningful influence on the steady-state exposure (ratios exceeding 0.8-1.25). The exposure-response of efficacy and biomarkers were generally flat with a weak trend in favor of the highest dose/exposure. This study characterized astegolimab pharmacokinetics in patients with asthma and showed typical pharmacokinetic behavior as a monoclonal antibody-based drug. The exposure-response analyses suggested the highest dose tested in the Zenyatta study (490 mg every 4 weeks) performed close to the maximum effect, and no additional response may be expected above it.

Dose-dependent inactivation of airway tryptase with a novel dissociating anti-tryptase antibody (MTPS9579A) in healthy participants: A randomized trial.

Tryptase is the most abundant secretory granule protein in human lung mast cells and plays an important role in asthma pathogenesis. MTPS9579A is a novel monoclonal antibody that selectively inhibits tryptase activity by dissociating active tetramers into inactive monomers. The safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetics (PKs), and systemic and airway pharmacodynamics (PDs) of MTPS9579A were assessed in healthy participants. In this phase I single-center, randomized, observer-blinded, and placebo-controlled study, single and multiple ascending doses of MTPS9579A were administered subcutaneously (s.c.) or intravenously (i.v.) in healthy participants. In addition to monitoring safety and tolerability, the concentrations of MTPS9579A, total tryptase, and active tryptase were quantified. This study included 106 healthy participants (82 on active treatment). Overall, MTPS9579A was well-tolerated with no serious or severe adverse events. Serum MTPS9579A showed a dose-proportional increase in maximum serum concentration (Cmax ) values at high doses, and a nonlinear increase in area under the curve (AUC) values at low concentrations consistent with target-mediated clearance were observed. Rapid and dose-dependent reduction in nasosorption active tryptase was observed postdose, confirming activity and the PK/PD relationship of MTPS9579A in the airway. A novel biomarker assay was used to demonstrate for the first time that an investigative antibody therapeutic (MTPS9579A) can inhibit tryptase activity in the upper airway. A favorable safety and tolerability profile supports further assessment of MTPS9579A in asthma. Understanding the exposure-response relationships using the novel PD biomarker will help inform clinical development, such as dose selection or defining patient subgroups.

Population repeated time-to-event analysis of exacerbations in asthma patients: A novel approach for predicting asthma exacerbations based on biomarkers, spirometry, and diaries/questionnaires.

Identification of covariates, including biomarkers, spirometry, and diaries/questionnaires, that predict asthma exacerbations would allow better clinical predictions, shorter phase II trials and inform decisions on phase III design, and/or initiation (go/no-go). The objective of this work was to characterize asthma-exacerbation hazard as a function of baseline and time-varying covariates. A repeated time-to-event (RTTE) model for exacerbations was developed using data from a 52-week phase IIb trial, including 502 patients with asthma randomized to placebo or 70 mg, 210 mg, or 490 mg astegolimab every 4 weeks. Covariate analysis was performed for 20 baseline covariates using the full random effects modeling approach, followed by time-varying covariate analysis of nine covariates using the stepwise covariate model (SCM) building procedure. Following the SCM, an astegolimab treatment effect was explored. Diary-based symptom score (difference in objective function value [dOFV] of -83.7) and rescue medication use (dOFV = -33.5), and forced expiratory volume in 1 s (dOFV = -14.9) were identified as significant time-varying covariates. Of note, time-varying covariates become more useful with more frequent measurements, which should favor the daily diary scores over others. The most influential baseline covariates were exacerbation history and diary-based symptom score (i.e., symptom score was important as both time-varying and baseline covariate). A (nonsignificant) astegolimab treatment effect was included in the final model because the limited data set did not allow concluding the remaining effect size as irrelevant. Without time-varying covariates, the treatment effect was statistically significant (p < 0.01). This work demonstrated the utility of a population RTTE approach to characterize exacerbation hazard in patients with severe asthma.

Astegolimab (anti-ST2) efficacy and safety in adults with severe asthma: A randomized clinical trial.

