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Background and Aims With rising rates of inflammatory bowel diseases [IBD] in older adults, management of comorbidities such as osteoporosis is becoming increasingly important. Hip fracture [HF] is the most serious consequence of low bone mineral quality and is associated with excess risk of mortality. For older IBD patients, there are only limited data available. Therefore, we aimed to assess the association of IBD with HF, and all-cause mortality risk after HF, among IBD patients older than 50 years. Methods In a national database-registered case-control study, 56 821 HF cases aged ≥50 years, and 113 718 age-, sex- and region-matched non-hip-fracture controls, were analysed between 2012 and 2016. A history of IBD was assessed from data from Austrian social health insurance funds. Logistic regression and Cox proportional multivariate models were used to test the association of IBD with HF and post-hip fracture mortality risk. Results A total of 531 patients were identified with IBD (25.0% men, mean age 81.2 years, standard deviation [SD] 9.7). Analysis, adjusted for anti-osteoporotic treatment, use of glucocorticoids, and selected medications, showed that IBD patients had an increased odds of HF (odds ratio [[OR] 2.22, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.86–2.64). Patients with Crohn’s disease [CD] revealed a higher HF odds in contrast to patients with ulcerative colitis [OR 2.91, 95% CI 2.17–3.89 and OR 1.89, 95% CI 1.52–2.35, respectively]. Overall mortality risk after HF was higher among female CD patients [HR 1.75, 95% CI 1.28–2.41] than in the general population. Conclusions IBD was strongly associated with HF in older patients. Post-hip fracture mortality risk was elevated particularly in women with CD.

Despite being located close to the European epicenter of the COVID-19 pandemic in Italy, Austria has managed to control the first wave. In Austria, the largest health insurance fund covers 7 million people and has 12,000 employees, including 3700 healthcare workers (HCW). For patient and staff safety, transmission control measures were implemented and mass testing of employees for SARS-CoV-2 antibodies was conducted. An IgG SARS-CoV-2 rapid test on fingerstick blood was used as a screening test (ST), followed by serologic studies with 3 different immunoassays and confirmatory testing by a neutralization test (NT). Among 7858 employees, 144 had a positive ST and 88 were confirmed by a NT (1.12%, CI: 0.9–1.38%). The positive predictive value (PPV) of the ST was 69.3% (CI: 60.5–77.2). Interestingly, 40% of the NT positive serum samples were tested negative in all 3 immunoassays. Of the total sample, 2242 HCW (28.5%) were identified. Unexpectedly, there was no difference in the prevalence of NT positives in HCW compared to non-HCW (23/2242 vs. 65/5301, p = 0.53). SARS-CoV-2 antibody prevalence was not increased among HCW. Although HCW are at potentially increased risk for SARS-CoV-2 infection, transmission control measures in healthcare facilities appear sufficient to limit transmission of infection.

Crohn&rsquo, s disease (CD) is associated with bone loss and increased fracture risk. TX-Analyzer&trade, is a new fractal-based technique to evaluate bone microarchitecture based on conventional radiographs. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the TX-Analyzer&trade, of the thoracic and lumbar spine in CD patients and healthy controls (CO) and to correlate the parameters to standard imaging techniques. 39 CD patients and 39 age- and sex-matched CO were analyzed. Demographic parameters were comparable between CD and CO. Bone structure value (BSV), bone variance value (BVV) and bone entropy value (BEV) were measured at the vertebral bodies of T7 to L4 out of lateral radiographs. Bone mineral density (BMD) and trabecular bone score (TBS) by dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) were compared to TX parameters. BSV and BVV of the thoracic spine of CD were higher compared to controls, with no difference in BEV. Patients were further divided into subgroups according to the presence of a history of glucocorticoid treatment, disease duration &gt, 15 years and bowel resection. BEV was significantly lower in CD patients with these prevalent risk factors, with no differences in BMD at all sites. Additionally, TBS was reduced in patients with a history of glucocorticoid treatment. Despite a not severely pronounced bone loss in this population, impaired bone quality in CD patients with well-known risk factors for systemic bone loss was assessed by TX-Analyzer&trade

Aberrant activation of the classical complement pathway is the common underlying pathophysiology of orphan diseases such as bullous pemphigoid, antibody‐mediated rejection of organ transplants, cold agglutinin disease, and warm autoimmune hemolytic anemia. Therapeutic options for these complement‐mediated disorders are limited and sutimlimab, a humanized monoclonal antibody directed against complement factor C1s, may be potentially useful for inhibition of the classical complement pathway. A phase I, first‐in‐human, double‐blind, randomized, placebo‐controlled, dose‐escalation trial of single and multiple doses of sutimlimab or placebo was conducted in 64 volunteers to evaluate safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetic, and pharmacodynamic profiles. Single and multiple infusions of sutimlimab were well tolerated without any safety concerns. sutimlimab exhibited a steep concentration–effect relationship with a Hill coefficient of 2.4, and an IC90 of 15.5 μg/mL. This study establishes the foundation for using sutimlimab as a highly selective inhibitor of the classical complement pathway in different diseases.

