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Phase IIa trial in Duchenne muscular dystrophy shows vamorolone is a first-in-class dissociative steroidal anti-inflammatory drug

Lookup NU author(s): Professor Michela GuglieriORCiD

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Abstract

© 2018 The Authors We report a first-in-patient study of vamorolone, a first-in-class dissociative steroidal anti-inflammatory drug, in Duchenne muscular dystrophy. This 2-week, open-label Phase IIa multiple ascending dose study (0.25, 0.75, 2.0, and 6.0 mg/kg/day) enrolled 48 boys with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (4 to <7 years), with outcomes including clinical safety, pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamic biomarkers. The study design included pharmacodynamic biomarkers in three contexts of use: 1. Secondary outcomes for pharmacodynamic safety (insulin resistance, adrenal suppression, bone turnover); 2. Exploratory outcomes for drug mechanism of action; 3. Exploratory outcomes for expanded pharmacodynamic safety. Vamorolone was safe and well-tolerated through the highest dose tested (6.0 mg/kg/day) and pharmacokinetics of vamorolone were similar to prednisolone. Using pharmacodynamic biomarkers, the study demonstrated improved safety of vamorolone versus glucocorticoids as shown by reduction of insulin resistance, beneficial changes in bone turnover (loss of increased bone resorption and decreased bone formation only at the highest dose level), and a reduction in adrenal suppression. Exploratory biomarkers of pharmacodynamic efficacy showed an anti-inflammatory mechanism of action and a beneficial effect on plasma membrane stability, as demonstrated by a dose-responsive decrease in serum creatine kinase activity. With an array of pre-selected biomarkers in multiple contexts of use, we demonstrate the development of the first dissociative steroid that preserves anti-inflammatory efficacy and decreases steroid-associated safety concerns. Ongoing extension studies offer the potential to bridge exploratory efficacy biomarkers to clinical outcomes.


Publication metadata

Author(s): Conklin LS, Damsker JM, Hoffman EP, Jusko WJ, Mavroudis PD, Schwartz BD, Mengle-Gaw LJ, Smith EC, Mah JK, Guglieri M, Nevo Y, Kuntz N, McDonald CM, Tulinius M, Ryan MM, Webster R, Castro D, Finkel RS, Smith AL, Morgenroth LP, Arrieta A, Shimony M, Jaros M, Shale P, McCall JM, Hathout Y, Nagaraju K, van den Anker J, Ward LM, Ahmet A, Cornish MR, Clemens PR

Publication type: Article

Publication status: Published

Journal: Pharmacological Research

Year: 2018

Volume: 136

Pages: 140-150

Print publication date: 01/10/2018

Online publication date: 13/09/2018

Acceptance date: 07/09/2018

Date deposited: 28/09/2018

ISSN (print): 1043-6618

ISSN (electronic): 1096-1186

Publisher: Academic Press

URL: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.phrs.2018.09.007

DOI: 10.1016/j.phrs.2018.09.007


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Funding

Funder referenceFunder name
1U34AR068616
5U54HD090254
Alex's Wish
CureDuchenne
Duchenne Research Fund
DuchenneUK
Duchenne Children's Trust
Foundation to Eradicate Duchenne
Joining Jack
MDA353094
Muscular Dystrophy Association
National Institutes of Health NCATS TRND
Michael's Cause
Parent Project Muscular Dystrophy
R44NS095423
Ryan's Quest
Pietro's Fight
Save Our Sons
W81XWH-15-1-0265

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