Recombinant human anti-transforming growth factor beta1 antibody therapy in systemic sclerosis: a multicenter, randomized, placebo-controlled phase I/II trial of CAT-192

Arthritis Rheum. 2007 Jan;56(1):323-33. doi: 10.1002/art.22289.

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate CAT-192, a recombinant human antibody that neutralizes transforming growth factor beta1 (TGFbeta1), in the treatment of early-stage diffuse cutaneous systemic sclerosis (dcSSc).

Methods: Patients with SSc duration of <18 months were randomly assigned to the placebo group or to 1 of 3 CAT-192 treatment groups: 10 mg/kg, 5 mg/kg, 0.5 mg/kg. Infusions were given on day 0 and weeks 6, 12, and 18. The primary objective of this study was to evaluate the safety, tolerability, and pharmacokinetics of CAT-192. Secondary outcomes included the modified Rodnan skin thickness score (MRSS), the Scleroderma Health Assessment Questionnaire, assessment of organ-based disease, serum levels of soluble interleukin-2 receptor, collagen propeptides (N propeptide of type I [PINP] and type III collagen), and tissue levels of messenger RNA for procollagens I and III and for TGFbeta1 and TGFbeta2.

Results: Forty-five patients were enrolled. There was significant morbidity and mortality, including 1 death in the group receiving 0.5 mg/kg of CAT-192 and 3 deaths in the group receiving 5 mg/kg of CAT-192. There were more adverse events and more serious adverse events in patients receiving CAT-192 than in those receiving placebo, although these events were not more frequent in the high-dose treatment group. The MRSS improved in all groups during the study, but there was no evidence of a treatment effect for CAT-192. Improvement in the MRSS correlated with the disease duration (r = -0.54, P = 0.0008). Changes in the PINP level from baseline correlated with changes in the MRSS (r = 0.37, P = 0.027).

Conclusion: We report the first evaluation of a systemically administered and repeatedly dosed anti-TGFbeta1 drug. In this pilot study, CAT-192, in doses up to 10 mg/kg, showed no evidence of efficacy. The utility of clinical and biochemical outcome measures and the feasibility of multicenter trials of early dcSSc were confirmed.

Publication types

  • Clinical Trial, Phase I
  • Clinical Trial, Phase II
  • Multicenter Study
  • Randomized Controlled Trial
  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal / pharmacokinetics
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal / therapeutic use*
  • Biomarkers / metabolism
  • Collagen Type I / genetics
  • Collagen Type I / metabolism
  • Collagen Type III / genetics
  • Collagen Type III / metabolism
  • Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
  • Female
  • Health Status
  • Humans
  • Immunosuppressive Agents / immunology*
  • Infusions, Intravenous
  • International Cooperation
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • RNA, Messenger / metabolism
  • Recombinant Proteins
  • Scleroderma, Diffuse / pathology
  • Scleroderma, Diffuse / physiopathology
  • Scleroderma, Diffuse / therapy*
  • Skin / drug effects
  • Skin / pathology
  • Surveys and Questionnaires
  • Transforming Growth Factor beta1 / genetics
  • Transforming Growth Factor beta1 / immunology*
  • Transforming Growth Factor beta1 / metabolism
  • Transforming Growth Factor beta2 / genetics
  • Transforming Growth Factor beta2 / metabolism
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • Antibodies, Monoclonal
  • Biomarkers
  • Collagen Type I
  • Collagen Type III
  • Immunosuppressive Agents
  • RNA, Messenger
  • Recombinant Proteins
  • Transforming Growth Factor beta1
  • Transforming Growth Factor beta2