Aspirin is a cornerstone in the antiplatelet therapy for acute coronary syndromes. Coadministration of morphine may potentially influence the intestinal absorption, pharmacokinetics, and pharmacodynamics, as seen with P2Y12 inhibitors. In this trial, healthy volunteers were randomized to receive morphine (5 mg, i.v. bolus injection) at one of seven different time points before, after, or with aspirin (162 mg, p.o.) in a double-blind, placebo-controlled fashion. After a 14-day washout, subjects received placebo instead of morphine. Pharmacokinetics were determined by liquid chromatography, and aspirin's effects were measured by platelet function tests (whole-blood platelet aggregation: multiplate, platelet plug formation: PFA-100). Morphine increased the total acetylsalicylic acid exposure by 20% compared with placebo when given simultaneously with aspirin, whereas Cmax and tmax were not altered. Morphine had no significant effect on aspirin-induced platelet inhibition. In contrast to coadministration with P2Y12 inhibitors, morphine appears to have negligible interaction with aspirin.

There are no dose-finding trials available for rituximab that could guide dosing in non-malignant diseases. We hypothesized that currently used doses (≥375 mg/m2) exceed several hundred-fold the half-maximal effective dose, which is most sensitive for detecting putative differences between biosimilars and important for dose finding. In an open label, exploratory trial healthy volunteers received single infusions of rituximab at doses of 0.1, 0.3 or 1.0 mg/m2. Subsequently, in a double-blind, randomized trial healthy volunteers received single infusions of two rituximab products at doses of 0.1 and 0.3 mg/m2. In the exploratory trial rituximab transiently depleted CD20+ cells by a mean 68% (range: 57–95%), 74% (55–82%) and 97% (94–100%) immediately after the infusion of 0.1 (n = 4), 0.3 (n = 4) and 1 mg/m2 (n = 8), respectively. In the randomized trial CD20+ cells decreased by a mean 48% (25–84%) − 55% (26–85%) and 81 (67–89%) – 87% (77–96%) after infusion of 0.1 mg/m2 (n = 12) or 0.3 mg/m2 (n = 8 proposed biosimilar, n = 4 reference product) of the proposed biosimilar or the reference product, respectively. It is important to understand that in healthy volunteers

Intravenous infusions of different iron formulations are recognized as a cause of hypophosphatemia. Chronic hypophosphatemia can alter bone metabolism and bone material structure. As a consequence, osteomalacia may develop and lead to bone fragility. Herein, we report a patient with Crohn's disease presenting with persistent hypophosphatemia and insufficiency fractures while receiving regular iron infusions due to chronic gastrointestinal bleeding. Previously, the patient regularly received vitamin D and also zoledronic acid. The patient underwent bone biopsy of the iliac crest that showed typical signs of osteomalacia with dramatically increased osteoid volume and decreased bone formation. Analysis of the bone mineralization density distribution (BMDD) revealed a more complex picture: On the one hand, there was a shift to higher matrix mineralization, presumably owing to low bone turnover; on the other hand, a broadening of the BMDD indicating more heterogeneous mineralization due to osteomalacia was also evident. This is the first report on changes of bone histomorphometry and bone matrix mineralization in iron-induced osteomalacia. © 2017 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.

The aim of this study was to assess the circadian variation and the between- and within-subject variation in 10 healthy subjects over a period of 8 weeks by ROTEMCitrated blood samples were analysed in the NATEMDuplicate measurements showed that 23% of the CT and 31% of the CFT measurements had a coefficient of variation (CV) greater than 10%. The within-subject CV was 16% for the CT and 30% for the CFT. The MCF was fairly constant (6%), whereas ML showed more variation (18%). The between-subject CV was 6% for the CT and 20% for the CFT. Analytical variability was improved by summing up CT and CFT. Compared to morning values, CT, CFT and the sum of CT + CFT were shortened in the afternoon. High body mass index was associated with faster clotting. High concentrations of antithrombin had similar effects on clot formation as 0.2 IU/ml of enoxaparin.To overcome the influence of diurnal variation, we recommend obtaining blood samples at specified times in the morning. The within-subject variation should be taken into account, when serial measurements of drug effects are required.

