Evaluation of efficacy and safety of the anti-VWF Nanobody ALX-0681 in a preclinical baboon model of acquired thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura

Blood. 2012 Oct 25;120(17):3603-10. doi: 10.1182/blood-2012-04-420943. Epub 2012 Sep 4.

Abstract

ALX-0681 is a therapeutic Nanobody targeting the A1-domain of VWF. It inhibits the interaction between ultra-large VWF and platelet GpIb-IX-V, which plays a crucial role in the pathogenesis of thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP). In the present study, we report the efficacy and safety profile of ALX-0681 in a baboon model of acquired TTP. In this model, acute episodes of TTP are induced by administration of an ADAMTS13-inhibiting mAb. ALX-0681 completely prevented the rapid onset of severe thrombocytopenia and schistocytic hemolytic anemia. After induction of TTP, platelet counts also rapidly recovered on administration of ALX-0681. This effect was corroborated by the full neutralization of VWF activity. The schistocytic hemolytic anemia was also halted and partially reversed by ALX-0681 treatment. Brain CT scans and post mortem analysis did not reveal any sign of bleeding, suggesting that complete neutralization of VWF by ALX-0681 under conditions of thrombocytopenia was not linked with an excessive bleeding risk. The results obtained in this study demonstrate that ALX-0681 can successfully treat and prevent the most important hallmarks of acquired TTP without evidence of a severe bleeding risk. Therefore, ALX-0681 offers an attractive new therapeutic option for acquired TTP in the clinical setting.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • ADAM Proteins / antagonists & inhibitors
  • ADAM Proteins / metabolism
  • Anemia, Hemolytic / complications
  • Anemia, Hemolytic / drug therapy*
  • Anemia, Hemolytic / metabolism
  • Anemia, Hemolytic / pathology
  • Animals
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal / pharmacology
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal / therapeutic use*
  • Blood Platelets / drug effects
  • Blood Platelets / metabolism
  • Blood Platelets / pathology
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • Drug Evaluation, Preclinical
  • Fibrinolytic Agents / pharmacology
  • Fibrinolytic Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Male
  • Multimodal Imaging
  • Papio
  • Platelet Count
  • Positron-Emission Tomography
  • Purpura, Thrombotic Thrombocytopenic / complications
  • Purpura, Thrombotic Thrombocytopenic / drug therapy*
  • Purpura, Thrombotic Thrombocytopenic / metabolism
  • Purpura, Thrombotic Thrombocytopenic / pathology
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed
  • Treatment Outcome
  • von Willebrand Factor / antagonists & inhibitors*
  • von Willebrand Factor / metabolism

Substances

  • Antibodies, Monoclonal
  • Fibrinolytic Agents
  • von Willebrand Factor
  • ADAM Proteins

Supplementary concepts

  • Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura, acquired