A Phase 2, Double-blind, Placebo-controlled Study of the Efficacy and Safety of Belumosudil in Subjects With Moderate/Severe Chronic Plaque Psoriasis

Phase 2

Completed

Conditions: Chronic Plaque Psoriasis

Interventions: Drug: Belumosudil
Drug: Placebo

Registration Number: NCT02852967

Lead Sponsor: Kadmon Corporation, LLC

Brief Summary: This is a phase 2, randomized, placebo-controlled, 2-period study to evaluate the safety, tolerability, and efficacy of belumosudil in adult subjects with moderate to severe chronic plaque psoriasis who are candidates for systemic therapy or phototherapy.

Detailed Description: This phase 2, two-period, dose-finding, placebo-controlled study is performed on adult male and female subjects to evaluate the efficacy and safety of subjects with moderate to severe chronic plaque psoriasis who are candidates for systemic therapy or phototherapy.

Period 1: Double-blind, Placebo-controlled Treatment Period

Approximately 110 subjects are planned to be randomly assigned to each of 5 dose cohorts in a 1:1:1:1:1 manner. Each cohort is planned to have 22 subjects who meet eligibility criteria. Subjects are treated with oral (PO) belumosudil tablets or placebo tablets as follows:

* 200 mg belumosudil once daily (QD) (Cohort 1) = one 200 mg belumosudil tablet and 1 matching placebo in the morning and 1 matching placebo in the evening

* 200 mg belumosudil twice daily (BID) (Cohort 2) = one 200 mg belumosudil tablet in the morning and one matching placebo in the morning, and one 200 mg belumosudil tablet in the evening

* 400 mg belumosudil QD (Cohort 3) = two 200 mg belumosudil tablets in the morning and one matching placebo in the evening

* 600 mg/day belumosudil (Cohort 4) = two 200 mg belumosudil tablets in the morning and one 200 mg belumosudil tablet in the evening

* Matching placebo BID (Cohort 5) = 2 matching placebo tablets in the morning and 1 matching placebo tablet in the evening

Subjects in each of the 5 cohorts in Period 1 are treated with study medication for a period of 16 weeks.

Note: Originally, a sample size of 36 subjects per cohort was planned to provide approximately 90% probability ≥ 1 subject in the 5 cohorts would experience an adverse event (AE) that had an underlying rate of ≥ 6% and approximately an 80% probability of ≥ 1 subject in the cohort experiencing an AE that had an underlying rate of ≥ 4%. However, due to a newly available plaque psoriasis treatment, the study is terminated early with 110 subjects.

Period 2: Open-label Treatment Period (with Belumosudil)

All subjects treated for 16 weeks, regardless of treatment with belumosudil (Cohorts 1 through 4) or placebo (Cohort 5) are given the option to receive 400 mg belumosudil QD for an additional 32 weeks (Week 16 through Week 48).

Follow-up Period

All subjects have a safety evaluation 30 days after the last dose of study drug.

Efficacy is assessed by the following scores at scheduled time points throughout the study:

* Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI): Measure of psoriasis disease severity using average redness, thickness, and scaliness of lesions (each lesion graded 0 to 4), combined into single score ranging on a scale from 0 (no disease) to 72 (maximum disease)

* Physician's Global Assessment (PGA): Physician's assessment of a subject's psoriasis, relative to baseline, ranging on a scale from 1 (100% clearing of psoriasis) to 6 (poor to no clearing)

* Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI): Skin disease-specific instrument for assessing impact of disease on subject's quality of life ranging on a scale from 0 (no effect on subject's life) to 30 (extremely large effect on subject's life)

Safety is assessed by;

* AEs and serious AE (SAEs)

* Physical examination

* Vital sign measurements

* Clinical laboratory evaluations

* Electrocardiogram

* Reasons for discontinuation due to toxicity analyses

The maximum duration for subjects who complete Period 1 (Double-blind, Placebo-controlled) is 24 weeks (up to 4-week Screening, 16-week Period 1 treatment, and 4-week Follow-up). The maximum duration for subjects who complete Period 2 (Open-label) is 56 weeks (up to 4-week Screening, 16-week Double-blind Treatment Period, 32-week Open-label Treatment Period, and 4-week Follow-up).