Thromboelastometry is increasingly used in the clinical and scientific setting. The use of frozen plasma samples may be useful in overcoming certain limitations such as local and timely availability. Whole blood (WB) samples of 20 healthy volunteers were obtained, and plasma was generated. NATEM (n = 20), EXTEM (n = 20) and INTEM (n = 8) analyses were performed in WB, fresh plasma and frozen and thawed plasma. Dabigatran (500, 1000 ng/ml), rivaroxaban (100, 200 ng/ml) or alteplase (333 ng/ml) were added ex vivo to WB, and thromboelastometry was performed in WB and in frozen and thawed plasma samples. Clot formation time, mean clot firmness and the area under the curve were significantly altered in plasma compared to WB. In INTEM and EXTEM analysis, clotting time (CT) was comparable between WB (100%) and fresh (INTEM 114% and EXTEM 93%, ratio of the means) and frozen plasma samples (85 and 99%), whereas in NATEM analysis, the CT increased in fresh (193%) and frozen plasma samples (130%). Dabigatran dose-dependently increased the CT approximately 5- and 9-fold in WB and even more pronounced 10- and 26-fold in plasma. Accordingly, rivaroxaban dose-dependently increased the CT 2- and 2.7-fold in WB, and 3.5- and 4-fold in plasma samples. Hyperfibrinolysis was achieved by addition of alteplase in all WB samples and was reproducible in plasma samples. In conclusion, thromboelastometry, especially INTEM and EXTEM analyses, is possible using frozen and stored plasma samples with comparable results to the corresponding whole blood samples.

ASN100 is a novel antibody combination of two fully human IgG1(κ) monoclonal antibodies (MAbs), ASN-1 and ASN-2, which neutralize six Staphylococcus aureus cytotoxins, alpha-hemolysin (Hla) and five bicomponent leukocidins. We assessed the safety, tolerability, and serum and lung pharmacokinetics of ASN100 in a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled single-dose-escalation first-in-human study., ASN100 is a novel antibody combination of two fully human IgG1(κ) monoclonal antibodies (MAbs), ASN-1 and ASN-2, which neutralize six Staphylococcus aureus cytotoxins, alpha-hemolysin (Hla) and five bicomponent leukocidins. We assessed the safety, tolerability, and serum and lung pharmacokinetics of ASN100 in a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled single-dose-escalation first-in-human study. Fifty-two healthy volunteers were enrolled and randomized to receive either ASN-1, ASN-2, a combination of both MAbs (ASN100), or a corresponding placebo. Thirty-two subjects in the double-blind dose escalation portion of the study received ASN-1 or ASN-2 at a 200-, 600-, 1,800-, or 4,000-mg dose, or placebo. Eight subjects received both MAbs simultaneously in a 1:1 ratio (ASN100) at 3,600 or 8,000 mg, or they received placebos. Twelve additional subjects received open-label ASN100 at 3,600 or 8,000 mg to assess the pharmacokinetics of ASN-1 and ASN-2 in epithelial lining fluid (ELF) by bronchoalveolar lavage fluid sampling. Subjects were monitored for 98 days (double-blind cohorts) or 30 days (open-label cohorts) for safety assessment. No dose-limiting toxicities were observed, and all adverse events were mild and transient, with only two adverse events considered possibly related to the investigational product. ASN100 exhibited linear serum pharmacokinetics with a half-life of approximately 3 weeks and showed detectable penetration into the ELF. No treatment-emergent anti-drug antibody responses were detected. The toxin neutralizing potency of ASN100 in human serum was confirmed up to 58 days postdosing. The favorable safety profile, ELF penetration, and maintained functional activity in serum supported the further clinical development of ASN100.

Human diamine oxidase (hDAO, EC 1.4.3.22) is the key enzyme in the degradation of extracellular histamine. Consumption of alcohol is a known trigger of mast cell degranulation in patients with mast cell activation syndrome. Ethanol may also interfere with enzymatic histamine degradation, but reports on the effects on DAO activity are controversial. There are also conflicting reports whether disulfiram, an FDA-approved agent in the treatment of alcohol dependence, inhibits DAO. We therefore investigated the inhibitory potential of ethanol and disulfiram and their metabolites on recombinant human DAO (rhDAO) in three different assay systems. Relevant concentrations of ethanol, acetaldehyde, and acetate did not inhibit rhDAO activity in an in vitro assay system using horseradish peroxidase (HRP) -mediated luminol oxidation. The aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH; EC 1.2.1.3) inhibitors cyanamide and its dimer dicyanamide also had no effect on DAO activity. In one assay system, the irreversible ALDH inhibitor disulfiram and its main metabolite diethyldithiocarbamate seemed to inhibit DAO activity. However, the decreased product formation was not due to a direct block of DAO activity but resulted from inhibition of peroxidase employed in the coupled system. Our in vitro data do not support a direct blocking effect of ethanol, disulfiram, and their metabolites on DAO activity in vivo.

