Anemia Studies in CKD: Erythropoiesis Via a Novel Prolyl Hydroxylase Inhibitor (PHI) Daprodustat- Iron (ASCEND: Fe)

A Repeat Dose, Open Label, Two Period, Randomized, Cross Over Study to Compare the Effect of Daprodustat to Recombinant, Human Erythropoietin (rhEPO) on Oral Iron Absorption in Adult Participants With Anemia Associated With Chronic Kidney Disease Who Are Not on Dialysis

Status

Completed

Phases

Phase 2

Study type

Interventional

Source

ClinicalTrials.gov

Registry ID

NCT03457701

Enrollment

Registered

2018-03-07

Start date

2019-07-30

Completion date

2022-07-05

Last updated

2024-03-27

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

Conditions

Anaemia

Keywords

Recombinant human erythropoietin, Anemia, Daprodustat, Chronic kidney disease

Brief summary

Daprodustat administration has the potential, by virtue of increasing hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF) levels, to increase oral iron absorption and incorporation into hemoglobin (Hgb). Therefore, the purpose of this study is to compare the effect of daprodustat to rhEPO (i.e., epoetin alfa or darbepoetin alfa) on non-heme oral iron absorption using stable isotopic iron (57Fe and 58Fe) by measuring incorporation of iron in erythrocytes. This study will be a randomized, repeat dose, open label, two period cross-over study in adult, male and female participants with anemia associated with chronic kidney disease who are not on dialysis currently treated with stable doses less than or equal to (\<=) 50 percent (%) change in 4-weekly dose) for at least 8 weeks prior to and including the screening period, of rhEPO (i.e., epoetin alfa or darbepoetin alfa). Sufficient participants will be enrolled such that at least 12 participants comprise the Evaluable Population. The study will compare the fractional iron absorption between treatment arms (daprodustat and rhEPO \[i.e., epoetin alfa or darbepoetin alfa\]) and will evaluate the difference is equal/not equal to zero.

Interventions

DRUGDaprodustat

Daprodustat will be available as 1 milligram (mg), 2 mg and 4 mg tablets strengths. One tablet to be taken daily without regard for food.

DRUGrhEPO

rhEPO (epoetin alfa OR darbepoetin alfa) is commercially available in various single dose vials and single-dose prefilled syringes. It will be given as subcutaneous injection.

DRUGFerrous sulfate containing the stable iron isotope (57Fe)

57Fe will be available in oral solution. An oral solution will be administered containing 10 mg of 57Fe as ferrous sulfate.

DRUGFerrous sulfate containing the stable iron isotope (58Fe)

58Fe will be available in oral solution. An oral solution will be administered containing 3 mg of 58Fe as ferrous sulfate with 7 mg of 56Fe as ferrous sulfate (natural abundance Fe).

Study design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Intervention model

CROSSOVER

Primary purpose

TREATMENT

Masking

NONE

Masking description

This is an Open-label study.

Intervention model description

Participants will be randomly assigned either to remain on their current therapy (either epoetin alfa or darbepoetin alfa) or be switched to daprodustat in either of the treatment periods.

Eligibility

Sex/Gender

ALL

Age

18 Years to No maximum

Healthy volunteers

Inclusion criteria

* Participants must be at least 18 years of age inclusive, at the time of signing the informed consent. * Participants who are Stage 3, 4 or 5 Chronic kidney disease (CKD) (confirmed at Week-4 only) defined by estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) using the CKD Epidemiology Collaboration (CKD-EPI) formula. * Participants who are currently treated with stable doses (\<=50% change in 4-weekly dose) for at least 8 weeks prior to and including the screening period, of rhEPO (i.e., epoetin alfa or darbepoetin alfa). * Participants with Hgb levels between 9.0 and 11.5 g/dL, inclusive, who meet the Hgb stability criteria. * Participants may be on stable maintenance oral iron supplementation (less than \[\<\] 50% change in overall dose and compliance of 80% of prescribed doses in the 4 weeks prior to and including the screening period). If participants have been on intravenous (IV) iron, then participants will not have received IV iron for 8 weeks prior to the Day 1 visit. * Male or Female participants may participate. A female participant is eligible to participate if she is not pregnant, not breastfeeding, and at least one of the following conditions applies: not a woman of childbearing potential (WOCBP), or a WOCBP who agrees to follow the contraceptive guidance during the treatment period to the follow-up visit. * Capable of giving signed informed consent.

