ANTHIM infusion was discontinued in 8/320 healthy subjects (2.5%) in clinical trials due to hypersensitivity reactions or anaphylaxis [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1)].
The most frequently reported adverse reactions were headache, pruritus, infections of the upper respiratory tract, cough, vessel puncture site bruise, infusion site swelling, urticaria, nasal congestion, infusion site pain, and pain in extremity.
Overall in the single-dose population, subjects who received pre-medication with diphenhydramine were less likely to experience adverse reactions with administration of ANTHIM compared to those who did not (42% vs. 58% respectively). Specifically, the incidence of the following adverse reactions was lower in the subjects who received diphenhydramine prior to ANTHIM infusion compared to those who did not: headache (5% vs. 16%), cough (1% vs. 8%), rash (2% vs. 7%), pruritus (3% vs. 4%) throat irritation (0 vs. 3%), rhinorrhea (0 vs. 3%), and infusion site erythema (0% vs. 4%). Somnolence was only reported in subjects who were pretreated with diphenhydramine.
Clinically important adverse reactions that were reported in <1.5% of subjects exposed to ANTHIM and at rates higher than in placebo subjects are listed below:
- General disorders and administration site conditions: chest discomfort/pain, fatigue, pyrexia, intravenous site discoloration
- Musculoskeletal and connective tissue disorders: myalgia, musculoskeletal pain
- Respiratory, thoracic and mediastinal disorders: oropharyngeal pain, sinus congestion, rhinorrhea, dysphonia, dyspnea
- Investigations: lymphocyte count decreased, neutrophil count decreased, white blood count decreased, increased creatine phosphokinase
- Cardiac disorders: palpitations, cyanosis
- Neurologic disorders: dizziness
- Gastrointestinal disorders: vomiting, dry mouth
Risk Summary
There are no data on the use of ANTHIM in pregnant women to inform on drug-associated risk. There are adverse effects on maternal and fetal outcomes associated with anthrax in pregnancy (see Clinical Considerations). In pregnant rabbits, intravenous administration of obiltoxaximab during organogenesis was not associated with adverse developmental outcomes at up to 0.62 times the human systemic exposure at the maximum recommended adult dose (see Data).
The estimated background risk of major birth defects and miscarriage for the indicated population is unknown. All pregnancies have a background risk of birth defect, loss, or other adverse outcomes. In the U.S. general population, the estimated background risk of major birth defects and miscarriage in clinically recognized pregnancies is 2% to 4% and 15% to 20%, respectively.
Clinical Considerations
Disease-Associated Maternal and/or Embryo/Fetal Risk:
Limited data in the form of case reports of anthrax infection in pregnant women indicate that maternal infection is associated with a high risk of maternal, fetal, and neonatal deaths, particularly in the absence of treatment.
Data
Animal Data:
A study was conducted in pregnant, healthy, New Zealand White rabbits administered intravenous obiltoxaximab at dose levels of 16 or 32 mg/kg during organogenesis on Gestation Days 6, 10, 13 and 17. No maternal toxicity or adverse developmental outcomes were observed at the highest tested dose, 32 mg/kg. In those rabbits, mean maternal maximum plasma concentration (Cmax = 1180 mcg/mL) and mean maternal AUCinf (3220 mcg•day/mL) were approximately 3 times and 0.62 times the respective values for Cmax and AUC reported in clinical trial subjects at the maximum recommended adult dose of 16 mg/kg.
Risk Summary
There is no information available on the presence of obiltoxaximab in human milk, the effects on the breastfed child, or the effects on milk production. Maternal IgG is known to be present in human milk. Therefore, the development and health benefits of breastfeeding should be considered along with the mother's clinical need for ANTHIM and any potential adverse effects on the breastfed child from ANTHIM or from the underlying maternal condition.
Repeat Dosing
Although ANTHIM is intended for single dose administration, the PK of obiltoxaximab following a second dose administration of 16 mg/kg IV given 2 weeks or ≥ 4 months after the first 16 mg/kg IV dose was assessed in 65 healthy subjects (study 2). The obiltoxaximab AUCinf following two 16 mg/kg doses 2 weeks apart was approximately twice that after a single 16 mg/kg dose on Day 1 or Day 120. No significant differences in mean estimates of Cmax, AUCinf, CL, or half-life of obiltoxaximab between the 2 doses administered ≥4 months apart were observed.