Cold agglutinin disease is a difficult-to-treat autoimmune hemolytic anemia in which immunoglobulin M antibodies bind to erythrocytes and fix complement, resulting in predominantly extravascular hemolysis. This trial tested the hypothesis that the anti-C1s antibody sutimlimab would ameliorate hemolytic anemia. Ten patients with cold agglutinin disease participated in the phase 1b component of a first-in-human trial. Patients received a test dose of 10-mg/kg sutimlimab followed by a full dose of 60 mg/kg 1 to 4 days later and 3 additional weekly doses of 60 mg/kg. All infusions were well tolerated without premedication. No drug-related serious adverse events were observed. Seven of 10 patients with cold agglutinin disease responded with a hemoglobin increase >2 g/dL. Sutimlimab rapidly increased hemoglobin levels by a median of 1.6 g/dL within the first week, and by a median of 3.9 g/dL (interquartile range, 1.3-4.5 g/dL; 95% confidence interval, 2.1-4.5) within 6 weeks (P = .005). Sutimlimab rapidly abrogated extravascular hemolysis, normalizing bilirubin levels within 24 hours in most patients and normalizing haptoglobin levels in 4 patients within 1 week. Hemolytic anemia recurred when drug levels were cleared from the circulation 3 to 4 weeks after the last dose of sutimlimab. Reexposure to sutimlimab in a named patient program recapitulated the control of hemolytic anemia. All 6 previously transfused patients became transfusion-free during treatment. Sutimlimab was safe, well tolerated, and rapidly stopped C1s complement–mediated hemolysis in patients with cold agglutinin disease, significantly increasing hemoglobin levels and precluding the need for transfusions. This trial was registered at www.clinicaltrials.gov as #NCT02502903.

Complement may play a key role in antibody-mediated rejection. A promising therapeutic approach may be classical pathway (CP) inhibition at the level of early component C1.In this first-in-human, double-blind, randomized placebo-controlled phase 1 trial, we evaluated the safety and complement inhibitory effect of TNT009, a humanized monoclonal anti-C1s antibody. Sixty-four adult healthy volunteers received either single (n = 48; 7 consecutive cohorts, 0.3-100 mg/kg) or 4 weekly infusions (n = 16; 2 consecutive cohorts, 30 and 60 mg/kg per infusion) of TNT009 or placebo. To assess the effect of treatment on complement activity, sera from dosed subjects were analyzed in a CP activation assay evaluating C3d deposition on HLA-coated microbeads spiked with alloantibodies.Single doses of TNT009 at 3 to 100 mg/kg uniformly and profoundly inhibited HLA antibody-mediated C3d deposition (≥86% after 60 minutes), whereby the duration of CP inhibition (2-14 days) was dose-dependent. Four weekly doses persistently blocked complement for 5 to 6 weeks. Ex vivo serum CP activity was profoundly inhibited when TNT009 concentrations exceeded 20 μg/mL. Infusions were well tolerated without serious or severe adverse events.Treatment with TNT009 was safe and potently inhibited CP activity. Future studies in patients are required to assess the potential of TNT009 for preventing or treating antibody-mediated rejection.

Selective glucocorticoid receptor modulators (GRMs) promise to reduce adverse events of glucocorticoids while maintaining anti-inflammatory potency. The present study tested the anti-inflammatory activity of two novel non-steroidal GRMs (GRM1: BI 607812 BS, GRM2: BI 653048 BS*H3PO4) in comparison to prednisolone in a canine model of low dose endotoxemia. This study compared the anti-inflammatory and pharmacokinetic profile of escalating daily oral doses of GRM1 (1, 2.5, 5 and 10mg/kg) and GRM2 (0.1, 0.25 and 1mg/kg) with prednisolone (0.25 and 0.5mg/kg) and placebo after intravenous infusion of endotoxin (0.1μg/kg) to Beagle dogs. This was followed by a 14-day evaluation study of safety and pharmacokinetics. Endotoxin challenge increased TNF-α ∼2000-fold and interleukin-6 (IL-6) 100-fold. Prednisolone and both GRMs suppressed peak TNF-α and IL-6 by 71-82% as compared with placebo. The highest doses of GRM1 and GRM2 reduced the mean body temperature increase by ∼30%. The endotoxin-induced rise in plasma cortisol was strongly suppressed in all treatment groups. Pharmacokinetics of both GRMs were non-linear. Adverse effects of endotoxemia such as vomiting were mitigated by GRM2 and prednisolone, indicating an antiemetic effect. During the 14-day treatment period, the adverse event profile of both GRMs appeared to be similar to prednisolone. Both GRMs had anti-inflammatory effects comparable to prednisolone and showed good safety profiles. Compounds targeting the glucocorticoid receptor selectively may provide an alternative to traditional glucocorticoids in the treatment of inflammatory disease.

