Prolastin-C

Alpha1-proteinase inhibitor (Alpha1-PI) deficiency (AAT deficiency) is an autosomal, co-dominant, hereditary disorder characterized by low serum and lung levels of Alpha1-PI (2-5). Smoking is an important risk factor for the development of emphysema in patients with alpha1-proteinase inhibitor deficiency (6). Because emphysema affects many, but not all individuals with the more severe genetic variants of Alpha1-PI deficiency, augmentation therapy with Alpha1-Proteinase Inhibitor (Human) is indicated only in patients with severe Alpha1-PI deficiency who have clinically evident emphysema.

Only some Alpha1-PI alleles are associated with clinically apparent AAT deficiency (7,8). Approximately 95% of all severely AAT deficient patients are homozygous for the PiZ allele (8). Individuals with the PiZZ variant typically have serum Alpha1-PI levels less than 35% of the average normal level (2,4). Individuals with the Pi(null)(null) variant have undetectable Alpha1-PI protein in their serum (2,3). Individuals with these low serum Alpha1-PI levels, i.e., less than 11 µM, have a markedly increased risk for developing emphysema over their lifetimes. In addition, PiSZ individuals, whose serum Alpha1-PI levels range from approximately 9 to 23 µM (9), are considered to have moderately increased risk for developing emphysema, regardless of whether their serum Alpha1-PI levels are above or below 11 µM.

Augmenting the levels of functional protease inhibitor by intravenous infusion is an approach to therapy for patients with AAT deficiency. The intended theoretical goal is to provide protection to the lower respiratory tract by correcting the imbalance between neutrophil elastase and protease inhibitors. Whether augmentation therapy with any Alpha1-PI product actually protects the lower respiratory tract from progressive emphysematous changes has not been demonstrated in adequately powered, randomized controlled, clinical trials. Although the maintenance of blood serum levels of Alpha1-PI (antigenically measured) above 11 µM has been historically postulated to provide therapeutically relevant anti-neutrophil elastase protection (10), this has not been proven. Individuals with severe Alpha1-PI deficiency have been shown to have increased neutrophil and neutrophil elastase concentrations in lung epithelial lining fluid compared to normal PiMM individuals, and some PiSZ individuals with Alpha1-PI above 11 µM have emphysema attributed to Alpha1-PI deficiency. These observations underscore the uncertainty regarding the appropriate therapeutic target serum level of Alpha1-PI during augmentation therapy.

Mechanism of Action

The pathogenesis of emphysema is understood to evolve as described in the “protease-antiprotease imbalance” model (11). Alpha1-PI is understood to be the primary antiprotease in the lower respiratory tract, where it inhibits neutrophil elastase (NE) (12). Normal healthy individuals produce sufficient Alpha1-PI to control the NE produced by activated neutrophils and are thus able to prevent inappropriate proteolysis of the lung tissue by NE. Conditions that increase neutrophil accumulation and activation in the lung, such as respiratory infection and smoking, will in turn increase levels of NE. However, individuals who are severely deficient in endogenous Alpha1-PI are unable to maintain an appropriate antiprotease defense, and, in addition, they have been shown to have increased lung epithelial lining fluid neutrophil and NE concentrations. Because of these factors, many (but not all) individuals who are severely deficient in endogenous Alpha1-PI are subject to more rapid proteolysis of the alveolar walls leading to chronic lung disease. PROLASTIN®-C (Alpha1-Proteinase Inhibitor [Human]) serves as Alpha1-PI augmentation therapy in the patient population with severe Alpha1-PI deficiency and emphysema, acting to increase and maintain serum and lung epithelial lining fluid levels of Alpha1-PI.

Pharmacodynamics

Chronic augmentation therapy with the predecessor product, PROLASTIN® (Alpha1-Proteinase Inhibitor [Human]), administered weekly at a dose of 60 mg/kg body weight, results in significantly increased levels of Alpha1-PI and functional anti-neutrophil elastase capacity in the epithelial lining fluid of the lower respiratory tract of the lung, as compared to levels prior to commencing therapy with PROLASTIN (11-13). However, the clinical benefit of the increased levels at the recommended dose has not been demonstrated in adequately powered, randomized, controlled clinical trials for any Alpha1-PI product.

Pharmacokinetics

The pharmacokinetic (PK) study was a randomized, double-blind, crossover trial comparing Prolastin-C to PROLASTIN conducted in 24 adult subjects age 40 to 72 with severe AAT deficiency. Ten subjects were male and 14 subjects were female. Twelve subjects were randomized to each treatment sequence. All but one subject had the PiZZ genotype and the remaining subject had PiSZ. All subjects had received prior Alpha1-PI therapy with PROLASTIN for at least 1 month.

