A Phase 3 Trial of Sebelipase Alfa in Lysosomal Acid Lipase Deficiency

N Engl J Med. 2015 Sep 10;373(11):1010-20. doi: 10.1056/NEJMoa1501365.

Abstract

Background: Lysosomal acid lipase is an essential lipid-metabolizing enzyme that breaks down endocytosed lipid particles and regulates lipid metabolism. We conducted a phase 3 trial of enzyme-replacement therapy in children and adults with lysosomal acid lipase deficiency, an underappreciated cause of cirrhosis and severe dyslipidemia.

Methods: In this multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study involving 66 patients, we evaluated the safety and effectiveness of enzyme-replacement therapy with sebelipase alfa (administered intravenously at a dose of 1 mg per kilogram of body weight every other week); the placebo-controlled phase of the study was 20 weeks long and was followed by open-label treatment for all patients. The primary end point was normalization of the alanine aminotransferase level. Secondary end points included additional disease-related efficacy assessments, safety, and side-effect profile.

Results: Substantial disease burden at baseline included a very high level of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (≥190 mg per deciliter) in 38 of 66 patients (58%) and cirrhosis in 10 of 32 patients (31%) who underwent biopsy. A total of 65 of the 66 patients who underwent randomization completed the double-blind portion of the trial and continued with open-label treatment. At 20 weeks, the alanine aminotransferase level was normal in 11 of 36 patients (31%) in the sebelipase alfa group and in 2 of 30 (7%) in the placebo group (P=0.03), with mean changes from baseline of -58 U per liter versus -7 U per liter (P<0.001). With respect to prespecified key secondary efficacy end points, we observed improvements in lipid levels and reduction in hepatic fat content (P<0.001 for all comparisons, except P=0.04 for triglycerides). The number of patients with adverse events was similar in the two groups; most events were mild and were considered by the investigator to be unrelated to treatment.

Conclusions: Sebelipase alfa therapy resulted in a reduction in multiple disease-related hepatic and lipid abnormalities in children and adults with lysosomal acid lipase deficiency. (Funded by Synageva BioPharma and others; ARISE ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT01757184.).

Publication types

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

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Alanine Transaminase / blood
  • Biopsy
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Cholesterol, HDL / blood
  • Cholesterol, LDL / blood
  • Double-Blind Method
  • Dyslipidemias / drug therapy
  • Dyslipidemias / genetics
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Liver / drug effects
  • Liver / pathology
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Sterol Esterase / adverse effects
  • Sterol Esterase / pharmacology
  • Sterol Esterase / therapeutic use*
  • Wolman Disease / blood
  • Wolman Disease / drug therapy*
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • Cholesterol, HDL
  • Cholesterol, LDL
  • Alanine Transaminase
  • Sterol Esterase

Associated data

  • ClinicalTrials.gov/NCT01757184