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Efficacy and Safety Study of the Use of Benralizumab for Patients With Moderate to Severe Atopic Dermatitis

A Phase 2 Multinational, Randomized, Double-blind, Parallel-group, 16-week Placebo-controlled Study With a 36-Week Extension to Investigate the Use of Benralizumab for Patients With Moderate to Severe Atopic Dermatitis Despite Treatment With Topical Medications (The HILLIER Study)

Status
Terminated
Phases
Phase 2
Study type
Interventional
Source
ClinicalTrials.gov
Registry ID
NCT04605094
Enrollment
194
Registered
2020-10-27
Start date
2020-11-12
Completion date
2022-09-13
Last updated
2023-08-31

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

Conditions

Atopic Dermatitis

Keywords

Moderate to severe atopic dermatitis, pruritus, skin lesion

Brief summary

The purpose of the study is to compare the efficacy and safety of benralizumab versus placebo and to compare benralizumab dosing regimens during extension period.

Detailed description

The aim of this study is to investigate the use of benralizumab as treatment for patients with moderate to severe atopic dermatitis (AD) who remain symptomatic despite treatment with topical medications. It is proposed that benralizumab will deplete eosinophils from affected skin, improve symptoms of AD, and improve AD-related quality of life. This Phase 2 study is designed to compare the efficacy of treatment with benralizumab versus placebo and compare benralizumab maintenance dosing regimens in the extension period.

Interventions

BIOLOGICALBenralizumab

Benralizumab by subcutaneous injection until Week 16, and then benralizumab by subcutaneous injection during the extension period.

BIOLOGICALPlacebo / Benralizumab

Placebo by subcutaneous injection until Week 16, then benralizumab by subcutaneous injection until Week 52.

Sponsors

Iqvia Pty Ltd
CollaboratorINDUSTRY
AstraZeneca
Lead SponsorINDUSTRY

Study design

Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
QUADRUPLE (Subject, Caregiver, Investigator, Outcomes Assessor)

Eligibility

Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
12 Years to 130 Years
Healthy volunteers
No

Inclusion criteria

1. Physician-confirmed diagnosis of AD (according to American Academy of Dermatology Consensus Criteria) that is not adequately controlled with topical medications. 2. EASI score of ≥ 12 at screening and ≥ 16 at randomization. 3. IGA score of ≥ 3 (on a scale of 0 to 4, in which 3 is moderate and 4 is severe) at screening and at randomization. 4. Atopic dermatitis involvement of ≥ 8% body- surface area at screening and ≥ 10% body-surface area at randomization. 5. A pruritus numerical rating scale average score for maximum itch intensity of ≥ 4, based on the average of daily pruritus numerical rating scale scores for maximum itch intensity reported during the 7 days prior to randomization. 6. Documented recent history (within 6 months prior to screening) of inadequate response to treatment with topical medications, or patients for whom topical treatments are otherwise medically inadvisable (eg, because of important side effects or safety risks). 7. Participants that have applied a stable dose of topical emollient (moisturizer) twice daily for ≥ 7 consecutive days immediately before the randomization visit. (NOTE: See exclusion criterion 11 for limitations regarding emollients) 8. Participants must be willing and able to complete daily PRO assessments: * Complete at least 70% of daily PRO assessments between Visit 1 and Visit 2 and * Complete at least 5 of 7 daily PRO assessments in the 7 days prior to Visit 2. 9. Females of childbearing potential (FOCBP) must agree to use a highly effective method of birth control (confirmed by the Investigator) from randomization, throughout the study duration, and within 16 weeks after last dose of IP and have a negative serum pregnancy test result on Visit 1. 10. Females not of childbearing potential are defined as females who are either permanently sterilized (hysterectomy, bilateral oophorectomy, or bilateral salpingectomy) or who are postmenopausal. Females will be considered postmenopausal if they have been amenorrheic for ≥ 12 months prior to the planned date of randomization without an alternative medical cause. The following age-specific requirements apply: 1. Females \< 50 years old will be considered postmenopausal if they have been amenorrheic for 12 months or more following cessation of exogenous hormonal treatment and with follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) levels in the postmenopausal range. Until FSH is documented to be within menopausal range, the participant should be treated as a FOCBP. 2. Females ≥ 50 years old will be considered postmenopausal if they have been amenorrheic for 12 months or more following cessation of all exogenous hormonal treatment.

