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MERIDIAN: A Study to Evaluate the Efficacy and Safety of Pegcetacoplan in Adults With Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS)

Phase 2
Terminated
Conditions
Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis
Motor Neuron Disease
Interventions
Registration Number
NCT04579666
Lead Sponsor
Apellis Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
Brief Summary

This is a 24-month, Phase 2, multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study to evaluate the efficacy and safety of pegcetacoplan in subjects with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)

Detailed Description

Not available

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
TERMINATED
Sex
All
Target Recruitment
249
Inclusion Criteria
  • At least 18 years of age
  • Sporadic ALS diagnosed as definite, probable, or laboratory-supported probable as defined by the revised El Escorial criteria
  • Slow vital capacity (SVC) ≥60% of the predicted value at screening
  • Onset of ALS symptoms within 72 weeks (18 months) prior to screening
  • Total ALSFRS-R score of ≥30 at screening
  • Have vaccination within 5 years against Streptococcus pneumoniae, Neisseria meningitidis (types A, C, W, Y, and B), and Haemophilus influenzae (type B) or agree to receive vaccination
Exclusion Criteria
  • Confirmed or suspected other causes of neuromuscular weakness
  • Diagnosed with another neurodegenerative disease (examples include Parkinson's disease and Huntington's disease)
  • Significant pulmonary disorder not attributed to ALS (eg, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, pulmonary fibrosis, cystic fibrosis, pulmonary arterial hypertension)
  • If taking riluzole, participant must be on a stable dose for 30 days prior to the start of the screening period. Use of riluzole is not required for participation.
  • If taking edaravone, participant must be on a stable dose for 60 days prior to the start of the screening period. Use of edaravone is not required for participation.
  • Participation in any other investigational drug trial or exposure to other investigational agent, device, or procedure within 30 days or within 5-half lives of the treatment (whichever is longer) prior to the start of the screening period or during study participation
  • Use of any other complement inhibitor within 30 days or within 5-half lives of the treatment (whichever is longer) prior to the start of the screening period or during study participation

Study & Design

Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Study Design
PARALLEL
Arm && Interventions
GroupInterventionDescription
1,080 mg pegcetacoplan (APL-2)Pegcetacoplan (APL-2)administered subcutaneously twice weekly
Placebo administered subcutaneously twice weeklyPlacebo-
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
RTP: Combined Assessment of Function and Survival (CAFS) Rank Score (Joint-Rank Score) at Week 52Week 52

The CAFS scale is a combined endpoint ranking subjects' clinical outcomes based on ALS Functional Rating Scale-Revised (ALSFRS-R-described below) and survival time. For ALSFRS-R, 12 functions were rated on 5-point ordinal rating scales (0 to 4) with a total score range of 0-48 (sum of all 12 items); higher score indicated better functioning. For survival time, longer the subject survives indicated better outcome. Each subject's outcome was compared to every other subject outcome in trial in series of pairwise comparisons, summed scores (sum of comparisons \[+1 {better}, 0 {tie}, -1 {worse}\]) were ranked and ranged from 001-247 (number of subjects in modified \[m\]ITT population).Reported values are the least squares mean rank scores in each group for the composite endpoint. Higher rank indicated better outcome.

RTP: Number of Subjects With Treatment-emergent Adverse Events (TEAEs) and Treatment-emergent Serious Adverse Events (TESAEs)From first dose of study drug (Day 1) up to 56 days post last dose of study drug, approximately 60 weeks

An AE was any untoward medical occurrence associated with the use of a drug in humans, whether or not it was considered drug related. An SAE was any AE or suspected adverse reaction that, in the view of the investigator, resulted in death, was life threatening, required inpatient hospitalization or prolongation of existing hospitalization, resulted in a persistent or significant incapacity or substantial disruption of the ability to conduct normal life functions, or was a congenital anomaly or birth defect. TEAEs were AEs that started on or after first dose of study drug or started before first dose of study drug but increased in severity on or after the first dose of study drug up to 56 days post last dose of study drug.

OLP: Number of Participants With Treatment-emergent Adverse Events and Treatment-emergent Serious Adverse EventsFrom first dose of study drug (Week 52) up to 56 days post last dose of study drug, approximately 60 weeks

An AE was any untoward medical occurrence associated with the use of a drug in humans, whether or not it was considered drug related. An SAE was any AE or suspected adverse reaction that, in the view of the investigator, resulted in death, was life threatening, required inpatient hospitalization or prolongation of existing hospitalization, resulted in a persistent or significant incapacity or substantial disruption of the ability to conduct normal life functions, or was a congenital anomaly or birth defect. TEAEs were AEs that started on or after first dose of study drug or started before first dose of study drug but increased in severity on or after the first dose of study drug up to 56 days post last dose of study drug.