Study subjects were randomly assigned to receive either 60 mg/kg body weight of functional Prolastin-C or PROLASTIN weekly by IV infusion during the first 8 week treatment period. Following the last dose in the first 8-week treatment period, subjects underwent serial blood sampling for PK analysis and then crossed over to the alternate treatment for the second 8-week treatment period. Following the last treatment in the second 8-week treatment period, subjects underwent serial blood sampling for PK analysis. In addition, blood samples were drawn for trough levels before infusion at Weeks 6, 7, and 8, as well as before infusion at Weeks 14, 15, and 16.

In the 8-week open-label treatment phase that followed the crossover period, all subjects received 60 mg/kg body weight of functional Prolastin-C.

The pharmacokinetic parameters of Alpha1-PI in plasma, based on functional activity assays, showed comparability between Prolastin-C treatment and PROLASTIN treatment, as shown in Table 5.

The key pharmacokinetic parameter was the area under the plasma concentration-time curve (AUC0-7days) following 8 weeks of treatment with Prolastin-C or PROLASTIN. The 90% confidence interval (0.97-1.09) for the ratio of AUC0-7days for Prolastin-C and PROLASTIN indicated that the 2 products are pharmacokinetically equivalent. Figure 1 shows the concentration (functional activity) vs. time curves of Alpha1-PI after intravenous administration of Prolastin-C and PROLASTIN.

Figure 1: Mean Plasma Alpha1-PI Concentration (functional activity) vs. Time Curves Following Treatment with Prolastin-C or PROLASTIN

Trough levels measured during the PK study via an antigenic content assay showed Prolastin-C treatment resulted in a mean trough of 16.9 ± 2.3 µM and PROLASTIN resulted in a mean trough of 16.7 ± 2.7 µM. Using the functional activity assay, Prolastin-C resulted in a mean trough of 11.8 ± 2.2 µM and PROLASTIN resulted in a mean trough of 11.0 ± 2.2 µM.

Applies to alpha 1-proteinase inhibitor: intravenous powder for injection, intravenous solution

Respiratory

Respiratory side effects have included chest pain, pharyngitis, asthma, rhinitis, bronchitis, sinusitis, increased cough, upper and lower respiratory tract infections, dyspnea, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) exacerbation, nasopharyngitis, pharyngolaryngeal pain, COPD, sore throat, bronchospasm, lung disorder, infective exacerbation of COPD, bilateral pulmonary infiltrates, and diffuse interstitial lung disease. Dyspnea has been reported during postmarketing experience.[Ref]

Nervous system

Nervous system side effects have included dizziness, headache, somnolence, dysgeusia, lethargy, lightheadedness, paresthesia, and migraine.[Ref]

Other

Other side effects have included pain, back pain, viral infection, peripheral edema, chills, fever, chest pain, chest discomfort, influenza-like illness, pyrexia, delayed fever, influenza-like symptoms, allergic-like reactions, malaise, hot flush, asthenia, infection, and accidental injury. Chest pain, chills, and influenza-like illness have been reported during postmarketing experience.

Cardiovascular

Cardiovascular side effects have included vasodilation, hypertension, tachycardia, hypotension, and transient increase in blood pressure. Tachycardia, hypotension, and hypertension (including transient increases of blood pressure) have been reported during postmarketing experience.[Ref]

Hematologic

Hematologic side effects have included decreased platelet count, transient leukocytosis, dilutional anemia, ecchymosis, and hemorrhage.

Dermatologic

Dermatologic side effects have included pruritus, rash, erythema marginatum, and urticaria. Rash has been reported during postmarketing experience.[Ref]

Gastrointestinal

Gastrointestinal side effects have included bloating, nausea, abdominal pain, diarrhea, and dyspepsia.

Hepatic

Hepatic side effects have included elevations (greater than 2 times the upper limit of normal) in aminotransferases (ALT or AST), increased hepatic enzyme (unspecified), and cholangitis.[Ref]

Musculoskeletal

Musculoskeletal side effects have included musculoskeletal discomfort, joint swelling, arthralgia, and myalgia.

Ocular

Ocular side effects have included abnormal vision.[Ref]

Local

Local side effects have included injection site pain, injection site hemorrhage, and injection site reaction.

Genitourinary

Genitourinary side effects have included urinary tract infection.

Hypersensitivity

Hypersensitivity side effects have included hypersensitivity during postmarketing experience.

Some side effects of Prolastin-C may not be reported. Always consult your doctor or healthcare specialist for medical advice. You may also report side effects to the FDA.