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status: COMPLETED

Sex: All

Target Recruitment: 110

Inclusion Criteria

Adult subjects between the ages of 18 and 65 years
Able to provide written Informed Consent Form prior to the performance of any study-specific procedures
Diagnosis of moderate to severe chronic plaque psoriasis and a candidate for systemic therapy or phototherapy
PASI of ≥ 12 at screening and prior to the first dose of study drug, confirmed at Week 1 Day 1 (Baseline)
≥ 10% PASI body surface area involvement at screening and prior to the first dose of study drug, confirmed at Baseline
Willing to avoid tanning devices
Adequate bone marrow function:
- Absolute neutrophil count > 1500/mm^3
- Hemoglobin > 9.0 g/dL
- Platelets > 100,000/mm^3
Adequate safety laboratory values:
- Serum total bilirubin within normal limits (WNL)
- Aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alalnine aminotransferase (ALT) < 2 × upper limit of normal (ULN)
- Serum creatinine < 1.5 × ULN
Female subjects of childbearing potential with a negative pregnancy test at screening. Females of childbearing potential were defined as sexually mature women without prior hysterectomy or who had any evidence of menses in the past 12 months. However, women who had been amenorrheic for 12 or more months were still considered to be of childbearing potential if the amenorrhea was possibly due to prior chemotherapy, antiestrogens, or ovarian suppression
- Women of childbearing potential (i.e., menstruating women) had to have a negative urine pregnancy test (positive urine tests were to be confirmed by serum test) documented within the 24-hour period prior to the first dose of study drug
- Sexually active women of childbearing potential enrolled in the study had to agree to use 2 forms of accepted methods of contraception during the course of the study and for 3 months after their last dose of study drug. Effective birth control included: (a) intrauterine device plus 1 barrier method; (b) on stable doses of hormonal contraception for at least 3 months (e.g., oral, injectable, implant, transdermal) plus one barrier method; and (c) 2 barrier methods. Effective barrier methods were male or female condoms, diaphragms, and spermicides (creams or gels that contained a chemical to kill sperm); or (d) a vasectomized partner
For male patients who were sexually active and who were partners of premenopausal women: agreed to use 2 forms of contraception as defined above during the treatment period and for at least 3 months after the last dose of study drug
Willing to complete all study measurements and assessments in compliance with the protocol

Exclusion Criteria

Non-plaque or drug-induced (antimalarials, lithium) psoriasis (If subject was taking angiotensin II receptor blockers or beta blockers doses must have been stable for 6 months prior to study entry)
Used systemic corticosteroids within 12 weeks prior to study entry
Used topical corticosteroids except to the face, groin, or scalp
Used methotrexate, retinoids (such as acitretin), or calcineurin inhibitors (such as cyclosporine) within 4 weeks prior to study entry
Phototherapy within 4 weeks prior to study entry
Biologic therapies, including antibodies to IL-17; anti-tumor necrosis factor-alpha; and anti-IL-12 & IL-23 within 3 months prior to study entry
Current use of an inhibitor or inducer of CYP3A4
Active viral, fungal, or bacterial skin infection (other than nail fungal infection).
Pregnant or lactating woman
History of gastrointestinal (GI) surgery including any bariatric surgery, or any GI condition that might interfere with drug absorption
Participating in another study with an investigational drug or within 28 days or 5 half-lives of the investigational drug (whichever was longer) of study entry
History or other evidence of severe illness or any other conditions that would make the subject, in the opinion of the investigator, unsuitable for the study
Regular and/or excessive use of alcohol within 2 years prior to study entry defined as alcohol intake > 14 drinks per week in a man or > 7 drinks per week in a woman. Approximately 10 g of alcohol equaled one "drink" unit. One unit equaled 1 ounce of distilled spirits, one 12-ounce beer, or one 4-ounce glass of wine
QT interval data corrected using Fridericia's formula (QTcF) > 450 msec (average of 3 readings) during screening
Exposure to belumosudil or known allergy/sensitivity to belumosudil within the last 6 months prior to study entry or any other ROCK-2 inhibitor
History or presence of any of the following:
- ALT or AST > 2.0 × ULN at screening
- Renal disease and/or serum creatinine > 1.5 × ULN at screening

