Real-world characteristics of patients with sickle cell disease who initiated crizanlizumab therapy

Curr Med Res Opin. 2023 Apr;39(4):555-565. doi: 10.1080/03007995.2023.2185391. Epub 2023 Mar 11.

Abstract

Objective: To provide real-word evidence of patients with SCD initiating crizanlizumab, their use of other SCD treatments, and crizanlizumab treatment patterns.

Methods: Using IQVIA's US-based, Longitudinal Patient-Centric Pharmacy and Medical Claims Databases patients with a diagnosis of SCD between November 1, 2018, and April 30, 2021, and ≥1 claim for crizanlizumab (date of first claim = index date) between November 1, 2019, and January 31, 2021 who were ≥16 years of age, and had ≥12 months of pre-index data were selected for analysis. Two cohorts were identified based on available follow-up time (3- and 6-month cohorts). Patient characteristics were reported along with pre- and post-index SCD treatments and crizanlizumab treatment patterns (e.g. total doses received, gap-days between doses, days on therapy, discontinuation, and restarts).

Results: 540 patients met the base inclusion criteria (345 in the 3-month cohort and 262 in the 6-month cohort. Most patients (64%) were female with a mean (SD) age of 35 (12) years overall. Concomitant hydroxyurea use was observed in 19-39% of patients, while concomitant L-glutamine use was observed for 4-8% of patients. 85% of 3-month cohort patients received at least two doses of crizanlizumab, while 66% of the 6-month cohort received at least 4 doses of crizanlizumab. The median number of gap days between doses was 1 or 2.

Conclusions: 66% of patients who receive crizanlizumab receive at least 4 doses within 6-months. The low median number of gap days suggests high adherence.

Keywords: Crizanlizumab; sickle cell disease.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Anemia, Sickle Cell* / complications
  • Anemia, Sickle Cell* / drug therapy
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized* / therapeutic use
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Hydroxyurea / therapeutic use
  • Male
  • Retrospective Studies

Substances

  • crizanlizumab
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized
  • Hydroxyurea