Exclusion criteria

* On dialysis or clinical evidence of impending need to initiate dialysis within 90 days after study start (i.e., Day 1). * Planned kidney transplant within 3 months after study start. * A positive test for Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) antibody. * History of severe allergic or anaphylactic reactions or hypersensitivity to excipients in the investigational products * Use of any prescription or non-prescription drugs or dietary supplements that are prohibited from screening until the end of Treatment Period 2. * Planned or current administration of methoxy polyethylene glycol (PEG)-epoetin beta. * The participant has participated in a clinical trial and has received an experimental investigational product within the prior 30 days or 5 half lives, whichever is longer, from screening through Day 1. * At or below the lower limit of the reference range at screening for Vitamin B12 (may rescreen in a minimum of 8 weeks). * Ferritin outside the range between 100 and 500 nanogram per milliliter (ng/mL), inclusive, at screening. * Transferrin saturation (TSAT) outside the range between 15% and 40%, inclusive, at Screening. * Folate \< 2.0 ng/mL (4.5 nanomoles per liter \[nmol/L\]; may rescreen in a minimum of 8 weeks) at screening. * High sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) \>=20 microgram per milliliter (μg/mL) at screening. * Myocardial infarction or acute coronary syndrome: \<=8 weeks prior to screening through Day 1. * Hospitalization for greater than 24 hours: \<=8 weeks prior to screening through Day 1 * Stroke or transient ischemic attack \<=8 weeks prior to screening through Day 1. * Class IV heart failure, as defined by the New York Heart Association (NYHA) functional classification system. * Current uncontrolled hypertension as determined by the investigator. * QT interval corrected for heart rate using Bazett's formula (QTcB): QTcB \>500 milliseconds (msec), or QTcB \> 530 msec in participants with Bundle Branch Block. There is no corrected QT interval (QTc) exclusion for participants with a predominantly paced rhythm. * Active chronic inflammatory disease that could impact erythropoiesis. * History of bone marrow aplasia or pure red cell aplasia. * Conditions, other than anemia associated with chronic kidney disease, which can affect erythropoiesis. * Evidence of actively bleeding gastric, duodenal, or esophageal ulcer disease OR clinically significant gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding from \<=4 weeks prior to screening through Day 1. * Liver disease (any of the following): Alanine transaminase (ALT) \>2 times upper limit of normal (ULN; screening only); Bilirubin \>1.5 times ULN (screening only). Current or chronic history of liver disease, or known hepatic or biliary abnormalities (with the exception of Gilbert's syndrome or asymptomatic gallstones). * Major surgery (excluding vascular access surgery) within the 8 weeks prior to screening through Day 1, or planned during the study. * Blood transfusion within 8 weeks prior to screening through Day 1, or an anticipated need for blood transfusion during the study. * Clinical evidence of an acute infection, or history of infection requiring IV antibiotic therapy from 4 weeks prior to screening through Day 1. * History of malignancy within the two years prior to screening through Day 1 or currently receiving treatment for cancer, with the exception of localized squamous cell or basal cell carcinoma of the skin definitively treated 12 weeks prior to Day 1. * Any other condition, clinical or laboratory abnormality, or examination finding that the investigator considers would put the participant at unacceptable risk, which may affect study compliance or prevent understanding of the aims or investigational procedures or possible consequences of the study.

Design outcomes

Primary

Measure	Time frame	Description
Percentage of Fractional Oral Iron Absorption Following Treatment With Daprodustat and rhEPO	Up to Day 57	Blood samples were collected at indicated time points for analysis of fractional oral iron absorption following treatment with Daprodustat and rhEPO. Adjusted mean and 95 percent (%) confidence interval (CI) has been presented.