Study & Design

Study Type: INTERVENTIONAL

Study Design: PARALLEL

Arm && Interventions

Group	Intervention	Description
Belumosudil 200 mg BID (Twice Daily) + Placebo	Placebo	One belumosudil 200 mg tablet and 1 matching placebo tablet in the morning and 1 belumosudil 200 mg tablet in the evening
Placebo	Placebo	Two matching placebo tablets in the morning and 1 matching placebo tablet in the evening
Belumosudil 400 mg QD + Placebo	Placebo	Two belumosudil 200 mg tablets in the morning and 1 matching placebo tablet in the evening
Belumosudil 200 mg QD + Placebo	Placebo	One belumosudil 200 mg tablet and 1 matching placebo tablet in the morning and 1 matching placebo tablet in the evening
Belumosudil 200 mg QD + Placebo	Belumosudil	One belumosudil 200 mg tablet and 1 matching placebo tablet in the morning and 1 matching placebo tablet in the evening
Belumosudil 200 mg BID (Twice Daily) + Placebo	Belumosudil	One belumosudil 200 mg tablet and 1 matching placebo tablet in the morning and 1 belumosudil 200 mg tablet in the evening
Belumosudil 400 mg QD + Placebo	Belumosudil	Two belumosudil 200 mg tablets in the morning and 1 matching placebo tablet in the evening
Belumosudil 600 mg/day	Belumosudil	Two belumosudil 200 mg tablets in the morning and 1 belumosudil 200 mg tablet in the evening

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Efficacy: Percentage of Subjects With a ≥ 75% Decrease in PASI (PASI 75) at Week 16 (Double-blind Period)--LOCF and Observed	16 weeks	The percentage of subjects who exhibited a 75% decrease or greater in the Psoriasis Area and Severity Index Score (PASI 75) whether they completed 16 weeks of treatment or not (last observation carried forward \[LOCF\]) and those who did complete 16 weeks of treatment (observed). \[PASI is a composite score based on the degree of effect on body surface area of psoriasis and the extension of erythema (reddening), induration (thickness), desquamation (scaling) of the lesions and area affected as observed on the day of examination. The severity of each sign is assessed using a 5-point scale, where 0=no symptoms, 1=slight, 2=moderate, 3=marked, 4=very marked. The PASI score ranges from 0 to 72, where 0 indicates no psoriasis and 72 indicates very severe psoriasis.\]