Background Octaplas LG is a prion-depleted version of a previous generation product called Octaplas S/D. We compared the recovery, safety, and tolerability of these two pharmaceutical-grade plasmas. Study Design and Methods In this comparative, block-randomized, open-label, active-controlled, crossover Phase I trial, 60 healthy adult volunteers received single transfusions of 1200 mL of parent product (in Period 1) and of the LG plasma product (in Period 2) or vice versa. In both periods, plasmapheresis (600 mL) preceded the transfusion. Blood samples were drawn before and after apheresis and 15 minutes, 2 hours, 24 hours, and 7 days after end of plasma transfusion, to assess recovery, safety, and tolerability. The primary efficacy endpoints were the changes in coagulation factors and hemostatic variables compared to baseline; their relative recovery was computed in the per-protocol analysis (n = 43). Safety and tolerability were assessed (n = 60). Results Variations in coagulation factors and hemostatic variables over time were similar between the two treatments and within normal range; 90% confidence intervals for the derived recovery data were within predefined limits of equivalence. Both products were well tolerated. The advanced manufacturing process also significantly increased plasmin inhibitor concentrations after transfusion in vivo. Conclusion The LG plasma product was bioequivalent to its predecessor with respect to recovery of clotting factors and demonstrated comparable safety and tolerability in healthy volunteers. Both products compensated well for the loss of clotting factors after apheresis (NCT01063595).

BACKGROUND: Universal plasma is intended to be transfused irrespective of the blood group. We compared the safety and tolerability of a novel, universal blood group–independent plasma with an ABO-matched plasma. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: In this randomized, double-blind, active-controlled, crossover, Phase I trial, 30 healthy adult volunteers (blood group A, B, or AB) were randomly assigned to transfusion of 1200 mL of Uniplas LG and 1200 mL of Octaplas LG (both Octapharma AG) or vice versa. In both periods, plasmapheresis (PPh, 600 mL) preceded the infusion. Blood samples were drawn before and after PPh and 15 minutes, 2 hours, 24 hours, and 7 days after end of plasma transfusion, to assess safety and efficacy. The primary safety outcome was change in hemoglobin (Hb) concentration; secondary safety outcomes were direct antiglobulin test (DAT), complement activation, free Hb, haptoglobin, and indirect bilirubin. Efficacy was assessed by evaluation of coagulation variables. RESULTS: Variations of Hb concentration were similar between treatments and within normal range; 90% confidence interval was within predefined limits of equivalence. No subject exhibited a positive DAT. All other secondary variables which could reflect hemolytic transfusion reactions (HTRs) fell within normal range; this suggests that no HTRs occurred. Most adverse events were of mild intensity; two subjects experienced dyspnea, leading to the withdrawal from the study of one subject. CONCLUSION: Universal plasma was equivalent to ABO-matched plasma with respect to safety and tolerability. Eliminating the risk of ABO incompatibility, this universal plasma represents an advance over blood group–specific plasma.

SummaryGranulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) stimulates the bone marrow to produce granulocytes and stem cells and is widely used to accelerate neutrophil recovery after chemotherapy. Interestingly, specific G-CSF receptors have been demonstrated not only on myeloid cells, but also on platelets. Data on the effects of G-CSF on platelet function are limited and partly conflicting. The objective of this study was to determine the effect of G-CSF on platelet aggregation and in vivo platelet activation. Seventy-eight, healthy volunteers were enrolled into this randomised, placebo-controlled trial. Subjects received 5 μg/kg methionyl human granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (r-metHuG-CSF, filgrastim) or placebo subcutaneously for four days. We determined platelet aggregation with a whole blood impedance aggregometer with various, clinically relevant platelet agonists (adenosine diphosphate [ADP], collagen, arachidonic acid [AA], ristocetin and thrombin receptor activating peptide 6 [TRAP]). Filgrastim injection significantly enhanced ADP (+40%), collagen (+60%) and AA (+75%) -induced platelet aggregation (all p

