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A Phase II Dose-escalation Study Characterizing the PK of Eltrombopag in Pediatric Patients With Previously Untreated or Relapsed Severe Aplastic Anemia or Recurrent Aplastic Anemia

A Phase II, Open-label, Non-controlled, Intra-patient Dose-escalation Study to Characterize the Pharmacokinetics After Oral Administration of Eltrombopag in Pediatric Patients With Refractory, Relapsed or Treatment Naive Severe Aplastic Anemia or Recurrent Aplastic Anemia

Status
Completed
Phases
Phase 2
Study type
Interventional
Source
ClinicalTrials.gov
Registry ID
NCT03025698
Enrollment
51
Registered
2017-01-19
Start date
2017-09-30
Completion date
2025-01-27
Last updated
2026-08-10

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

Aplastic Anemia

Keywords

Eltrombopag, Horse anti-thymocyte globulin, Cyclosporine, previously untreated or relapsed severe aplastic anemia, recurrent aplastic anemia, Severe aplastic anemia, Pharmacokinetics, Immunosuppressive therapy, ETB115, Refractory

Brief summary

This is a phase II, open label, multi-center, intra-patient dose escalation study to characterize the pharmacokinetics (PK) after oral administration of eltrombopag in combination with immunosuppressive therapy in pediatric patients with previously untreated or relapsed/refractory severe aplastic anemia (SAA) or recurrent aplastic anemia (AA).

Detailed description

All patients were treated with eltrombopag for the 26-week Treatment Period, followed by a 52-week Follow-Up Period. Patients who had been previously untreated with immunosuppressive therapy were treated according to the standard of care, hATG plus cyclosporine plus eltrombopag. Patients with relapsed/refractory SAA or recurrent AA were enrolled into one of two treatment options: hATG plus cyclosporine plus eltrombopag or cyclosporine plus eltrombopag, depending on prior treatment with immunosuppressive therapy. Patients could receive eltrombopag beyond 26 weeks if the investigator thought that the patient was still receiving clinical benefit from the drug. After initiating treatment with eltrombopag, patients had their dose assessed and modified as tolerated, until the targeted platelet count or maximum dose was achieved. Pharmacokinetic assessments were performed at time points intended to capture steady state PK of the starting dose and highest dose achieved. There are four separate periods of this study: Screening (signing of written informed consent through Day -1), Treatment (for 26 weeks), Follow-up (additional 52 weeks), and Long-term Follow-up (for additional 3 years). The first 3 periods were considered the Core phase of the study. Study completion (Core) will occur when the last patient completes the 26-week treatment and 52-week Follow-up Period \[at Week 78\].

Interventions

DRUGEltrombopag

Tablet for oral use, once daily or Powder for oral suspension (PfOS), once daily

DRUGhATG

Horse ATG (ATGAM) (hATG) is not considered an investigational medicinal product (IMP)

DRUGCsA

Cyclosporine (CsA) was supplied as either oral capsules or oral solution, administered twice a day.

Sponsors

Novartis Pharmaceuticals
Lead SponsorINDUSTRY

Study design

Allocation
NON_RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE

Eligibility

Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
1 Years to 18 Years
Healthy volunteers
No