Distribution
Mean obiltoxaximab steady-state volume of distribution was greater than plasma volume, suggesting some tissue distribution.
Elimination
Clearance values were much smaller than the glomerular filtration rate, indicating that there is virtually no renal clearance of obiltoxaximab.
Because the effectiveness of ANTHIM cannot be evaluated in humans, a comparison of ANTHIM exposures achieved in healthy human subjects to those observed in animal models of inhalational anthrax in therapeutic efficacy studies is necessary to support the dosage regimen of 16 mg/kg IV as a single dose for the treatment of inhalational anthrax in humans. Based on observed and simulated data, humans achieve similar obiltoxaximab Cmax and greater AUCinf following a single 16 mg/kg IV dose compared to exposures achieved in NZW rabbits and cynomolgus macaques.
Specific Populations
Gender, Age, and Race
ANTHIM PK were evaluated via a population PK analysis using serum samples from 303 healthy adult subjects who received a single IV dose across 3 clinical trials. Based on this analysis, gender (female versus male), race (non-Caucasian versus Caucasian), or age (elderly versus young) had no meaningful effects on the PK parameters for ANTHIM.
Pediatric Population
ANTHIM PK have not been evaluated in children [see Dosage and Administration (2.2) and Use in Specific Populations (8.4)].
Drug Interaction Studies
Ciprofloxacin
In an open-label study evaluating the effect of ciprofloxacin on obiltoxaximab PK in healthy adult male and female subjects (study 3), the administration of 16 mg/kg ANTHIM IV infusion prior to ciprofloxacin IV infusion or ciprofloxacin oral tablets twice daily did not alter the PK of obiltoxaximab. Likewise, obiltoxaximab did not alter the PK of ciprofloxacin administered orally and/or intravenously [see Drug Interactions (7.1)].
Mechanism of Action
Obiltoxaximab is a monoclonal antibody that binds free PA with an affinity equilibrium dissociation constant (Kd) of 0.33 nM. Obiltoxaximab inhibits the binding of PA to its cellular receptors, preventing the intracellular entry of the anthrax lethal factor and edema factor, the enzymatic toxin components responsible for the pathogenic effects of anthrax toxin.
Activity
In Vitro
and
In Vivo
Obiltoxaximab binds in vitro to PA from the Ames, Vollum, and Sterne strains of B. anthracis. Obiltoxaximab binds to an epitope on PA that is conserved across reported strains of B. anthracis.
In vitro studies in a cell-based assay, using murine macrophages, suggest that obiltoxaximab neutralizes the toxic effects of lethal toxin, a combination of PA + lethal factor.
In vivo efficacy studies in NZW rabbits and cynomolgus macaques challenged with the spores of the Ames strain of B. anthracis by the inhalational route, showed a dose-dependent increase in survival following treatment with ANTHIM. Exposure to B. anthracis spores resulted in increasing concentrations of PA in the serum of NZW rabbits and cynomolgus macaques. After treatment with ANTHIM there was a decrease in PA concentrations in a majority of surviving animals. PA concentrations in placebo animals increased until they died [see Clinical Studies (14)].
Overview
Because it is not feasible or ethical to conduct controlled clinical trials in humans with inhalational anthrax, the efficacy of ANTHIM for the treatment of inhalational anthrax is based on efficacy studies in NZW rabbits and cynomolgus macaques. The animal efficacy studies are conducted under widely varying conditions, such that the survival rates observed in the animal studies cannot be directly compared between studies and may not reflect the rates observed in clinical practice.
Types of Studies
The efficacy of ANTHIM for treatment and prophylaxis of inhalational anthrax was studied in multiple studies in the cynomolgus macaque and NZW rabbit models of inhalational anthrax. These studies tested the efficacy of ANTHIM compared to placebo and the efficacy of ANTHIM in combination with antibacterial drugs relative to the antibacterial drugs alone.
