title: A randomized, controlled, phase 2 study of AMG 317, an IL-4Ralpha antagonist, in patients with asthma.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  IL-4 and IL-13 share many biological functions important in the development of allergic airway inflammation and are implicated in the pathogenesis of asthma. AMG 317 is a fully human monoclonal antibody to IL-4Ralpha that blocks both IL-4 and IL-13 pathways.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate efficacy and safety of AMG 317 in patients with moderate to severe asthma.
  
  
  METHODS
  In this phase 2, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study, patients received weekly subcutaneous injections of placebo or AMG 317 (75-300 mg) for 12 weeks, followed by a 4-week follow-up period. The primary endpoint was change from baseline at Week 12 in Asthma Control Questionnaire (ACQ) symptom score.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Mean ACQ change (SE) was -0.49 (0.09) in placebo (n = 74), and -0.43 (0.11), -0.58 (0.12), and -0.70 (0.09) in the AMG 317 75 mg (n = 73), 150 mg (n = 73), and 300 mg (n = 74) groups, respectively (treatment effect P = 0.25). No statistically significant differences were observed in the secondary endpoints. Numerical decreases in number of and time to exacerbations were noted in patients receiving AMG 317 150 mg and 300 mg. Preplanned analyses by tertile of baseline ACQ revealed that patients with higher baseline ACQ scores (>or=2.86) were more likely to respond to AMG 317. Serious adverse events were reported in three patients, each noted as not related to study drug.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  AMG 317 did not demonstrate clinical efficacy across the overall group of patients. Clinically significant improvements were observed in several outcome measures in patients with higher baseline ACQ scores. AMG 317 was safe and well tolerated in this study population. Clinical trial registered with www.clinicaltrials.gov (NCT 00436670).
authors.affiliation: Allergy Research Foundation, Los Angeles, CA 90025, USA. jcorren@ucla.edu
authors.forename: Jonathan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Corren
authors.forename: William
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Busse
authors.forename: Eli O
authors.initials: EO
authors.lastname: Meltzer
authors.forename: Lyndon
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Mansfield
authors.forename: George
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Bensch
authors.forename: John
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Fahrenholz
authors.forename: Sally E
authors.initials: SE
authors.lastname: Wenzel
authors.forename: Yun
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Chon
authors.forename: Meleana
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Dunn
authors.forename: Haoling H
authors.initials: HH
authors.lastname: Weng
authors.forename: Shao-Lee
authors.initials: SL
authors.lastname: Lin
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D001249:Asthma / Q000188:drug therapy*; D002769:Cholelithiasis / Q000139:chemically induced; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006339:Heart Rate / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D053662:Interleukin-4 Receptor alpha Subunit / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016584:Panic Disorder / Q000139:chemically induced; D053660:Receptors, Interleukin-13 / Q000187:drug effects; D019948:Receptors, Interleukin-4 / Q000187:drug effects; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: C549611:AMG 317; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D053662:Interleukin-4 Receptor alpha Subunit; D053660:Receptors, Interleukin-13; D019948:Receptors, Interleukin-4