A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, phase I study of MEDI-545, an anti-interferon-alfa monoclonal antibody, in subjects with chronic psoriasis.
BACKGROUND
Interferon-alfa (IFN-alpha) has been implicated in the pathogenesis of psoriasis.


OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the safety profile of MEDI-545, a fully human anti-IFN-alpha monoclonal antibody and to explore its effect on the involvement of type I IFN-alpha activity in the maintenance of established plaque psoriasis.


METHODS
We conducted an 18-week, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, dose-escalating study in 36 subjects with chronic plaque psoriasis. Subjects received one intravenous dose of MEDI-545 (0.3-30.0 mg/kg) or placebo. Study outcomes were safety profile, pharmacokinetics, immunogenicity, and clinical effects.


RESULTS
There was no difference in adverse events between MEDI-545 and placebo. Two serious adverse events were reported; one drug-related hypotensive infusion reaction occurred in one subject in the 30.0 mg/kg MEDI-545 dose group, causing discontinuation of study drug in that subject and study dismissal of the other subjects in the same cohort; and a myocardial infarction occurred in one subject in the 10 mg/kg MEDI-545 dose group, which was considered to be unrelated to treatment. MEDI-545 was nonimmunogenic, had a half-life of 21 days, showed no significant inhibition of the type I IFN gene signature, and had no clinical activity.


CONCLUSIONS
The study addressed only IFN-alpha and chronic psoriatic lesions.


CONCLUSIONS
The safety profile of MEDI-545 supports further clinical development. IFN-alpha does not appear to be significantly involved in the maintenance of established plaque psoriasis.
Bissonnette
Robert
R
Innovaderm Research, Inc, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
Papp
Kim
K
Maari
Catherine
C
Yao
Yihong
Y
Robbie
Gabriel
G
White
Wendy I
WI
Le
Chenxiong
C
White
Barbara
B
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016898:Interferon-alpha / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000276:immunology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010919:Placebos; D011565:Psoriasis / Q000188:drug therapy*
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D016898:Interferon-alpha; D010919:Placebos