RTP: Number of Subjects With Positive Response to Columbia-Suicide Severity Rating Scale (C-SSRS) up to Week 52Baseline (Day 1) up to Week 52

The C-SSRS is a measure used to identify and assess individuals at risk for suicide and included "yes" or "no" responses for assessment of suicidal ideation (SI) and suicidal behavior (SB).C-SSRS SI items are classified on 5-item scale:1 (wish to be dead),2 (non-specific active suicidal thoughts),3 (active SI with any methods without intent to act),4 (active SI with some intent to act, without specific plan) and 5 (active SI with a specific plan and intent).C-SSRS SB items are classified on 5-item scale: 1 (preparatory acts or behavior), 2 (aborted attempt), 3 (interrupted attempt), 4 (actual attempt \[non-fatal\]) and 5 (completed suicide). Numeric ratings were provided for SI (1 to 5) and SB (1 to 5) with 5 being more severe for each. Number of subjects with a response of 'yes' to SI only, SB only \& SI and SB are reported. Baseline: last available, non-missing observation prior to first study drug administration.

OLP: Number of Subjects With Positive Response to Columbia-Suicide Severity Rating Scale up to Week 104From Baseline (Week 52) up to Week 104

The C-SSRS is a measure used to identify and assess individuals at risk for suicide and included "yes" or "no" responses for assessment of SI and SB.C-SSRS SI items are classified on 5-item scale:1 (wish to be dead),2 (non-specific active suicidal thoughts),3 (active SI with any methods without intent to act),4 (active SI with some intent to act, without specific plan) and 5 (active SI with a specific plan and intent).C-SSRS SB items are classified on 5-item scale:1 (preparatory acts or behavior),2 (aborted attempt), 3 (interrupted attempt), 4 (actual attempt \[non-fatal\]) and 5 (completed suicide). Numeric ratings were provided for SI (1 to 5) and SB (1 to 5) with 5 being more severe for each. Number of subjects with a response of 'yes' to SI only, SB only \& SI and SB are reported. Baseline: last available, non-missing observation prior to first study drug administration in OLP.

Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
RTP: Change From Baseline in the Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Functional Rating Scale-Revised (ALSFRS-R) Score at Week 52Baseline (Day 1) and Week 52

The ALSFRS-R included 12 items for assessment of functional status: speech, salivation, swallowing, handwriting, cutting food and handling utensils, dressing and hygiene, turning in bed and adjusting bed clothes, walking, climbing stairs, dyspnea, orthopnea, and respiratory insufficiency. Each item ranged from 0 (no ability) to 4 (normal ability). Individual item scores were summed to produce a total score between 0 (worst) and 48 (best) with higher scores meaning better outcome. Least squares mean is presented here. Baseline was defined as the last available, non-missing observation prior to first study drug administration.

RTP: Change From Baseline in Percent Predicted Slow Vital Capacity (%SVC) at Week 52Baseline (Day 1) and Week 52

SVC is a pulmonary function test and predictor of functional loss in ALS. It was conducted at clinic visits with the clinic spirometer which reflected the maximum amount of air that could be exhaled slowly. %SVC is the actual volume exhaled in the first 1 second, divided by the normal value for that actual value for a person of that age, gender, height and weight. Baseline was defined as the last available, non-missing observation prior to first study drug administration.

RTP: Change From Baseline in Muscle Strength at Week 52Baseline (Day 1) and Week 52

Muscle strength was measured using handheld dynamometry (HHD) and assessed the following muscles: first dorsal interosseous, wrist extension, elbow extension, elbow flexion, shoulder flexion, knee extension, knee flexion, and ankle dorsiflexion, on both sides of the body. Baseline was defined as the last available, non-missing observation prior to first study drug administration.

RTP: Number of Subjects With an Event of Death or Permanent Tracheostomy or Permanent Assisted Ventilation at Week 52Baseline (Day 1) up to Week 52

Subjects with an event (that is, either death or permanent tracheostomy or permanent assisted ventilation) in RTP are reported.