Secondary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Efficacy: Mean Change of Raw PASI Score From Baseline to Week 16 and Week 48--LOCF and Observed	48 weeks	The mean change in the raw Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI) score from baseline score to Week 16 and to Week 48 whether the subject completed 16 and 48 weeks, respectively (last observation carried forward \[LOCF\]), or for only those subjects who completed 16 and 48 weeks (observed), respectively. Negative values represent favorable results; positive values represent unfavorable results. \[The PASI is a composite score based on the degree of effect on body surface area of psoriasis and the extension of erythema (reddening), induration (thickness), desquamation (scaling) of the lesions and area affected as observed on the day of examination. The severity of each sign is assessed using a 5-point scale, where 0=no symptoms, 1=slight, 2=moderate, 3=marked, 4=very marked. The PASI score ranges from 0 to 72, where 0 indicates no psoriasis and 72 indicates very severe psoriasis.\]
Efficacy: Percentage Change in Mean PASI Score From Baseline to Week 16 and to Week 48--LOCF and Observed	48 weeks	The percentage (%) change in the mean Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI) score from baseline ore to Week 16 and to Week 48 whether the subject completed 16 and 48 weeks, respectively (last observation carried forward \[LOCF\]) or for only those subjects who completed 16 and 48 weeks (observed), respectively. \[The PASI is a composite score based on the degree of effect on body surface area of psoriasis and the extension of erythema (reddening), induration (thickness), desquamation (scaling) of the lesions and area affected as observed on the day of examination. The severity of each sign is assessed using a 5-point scale, where 0=no symptoms, 1=slight, 2=moderate, 3=marked, 4=very marked. The PASI score ranges from 0 to 72, where 0 indicates no psoriasis and 72 indicates very severe psoriasis.\]
Efficacy: Number of Subjects With Clear or Almost Clear PGA at Week 16--LOCF	16 weeks	The number of subjects who had a "Clear" or "Almost Clear" assessment, using the Physician Global Assessment Scale (PGA), at Week 16 of all subjects whether they completed 16 weeks or not (last observation carried forward \[LOCF\]) \[The PGA documents the physician's assessment of the subject's psoriasis and was assessed relative to baseline conditions. The PGA rating is from 1-6, where 1 = 100% clearing of psoriasis (clear), 5 = 0 to 24% clearing (little or no change), and 6 = worse.\]
Efficacy: Percentage of Subjects With Clear or Almost Clear PGA Comparing Belumosudil to Placebo at Week 16--LOCF	16 weeks	The percentage (%) of subjects who had a "Clear" or "Almost Clear" assessment using the Physician Global Assessment Scale at Week 16 of belumosudil vs. placebo for all subjects whether they completed 16 weeks or not (last observation carried forward \[LOCF\]). \[The PGA documents the physician's assessment of the subject's psoriasis and was assessed relative to baseline conditions. The PGA rating is from 1-6, where 1 = 100% clearing of psoriasis (clear), 5 = 0 to 24% clearing (little or no change), and 6 = worse.\]
Efficacy: Change in Mean DLQI Raw Score at Week 16 and at Week 48	Up to 48 weeks	Changes in mean Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) score from baseline at Week 16 (End of Double-blind Period) and at Week 48 (End of Study Treatment). \[The DLQI is a skin disease-specific instrument designed to assess the impact of the disease on a subject's quality of life. DLQI scoring as measured on subject's life: 0-1 = no effect; 2-5 = small effect; 6-10 = moderate effect; 11 to 20 = very large effect; 21 to 30 = extremely large effect. Change \< 0% is improvement; \> 0% is worsening. The total rating ranges from 0 (no effect on a subject's life) to 30 (extremely large effect on a subject's life.\]
Efficacy: Percentage Change of Mean DLQI Score From Baseline to Week 16 and Week 48	Up to 48 weeks	Mean percentage changes in Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) from baseline at Week 16 (End of Double-blind Period) and at Week 48 (End of Study Treatment). \[The DLQI is a skin disease-specific instrument designed to assess the impact of the disease on a subject's quality of life. The rating ranges from 0 (no effect on a subject's life) to 30 (extremely large effect on a subject's life.\]
Safety: Number of Subjects With TEAEs, SAEs, and Deaths Throughout the Study	Approximately 52 weeks: up to 48 weeks of treatment and 30-day follow-up	The number of subjects who had treatment-emergent adverse events (TEAEs), severity of TEAEs, relationship of TEAEs to study medication, serious TEAEs (SAEs), dose interruption, discontinuations, and deaths. Treatment-emergent adverse events (TEAEs) are AEs that are not present before the first dose of IMP or that are present before the first dose of IMP but worsen in intensity during exposure to IMP. Severity: Grade 1 = mild; Grade 2 = moderate; Grade 3 = severe; Grade 4 = life-threatening; Grade 5 = Death. Related to study medication is defined as possible related, probable related, and related

Trial Locations

Locations (13): Austin Institute for Clinical Research
🇺🇸
Pflugerville, Texas, United States
Psoriasis Treatment Center of Central New Jersey
🇺🇸
East Windsor, New Jersey, United States
Renstar Medical Research
🇺🇸
Ocala, Florida, United States
Metro Boston Clinical Partners
🇺🇸
Brighton, Massachusetts, United States
Sadick Research Group
🇺🇸
New York, New York, United States
Suzanne Bruce and Associates
🇺🇸
Katy, Texas, United States
Alliance Dermatology and Mohs Center
🇺🇸
Phoenix, Arizona, United States
University of California, Irvine - Dermatology Clinical Research Center
🇺🇸
Irvine, California, United States
Dermatology Research Associates
🇺🇸
Los Angeles, California, United States
Dawes Fretzin Dermatology Group
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Indianapolis, Indiana, United States
Dermatology Specialists Research
🇺🇸
Louisville, Kentucky, United States
Oregon Dermatology and Research Center
🇺🇸
Portland, Oregon, United States
Tennessee Clinical Research Center
🇺🇸
Nashville, Tennessee, United States