BACKGROUND: The IL-33/ST2 pathway is linked with asthma susceptibility. Inhaled allergens, pollutants, and respiratory viruses, which trigger asthma exacerbations, induce release of IL-33, an epithelial-derived "alarmin." Astegolimab, a human IgG2 mAb, selectively inhibits the IL-33 receptor, ST2. Approved biologic therapies for severe asthma mainly benefit patients with elevated blood eosinophils (type 2-high), but limited options are available for patients with low blood eosinophils (type 2-low). Inhibiting IL-33 signaling may target pathogenic pathways in a wider spectrum of asthmatics. OBJECTIVES: This study evaluated astegolimab efficacy and safety in patients with severe asthma. METHODS: This double-blind, placebo-controlled, dose-ranging study (ZENYATTA [A Study to Assess the Efficacy and Safety of MSTT1041A in Participants With Uncontrolled Severe Asthma]) randomized 502 adults with severe asthma to subcutaneous placebo or 70-mg, 210-mg, or 490-mg doses of astegolimab every 4 weeks. The primary endpoint was the annualized asthma exacerbation rate (AER) at week 54. Enrollment caps ensured ∼30 patients who were eosinophil-high (≥300 cells/µL) and ∼95 patients who were eosinophil-low (<300 cells/µL) per arm. RESULTS: Overall, adjusted AER reductions relative to placebo were 43% (P = .005), 22% (P = .18), and 37% (P = .01) for 490-mg, 210-mg, and 70-mg doses of astegolimab, respectively. Adjusted AER reductions for patients who were eosinophil-low were comparable to reductions in the overall population: 54% (P = .002), 14% (P = .48), and 35% (P = .05) for 490-mg, 210-mg, and 70-mg doses of astegolimab. Adverse events were similar in astegolimab- and placebo-treated groups. CONCLUSIONS: Astegolimab reduced AER in a broad population of patients, including those who were eosinophil-low, with inadequately controlled, severe asthma. Astegolimab was safe and well tolerated.

Effect of intranasal corticosteroid treatment on allergen-induced changes in group 2 innate lymphoid cells in allergic rhinitis with mild asthma.

BACKGROUND: Allergic rhinitis is characterized by rhinorrhea, nasal congestion, sneezing and nasal pruritus. Group 2 innate lymphoid cells (ILC2s), CD4+ T cells and eosinophils in nasal mucosa are increased significantly after nasal allergen challenge (NAC). Effects of intranasal corticosteroids (INCS) on ILC2s remain to be investigated. METHODS: Subjects (n = 10) with allergic rhinitis and mild asthma were enrolled in a single-blind, placebo-controlled, sequential treatment study and treated twice daily with intranasal triamcinolone acetonide (220 µg) or placebo for 14 days, separated by a 7-day washout period. Following treatment, subjects underwent NAC and upper airway function was assessed. Cells from the nasal mucosa and blood, sampled 24 h post-NAC, underwent flow cytometric enumeration for ILC2s, CD4+ T and eosinophil progenitor (EoPs) levels. Cell differentials and cytokine levels were assessed in nasal lavage. RESULTS: Treatment with INCS significantly attenuated ILC2s, IL-5+ /IL-13+ ILC2s, HLA-DR+ ILC2s and CD4+ T cells in the nasal mucosa, 24 h post-NAC. EoP in nasal mucosa was significantly increased, while mature eosinophils were significantly decreased, 24 h post-NAC in INCS versus placebo treatment arm. Following INCS treatment, IL-2, IL-4, IL-5 and IL-13 were significantly attenuated 24 h post-NAC accompanied by significant improvement in upper airway function. CONCLUSION: Pre-treatment with INCS attenuates allergen-induced increases in ILC2s, CD4+ T cells and terminal differentiation of EoPs in the nasal mucosa of allergic rhinitis patients with mild asthma, with little systemic effect. Attenuation of HLA-DR expression by ILC2s may be an additional mechanism by which steroids modulate adaptive immune responses in the upper airways.

Development of a specific immunoassay to selectively measure active tryptase in airway samples.

Aim: Tryptase is a tetrameric trypsin-like serine protease contained within the secretory granules of mast cells and is an important mediator of allergic inflammatory responses in respiratory diseases. Detection of active tryptase in the airway may provide important information about asthma and other respiratory diseases. Materials & Methods: An activity based probe has been incorported within an immunoassay to allow for measurement of active tryptase in human tissues. Results: A specific Simoa immunoassay to measure active tryptase in nasosorption samples was developed and qualified using an activity-based probe label and a specific antitryptase capture antibody. Conclusion: The assay was capable of measuring active tryptase in human samples, which will enable evaluation of the role of tryptase proteolytic activity in human disease.

Seasonal variability of lung function and Asthma Quality of Life Questionnaire Scores in adults with uncontrolled asthma.