Secondary

Measure	Time frame	Description
Period 1 and 2: Change From Baseline in Transferrin Following Treatment With Daprodustat or rhEPO	Baseline (Day 1), Day 14 and Day 28 in treatment periods 1 and 2 (each period is of 28 days)	Blood samples were collected from participants for measurement of transferrin at indicated time points. Baseline was defined as the latest pre-dose assessment with a non-missing value, including those from unscheduled visits in the associated treatment period. Change from Baseline was calculated by subtracting Baseline value from the post-dose visit value.
Periods 1 and 2: Change From Baseline in Transferrin Saturation Following Treatment With Daprodustat or rhEPO	Baseline (Day 1), Day 14 and Day 28 in treatment periods 1 and 2 (each period is of 28 days)	Blood samples were collected from participants for measurement of transferrin saturation at indicated time points. Transferrin saturation was measured as a percentage and is the ratio of serum iron and total iron-binding capacity multiplied by 100. Baseline was defined as the latest pre-dose assessment with a non-missing value, including those from unscheduled visits in the associated treatment period. Change from Baseline was calculated by subtracting Baseline value from the post-dose visit value.
Periods 1 and 2: Change From Baseline in Soluble Transferrin Receptor Following Treatment of Daprodustat and rhEPO	Baseline (Day 1), Day 14 and Day 28 in treatment periods 1 and 2 (each period is of 28 days)	Blood samples were collected from participants for measurement of soluble transferrin receptor at indicated time points. Baseline was defined as the latest pre-dose assessment with a non-missing value, including those from unscheduled visits in the associated treatment period. Change from Baseline was calculated by subtracting Baseline value from the post-dose visit value.
Periods 1 and 2: Ratio to Baseline in Ferritin Following Treatment With Daprodustat and rhEPO	Baseline (Day 1), Day 14 and Day 28 in treatment periods 1 and 2 (each period is of 28 days)	Blood samples were collected from participants for measurement of ferritin at indicated time points. Baseline was defined as the latest pre-dose assessment with a non-missing value, including those from unscheduled visits in the associated treatment period. Change from Baseline was calculated by subtracting Baseline value from the post-dose visit value. The summary of log transformed ration to baseline on markers of iron status for Ferritin is presented here.
Periods 1 and 2: Ratio to Baseline (Day 1) in Hepcidin Following Treatment With Daprodustat and rhEPO	Baseline (Day 1), Day 14 and Day 28 in treatment periods 1 and 2 (each period is of 28 days)	Blood samples were collected from participants for measurement of hepcidin at indicated time points. Baseline was defined as the latest pre-dose assessment with a non-missing value, including those from unscheduled visits in the associated treatment period. Change from Baseline was calculated by subtracting Baseline value from the post-dose visit value. The summary of log transformed ration to baseline on markers of iron status for Hepcidin is presented here.
Periods 1 and 2: Change From Baseline in Erythroferrone Following Treatment With Daprodustat and rhEPO	Baseline (Day 1), Day 14 and Day 28 in treatment periods 1 and 2 (each period is of 28 days)	Blood samples were collected from participants for measurement of erythroferrone at indicated time points. Baseline was defined as the latest pre-dose assessment with a non-missing value, including those from unscheduled visits in the associated treatment period. Change from Baseline was calculated by subtracting Baseline value from the post-dose visit value.
