Predictors for improvement in patient-reported outcomes: post hoc analysis of a phase 3 randomized, open-label study of eculizumab and ravulizumab in complement inhibitor-naive patients with paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria

Journal Name
Annals of Hematology
Primary Author
Schrezenmeier H
Author(s)
Schrezenmeier H, Kulasekararaj A, Mitchell L, de Latour RP, Devos T, Okamoto S, Wells R, Popoff E, Cheung A, Wang A, Tomazos I, Patel Y, Lee JW
Original Publication Date

Paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria: (par-uk-SIZ-muhl nok-TURN-uhl hee-muh-gloe-buh-NYOOR-ee-uh) A rare and serious blood disease that causes red blood cells to break apart. Paroxysmal means sudden and irregular. Nocturnal means at night. Hemoglobinuria means hemoglobin in the urine. Hemoglobin is the red part of red blood cells. A… (PNH) is characterized by uncontrolled terminal complement activation leading to intravascular hemolysis: (hi-MOL-uh-suss) The destruction of red blood cells. (IVH), thrombosis: (throm-BOE-suss) A blood clot (thrombus) that develops and attaches to a blood vessel. , and impairments in quality of life (QoL). The aim of this study was to identify the clinical drivers of improvement in patient-reported outcomes (PROs) in patients with PNH receiving the complement component 5 (C5) inhibitors eculizumab: Eculizumab (Soliris ®) is given as an IV into a vein at the doctor’s office or at a special center. The procedure usually takes about 35 minutes. You will probably get an IV once a week for the first 4 weeks. Starting in the 5th week, you will get a slightly higher dose of Soliris every 2 weeks. … and ravulizumab.This post hoc analysis assessed clinical outcomes and PROs from 246 complement inhibitor-naive patients with PNH enrolled in a phase 3 randomized non-inferiority study that compared the C5 inhibitors ravulizumab and eculizumab (study 301; NCT02946463). The variables of interest were lactate dehydrogenase: (LAK-tate dee-high-DROJ-uh-nase) An enzyme found in the blood and in many of the body's organs. High levels of LDH in the blood can mean that red blood cells are breaking apart (hemolysis) or that there is tissue damage in the body. It is important for patients with paroxysmal nocturnal… (LDH) levels, a surrogate measure of IVH, and hemoglobin: A protein in the red blood cells. Hemoglobin picks up oxygen in the lungs and brings it to cells in all parts of the body. (Hb) levels. PROs were collected using Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness: A medical condition that lasts a long time. A chronic illness can affect a person's lifestyle, ability to work, physical abilities and independence. Therapy-Fatigue (FACIT-F) and European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer, Quality of Life Questionnaire-Core 30 (EORTC QLQ-C30) to assess fatigue and QoL, respectively.Improvements in absolute mean LDH levels were significantly associated with improvements in mean FACIT-F score (p = 0.0024) and EORTC QLQ-C30 global health (GH) score (p < 0.0001) from baseline to day 183. Improvements in scores were achieved despite a non-significant increase in Hb levels. To understand the interaction between LDH and Hb, a regression analysis was performed: LDH response with Hb improvements was a significant predictor of improvement in fatigue. The independent effect of improved Hb did not significantly affect FACIT-F or EORTC QLQ-C30 GH scores.These findings suggest that LDH levels are an important determinant of fatigue and QoL outcomes in patients with PNH. CTR: NCT02946463, October 27, 2016.

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