RTP: Change From Baseline in ALS Assessment Questionnaire (ALSAQ)-40 at Week 52Baseline (Day 1) and Week 52

The ALSAQ-40 was a 40-item validated questionnaire designed to assess health related quality of life (QoL) over the previous 2 weeks in subjects with ALS. It represented 5 dimensions of health status; each scored from 0 (never, or best) to 4 (always, or worst). 5 dimensions evaluated were: physical mobility (10 items: 1-10; possible score of 0-40); activities of daily living/independence (10 items: 11-20; possible score of 0-40); eating and drinking (3 items: 21-23; possible score of 0-12); communication (7 items: 24-30; possible score: 0-28) and emotional functioning (10 items: 31-40; possible score: 0-40). The total score 0 (no impairment) to 160 (severe impairment) was calculated by adding the 5 dimension scores; least squares mean is presented here. Higher scores indicated worse QoL.

OLP: Change From Baseline in the Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Functional Rating Scale-Revised Score at Week 104Baseline (Week 52) and Week 104

The ALSFRS-R included 12 items for assessment of functional status: speech, salivation, swallowing, handwriting, cutting food and handling utensils, dressing and hygiene, turning in bed and adjusting bed clothes, walking, climbing stairs, dyspnea, orthopnea, and respiratory insufficiency. Each item ranged from 0 (no ability) to 4 (normal ability). Individual item scores were summed to produce a total score between 0 (worst) and 48 (best) with higher scores meaning better outcome. Mean is presented here. Baseline was defined as the last observed value for the efficacy assessment prior to taking the first dose of study drug in OLP.

OLP: Change From Baseline in Percent Predicted Slow Vital Capacity at Week 104Baseline (Week 52) and Week 104

SVC is a pulmonary function test and predictor of functional loss in ALS. It was planned to be conducted at clinic visits with the clinic spirometer which reflected the maximum amount of air that could be exhaled slowly. %SVC is the actual volume exhaled in the first 1 second, divided by the normal value for that actual value for a person of that age, gender, height and weight. Baseline was defined as the last available, non-missing observation prior to first study drug administration.

OLP: Change From Baseline in Muscle Strength at Week 104Baseline (Week 52) and Week 104

Muscle strength was planned to be measured using HHD and assessed the following muscles: first dorsal interosseous, wrist extension, elbow extension, elbow flexion, shoulder flexion, knee extension, knee flexion, and ankle dorsiflexion, on both sides of the body. Baseline was defined as the last available, non-missing observation prior to first study drug administration.

OLP: Number of Subjects With an Event of Death or Permanent Tracheostomy or Permanent Assisted Ventilation at Week 104Baseline (Week 52) and Week 104

Subjects with an event of death are reported. Subjects were planned to be assessed for permanent tracheostomy or permanent assisted ventilation in OLP; however, that data was not collected as study was terminated early.

OLP: Change From Baseline in ALS Assessment Questionnaire-40 at Week 104Baseline (Week 52) and Week 104

The ALSAQ-40 was a 40-item validated questionnaire designed to assess health related QoL over the previous 2 weeks in subjects with ALS. It represented 5 dimensions of health status; each scored from 0 (never, or best) to 4 (always, or worst). 5 dimensions evaluated were: physical mobility (10 items: 1-10; possible score of 0-40); activities of daily living/independence (10 items: 11-20; possible score of 0-40); eating and drinking (3 items: 21-23; possible score of 0-12); communication (7 items: 24-30; possible score: 0-28) and emotional functioning (10 items: 31-40; possible score: 0-40). The total score 0 (no impairment) to 160 (severe impairment) was planned to be calculated by adding the 5 dimension scores. Higher scores would have indicated worse QoL.

Number of Subjects With an Event of Death During the StudyRTP: Baseline (Day 1) up to Week 52; OLP: Baseline (Week 52) up to Week 104

Total number of subjects who died in the study are reported.

Trial Locations

Locations (60)

Brain and Mind Centre

🇦🇺

Camperdown, New South Wales, Australia

Johns Hopkins

🇺🇸

Baltimore, Maryland, United States

Hospital for Special Surgery

🇺🇸

New York, New York, United States

Cedars-Sinai Medical Center

🇺🇸

Los Angeles, California, United States

The Berman Center

🇺🇸

Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States

Augusta University

🇺🇸

Augusta, Georgia, United States

Indiana University

🇺🇸

Indianapolis, Indiana, United States

Austin Neuromuscular Center

🇺🇸

Austin, Texas, United States

University of Vermont Medical Center

🇺🇸

Burlington, Vermont, United States

Central Coast Neurosciences Research

🇦🇺

Erina, New South Wales, Australia

Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital

🇦🇺

Herston, Queensland, Australia

Gold Coast University Hospital

🇦🇺

Southport, Queensland, Australia

Nueor-Immunology Clinical Researh Education and Support Service (N-CRESS), Austin Health

🇦🇺

Heidelberg, Victoria, Australia

AZ Sint-Lucas & Volkskliniek

🇧🇪

Gent, Belgium

Universitaire Ziekenhuizen Leuven (UZ Leuven)

🇧🇪

Leuven, Belgium

Hopital Pellegrin

🇫🇷

Bordeaux, France

FORBELI s.r.o.

