1. Randomized study of adjunctive belimumab in participants with generalized myasthenia gravis
- Author
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Hewett, K, Sanders, DB, Grove, RA, Broderick, CL, Rudo, TJ, Bassiri, A, Zvartau-Hind, M, Bril, V, Bonanno, S, Hewett, K, Sanders, D, Grove, R, Broderick, C, Rudo, T, Bassiri, A, Zvartau-Hind, M, Bril, V, and Bonanno, S
- Subjects
0301 basic medicine ,Male ,medicine.medical_specialty ,Time Factors ,International Cooperation ,Placebo ,Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized ,Article ,Antibodies ,law.invention ,03 medical and health sciences ,MG, RCT, Belimumab ,0302 clinical medicine ,Randomized controlled trial ,Double-Blind Method ,law ,Internal medicine ,Activities of Daily Living ,Myasthenia Gravis ,medicine ,Clinical endpoint ,Humans ,Receptors, Cholinergic ,Generalized myasthenia ,Adverse effect ,Aged ,business.industry ,Receptor Protein-Tyrosine Kinases ,Middle Aged ,medicine.disease ,Belimumab ,Myasthenia gravis ,3. Good health ,Clinical trial ,030104 developmental biology ,Treatment Outcome ,Female ,Neurology (clinical) ,business ,030217 neurology & neurosurgery ,Immunosuppressive Agents ,medicine.drug ,Follow-Up Studies - Abstract
ObjectiveTo investigate the efficacy and safety of belimumab, a fully human immunoglobulin G1λ monoclonal antibody against B-lymphocyte stimulator, in participants with generalized myasthenia gravis (MG) who remained symptomatic despite standard of care (SoC) therapy.MethodsEligible participants with MG were randomized 1:1 to receive IV belimumab 10 mg/kg or placebo in this phase II, placebo-controlled, multicenter, double-blind study (NCT01480596; BEL115123). Participants received SoC therapies throughout the 24-week treatment phase and 12-week follow-up period. The primary efficacy endpoint was mean change from baseline in the Quantitative Myasthenia Gravis (QMG) scale at week 24; safety assessments included the frequency and severity of adverse events (AEs) and serious AEs.ResultsForty participants were randomized (placebo n = 22; belimumab n = 18). The mean change in QMG score from baseline at week 24 was not significantly different for belimumab vs placebo (p = 0.256). There were no statistically significant differences between treatment groups for secondary endpoints, including the MG Composite and MG–Activity of Daily Living scores. Acetylcholine receptor antibody levels decreased over time in both treatment groups. No unexpected AEs were identified and occurrence was similar in the belimumab (78%) and placebo (91%) groups. One participant receiving placebo died (severe sepsis) during the treatment phase.ConclusionsThe primary endpoint was not met for belimumab in participants with generalized MG receiving SoC. There was no significant difference in mean change in the QMG score at week 24 for belimumab vs placebo. The safety profile of belimumab was consistent with previous systemic lupus erythematosus studies.Classification of evidenceThis study provides Class I evidence that for participants with generalized MG, belimumab did not significantly improve QMG score compared with placebo.
- Published
- 2018