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Background The first-in-class treatment PF-06480605 targets the tumor necrosis factor-like ligand 1A (TL1A) molecule in humans. Results from the phase 2a TUSCANY trial highlighted the safety and efficacy of PF-06480605 in ulcerative colitis. Preclinical and in vitro models have identified a role for TL1A in both innate and adaptive immune responses, but the mechanisms underlying the efficacy of anti-TL1A treatment in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) are not known. Methods Here, we provide analysis of tissue transcriptomic, peripheral blood proteomic, and fecal metagenomic data from the recently completed phase 2a TUSCANY trial and demonstrate endoscopic improvement post-treatment with PF-06480605 in participants with ulcerative colitis. Results Our results revealed robust TL1A target engagement in colonic tissue and a distinct colonic transcriptional response reflecting a reduction in inflammatory T helper 17 cell, macrophage, and fibrosis pathways in patients with endoscopic improvement. Proteomic analysis of peripheral blood revealed a corresponding decrease in inflammatory T-cell cytokines. Finally, microbiome analysis showed significant changes in IBD-associated pathobionts, Streptococcus salivarius, S. parasanguinis, and Haemophilus parainfluenzae post-therapy. Conclusions The ability of PF-06480605 to engage and inhibit colonic TL1A, targeting inflammatory T cell and fibrosis pathways, provides the first-in-human mechanistic data to guide anti-TL1A therapy for the treatment of IBD.

Background/Aims: PF-00547659 is a monoclonal antibody against human mucosal addressin cell adhesion molecule-1 (MAd CAM-1) that prevents the binding of α4β7+ lymphocytes to MAdCAM-expressing sites in the gastrointestinal tract with high af finity and selectivity, and is being developed for the treatment of Crohn’s disease (CD). Methods: OPERA is a randomized, mul ticenter, double-blind, placebo-controlled study to investigate the efficacy, safety, and pharmacokinetics of PF-00547659 fol lowing subcutaneous administration in subjects with active CD, a history of failure or intolerance to anti-tumor necrosis factor and/or immunosuppressants, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein >3.0 mg/L, and ulcers on colonoscopy. The primary endpoint was Crohn’s Disease Activity Index-70 response at week 8 or 12. Subpopulation analyses for Asian subjects were performed as some differences are observed in genetics and clinical phenotypes in Asian CD patients compared with Western patients. Results: In this study, 265 CD subjects were randomized, with a subpopulation of 21 subjects (8 Japanese and 13 Korean) de fined as the Asian population. In the overall and Asian populations; PF-00547659 was pharmacologically active as evidenced by soluble MAdCAM and circulating β7+ central memory CD4+ T-lymphocytes, although no clear evidence of efficacy was observed in any clinical endpoints; pharmacokinetics of PF-00547659 in the Asian subpopulation was generally comparable to the overall population; and the safety profile of PF-00547659 appeared acceptable up to 12 weeks of treatment. Conclusions: In the overall and Asian populations, efficacy of PF-00547659 could not be demonstrated using any clinical endpoints compared with placebo. Pharmacokinetics and safety of PF-00547659 were generally comparable. Further studies with larger numbers of patients are required to confirm our results. (Trial Registration Number: NCT01276509) (Intest Res 2020;18:45-55)

Aims Human genetic, tissue expression, proteomics, transcriptomics and nonclinical studies implicate tumour necrosis factor α-like ligand 1A (TL1A) as a novel target in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). PF-06480605, a fully human immunoglobulin G1 monoclonal antibody, targets TL1A. This first-in-human, Phase 1, dose-escalation study assessed safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics and immunogenicity of intravenous (IV) and subcutaneous (SC) PF-06480605 in healthy subjects (NCT01989143). Methods Ninety-two subjects were randomized to single ascending doses (SAD), PF-06480605 1 mg, 3 mg, 10 mg, 30 mg, 100 mg, 300 mg, 600 mg or 800 mg IV, or multiple ascending doses (MAD), PF-06480605 3 × 500 mg IV, or 3 × 30 mg, 3 × 100 mg, or 3 × 300 mg SC every 2 weeks for three doses, or placebo. Safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetics, immunogenicity profiles and total TL1A, anti-drug antibody (ADA) and neutralizing antibody (NAb) levels were assessed at pre-determined times. Results PF-06480605 SAD up to 800 mg IV and MAD up to 300 mg ×3 SC and 500 mg ×3 IV were well tolerated. Overall, there were 45 and 44 treatment-emergent adverse events in SAD and MAD cohorts, respectively, and no deaths or serious adverse events. PF-06480605 exposure generally increased dose-dependently. ADA and NAb levels did not impact safety, pharmacokinetics, or pharmacodynamics at higher doses. Target engagement was demonstrated through dose-dependent differences in serum total soluble TL1A concentrations for PF-06480605 vs placebo cohorts. Conclusions PF-06480605 was generally well tolerated, and binding of soluble TL1A was maintained throughout the dose interval, supporting further study of PF-06480605 in patients with IBD and other inflammatory conditions.