🇨🇿

Prague 6, Czechia

CHU Gabriel Montpied

🇫🇷

Clermont-Ferrand, France

Vseobecna fakultni nemocnice v Praze

🇨🇿

Prague 2, Czechia

Hôpital Neurologique Pierre Wertheimer

🇫🇷

Bron, France

Hôpital Roger Salengro

🇫🇷

Lille, France

Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin

🇩🇪

Berlin, Germany

CHU de Nice Hôpital Pasteur

🇫🇷

Nice, France

Medizinische Hochschule Hannover Klinik für Neurologie

🇩🇪

Hannover, Germany

Universitätsklinikum Jena

🇩🇪

Jena, Germany

Universitätsmedizin Rostock, Klinik und Poliklinik für Neurologie

🇩🇪

Rostock, Germany

University of Ulm

🇩🇪

Ulm, Germany

Beaumont Hospital

🇮🇪

Dublin, Ireland

Ospedale Niguarda - Nemo Clinical Center - Fondazione Serena Onlus

🇮🇹

Milano, Italy

Ospedale Civile S. Agostino Estense di Modena, Azienda Ospedaliero Universitaria di Modena

🇮🇹

Modena, Italy

AOUP "P. Giaccone"

🇮🇹

Palermo, Italy

Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria di Torino - Città della Salute e della Scienza di Torino

🇮🇹

Torino, Italy

National Hospital Organization Higashinagoya National Hospital

🇯🇵

Aichi, Japan

National Hospital Organization Omuta National Hospital

🇯🇵

Fukuoka, Japan

National Hospital Organization Asahikawa Medical Center

🇯🇵

Hokkaido, Japan

National Hospital Organization Iou National Hospital

🇯🇵

Ishikawa, Japan

National Hospital Organization Matsumoto Medical Center

🇯🇵

Matsumoto, Japan

National Hospital Organization Hyogo-Chuo National Hospital

🇯🇵

Hyōgo, Japan

Niigata National Hospital National Hospital Organization

🇯🇵

Niigata, Japan

National Hospital Organization Okinawa National Hospital

🇯🇵

Okinawa, Japan

National Hospital Organization Higashisaitama National Hospital

🇯🇵

Saitama, Japan

Shizuoka Institute of Epilepsy and Neurological Disorders

🇯🇵

Shizuoka, Japan

Juntendo University Hospital

🇯🇵

Tokyo, Japan

Tokyo Medical University Hospital

🇯🇵

Tokyo, Japan

Uniwersytecki Szpital Kliniczny w Olsztynie Klinika Neurologii

🇵🇱

Olsztyn, Poland

Centrum Medyczne NeuroProtect

🇵🇱

Warsaw, Poland

City Clinic Sp. z o.o.

🇵🇱

Warsaw, Poland

Hospital Universitari Vall d'Hebron

🇪🇸

Barcelona, Spain

Centre of Reconstructive and Restorative Medicine (University Clinic) Odessa National Medical University

🇺🇦

Odessa, Ukraine

Zaporizhzhya Regional Clinical Hospital

🇺🇦

Zaporizhzhya, Ukraine

Bellvitge University Hospital

🇪🇸

Barcelona, Spain

SI Institute of Neurology, Psychiatry and Narcology of NAMSU

🇺🇦

Kharkiv, Ukraine

Hospital Universitari I Politecnic La Fe

🇪🇸

Valencia, Spain

Maurice Wohl Clinical Neuroscience Institute, King's College London

🇬🇧

London, United Kingdom

University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust

🇬🇧

Brighton, United Kingdom

CHU de Limoges Dupuytren 1

🇫🇷

Limoges, France

St George's University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

🇬🇧

London, United Kingdom

University of Colorado

🇺🇸

Aurora, Colorado, United States

University of South Florida

🇺🇸

Tampa, Florida, United States

University Medical Center Utrecht

🇳🇱

Utrecht, Netherlands

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