Characteristics of Patients with Hereditary Transthyretin Amyloidosis-Polyneuropathy (ATTRv-PN) in NEURO-TTRansform, an Open-label Phase 3 Study of Eplontersen

Neurol Ther. 2023 Feb;12(1):267-287. doi: 10.1007/s40120-022-00414-z. Epub 2022 Dec 16.

Abstract

Introduction: Hereditary transthyretin (ATTRv) amyloidosis is a rare, severe, progressive, debilitating, and ultimately fatal disease caused by systemic deposition of transthyretin (TTR) amyloid fibrils. ATTRv amyloidosis occurs in both males and females. Eplontersen (ION-682884), a ligand-conjugated antisense oligonucleotide designed to degrade hepatic TTR mRNA, is being evaluated for the treatment of ATTRv amyloidosis with polyneuropathy (ATTRv-PN) in the phase 3, international, multicenter, open-label NEURO-TTRansform study (NCT04136184). To describe the study population of this pivotal trial, here we report the baseline characteristics of patients enrolled in the NEURO-TTRansform study.

Methods: Patients eligible for NEURO-TTRansform were 18-82 years old with a diagnosis of ATTRv-PN and Coutinho stage 1 (ambulatory without assistance) or stage 2 (ambulatory with assistance) disease; documented TTR gene variant; signs and symptoms consistent with neuropathy associated with ATTRv; no prior liver transplant; and New York Heart Association (NYHA) functional class I or II.

Results: The NEURO-TTRansform study enrolled 168 patients across 15 countries/territories (North America, 15.5%; Europe, 38.1%; South America/Australia/Asia, 46.4%). At baseline, the study cohort had a mean age of 52.8 years, 69.0% of patients were male, and 78.0% of patients were White. The V30M variant was most prevalent (60.1% of patients), and prevalence varied by region. Overall, 56.5% and 17.3% of patients had received previous treatment with tafamidis or diflunisal, respectively. A majority of patients (79.2%) had Coutinho stage 1 disease (unimpaired ambulation) and early (before age 50) disease onset (53.0%). Time from diagnosis to enrollment was 46.6 (57.4) months (mean [standard deviation]). Most patients had a baseline polyneuropathy disability (PND) score of I (40.5%) or II (41.1%), and the mean modified Neuropathy Impairment Score + 7 (mNIS + 7) was 79.0.

Conclusion: The recruited population in the ongoing NEURO-TTRansform study has global representation characteristic of contemporary clinical practice.

Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov identifier NCT04136184.

Keywords: ATTR; Amyloid; Cardiomyopathy; Eplontersen; Polyneuropathy; Transthyretin amyloidosis.

Plain language summary

Hereditary transthyretin amyloidosis, also called ATTRv amyloidosis, is a rare and serious disease that is passed down within families. People with ATTRv amyloidosis have a genetic variant that causes their liver to make abnormal versions of the transthyretin protein (also known as “TTR”), which clump together into “clusters” called amyloids. The amyloid clusters build up in various body tissues and organs such as the liver, nerves, heart, and kidney, causing damage that could ultimately lead to death. ATTRv amyloidosis is a progressive disease, meaning that it gets worse over time. Liver transplant has traditionally been the only treatment option. Recently, drugs that target TTR have been approved by the FDA, and potential drugs are being tested in clinical trials. Eplontersen is designed to degrade TTR mRNA in the liver and inhibit the production of TTR protein. NEURO-TTRansform is a global phase 3 study investigating the effectiveness and safety of eplontersen in 168 adults with ATTRv amyloidosis with polyneuropathy (ATTRv-PN), a disease in which amyloid accumulation in peripheral nerves causes multisystem damage and eventually death. This scientific article describes the characteristics of the patients at enrollment, including age, gender, geographic location, and disease-related information, to help improve the understanding of ATTRv-PN. NEURO-TTRansform is an ongoing study, and the results will be published at a later time as prespecified in the analysis plan.

Associated data

  • ClinicalTrials.gov/NCT04136184