Periods 1 and 2: Change From Baseline in Serum Iron Following Treatment With Daprodustat and rhEPO	Baseline (Day 1), Day 14 and Day 28 in treatment periods 1 and 2 (each period is of 28 days)	Blood samples were collected for measurement of serum iron at indicated time points. Baseline was defined as the latest pre-dose assessment with a non-missing value, including those from unscheduled visits in the associated treatment period. Change from Baseline was calculated by subtracting Baseline value from the post-dose visit value.
Periods 1 and 2: Change From Baseline in Hematocrit Following Treatment With Daprodustat and rhEPO	Baseline (Day 1), Day 14 and Day 28 in treatment periods 1 and 2 (each period is of 28 days)	Blood samples were collected from participants for measurement of hematocrit at indicated time points. Baseline was defined as the latest pre-dose assessment with a non-missing value, including those from unscheduled visits in the associated treatment period. Change from Baseline was calculated by subtracting Baseline value from the post-dose visit value.
Periods 1 and 2: Change From Baseline in Erythrocytes Following Treatment With Daprodustat and rhEPO	Baseline (Day 1), Day 14 and Day 28 in treatment periods 1 and 2 (each period is of 28 days)	Blood samples were collected from participants for measurement of erythrocytes (red blood cells number) at indicated time points. Baseline was defined as the latest pre-dose assessment with a non-missing value, including those from unscheduled visits in the associated treatment period. Change from Baseline was calculated by subtracting Baseline value from the post-dose visit value.
Periods 1 and 2: Change From Baseline in Erythrocyte Mean Corpuscular Volume Following Treatment With Daprodustat and rhEPO	Baseline (Day 1), Day 14 and Day 28 in treatment periods 1 and 2 (each period is of 28 days)	Blood samples were collected from participants for measurement of erythrocyte mean corpuscular volume at indicated time points. Baseline was defined as the latest pre-dose assessment with a non-missing value, including those from unscheduled visits in the associated treatment period. Change from Baseline was calculated by subtracting Baseline value from the post-dose visit value.
Periods 1 and 2: Change From Baseline in Reticulocyte Hemoglobin Following Treatment of Daprodustat and rhEPO	Baseline (Day 1), Day 14 and Day 28 in treatment periods 1 and 2 (each period is of 28 days)	Blood samples were collected from participants for measurement of reticulocyte hemoglobin at indicated time points. Baseline was defined as the latest pre-dose assessment with a non-missing value, including those from unscheduled visits in the associated treatment period. Change from Baseline was calculated by subtracting Baseline value from the post-dose visit value.
Periods 1 and 2: Change From Baseline in Reticulocytes Following Treatment With Daprodustat and rhEPO	Baseline (Day 1), Day 14 and Day 28 in treatment periods 1 and 2 (each period is of 28 days)	Blood samples were collected from participants for measurement of reticulocytes number at indicated time points. Baseline was defined as the latest pre-dose assessment with a non-missing value, including those from unscheduled visits in the associated treatment period. Change from Baseline was calculated by subtracting Baseline value from the post-dose visit value.
Periods 1 and 2: Change From Baseline in Hemoglobin Following Treatment With Daprodustat and rhEPO	Baseline (Day 1), Day 14 and Day 28 in treatment periods 1 and 2 (each period is of 28 days)	Blood samples were collected from participants for measurement of hemoglobin at indicated time points. Baseline was defined as the latest pre-dose assessment with a non-missing value, including those from unscheduled visits in the associated treatment period. Change from Baseline was calculated by subtracting Baseline value from the post-dose visit value.