Study Design
The animals were challenged with aerosolized B. anthracis spores (Ames strain) at approximately 200xLD50 to achieve 100% mortality if untreated. In prophylaxis studies of inhalational anthrax, animals were treated prior to the development of symptoms. In treatment studies, animals were administered treatment after exhibiting clinical signs or symptoms of systemic anthrax. Cynomolgus macaques were treated at the time of a positive serum electrochemiluminescence (ECL) assay for B. anthracis PA at a mean time of approximately 40 hours post-challenge with B. anthracis. In NZW rabbit treatment studies, animals were treated after a positive ECL assay for PA or sustained elevation of body temperature above baseline, at a mean time of approximately 30 hours post-challenge; the majority of animals triggered by temperature. In some of the treatment studies assessing the effect of ANTHIM in combination with antibacterial drugs, treatment was delayed to 72 to 96 hours post-challenge. Most study animals were bacteremic and had a positive ECL assay for PA prior to treatment. Survival was assessed at 28 days post-challenge with B. anthracis in most studies.
Results
NZW rabbit studies 1 and 2 and cynomolgus macaque studies 3 and 4 evaluated treatment with ANTHIM 16 mg/kg IV single dose compared to placebo in animals with systemic anthrax. Treatment with ANTHIM alone resulted in statistically significant improvement in survival relative to placebo (Table 4).
Table 4. Survival Proportions in Monotherapy Treatment Studies of 16 mg/kg IV, All Randomized Animals Positive for Bacteremia Prior to Treatment
|
|
|
|
|
| Proportion of Survival at Day 281 (# survived/n)
| p-value2 | 95% CI3 |
| Placebo | ANTHIM 16 mg/kg IV |
| NZW Rabbits
|
| Study 1
| 0 (0/9)
| 93% (13/14)
| 0.0010
| (0.59, 1.00)
|
| Study 2
| 0 (0/13)
| 62% (8/13)
| 0.0013
| (0.29, 0.86)
|
| Cynomolgus Macaques
|
| Study 3
| 6% (1/16)
| 47% (7/15)
| 0.0068
| (0.09, 0.68)
|
| Study 44 | 0 (0/17)
| 31% (5/16) 35% (6/17)
| 0.0085 0.0055
| (0.08, 0.59) (0.11, 0.62)
|
ANTHIM administered in combination with antibacterial drugs (levofloxacin, ciprofloxacin and doxycycline) for the treatment of systemic inhalational anthrax disease resulted in higher survival outcomes than antibacterial therapy alone in multiple studies where ANTHIM and antibacterial therapy was given at various doses and treatment times.
ANTHIM administered as prophylaxis resulted in higher survival outcomes compared to placebo in multiple studies where treatment was given at various doses and treatment times. In one study, cynomolgus macaques were administered ANTHIM 16 mg/kg at 18 hours, 24 hours or 36 hours after exposure. Survival was 6/6 (100%) at 18 hours, 5/6 (83%) at 24 hours, and 3/6 (50%) at 36 hours. Another cynomolgus macaque study evaluated ANTHIM 16 mg/kg administered 72, 48 or 24 hours prior to exposure. Survival was 100% at all three time points (14/14, 14/14, 15/15, respectively) at day 56 (end of study).
Efficacy Based on Animal Models Alone
Inform patients that:
- The effectiveness of ANTHIM has been studied only in animals with inhalational anthrax. ANTHIM has not been tested in people who have inhalational anthrax.
- The safety of ANTHIM has been studied in healthy adults, but no safety data are available in pediatric patients or pregnant women. Limited data are available in geriatric subjects [see Use in Specific Populations (8.5)].
Hypersensitivity Reactions and Anaphylaxis
Inform patients that hypersensitivity reactions, including anaphylaxis, have occurred with administration of ANTHIM. Inform patients of the signs and symptoms of hypersensitivity reactions and anaphylaxis and instruct patients to seek immediate medical care if they experience such symptoms during or following administration of ANTHIM [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1)].
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Elusys Therapeutics, Inc.
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