Introduction: Asthma exacerbations spike in the spring and autumn months, yet the seasonal variation of asthma symptoms and lung function is poorly studied. Methods: Seasonal variation of lung function, rescue medication use and patient-reported symptoms was evaluated by post hoc analyses of the Phase III lebrikizumab (anti-IL-13) LAVOLTA I and II studies in 2148 subjects with uncontrolled asthma. Lung function measurements (prebronchodilator FEV1, forced vital capacity (FVC) and peak expiratory flow (PEF)), rescue medication use and Standardised Asthma Quality of Life Questionnaire (AQLQ(S)) were measured every 4 weeks over 52 weeks. By-month estimates normalised by hemispheric season were based on mixed-effect models with repeated measures (MMRM), adjusted by study stratification factors as covariates when appropriate. The dependency of clinical outcomes with seasonal variability was assessed by employing linear contrasts comparing hemisphere normalised December versus July group means from an MMRM regression and presented as the difference in means (adjusted 95% CI). Results: FEV1, FVC and PEF, rescue medication use and AQLQ(S) progressively worsened towards winter, unlike spring and autumn surges in asthma exacerbations. The December versus July mean differences were: (1) PEF=-6.5 (-8.7 to -4.2) L/min, 2) prebronchodilator FEV1=-42 (-57 to -27) mL, (3) FVC=-41 (-59 to -23) mL and (4) AQLQ(S)=-0.15 (-0.19 to -0.1) units. Among AQLQ questions, discomfort or distress related to cough was most variable with respect to season (-0.33 (-0.42 to -0.24) units). Discussion: Interpretation of interventional studies biased by seasonal exposures may be confounded by seasonal variability. Trials registration numbers: NCT01867125 and NCT01868061.

An Allosteric Anti-tryptase Antibody for the Treatment of Mast Cell-Mediated Severe Asthma.

Severe asthma patients with low type 2 inflammation derive less clinical benefit from therapies targeting type 2 cytokines and represent an unmet need. We show that mast cell tryptase is elevated in severe asthma patients independent of type 2 biomarker status. Active ß-tryptase allele count correlates with blood tryptase levels, and asthma patients carrying more active alleles benefit less from anti-IgE treatment. We generated a noncompetitive inhibitory antibody against human ß-tryptase, which dissociates active tetramers into inactive monomers. A 2.15 Å crystal structure of a ß-tryptase/antibody complex coupled with biochemical studies reveal the molecular basis for allosteric destabilization of small and large interfaces required for tetramerization. This anti-tryptase antibody potently blocks tryptase enzymatic activity in a humanized mouse model, reducing IgE-mediated systemic anaphylaxis, and inhibits airway tryptase in Ascaris-sensitized cynomolgus monkeys with favorable pharmacokinetics. These data provide a foundation for developing anti-tryptase as a clinical therapy for severe asthma.

Change in type-2 biomarkers and related cytokines with prednisolone in uncontrolled severe oral corticosteroid dependent asthmatics: an interventional open-label study.

Type-2 biomarkers and related cytokines (IL-5, IL-13), lung function and asthma symptoms were measured in 44 poorly-controlled severe oral corticosteroid (OCS)-dependent asthmatics for up to 88 days after a 7-day prednisolone boost (0.5 mg/kg). High-dose OCS reduced median blood eosinophils (-60 cells/µl; 95% CI -140 to 10), periostin (-8.4 ng/mL; -11.6 to -2.8), FeNO (-19.0 ppb; -28.5 to -4.0), IL-5 (-0.17 pg/mL; -0.28 to -0.08) and IL-13 (-0.15 pg/mL; -0.27 to -0.03). There were small improvements in mean FEV1 (0.16 L; 0.05 to 0.27) and (Asthma Control Questionnaire) ACQ-7 score (0.3; 0.0 to 0.7). Study measures returned to baseline 1-month postintervention. Following rescue OCS, 1 month is sufficient before using type-2 biomarkers to guide long-term treatment. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: NCT01948401.

IL-17A is associated with the breakdown of the blood-brain barrier in relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis.

