Randomized phase 3 efficacy and safety trial of proposed pegfilgrastim biosimilar MYL-1401H in the prophylactic treatment of chemotherapy-induced neutropenia.

Pegfilgrastim is indicated for reducing the duration of neutropenia and incidence of febrile neutropenia in patients receiving cytotoxic chemotherapy. Here, safety and efficacy of MYL-1401H, a proposed pegfilgrastim biosimilar, were investigated as prophylaxis for chemotherapy-induced neutropenia. This was a phase 3, multicenter, randomized, double-blind, parallel-group equivalence trial of MYL-1401H vs European Union-sourced reference pegfilgrastim. Patients with newly diagnosed stage II/III breast cancer eligible to receive (neo) adjuvant chemotherapy with docetaxel/doxorubicin/cyclophosphamide every 3 weeks for 6 cycles were enrolled and randomized 2:1 to 6 mg of MYL-1401H or reference pegfilgrastim 24 h (+ 2-h window after the first 24 h) after the end of chemotherapy. The primary efficacy endpoint was the duration of severe neutropenia in cycle 1 (i.e., days with absolute neutrophil count (ANC) < 0.5 × 109/L). Mean (standard deviation (SD)) duration of severe neutropenia in MYL-1401H and reference pegfilgrastim groups was 1.2 days (0.93) and 1.2 days (1.10), respectively. The 95% CI for least squares mean difference (- 0.285, 0.298) was within the predefined equivalence range of ± 1 day. Secondary endpoints, including grade ≥ 3 neutropenia (frequency, 91% and 82% for MYL-1401H and reference pegfilgrastim, respectively), time to ANC nadir (mean (SD), 6.2 (0.98) and 6.3 (1.57) days), and duration of post-nadir recovery (mean (SD), 1.9 (0.85) and 1.7 (0.91) days) were comparable. Overall safety profiles of the study drugs were comparable. MYL-1401H demonstrated equivalent efficacy and similar safety to reference pegfilgrastim and may be an equivalent option for reducing incidence of neutropenia. ( ClinicalTrials.gov , NCT02467868; EudraCT, 2014-002324-27).

Henoch-Schonlein Purpura with thrombocythaemia: an abnormality in Smad4 expression?

We discuss a patient with Henoch-Schonlein Purpura (HSP) and a thrombocythaemia which was diagnosed as a coincidental Essential Thrombocythaemia. We suggest that deficiencies in Smad4 expression may allow for escape thrombocythaemia under the influence of the high levels of TGF-beta found in HSP. With normal Smad4 expression TGF-beta provides inhibition of thrombocyte proliferation. While this needs further elucidation, it could lead to a new approach to classification and management of HSP.

A pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics equivalence trial of the proposed pegfilgrastim biosimilar, MYL-1401H, versus reference pegfilgrastim.

PURPOSE: Pegfilgrastim is a long-acting granulocyte colony-stimulating factor indicated for prevention of febrile neutropenia in patients receiving myelosuppressive chemotherapy by promoting neutrophil recovery. METHODS: This phase 1, randomized, double-blind, three-way crossover trial in healthy volunteers evaluated the pharmacokinetics (PK), pharmacodynamics (PD), safety, and tolerability of the proposed biosimilar, comparing MYL-1401H, reference pegfilgrastim (Neulasta®, Amgen Inc, Thousand Oaks, CA, USA) sourced from the European Union, and reference pegfilgrastim sourced from the USA. Primary PK end points were peak plasma concentration of pegfilgrastim (Cmax) and area under the plasma concentration-time curve from the time of dosing to infinity (AUC0-inf). Primary PD end points were area under the curve above baseline for absolute neutrophil counts (ANC AUC0-t) and maximum change from baseline for ANC (ANC Cmax). Adverse events were also recorded. RESULTS: The primary PK and PD end points were similar across all groups. For the PK parameters, the 90% confidence intervals (CIs) of the ratios of geometric means ranged between 0.91 and 1.18, which were within the predefined bioequivalence interval of 0.8000 to 1.2500 for all comparisons. For the PD parameters, the 95% CIs of the ratios of geometric means ranged between 0.94 and 1.06 for all comparisons, which were within the predefined PD equivalence interval of 0.8500 to 1.1765. The safety profiles were similar, with the most common adverse events being back pain and headache. CONCLUSIONS: MYL-1401H demonstrated similar PK, PD, and safety to reference pegfilgrastim in healthy volunteers and may be an equivalent option for the prevention of febrile neutropenia.