Inclusion criteria

For Cohort A patients: * History of prior diagnosis of SAA, * Diagnosis of relapsed/refractory SAA or recurrent AA following treatment for SAA, as per Section 5.1. Patients with recurrent AA (e.g., losing their response) are exempt from meeting the diagnostic criteria for SAA relapse at the time of study enrollment, but must have been previously diagnosed with SAA. * Agree to concurrent eltrombopag treatment with appropriate, investigator-selected Immunosuppressive therapy (IST) with either hATG + CsA or CsA. For Cohort B patients: * Diagnosis of SAA at time of enrollment. * Patients must not have been previously treated with IST, and must meet all criteria as described in Table 5-1. * Patients must agree to treatment with hATG + CsA concurrent with eltrombopag. All patients eligible for inclusion in this study must meet all of the following criteria: * Age 1 to \<18 years. * Assessments to rule out congenital/inherited bone marrow failure syndromes and other causes of immune-mediated pancytopenia, which may be treated with transplant, must be completed prior to enrollment. * Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) is not suitable or available as a treatment option or has been refused by the patient. (Candidacy for HSCT will be determined as per local practices or national guidelines.) * Bone marrow aspirate and biopsy at any time during the 4 weeks prior to first dose of eltrombopag. * Performance status score: Karnofsky ≥50 for patients 16 years of age and older or Lansky ≥50 for patients below 16 years of age. * Written informed consent must be signed by a parent or legal guardian prior to initiation of any study specific procedure. * Normal karyotype within 4 weeks prior to first dose of eltrombopag. If there are insufficient metaphases (\< 10) to determine karyotype, a repeat marrow aspirate is required. If upon repeat bone marrow aspirate, the number of metaphases is insufficient (\< 10), then FISH probes performed in marrow aspirate as per protocol must be normal.

Exclusion criteria

* Prior and/or active medical history of: * Fanconi anemia (via chromosome breakage test or growth arrest by flow cytometry) * Other known underlying inherited marrow failure syndrome (such as but not limited to Dyskeratosis Congenita, Congenital Amegakaryocytic Thrombocytopenia, or Shwachman-Diamond Syndrome). * Symptomatic Paroxysmal Nocturnal Hemoglobinuria (PNH) and/or PNH clones \>50% of White blood cell (WBC) or Red blood cell (RBC) at time of enrollment. * Any cytogenetic abnormalities by karyotyping or FISH. * Myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) * Other known or suspected underlying primary immunodeficiency * Any malignancy * Active infection not responding to appropriate therapy. * Prior eltrombopag or other thrombopoietin receptor (TPO-R) agonist treatment for at least 2 months and a lack of response. * Have any of the following out-of-range laboratory values: * Serum Creatinine \>2.5 × upper limit of normal (ULN), * Aspartate aminotransferase (AST) or alanine aminotransferase (ALT) \>3 × ULN. * Concurrent participation in an investigational study within 30 days prior to enrollment or within 5-half-lives of the investigational product, whichever is longer. Note: a parallel enrollment in a registry for patients with SAA or AA is acceptable. Pregnant or nursing (lactating) women. * Female patients of childbearing potential (e.g., are menstruating or could reach menarche during the study, this usually includes girls 9 years and older) who do not agree to abstinence or, if sexually active, do not agree to the use of contraception as defined in Section 7.2.1.2.6 (pregnancy section) of the protocol. If local regulations are more stringent than the contraception methods listed in this protocol to prevent pregnancy, local regulations apply and will be described in the ICF. * Male patients who are sexually active and do not agree to abstinence or to use a condom during intercourse while taking eltrombopag, and for 13 weeks after stopping treatment. * Patients, who in the investigators' opinion may be unwilling, are unable or unlikely to comply with the requirements of the study protocol. * Known immediate or delayed hypersensitivity reaction or idiosyncrasy to drugs chemically related to eltrombopag or its excipient, CSA, or hATG that contraindicates patient participation. * History of major surgery, serious illness, or traumatic injury within 4 weeks of first dose of study treatment. * Patients with known history of HIV positivity. * Patients with known history of hepatitis B or C positivity. * Any severe and/or uncontrolled medical conditions which could cause unacceptable safety risks or compromise compliance with the protocol, such as: • Impairment of gastrointestinal function or gastrointestinal disease that may significantly alter the absorption of study drug (e.g., ulcerative disease, uncontrolled nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, malabsorption syndrome),Active skin, mucosa, ocular or GI disorders of Grade \> 1. * Impaired cardiac function, such as: * Patients with a history of congenital long QT syndrome or known family history of long QTc syndrome, * Corrected QTc \>450 msec using Fridericia correction (QTcF) on the screening ECG (using triplicate ECGs), * Ventricular arrhythmias and or other cardiac arrhythmia not controlled with medication, * Other clinically significant cardio-vascular disease (e.g., congestive heart failure, uncontrolled hypertension, history of labile hypertension), * History of known structural abnormalities (e.g., cardiomyopathy).