Background & Aims An immune component of inflammatory bowel disease is up-regulated tumor necrosis factor-like ligand 1A (TL1A). Anti-TL1A antibodies such as PF-06480605, a fully human immunoglobulin G1 monoclonal antibody, may have therapeutic potential. Methods This Phase 2a, multicenter, single-arm, open-label study (TUSCANY) evaluated safety, tolerability, efficacy, pharmacokinetics, and immunogenicity in PF-06480605–treated participants with moderate to severe ulcerative colitis (UC). Participants received 500 mg intravenous PF-06480605 every 2 weeks, 7 doses total, with a 3-month follow-up period. Primary safety and efficacy endpoints were the incidence of adverse events (AEs) and week 14 endoscopic improvement (EI) (Mayo endoscopic subscore = 0 or 1), respectively. Secondary endpoints included total soluble TL1A (free/drug-bound) (sTL1A), incidence of anti-drug and neutralizing antibodies, PF-06480605 concentrations, and changes in fecal calprotectin and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein. Histology was assessed at week 14. Results The study enrolled 50 participants; 42 completed. Of 109 treatment-emergent AEs, 18 were treatment-related. The most common AEs were UC disease exacerbation and arthralgia (6 participants each). Four serious AEs, no deaths, and no malignancies were reported. Week 14 EI was observed in a statistically significant proportion of participants (38.2% [uniformly minimum-variance unbiased estimator, per protocol population]). Minimal histologic disease was observed after treatment (Robarts Histopathology Index ≤5: 33.3%; Geboes Index ≤3.2: 47.6%). sTL1A increase over time from baseline indicated sustained target engagement. Forty-one participants (82%) tested positive for anti-drug antibodies and 5 (10%) for neutralizing antibodies. Conclusions PF-06480605 demonstrated an acceptable safety profile and statistically significant EI in participants with moderate to severe UC, warranting further study in a larger participant cohort. Tissue histopathology analyses support this conclusion. Trial registration number: https://clinicaltrials.gov/NCT02840721 .

Background Widespread disruption of the mucosal immune system is central to the pathogenesis of ulcerative colitis (UC). One component, tumour necrosis factor (TNF) α-like ligand 1A (TL1A), is upregulated at the site of active disease in UC. Treatment of preclinical rodent models with anti-TL1A antibodies decreases disease activity, highlighting their therapeutic potential for UC. PF-06480605 is a first-in-class fully human immunoglobulin G1 monoclonal antibody targeting TL1A. Methods The Phase 2a, open-label, multicentre, single-arm TUSCANY study (NCT02840721) evaluated the safety, tolerability and efficacy of PF-06480605 in treatment of moderate to severe UC. Participants received 500 mg intravenous (IV) PF-06480605 every 2 weeks (Q2W) for a total of 7 doses, with a 14-week follow-up period. Primary safety and efficacy endpoints were incidence of treatment-emergent adverse events (TEAEs) and endoscopic improvement (EI) (Mayo endoscopic subscore [centrally read] of ≤1 without friability) at Week 14, respectively. Secondary efficacy endpoints included remission (total Mayo score ≤2, with no individual subscore >1) and endoscopic remission (Mayo endoscopic subscore = 0) at Week 14. Transcriptomic profiling on intestinal biopsies was performed. Results Of the 50 participants who received PF-06480605, 42 completed the study. The majority were male (56.0%) and white (96.0%), with a mean age of 40.0 years and prior experience of anti-TNF inhibitors (72.0%). Pancolitis (48.0%) and left-sided colitis (32.0%) were the most common forms of UC at baseline. There were 109 TEAEs, of which 18 were treatment-related. Aside from worsening UC, the most common TEAE by system organ class was arthralgia, which occurred in 6 participants, and 1 was treatment-related. Treatment-emergent serious adverse events were reported in 3 participants, and considered treatment-related in 1 participant (Table 1). No malignancies or deaths were reported. At Week 14, statistically significant EI was observed in 38.2% of participants (Table 2). The proportions of participants achieving remission and endoscopic remission at Week 14 were 24.0% and 10.0%, respectively. Transcriptomic analyses demonstrated normalisation towards a non-inflamed transcriptome in participants with EI. Conclusion PF-06480605 exhibited an acceptable safety and tolerability profile and statistically significant EI in participants with moderate to severe UC. These results warrant further evaluation in subsequent studies.

Background and Aims To define pharmacodynamic and efficacy biomarkers in ulcerative colitis [UC] patients treated with PF-00547659, an anti-human mucosal addressin cell adhesion molecule-1 [MAdCAM-1] monoclonal antibody, in the TURANDOT study. Methods Transcriptome, proteome and immunohistochemistry data were generated in peripheral blood and intestinal biopsies from 357 subjects in the TURANDOT study. Results In peripheral blood, C-C motif chemokine receptor 9 [CCR9] gene expression demonstrated a dose-dependent increase relative to placebo, but in inflamed intestinal biopsies CCR9 gene expression decreased with increasing PF-00547659 dose. Statistical models incorporating the full RNA transcriptome in inflamed intestinal biopsies showed significant ability to assess response and remission status. Oncostatin M [OSM] gene expression in inflamed intestinal biopsies demonstrated significant associations with, and good accuracy for, efficacy, and this observation was confirmed in independent published studies in which UC patients were treated with infliximab or vedolizumab. Compared with the placebo group, intestinal T-regulatory cells demonstrated a significant increase in the intermediate 22.5-mg dose cohort, but not in the 225-mg cohort. Conclusions CCR9 and OSM are implicated as novel pharmacodynamic and efficacy biomarkers. These findings occur amid coordinated transcriptional changes that enable the definition of surrogate efficacy biomarkers based on inflamed biopsy or blood transcriptomics data. ClinicalTrials.gov identifier NCT01620255