Background: Cold agglutinin disease is an autoimmune hemolytic anemia with limited treatment options and no established standard of care. The pathophysiology is driven by the classical complement pathway in which IgM auto-antibodies bind erythrocytes and fix complement via initial binding and activation of the C1 complex generating active C1s protease. Anemia results from extravascular hemolysis of complement opsonized erythrocytes, primarily in the liver. The anti-C1s antibody BIVV009 inhibits C1s activity, and specifically blocks the classical complement pathway, leaving the alternate and lectin complement pathways intact. We hypothesized that classical complement pathway blockade using BIVV009 would prevent hemolysis, correct anemia, and obviate the need for transfusions in patients with primary cold agglutinin disease. Methods: Six patients primary cold agglutinin disease patients were enrolled in an open label Ph1/1b trial. The study was conducted in three parts: Part A, single ascending doses in healthy volunteers (HV); Part B, multiple ascending doses in HV; and Part C, multiple doses in patients with four classical complement mediated diseases including cold agglutinin disease. Patients in Part C received a test dose of 10 mg/kg BIVV009, followed by a full dose of 60 mg/kg 1-4 days later, and three additional weekly doses of 60 mg/kg. Biweekly fixed doses of 5.5g were used for maintenance therapy in a subsequent Named Patient Program. Results: All infusions were well tolerated without need for pre-medication, and pharmacokinetic data demonstrated that BIVV009 infusions supported biweekly treatment. BIVV009 concentrations >18µg/mL inhibited the classical pathway of complement activation (as assessed by the Wieslab-CP assay). BIVV009 infusion subsequently raised endogenous C4 levels 3.2-fold (95%CI: 2.4-4.0 fold; p3.5 g/dL (mean 4.3g/dl; 95%CI: 3.8-4.9 g/dL; individual best response; p Conclusion: BIVV009 was well tolerated and immediately stopped hemolysis in 6 of 6 severely anemic patients suffering from primary cold agglutinin disease, increasing hemoglobin by a mean of 4.3g/dl and precluding the need for transfusions while on BIVV009. Based on these encouraging results, BIVV009 received FDA Breakthrough Therapy designation and pivotal trials will be initiated to further define BIVV009 safety and efficacy profiles. Figure 1: individual hemoglobin response patterns in primary cold agglutinin disease patients during the initial exposure of 6 weeks Figure 1 Figure 1. Disclosures Jaeger: Celgene: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Roche: Consultancy, Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Other: Travel, Accommodations, Expenses; Janssen: Consultancy, Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Other: Travel, Accommodations, Expenses. D'Sa: Janssen Cilag: Consultancy, Honoraria, Other: Education grant, Research Funding; Amgen: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding. Patou: Inc., a Bioverativ Inc. Company: Employment. Panicker: Bioverativ, Inc.: Employment, Equity Ownership. Parry: Bioverativ Therapeutics Inc.: Employment. Gilbert: TrueNorth Therapeutics Inc., a Bioverativ Inc. Company: Other: formerly Employment. Jilma: Biomed: Research Funding; Recardio: Research Funding; Emcools: Research Funding; Bayer: Research Funding; Themis: Research Funding; Syntheract: Research Funding; Bioverativ: Research Funding; TrueNorth Therapeutics: Research Funding; JHL: Research Funding; Baxalta: Research Funding; Arsanis: Research Funding; VitaerisBios: Research Funding; TrueNorth Therapeutics Inc.: Consultancy; Valneva: Research Funding; Prediction Biosciences: Research Funding; Boehringer Ingelheim: Research Funding; Octapharma: Research Funding.

Background Monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) are well-suited for the prevention and treatment of acute bacterial infections. ASN100 is a combination of two fully human IgG1 mAbs, ASN-1 and ASN-2 that together neutralize six Staphylococcus aureus cytotoxins, alpha-hemolysin (Hla) and five leukocidins (HlgAB, HlgCB, LukED, LukSF [PVL] and LukGH) that are important in the pathogenesis of S. Aureus pneumonia. We aimed to characterize the pharmacokinetics (PK) of ASN100 in both serum and lung epithelial lining fluid (ELF) in male and female healthy volunteers. Methods The safety, tolerability, and serum and lung PK of single intravenous infusion of ASN100 was evaluated in a Phase 1 study. Eight subjects (3:1 randomization) in two double-blind cohorts received ASN100 (doses of 3600 mg or 8000 mg) or placebo. ASN-1 and ASN-2 were administered in a fixed dose 1:1 ratio. Twelve subjects received ASN100 open-label at doses of 3600 mg or 8000 mg and each underwent two bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid collections either on days 1 and 30 or on days 2 and 8 post-dosing. ASN-1 and ASN-2 concentrations were determined by ELISA. The ELF concentrations were normalized based on urea concentrations in serum and BAL fluid. Results No dose limiting toxicity was observed. Adverse events (AEs) showed no association of increased incidence with higher dose. All AEs were mild or moderate in severity, with 83.3% of subjects receiving ASN100 reporting at least one AE vs. 100% of placebo subjects. A dose proportional increase in serum peak and exposure (AUC) of ASN-1 and ASN-2 was observed and the serum PK of ASN-1 and ASN-2 were comparable (approximate half-life of each antibody was 3 weeks). Penetration of ASN-1 and ASN-2 into the ELF of the lung was observed at the first post-dose time point of 24 hours, peak concentrations were observed after day 2 and the mAbs remained detectable at day 30. Conclusion ASN100 was safe and well tolerated at doses up to 8000 mg (4000 mg ASN-1 and 4000 mg ASN-2). The PK profiles of ASN-1 and ASN-2 were comparable following simultaneous administration. Significant lung concentrations of each mAb were demonstrated between day 1 and 30 post-dosing. These data support continued clinical development of ASN100 for the prevention and treatment of S. Aureus pneumonia. Disclosures Z. Magyarics, Arsanis Biosciences GmbH: Employee, Salary. Arsanis, Inc.: Shareholder, Share options. F. Leslie, Arsanis., Inc.: Employee and Shareholder, Salary. S. A. Luperchio, Arsanis Inc.: Employee and Shareholder, Salary. B. Jilma, Arsanis Biosciences GmbH: Investigator, Investigator fee. C. Stevens, Arsanis Inc.: Employee and Shareholder, Salary.E. Nagy, Arsanis: Employee and Shareholder, Salary.