Design outcomes

Primary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Eltrombopag PK Parameters: AUCtau, AUClastat least 11 weeks after dose initiation or later when patients are taking the highest dose, up to Week 78AUC tau: Area under the curve calculated to the end of the dosing interval ( tau) (mass\*time/volume) AUC last: Area under the curve calculated to the last quantifiable concentration point (Tlast) (mass\*time/volume)
Eltrombopag PK Parameter: Cmaxat least 11 weeks after dose initiation or later when patients are taking the highest dose, up to Week 78Cmax is the observed maximum plasma concentration following administration (mass/volume)
Eltrombopag PK Parameter: Ctrough at the Highest Dose Levelat least 11 weeks after dose initiation or later when patients are taking the highest dose, up to Week 78Ctrough is the pre-dose plasma concentration (mass/volume).

Secondary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Number of Red Blood Cells (RBC) TransfusionsFrom date of first dose to approx. 4.5 yearsNumber of transfusions during the treatment period refers to total number of RBC transfusions participants have received while on treatment.
Frequency of Red Blood Cell (RBC) TransfusionsFrom date of first dose to approx. 4.5 yearsFrequency of transfusions during the treatment period refers to number of RBC transfusions during the treatment period divided by number of months of treatment duration.
Number of Platelet (PLT) TransfusionsFrom date of first dose to approx. 4.5 yearsNumber of transfusions during the treatment period refers to total number of PLT transfusions participants have received while on treatment.
Frequency of Platelet (PLT) TransfusionsFrom date of first dose to approx. 4.5 yearsFrequency of transfusions during the treatment period refers to number of PLT transfusions during the treatment period divided by number of months of treatment duration.
Total Duration of Red Blood Cell (RBC) Transfusion Independence During the Treatment PeriodFrom date of first dose to approx. 4.5 yearsRBC transfusion independence is defined as a period of time of at least 56 days without RBC transfusion. Duration of RBC transfusion independence is defined as a period of time of at least 56 days without RBC transfusion. First transfusion duration was calculated as the date of the day before the first transfusion after baseline minus the date of first exposure eltrombopag + 1.
Total Duration of Platelet (PLT) Transfusion Independence During the Treatment PeriodFrom date of first dose to approx. 4.5 yearsPlatelet transfusion independence during the treatment period is defined as the duration from the first day of the 28-day period without PLT transfusion until the occurrence of a PLT transfusion after the period free from any PLT transfusion. Duration of PLT transfusion independence is defined as a period of time of at least 28 days without platelet transfusion. First transfusion duration was calculated as the date of the day before the first transfusion after baseline minus the date of first exposure eltrombopag + 1.
Maximum Duration of Red Blood Cell (RBC) Transfusion IndependenceFrom date of first dose to approx. 4.5 yearsRBC transfusion independence is defined as a period of time of at least 56 days without RBC transfusion. Maximum duration of RBC transfusion independence is defined as the maximum duration among the durations of RBC transfusion independence. First transfusion duration was calculated as the date of first transfusion after baseline minus the date of first exposure eltrombopag + 1.
Maximum Duration of Platelet (PLT) Transfusion IndependenceFrom date of first dose to approx. 4.5 yearsMaximum duration of PLT transfusion independence is defined as the maximum duration among the durations of PLT transfusion independence. First transfusion duration was calculated as the date of first transfusion after baseline minus the date of first exposure eltrombopag + 1.
Overall Bone Marrow CellularityScreening, Week 26, Week 52, Week 78, Week 130, Week 182, Week 234Percentage of cells in bone marrow biopsy - a comprehensive diagnostic evaluation to distinguish between the various bone marrow disorders.
Bone Marrow MorphologyScreening, Week, 26, Week 52, Week 78, Week 130, Week 182, Week 234Percentage of morphology (erythropoiesis, granulopoiesis, megakaryopoiesis, CD34+ (blast cells) cells in bone marrow aspirate - a comprehensive diagnostic evaluation to distinguish between the various bone marrow disorders.
