Seladelpar (MBX-8025), a selective PPAR-δ agonist, in patients with primary biliary cholangitis with an inadequate response to ursodeoxycholic acid: a double-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled, phase 2, proof-of-concept study.
Publication Date
2017
Journal Title
Lancet Gastroenterol Hepatol
ISSN
2468-1253
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Many patients with primary biliary cholangitis have an inadequate response to first-line therapy with ursodeoxycholic acid. Seladelpar is a potent, selective agonist for the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-delta (PPAR-δ), which is implicated in bile acid homoeostasis. This first-in-class study evaluated the anti-cholestatic effects and safety of seladelpar in patients with an inadequate response to ursodeoxycholic acid.
METHODS: The study was a 12-week, double-blind, placebo-controlled, phase 2 trial of patients with alkaline phosphatase of at least 1·67 times the upper limit of normal (ULN) despite treatment with ursodeoxycholic acid. Patients, recruited at 29 sites in North America and Europe, were randomly assigned to placebo, seladelpar 50 mg/day, or seladelpar 200 mg/day while ursodeoxycholic acid was continued. Randomisation was done centrally (1:1:1) by a computerised system using an interactive voice-web response system with a block size of three. Randomisation was stratified by region (North America and Europe). The primary outcome was the percentage change from baseline in alkaline phosphatase over 12 weeks, analysed in the modified intention-to-treat (ITT) population (any randomised patient who received at least one dose of medication and had at least one post-baseline alkaline phosphatase evaluation). This study is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT02609048) and the EU Clinical Trials Registry (EudraCT2015-002698-39).
FINDINGS: Between Nov 4, 2015, and May 26, 2016, 70 patients were screened at 29 sites in North America and Europe. During recruitment, three patients treated with seladelpar developed fully reversible, asymptomatic grade 3 alanine aminotransferase increases (one on 50 mg, two on 200 mg), ranging from just over five to 20 times the ULN; as a result, the study was terminated after 41 patients were randomly assigned. The modified ITT population consisted of 12 patients in the placebo group, 13 in the seladelpar 50 mg group, and 10 in the seladelpar 200 mg group. Mean changes from baseline in alkaline phosphatase were -2% (SD 16) in the placebo group, -53% (14) in the seladelpar 50 mg group, and -63% (8) in the seladelpar 200 mg group. Changes in both seladelpar groups versus placebo were significant (p
INTERPRETATION: Seladelpar normalised alkaline phosphatase levels in patients who completed 12 weeks of treatment. However, treatment was associated with grade 3 increases in aminotransferases and the study was stopped early. The effects of seladelpar should be explored at lower doses.
FUNDING: CymaBay Therapeutics.
Volume Number
2
Issue Number
10
Pages
716-726
Document Type
Article
Status
Faculty
Facility
School of Medicine
Primary Department
Hepatology
Additional Departments
Science Education
PMID
DOI
10.1016/S2468-1253(17)30246-7