Characterisation of the safety profile of evobrutinib in over 1000 patients from phase II clinical trials in multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis and systemic lupus erythematosus: an integrated safety analysis

J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry. 2023 Jan;94(1):1-9. doi: 10.1136/jnnp-2022-328799. Epub 2022 Nov 23.

Abstract

Objective: Analyse the integrated safety profile of evobrutinib, a Bruton's tyrosine kinase inhibitor (BTKi), using pooled data from multiple sclerosis (MS), rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) trials.

Methods: Phase II, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial data were analysed (N=1083; MS: n=213, 48 weeks (W); RA: n=390, 12W; SLE: n=480, 52W). The analysis included all patients who received ≥1 dose of evobrutinib (25 mg or 75 mg once daily, or 50 mg or 75 mgtwice daily) or placebo. Descriptive statistics and exposure-adjusted incidence rates (EAIR) were used to report treatment-emergent adverse events (TEAEs).

Results: Data from 1083 patients were pooled: evobrutinib, n=861; placebo, n=271 (sum >1083 due to MS trial design: n=49 received both placebo (W0-24) and evobrutinib 25 mg (W25-48)); median follow-up time (pt-years): evobrutinib, 0.501; placebo, 0.463. Across indications, the proportion of patients with TEAEs and the EAIR were similar for evobrutinib and placebo (66.2% (247.6 events/100 pt-years) vs 62.4% (261.4 events/100 pt-years)). By indication, the EAIR (events/100 pt-years) of TEAEs for evobrutinib versus placebo were: MS: 119.7 vs 148.3; RA: 331.8 vs 306.8; SLE: 343.0 vs 302.1. Two fatal events occurred (in SLE). The serious infections EAIR was 2.7 and 2.1 events/100 pt-years for evobrutinib and placebo. For previously reported BTKi-class effects, the EAIR of transient elevated alanine aminotransferase/aspartate aminotransferase TEAEs (events/100 pt-years) with evobrutinib versus placebo was 4.8 vs 2.8/3.5 vs 0.7, respectively. IgG levels were similar in evobrutinib/placebo-treated patients.

Conclusions: This is the first BTKi-integrated safety analysis that includes patients with MS. Overall, evobrutinib treatment (all doses) was generally well tolerated across indications.

Trial registration numbers: NCT02975349, NCT03233230, NCT02975336.

Keywords: IMMUNOLOGY; MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS; RHEUMATOLOGY; SLE.

Publication types

  • Clinical Trial, Phase II
  • Randomized Controlled Trial
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Arthritis, Rheumatoid* / drug therapy
  • Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
  • Double-Blind Method
  • Humans
  • Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic* / drug therapy
  • Multiple Sclerosis* / drug therapy
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • evobrutinib

Associated data

  • ClinicalTrials.gov/NCT03233230
  • ClinicalTrials.gov/NCT02975349
  • ClinicalTrials.gov/NCT02975336