Exclusion criteria

1. Participants with active dermatological conditions (eg, psoriasis, seborrheic dermatitis, cutaneous lymphoma) other than atopic dermatitis that, in the investigator's opinion, may interfere with the study assessments 2. Known active allergic or irritant contact dermatitis that, in the investigator's opinion, may interfere with the study assessments 3. Current malignancy, or history of malignancy, with the exception of: 1. Participants who have had basal cell carcinoma, localized squamous cell carcinoma of the skin, or in situ carcinoma of the cervix are eligible provided that the participant is in remission and curative therapy was completed at least 12 months prior to the date informed consent, was obtained. 2. Participants who have had other malignancies are eligible provided that the participant is in remission and curative therapy was completed at least 5 years prior to the date informed consent, was obtained. 4. Any disorder, including, but not limited to, cardiovascular, gastrointestinal, hepatic, renal, neurological, musculoskeletal, infectious, endocrine, metabolic, hematological, psychiatric, or major physical impairment that is not stable in the opinion of the Investigator and could: 1. Affect the safety of the participant throughout the study 2. Influence the findings of the studies or their interpretations 3. Impede the participant's ability to complete the entire duration of study. 5. History of anaphylaxis to any biologic therapy or vaccine 6. A helminth parasitic infection diagnosed within 24 weeks prior to the date informed consent is obtained that has not been treated with, or has failed to respond to standard of care therapy 7. Any clinically significant abnormal findings in physical examination, vital signs, hematology, clinical chemistry, or urinalysis during screening/run-in period which, in the opinion of the Investigator, may put the participant at risk because of his/her participation in the study, or may influence the results of the study, or the participant's ability to complete entire duration of the study 8. Current active liver disease: 1. Chronic stable hepatitis B and C (including positive testing for hepatitis B surface antigen \[HBsAg\] or hepatitis C antibody), or other stable chronic liver disease are acceptable if participant otherwise meets eligibility criteria. Stable chronic liver disease should generally be defined by the absence of ascites, encephalopathy, coagulopathy, hypoalbuminemia, esophageal or gastric varices, or persistent jaundice, or cirrhosis. 2. Alanine aminotransferase (ALT) or aspartate aminotransferase (AST) level ≥ 3 times the upper limit of normal (ULN), confirmed by repeated testing during the run-in period. Transient increase of AST/ALT level that resolves by the time of randomization is acceptable if in the Investigator's opinion the participant does not have an active liver disease and meets other eligibility criteria. 9. A history of known immunodeficiency disorder including a positive human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) test Prior/concomitant Therapy 10. Participants who have received treatment for AD with TCS, topical calcineurin inhibitors (TCI), or topical phosphodiesterase-4 (PDE4) inhibitors within the 7 days prior to the randomization visit 11. Initiation of treatment of AD with prescription moisturizers or moisturizers containing additives such as ceramide, hyaluronic acid, urea, or filaggrin degradation products during the screening period (patients may continue using stable doses of such moisturizers if initiated before the screening visit) 12. Regular use (2 visits per week) of a tanning booth/parlor or phototherapy for AD within 4 weeks prior to the randomization visit 13. Use of immunosuppressive medication including, but not limited to: methotrexate, cyclosporine, azathioprine, systemic corticosteroids within 4 weeks or 5 half-lives prior to the date informed consent is obtained, whichever is longer. Other 14. Receipt of immunoglobulin or blood products within 30 days prior to the date informed consent is obtained 15. Receipt of any marketed or investigational biologic within 4 months or 5 half-lives prior to the date informed consent is obtained, whichever is longer 16. Receipt of live attenuated vaccines 30 days prior to first dose of IP 17. Receipt of any investigational nonbiologic within 30 days or 5 half-lives prior to the date informed consent is obtained, whichever is longer 18. Previously received benralizumab (MEDI-563, FASENRA) 19. Change to allergen immunotherapy or new allergen immunotherapy within 30 days prior to the date of informed consent and anticipated changes in immunotherapy throughout the study 20. Planned elective major surgical procedures during the conduct of the study 21. Previous randomization in the present study 22. Concurrent enrollment in another clinical trial 23. AstraZeneca staff involved in the planning and/or conduct of the study 24. For females only: Currently pregnant, breastfeeding, or lactating females A serum pregnancy test will be done for FOCBP at Visit 1 and a urine pregnancy test must be performed for FOCBP at each subsequent treatment visit prior to IP administration. A positive urine test result must be confirmed with a serum pregnancy test. If serum test is positive, the participant should be excluded.