Background: We recently presented that the humanized anti-complement C1s monoclonal antibody, TNT009, rapidly stoppedhemolysisand correctedanemiain patients with severe CAD in an ongoing Phase 1b clinical trial. After completion of washout from protocol treatment, these patients suffered relapse of CAD with a drop inhemoglobinto pre-dose levels. We now report on the clinical experience of their extended re-treatment under the Named Patient provision of the Austrian Drug Act, which provided the occasion: 1) to explore lower dose regimens and alternative dosing schedules; 2) to try to recapitulate the initial success of complete remission under protocol treatment; 3) to test the durability of response with a longer term maintenance treatment with TNT009. Methods: In order to test a lower dose regimen of TNT009, the Phase 1b trial dosing of 60 mg/kg IV once weekly for both loading and maintenance was reduced to 45 mg/kg IV once weekly (4x) followed by maintenance with 45 mg/kg every other week. A simplified dosing regimen was then tried, using a single priming dose of 60 mg/kg on Day 0 followed by 60 mg/kg every other week (biweekly) thereafter beginning on Day 7. This TNT009 biweekly maintenance with 60 mg/kg was continued indefinitely to test the durability of the effect, to monitor for safety, and to serially assess their hematologic response to TNT009. Results:All infusions were well tolerated without premedication and without relevant adverse effects. TNT009 re-exposure immediately decreased CH50 activity and increased complement C4 levels, confirming the rapid onset ofpharmacodynamiceffect. The concordant and sustained effect of TNT009 on hematologic parameters related tohemolysisandanemiasis illustrated in the composite Figure 1 for the first patient treated, C1001. This patient has undergone three treatment episodes with TNT009: weekly dosing at 60 mg/kg under the Phase 1b protocol (left); weekly → biweekly 45 mg/kg (center); 60 mg/kg on Day 0 and biweekly thereafter starting on Day 7 (right). Note that the CH50 serves as apharmacodynamicmarker for the effective inhibition of the classical complement pathway by TNT009. Each new episode of treatment with TNT009 induced remission ofhemolyticanemia, and relapse occurred following washout (60 mg/kg weekly x 4) orpharmacodynamicbreakthrough (45 mg/kg maintenance regimen). Although it appears that the reduced dose maintenance regimen of 45 mg/kg biweekly does not suffice to maintain full C1s inhibition, there is no evidence oftachyphylaxisas restoration of full dose treatment at 60 mg/kg biweekly was able to restore remission again. A similar pattern of results was observed in the other patients offered Named Patient treatment with TNT009, but with two instructive exceptions. Patient C1004 had unsuspected erythropoietin deficiency and did not achieve complete normalization ofhemoglobinuntil concomitant treatment with erythropoietin was begun. Patient C1003 did not have CAD but Cold Agglutinin Syndrome (CAS) secondary to an extensivelymphoplasmacyticlymphoma (LPL). Initially she was treated with TNT009 monotherapy and did not respond. TNT009 was then stopped and her LPL was treated withibrutinib, resulting in a gradual amelioration of heranemiauntil anintercurrentinfection triggered relapse of herhemolyticanemia. At that time re-treatment with TNT009 (whileibrutinibwas continued) quickly normalized her hematologic parameters. Eventually TNT009 was able to increasehemoglobinlevels to >12 g/dLin all 5 of 5 treated patients. Conclusion:TNT009 was previously shown to induce rapid correction ofhemolyticanemiain severe CAD patients in a Phase 1b trial. It has now been shown that subsequent washout of TNT009 leads to relapse in all patients, and that re-induction of remission by TNT009 is possible in all. Long-term maintenance of remission can be achieved by dosing TNT009 at 60 mg/kg biweekly, the dose regimen to be tested in larger-scale clinical trials of CAD. Figure Figure. Disclosures Gilbert: Truenorth Therapeutics, Inc.: Employment, Equity Ownership. Panicker:Truenorth Therapeutics, Inc.: Employment. Parry:Truenorth Therapeutics, Inc.: Employment, Equity Ownership. Jaeger:Janssen: Consultancy, Honoraria, Other: Travel, Accommodations, Expenses.

