Publication Date

2014

Journal Title

Journal of Clinical Investigation

Abstract

BACKGROUND. Autoimmune inner ear disease (AIED) is a rare disease that results in progressive sensorineural hearing loss. Patients with AIED initially respond to corticosteroids; however, many patients become unresponsive to this treatment over time, and there is no effective alternative therapy for these individuals. METHODS. We performed a phase I/II open-label, single-arm clinical trial of the IL-1 receptor antagonist anakinra in corticosteroid-resistant AIED patients. Given that the etiology of corticosteroid resistance is likely heterogeneous, we used a Simon 2-stage design to distinguish between an unacceptable (= 30%) response rate to anakinra therapy. Subjects received 100 mg anakinra by subcutaneous injection for 84 days, followed by a 180-day observational period. RESULTS. Based on patient responses, the Simon 2-stage rule permitted premature termination of the trial after 10 subjects completed the 84-day drug period, as the target efficacy for the entire trial had been achieved. Of these 10 patients, 7 demonstrated audiometric improvement, as assessed by pure tone average (PTA) and word recognition score (WRS). In these 7 responders, reduced IL-1 beta plasma levels correlated with clinical response. Upon discontinuation of treatment, 3 subjects relapsed, which correlated with increased IL-1 beta plasma levels. CONCLUSION. We demonstrated that IL-1 beta inhibition in corticosteroid-resistant AIED patients was effective in a small cohort of patients and that IL-1 beta plasma levels associated with both clinical hearing response and disease relapse. These results suggest that a larger phase II randomized clinical trial of IL-1 beta inhibition is warranted.

Volume Number

124

Issue Number

9

Pages

4115-4122

Document Type

Article

Status

Faculty, Northwell Researcher

Facility

School of Medicine; Northwell Health

Primary Department

Otolaryngology

Additional Departments

Molecular Medicine

PMID

25133431

DOI

10.1172/jci76503


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