Abstract
Background Patients with systemic lupus erythematosus may develop secondary warm autoimmune hemolytic anemia (wAIHA). wAIHA is a rare condition characterized by the premature destruction of red blood cells (RBCs) mainly in the presence of pathogenic immunoglobulin G (IgG) autoantibodies that preferentially bind to RBCs at 37°C, resulting in extravascular hemolysis of these RBCs in the spleen (or liver). Nipocalimab is a high affinity, fully human, aglycosylated, effectorless monoclonal antibody that targets the neonatal Fc receptor (FcRn) to lower circulating IgG levels, including pathogenic autoantibodies. Here we describe the rationale and study design of ENERGY, an ongoing, adaptive, phase 2/3 multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study that will evaluate the efficacy, safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetics, and pharmacodynamics of nipocalimab compared with placebo in patients with wAIHA (NCT04119050).
Methods Subjects ≥18 years of age who have been diagnosed with primary idiopathic or secondary wAIHA and are currently receiving treatment for wAIHA or have previously received treatment for wAIHA will be included in the study. Stable doses of corticosteroids or immunosuppressants will be allowed. Approximately 111 patients will be randomized 1:1:1 to receive nipocalimab at two different dose schedules or placebo. Following completion of 24 weeks of double-blind treatment, patients may enter an open-label extension period to receive nipocalimab for 144 weeks with a follow-up period of 6 weeks after last assessment.
Results ENERGY will include over 170 sites across nearly 20 countries. The primary endpoint is percentage of participants achieving durable response of improvement in hemoglobin (Hgb). The secondary endpoints include change from baseline in the total score from the Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy-Fatigue Scale, corticosteroid dose reduction from baseline, and normalization of hemolytic markers.
Conclusions The results of ENERGY have the potential to identify a novel treatment option to address the significant unmet needs of patients with wAIHA. Enrollment is ongoing in this clinical trial.