Percentage of Participants With an Overall Response Rate and Percentage of Participants With a Platelet Response Rate Based on Per Pediatric Committee of European Medicines Agency (PDCO)Week 12, Week 26, Week 52, Week 78Overall response rate (ORR) is defined as the percentage of participants who have achieved a complete response (CR) or partial response (PR) or No response (NR) by the Investigator. CR criteria: Platelet (PLT) and red blood cell (RBC) transfusion independence, Normal age-adjusted Hgb, PLT \>100 × 10\^9/L and absolute neutrophil count (ANC) \>1.5 × 10\^9/L. PR: PLT and RBC Transfusion independence and at least 2 of the following criteria: Reticulocytes \>30 × 10\^9/L, PLT \>30 × 10\^9/L, ANC \>1.5 x 10\^9L. PLT transfusion independence is defined as a period for at least 28 days without PLT transfusion. Platelet response rate (PRR): Platelet response rate is comprised of CR + PR based on the following criteria: CR: PLT \>100 × 10\^9/L; PR: PLT \>30 × 10\^9/L; NR: PLT transfusion within 4 weeks or PLT \<= 30 × 10\^9/L.
Acceptability and Palatability for Both Tablets and Powder Formulation for Oral Solution (PfOS)any day from Day 1 of drug initiation up to Week 78Standardized (total) summary score, ranged from 0-100, (where 0 means worst and 100 means the best), was derived from all items from the questionnaire based on a scoring matrix. The questionnaire was completed by parents and caregivers of patients under 12 years of age (ObsRO) and a questionnaire completed by patients 12 years and older (PRO).
Clonal Evolution to Paroxysmal Nocturnal Hemoglobinuria (PNH)Baseline, Week (W) 26 Day (D) 1, W52D1, W78D1, W130D1, W182D1, W234D1Percentage of participants with clonal evolution to Paroxysmal Nocturnal Hemoglobinuria (PNH).
Exposure (AUCtau) - Response Relationship of Eltrombopag and Best Overall Response Rate by Age Groupsat least 11 weeks after dose initiation or later when patients are taking the highest dose, up to Week 78Pharmacokinetic parameter (AUCtau) of eltrombopag at the highest dose in relationship to best overall response rate in regard to complete response (CR), partial response (PR) and no response (NR). AUC tau: Area under the curve calculated to the end of the dosing interval (tau) (mass\*time/volume)
Exposure (Cmax, Ctrough) - Response Relationship of Eltrombopag and Best Overall Response Rate by Age Groupsat least 11 weeks after dose initiation or later when patients are taking the highest dose, up to Week 78Pharmacokinetic parameters (Cmax and Ctrough) of eltrombopag at the highest dose in relationship to overall response rate in regard to complete response (CR), partial response (PR) and no response (NR). Cmax is the observed maximum plasma concentration following administration (mass/volume). Ctrough is the pre-dose plasma concentration (mass/volume).
Exposure (AUCtau) - Response Relationship of Eltrombopag and Best Platelet Response Rate by Age Groupsat least 11 weeks after dose initiation or later when patients are taking the highest dose, up to Week 78Pharmacokinetic parameter (AUCtau) of eltrombopag at the highest dose in relationship to platelet response rate. AUC tau: Area under the curve calculated to the end of the dosing interval ( tau) (mass\*time/volume)
Exposure (Cmax, Ctrough) - Response Relationship of Eltrombopag and Best Platelet Response Rate by Age Groupsat least 11 weeks after dose initiation or later when patients are taking the highest dose, up to Week 78Pharmacokinetic parameters (Cmax and Ctrough) of eltrombopag at the highest dose in relationship to platelet response rate. Cmax is the observed maximum plasma concentration following administration (mass/volume). Ctrough is the pre-dose plasma concentration (mass/volume).
Alternate Overall Response Rate (aORR)Week 12, Week 26, Week 52, Week 78Alternate overall responses were derived using hematological parameters (i.e., hemoglobin, platelet, reticulocyte, and ANC). aORR is defined as the percentage of participants who achieved an alternate complete response (aCR) or an alternate partial response (aPR)
Pharmacokinetics (PK) of Eltrombopag at the Starting Dose (AUCtau)Week 3 Day 1PK parameter, AUCtau. AUC tau: Area under the curve calculated to the end of the dosing interval (tau) (mass\*time/volume)
PK of Eltrombopag at the Starting Dose (Cmax)Week 3 Day 1PK parameter, Cmax Cmax is the observed maximum plasma concentration following administration (mass/volume)
PK of Eltrombopag at the Starting Dose (Ctrough)Week 3 Day 1PK parameter, Ctrough Ctrough is the pre-dose plasma concentration (mass/volume).
Bone Marrow CytogeneticsScreening, Week 12, Week 26, Week 52, Week 78, Week 130, Week 182, Week 234Number of bone marrow cytogenetics (chromosomal structure) by kryotyping and Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH). This is a comprehensive diagnostic evaluation to distinguish between the various bone marrow disorders.
Hematologic Counts (Platelets (Blood), Neutrophils (Blood))Week 12, Week 26, Week 52, Week 78, Week 130, Week 182, Week 234Individual Platelets (PLT) and neutrophil counts were summarized for all participants.
Hematologic Counts (Hemoglobin (Blood))Week 12, Week 26, Week 52, Week 78, Week 130, Week 182, Week 234Individual hemoglobin (Hgb) counts were summarized for all participants.

