Endopeptidase Cleavage of Anti-Glomerular Basement Membrane Antibodies in vivo in Severe Kidney Disease: An Open-Label Phase 2a Study. Issue 4 (April 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Uhlin, Fredrik; Szpirt, Wladimir; Kronbichler, Andreas; Bruchfeld, Annette; Soveri, Inga; Rostaing, Lionel; Daugas, Eric; Lionet, Arnaud; Kamar, Nassim; Rafat, Cédric; Mysliveček, Marek; Tesař, Vladimír; Fernström, Anders; Kjellman, Christian; Elfving, Charlotte; McAdoo, Stephen; Mölne, Johan; Bajema, Ingeborg; Sonesson, Elisabeth; Segelmark, Mårten
• Is Part Of: Journal of the American Society of Nephrology. Volume 33:Issue 4(2022)
• Page Start: 829
• Page End: 838
• Publication Date: 2022-04
• Subjects: anti-GBM disease -- endopeptidases -- clinical trial -- glomerulonephritis -- Goodpasture syndrome
• DOI: 10.1681/ASN.2021111460
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1046-6673

Abstract

Significance Statement: In vivo cleavage of IgG by an endopeptidase is a novel therapeutic strategy for anti-GBM disease. Despite plasma exchange, most patients become dependent on dialysis, especially those with AKI at diagnosis. In an encouraging pilot study, two thirds of 15 patients selected because of poor prognosis exhibited kidney survival at 6 months without major safety issues after receiving a single infusion of imlifidase. The drug has been used in patients who have undergone a transplant with multiple HLA antibodies. Our study supports further use of the drug in clinical situations in which IgG autoantibodies threaten vital organ function. However, randomized trials are necessary to confirm the findings. Visual Abstract: Abstract : Background: The prognosis for kidney survival is poor in patients presenting with circulating anti–glomerular basement membrane (GBM) antibodies and severe kidney injury. It is unknown if treatment with an endopeptidase that cleaves circulating and kidney bound IgG can alter the prognosis. Methods: An investigator-driven phase 2a one-arm study (EudraCT 2016–004082–39) was performed in 17 hospitals in five European countries. A single dose of 0.25 mg/kg of imlifidase was given to 15 adults with circulating anti-GBM antibodies and an eGFR <15 ml/min per 1.73m 2 . All patients received standard treatment with cyclophosphamide and corticosteroids, but plasma exchange only if autoantibodies rebounded. The primary outcomes were safety and dialysis independency at 6 months. Results: At inclusion, ten patients were dialysis dependent and the other five had eGFR levels between 7 and 14 ml/min per 1.73m 2 . The median age was 61 years (range 19–77), six were women, and six were also positive for anti–neutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies. Then 6 hours after imlifidase infusion, all patients had anti-GBM antibodies levels below the reference range of a prespecified assay. At 6 months 67% (ten out of 15) were dialysis independent. This is significantly higher compared with 18% (nine out of 50) in a historical control cohort ( P <0.001, Fisher's exact test). Eight serious adverse events (including one death) were reported, none assessed as probably or possibly related to the study drug. Conclusions: In this pilot study, the use of imlifidase was associated with a better outcome compared with earlier publications, without major safety issues, but the findings need to be confirmed in a randomized controlled trial. Clinical Trial registration number: EUDRACT 2016–004082–39 https://www.clinicaltrialsregister.eu/ctr-search/trial/2007-001377-28/results