Countries

United States

Participant flow

Recruitment details

This was a two-period cross over study to compare the effect of Daprodustat to recombinant, human erythropoietin (rhEPO) on oral iron absorption.

Pre-assignment details

A total of 15 participants were randomized in the study. The safety population consisted of 14 participants who received at least 1 dose of study treatment.

Participants by arm

Arm	Count
Daprodustat Followed by rhEPO Participants were randomly assigned to receive Daprodustat in Treatment Period 1. For assessment of incorporation of iron into erythrocytes, participants were administered ferrous sulfate containing a stable isotope of iron (57Fe or 58Fe) in a randomized fashion following 2 weeks of administration of study treatment. At Day 29 participants were crossed over to receive rhEPO (either epoetin alfa or darbepoetin alfa) in Treatment Period 2. At 2 weeks following initiation of dosing in Treatment Period 2, participants were again administered ferrous sulfate containing the stable iron isotope (58Fe or 57Fe). Participants were advised to maintain use of oral iron supplementation (except ferric citrate) and acid-reducing agents (example: H2 receptor antagonists, proton pump inhibitors, antacids) at a consistent dosage and frequency. There was no washout period between Treatment Period 1 and Treatment Period 2.	7
rhEPO Followed by Daprodustat Participants were randomly assigned to receive rhEPO (i.e., epoetin alfa or darbepoetin alfa) in Treatment Period 1. For assessment of incorporation of iron into erythrocytes, participants were administered ferrous sulfate containing a stable isotope of iron (57Fe or 58Fe) in a randomized fashion following 2 weeks of administration of study treatment. At Day 29 participants were crossed over to receive Daprodustat in Treatment Period 2. At 2 weeks following initiation of dosing in Treatment Period 2, participants were again administered ferrous sulfate containing the stable iron isotope (58Fe or 57Fe). Participants were advised to maintain use of oral iron supplementation (except ferric citrate) and acid-reducing agents (example: Histamine \[H2\] receptor antagonists, proton pump inhibitors, antacids) at a consistent dosage and frequency. There was no washout period between Treatment Period 1 and Treatment Period 2.	7
Total	14

Withdrawals & dropouts

Period	Reason	FG000	FG001
Treatment Period 1 (up to Day 28)	Participant reached protocol-defined stopping criteria	1	1
Treatment Period 2 (Up to Day 28)	Participant reached protocol-defined stopping criteria	0	1

Baseline characteristics

Characteristic	Daprodustat Followed by rhEPO	rhEPO Followed by Daprodustat	Total
Age, Continuous	66.3 Years STANDARD_DEVIATION 5.35	64.6 Years STANDARD_DEVIATION 13.88	65.4 Years STANDARD_DEVIATION 10.14
Race/Ethnicity, Customized White/Caucasian/European Heritage	7 Participants	7 Participants	14 Participants
Sex: Female, Male Female	6 Participants	5 Participants	11 Participants
Sex: Female, Male Male	1 Participants	2 Participants	3 Participants

Adverse events

Event type	EG000 affected / at risk	EG001 affected / at risk	EG002 affected / at risk	EG003 affected / at risk
deaths Total, all-cause mortality	0 / 7	0 / 7	0 / 7	0 / 7
other Total, other adverse events	3 / 7	3 / 7	2 / 7	3 / 7
serious Total, serious adverse events	0 / 7	1 / 7	0 / 7	1 / 7

Outcome results

Primary

Percentage of Fractional Oral Iron Absorption Following Treatment With Daprodustat and rhEPO

Blood samples were collected at indicated time points for analysis of fractional oral iron absorption following treatment with Daprodustat and rhEPO. Adjusted mean and 95 percent (%) confidence interval (CI) has been presented.

Time frame: Up to Day 57

Population: Evaluable Population consisted of all randomized participants who received study medication and completed the iron absorption assessment for both treatment periods.

Arm	Measure	Value (MEAN)
Daprodustat	Percentage of Fractional Oral Iron Absorption Following Treatment With Daprodustat and rhEPO	20.64 Percentage (%) of iron absorbed
rhEPO	Percentage of Fractional Oral Iron Absorption Following Treatment With Daprodustat and rhEPO	20.62 Percentage (%) of iron absorbed

Comparison: The null hypotheses is defined as the difference in fractional iron absorption between treatment arms (Daprodustat - rhEPO \[i.e., epoetin alfa or darbepoetin alfa\]) is equal to zero.p-value: 0.997195% CI: [-10.13, 10.16]Mixed Models Analysis

Secondary

Period 1 and 2: Change From Baseline in Transferrin Following Treatment With Daprodustat or rhEPO

Blood samples were collected from participants for measurement of transferrin at indicated time points. Baseline was defined as the latest pre-dose assessment with a non-missing value, including those from unscheduled visits in the associated treatment period. Change from Baseline was calculated by subtracting Baseline value from the post-dose visit value.