P2Y12 receptor antagonists have become a mainstay for the treatment of CVD (cardiovascular diseases). However, they have rarely been evaluated under pathophysiological conditions apart from arterial diseases. We hypothesized interactions between prasugrel and enhanced vWF (von Willebrand Factor) release in a model of systemic inflammation, and compared the pharmacodynamic effects of prasugrel against placebo on agonist-induced platelet aggregation and shear-induced platelet plug formation. A total of 20 healthy male volunteers were enrolled in a double-blind placebo-controlled two-way crossover trial. Each volunteer received either placebo or a 60 mg loading dose of prasugrel 2 h before endotoxin or placebo infusion. Platelet inhibition was measured with MEA (multiple electrode aggregometry), the PFA-100 system and the VASP (vasodilator-stimulated phosphoprotein) phosphorylation assay. Prasugrel blunted various platelet aggregation pathways, including those induced by ADP (−81%), AA (arachidonic acid) (−60%), ristocetin (−75%; P

Universal plasma is intended to be transfused irrespective of the blood group. We compared the safety and tolerability of a novel, universal blood group-independent plasma with an ABO-matched plasma.In this randomized, double-blind, active-controlled, crossover, Phase I trial, 30 healthy adult volunteers (blood group A, B, or AB) were randomly assigned to transfusion of 1200 mL of Uniplas LG and 1200 mL of Octaplas LG (both Octapharma AG) or vice versa. In both periods, plasmapheresis (PPh, 600 mL) preceded the infusion. Blood samples were drawn before and after PPh and 15 minutes, 2 hours, 24 hours, and 7 days after end of plasma transfusion, to assess safety and efficacy. The primary safety outcome was change in hemoglobin (Hb) concentration; secondary safety outcomes were direct antiglobulin test (DAT), complement activation, free Hb, haptoglobin, and indirect bilirubin. Efficacy was assessed by evaluation of coagulation variables.Variations of Hb concentration were similar between treatments and within normal range; 90% confidence interval was within predefined limits of equivalence. No subject exhibited a positive DAT. All other secondary variables which could reflect hemolytic transfusion reactions (HTRs) fell within normal range; this suggests that no HTRs occurred. Most adverse events were of mild intensity; two subjects experienced dyspnea, leading to the withdrawal from the study of one subject.Universal plasma was equivalent to ABO-matched plasma with respect to safety and tolerability. Eliminating the risk of ABO incompatibility, this universal plasma represents an advance over blood group-specific plasma.

Background Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) imaging and spectroscopy have been applied to assess skeletal muscle oxidative metabolism. Therefore, in-vivo NMR may enable the characterization of ischemia-reperfusion injury. The goal of this study was to evaluate whether NMR could detect the effects of ischemic preconditioning (IPC) in healthy subjects. Methods Twenty-three participants were included in two randomized crossover protocols in which the effects of IPC were measured by NMR and muscle force assessments. Leg ischemia was administered for 20 minutes with or without a subsequent impaired reperfusion for 5 minutes (stenosis model). IPC was administered 4 or 48 hours prior to ischemia. Changes in 31phosphate NMR spectroscopy and blood oxygen level-dependent (BOLD) signals were recorded. 3-Tesla NMR data were compared to those obtained for isometric muscular strength. Results The phosphocreatine (PCr) signal decreased robustly during ischemia and recovered rapidly during reperfusion. In contrast to PCr, the recovery of muscular strength was slow. During post-ischemic stenosis, PCr increased only slightly. The BOLD signal intensity decreased during ischemia, ischemic exercise and post-ischemic stenosis but increased during hyperemic reperfusion. IPC 4 hours prior to ischemia significantly increased the maximal PCr reperfusion signal and mitigated the peak BOLD signal during reperfusion. Conclusions Ischemic preconditioning positively influenced muscle metabolism during reperfusion; this resulted in an increase in PCr production and higher oxygen consumption, thereby mitigating the peak BOLD signal. In addition, an impairment of energy replenishment during the low-flow reperfusion was detected in this model. Thus, functional NMR is capable of characterizing changes in reperfusion and in therapeutic interventions in vivo. Trial Registration ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT00883467

Background A recent randomized controlled trial demonstrated the bioequivalence between universally applicable and AB0 compatible transfusion plasma in healthy volunteers. There was a limited change in coagulation factor levels and inhibitors before and after plasmapheresis and subsequent plasma transfusion. The aim of this extension trial was to investigate the true capacity of these plasma products to restore baseline levels of coagulation factors and inhibitors after plasma depletion in comparison to haemodilution induced by infusion of albumin solution. Materials and methods Fourteen healthy subjects, who completed both plasma transfusion periods, underwent an additional plasmapheresis (600 mL) followed by an infusion of 1200 mL albumin (3.125%) in a third period. Results The fibrinogen levels, as well as other clotting factors (FII, FV, FVII and FXI), decreased by 10% after plasmapheresis, and subsequent infusion of albumin solution further aggravated this drop in clotting factors to approximately 20–25%. The clotting factors with a long half-life were not even restored 24 hours after infusion of albumin solution, whereas those with a short half-life were replenished by endogenous synthesis within 24 hours. In contrast, transfusion of either plasma product rapidly restored all clotting parameters and inhibitors (protein S and plasmin inhibitor) immediately after transfusion. Conclusion This study demonstrates that albumin solution induces an enhanced dilution of clotting factors and inhibitors, whereas both plasma products quickly compensated for the experimental loss of these plasma proteins.