The safety and efficacy of Nplate were assessed in two double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical studies and in an open-label extension study.
Studies 1 and 2
In Studies 1 and 2, patients with chronic ITP who had completed at least one prior treatment and had a platelet count of ≤ 30 x 109/L prior to study entry were randomized (2:1) to 24 weeks of Nplate (1 mcg/kg subcutaneous [SC]) or placebo. Prior ITP treatments in both study groups included corticosteroids, immunoglobulins, rituximab, cytotoxic therapies, danazol, and azathioprine. Patients already receiving ITP medical therapies at a constant dosing schedule were allowed to continue receiving these medical treatments throughout the studies. Rescue therapies (ie, corticosteroids, IVIG, platelet transfusions, and anti-D immunoglobulin) were permitted for bleeding, wet purpura, or if the patient was at immediate risk for hemorrhage. Patients received single weekly SC injections of Nplate, with individual dose adjustments to maintain platelet counts (50 x 109/L to 200 x 109/L).
Study 1 evaluated patients who had not undergone a splenectomy. The patients had been diagnosed with ITP for approximately 2 years and had received a median of three prior ITP treatments. Overall, the median platelet count was 19 x 109/L at study entry. During the study, the median weekly Nplate dose was 2 mcg/kg (25th–75th percentile: 1–3 mcg/kg).
Study 2 evaluated patients who had undergone a splenectomy. The patients had been diagnosed with ITP for approximately 8 years and had received a median of six prior ITP treatments. Overall, the median platelet count was 14 x 109/L at study entry. During the study, the median weekly Nplate dose was 3 mcg/kg (25th–75th percentile: 2–7 mcg/kg).
Study 1 and 2 outcomes are shown in Table 3. A durable platelet response was the achievement of a weekly platelet count ≥ 50 x 109/L for any 6 of the last 8 weeks of the 24-week treatment period in the absence of rescue medication at any time. A transient platelet response was the achievement of any weekly platelet counts ≥ 50 x 109/L for any 4 weeks during the treatment period without a durable platelet response. An overall platelet response was the achievement of either a durable or a transient platelet response. Platelet responses were excluded for 8 weeks after receiving rescue medications.
Table 3. Results From Placebo-Controlled Studiesa | Study 1 Nonsplenectomized Patients | Study 2 Splenectomized Patients |
| Outcomes | Nplate (n = 41) | Placebo (n = 21) | Nplate (n = 42) | Placebo (n = 21) |
| Platelet Responses and Rescue Therapy |
| Durable Platelet Response, n (%) | 25 (61%) | 1 (5%) | 16 (38%) | 0 (0%) |
| Overall Platelet Response, n (%) | 36 (88%) | 3 (14%) | 33 (79%) | 0 (0%) |
| Number of Weeks With Platelet Counts ≥ 50 x 109/L, average | 15 | 1 | 12 | 0 |
| Requiring Rescue Therapy, n (%) | 8 (20%) | 13 (62%) | 11 (26%) | 12 (57%) |
| Reduction/Discontinuation of Baseline Concurrent ITP Medical Therapy |
| Receiving Therapy at Baseline | (n = 11) | (n = 10) | (n = 12) | (n = 6) |
| Patients Who Had > 25% Dose Reduction in Concurrent Therapy, n (%) | 4/11 (36%) | 2/10 (20%) | 4/12 (33%) | 1/6 (17%) |
| Patients Who Discontinued Baseline Therapy, n (%)b | 4/11 (36%) | 3/10 (30%) | 8/12 (67%) | 0/6 (0%) |
a All p values < 0.05 for platelet response and rescue therapy comparisons between Nplate and placebo.
b For multiple concomitant baseline therapies, all therapies were discontinued.
In Studies 1 and 2, nine patients reported a serious bleeding event [five (6%) Nplate, four (10%) placebo]. Bleeding events that were Grade 2 severity or higher occurred in 15% of patients treated with Nplate and 34% of patients treated with placebo.
Extension Study
Patients who had participated in either Study 1 or Study 2 were withdrawn from study medications. If platelet counts subsequently decreased to ≤ 50 x 109/L, the patients were allowed to receive Nplate in an open-label extension study with weekly dosing based on platelet counts. Following Nplate discontinuation in Studies 1 and 2, seven patients maintained platelet counts of ≥ 50 x 109/L. Among 100 patients who subsequently entered the extension study, platelet counts were increased and sustained regardless of whether they had received Nplate or placebo in the prior placebo-controlled studies. The majority of patients reached a median platelet count of 50 x 109/L after receiving one to three doses of Nplate, and these platelet counts were maintained throughout the remainder of the study with a median duration of Nplate treatment of 60 weeks and a maximum duration of 96 weeks.