Countries

Hong Kong, Portugal, Russia, Thailand, United Kingdom, United States

Contacts

STUDY_DIRECTORNovartis Pharmaceuticals

Novartis Pharmaceuticals

Participant flow

Recruitment details

Study was conducted in 19 sites in 6 countries

Pre-assignment details

Participants participated in a treatment period (26 weeks), follow-up period (additional 52 weeks) and a Long-term Follow-up period for 3 additional years. A dose of 25mg daily for 1 to 6 years and 50 mg daily for 6 to \<18 years was administered. Doses could be modified every two weeks based on blood platelet counts and dosing guidelines until targeted platelet count or maximum dose of 150 mg was achieved, whichever occurred first. .

Baseline characteristics

Characteristic
Age, Continuous10.0 Years
Race/Ethnicity, Customized
Asian
3 Participants
Race/Ethnicity, Customized
Black
2 Participants
Race/Ethnicity, Customized
Caucasian
30 Participants
Race/Ethnicity, Customized
Unknown
0 Participants
Sex: Female, Male
Female
5 Participants
Sex: Female, Male
Male
20 Participants

Adverse events

Event typeEG000
affected / at risk
EG001
affected / at risk
EG002
affected / at risk
EG003
affected / at risk
EG004
affected / at risk
EG005
affected / at risk
EG006
affected / at risk
EG007
affected / at risk
EG008
affected / at risk
EG009
affected / at risk
deaths
Total, all-cause mortality
0 / 100 / 40 / 140 / 370 / 510 / 101 / 41 / 140 / 371 / 51
other
Total, other adverse events
10 / 104 / 414 / 1437 / 3751 / 510 / 00 / 00 / 00 / 00 / 0
serious
Total, serious adverse events
4 / 102 / 46 / 1423 / 3729 / 510 / 00 / 00 / 00 / 00 / 0

Outcome results

None listed

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Data processed: Aug 11, 2026