IL-17 has been implicated in the pathogenesis of multiple sclerosis (MS). Here, we show that blockade of IL-17A, but not IL-17F, attenuated experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE). We further show that IL-17A levels were elevated in the CSF of relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS) patients and that they correlated with the CSF/serum albumin quotient (Qalb), a measure of blood-brain barrier (BBB) dysfunction. We then demonstrated that the combination of IL-17A and IL-6 reduced the expression of tight junction (TJ)-associated genes and disrupted monolayer integrity in the BBB cell line hCMEC/D3. However, unlike IL-17A, IL-6 in the CSF from RRMS patients did not correlate with Qalb. These data highlight the potential importance of targeting IL-17A in preserving BBB integrity in RRMS.

A phase I, randomized, observer-blinded, single and multiple ascending-dose study to investigate the safety, pharmacokinetics, and immunogenicity of BITS7201A, a bispecific antibody targeting IL-13 and IL-17, in healthy volunteers.

BACKGROUND: Inhibition of interleukin (IL)-13, a Type 2 inflammatory mediator in asthma, improves lung function and reduces exacerbations; however, more effective therapies are needed. A subset of asthma patients also exhibits elevated IL-17, which is associated with greater disease severity, neutrophilic inflammation, and steroid resistance. BITS7201A is a novel, humanized bispecific antibody that binds and neutralizes both IL-13 and IL-17. METHODS: Safety, pharmacokinetics, and immunogenicity of BITS7201A were evaluated in a phase 1 study. Part A was a single ascending-dose design with 5 cohorts: 30-, 90-, and 300-mg subcutaneous (SC), and 300- and 750-mg intravenous (IV). Part B was a multiple ascending-dose design with 3 cohorts: 150-, 300-, and 600-mg SC every 4 weeks × 3 doses. Both parts enrolled approximately 8 healthy volunteers into each cohort (6 active: 2 placebo). Part B included an additional cohort of patients with mild asthma (600-mg SC). RESULTS: Forty-one subjects (31 active, 10 placebo) and 26 subjects (20 active, 6 placebo) were enrolled into Parts A and B, respectively. The cohort with mild asthma patients was terminated after enrollment of a single patient. No deaths, serious adverse events, or dose-limiting adverse events occurred. In Part A, 12 active (39%) and 5 placebo subjects (50%), and in Part B, 6 active (30%) and 3 placebo subjects (50%) experienced at least 1 treatment-emergent adverse event (TEAE). The most common AEs were fatigue (n = 3) and influenza-like illness (n = 2). One injection-site reaction was reported. Two subjects with elevated blood eosinophil counts at baseline had transient elevations in blood eosinophils (≥Grade 2, > 1500 cells/µL). In Parts A and B, 16 of 30 (53%) and 16 of 17 (94%) active subjects, respectively, tested positive for anti-drug antibodies (ADAs). No anaphylaxis or hypersensitivity events occurred. BITS7201A exhibited single- and multiple-dose pharmacokinetic characteristics consistent with an IgG monoclonal antibody; exposure generally increased dose-proportionally. Postdose elevations of the serum pharmacodynamic biomarkers, IL-17AA and IL-17FF, occurred, confirming target engagement. CONCLUSIONS: BITS7201A was well tolerated, but was associated with a high incidence of ADA formation. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov , NCT02748642; registered April 6, 2016 (retrospectively registered).

Measurement of IL-17AA and IL-17FF as Pharmacodynamic Biomarkers to Demonstrate Target Engagement in the Phase I Study of MCAF5352A.

The interleukin (IL)-17 pathway has been implicated in the pathophysiology of many autoimmune diseases. MCAF5352A is a humanized monoclonal antibody which targets both IL-17A and IL-17F, thereby inhibiting the activity of IL-17 dimers (IL-17AA, IL-17AF, and IL-17FF). The pharmacokinetic profile of MCAF5352A has been characterized in both a Phase Ia single ascending dose study and a Phase Ib multiple ascending dose study. Two qualified enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays were used to measure total IL-17AA and IL-17FF levels in serum as pharmacodynamic biomarkers in the Phase I studies. The two assays demonstrated specificity for IL-17AA or IL-17FF with sensitivity at low picogram/milliliter levels. The assay precision and accuracy also met acceptance criteria. Although total serum IL-17AA and IL-17FF levels were below the assay detection limits prior to administration of MCAF5352A, post-treatment levels in both the single and multiple dose cohorts became detectable and increased in a dose-dependent manner. These data are consistent with target engagement by MCAF5352A. Our work highlights bioanalytical challenges encountered while developing biomarker assays requiring high sensitivity and specificity. Data generated using these assays enabled the confirmation of target engagement during early clinical drug development.