Design outcomes

Primary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Percentage of Participants With an Investigator Global Assessment (IGA) 0/1 and a Decrease in IGA of ≥2 Points at Week 16 Relative to BaselineBaseline (Week 0) and at Week 16The IGA is an instrument used in clinical studies to rate the severity of AD globally, based on a 5-point scale ranging from 0 = clear; 1 = almost clear; 2 = mild disease; 3 = moderate disease; 4 = severe disease. The IGA used clinical characteristics of erythema, infiltration, papulation, oozing, and crusting as guidelines for the overall severity assessment. A higher score indicated greater severity. A responder at Week 16 was defined as having IGA 0/1 and a decrease in IGA of ≥2 points at Week 16 relative to baseline. Participants who withdrew from the study/required rescue therapy after Day 28 were considered as non-responders from the time these events occurred. Baseline was defined as the last recorded value on or prior to the date of randomization.

Secondary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Percentage of Participants Who Experienced 75% Reduction From Baseline in Eczema Area and Severity Index (EASI-75) at Week 16Baseline (Week 0) and at Week 16The EASI assessed the severity and extent of AD. Severity of 4 AD disease characteristics (erythema, induration/papulation, excoriation \[scratching\], lichenification) each were assessed on a scale of 0 (absent) to 3 (severe) in each of 4 body regions (head/neck, trunk, upper limbs, and lower limbs). Total body total score=sum of the region total scores; ranged from 0 to 72. Participants were classified as responders if they achieved at least 75% reduction from baseline in their EASI total score at Week 16. Participants who withdrew from study/required rescue therapy after Day 28 were non-responders from the time these events occurred. Higher scores indicated a more severe or more extensive condition. Baseline was defined as the last recorded value on or prior to the date of randomization.
Percentage of Participants Who Experienced 90% Reduction From Baseline in Eczema Area and Severity Index (EASI-90) at Week 16Baseline (Week 0) and at Week 16The EASI assessed the severity and extent of AD. Severity of 4 AD disease characteristics (erythema, induration/papulation, excoriation \[scratching\], lichenification) each were assessed on a scale of 0 (absent) to 3 (severe) in each of 4 body regions (head/neck, trunk, upper limbs, and lower limbs). Total body total score=sum of the region total scores; ranged from 0 to 72. Participants were classified as responders if they achieved at least 90% reduction from baseline in their EASI total score at Week 16. Participants who withdrew from study/required rescue therapy after Day 28 were non-responders from the time these events occurred. Higher scores indicated a more severe or more extensive condition. Baseline was defined as the last recorded value on or prior to the date of randomization.
Percentage of Participants With an Improvement of ≥4 or More Points in Peak Pruritus Weekly ScoreAt Week 16The peak pruritus numeric rating scale (NRS) was a 1-item daily assessment of the worst itch the participant experienced over the past 24 hours. The score ranged from 0 to 10, with 0 being no itch and 10 being worst itch imaginable and so a reduction in score was considered an improvement. A responder was defined as having an improvement of 4 or more points relative to baseline. Participants who withdrew from the study/required rescue therapy after Day 28 were considered as non-responders from the time these events occurred. The Week 16 weekly scores were defined as the average of the daily scores for the 7 days prior to the weekly score.

Countries

Australia, Bulgaria, Czechia, France, Poland, South Korea, Spain, United States

Participant flow

Recruitment details

This Phase 2, double-blind, placebo-controlled study was conducted in participants with moderate to severe atopic dermatitis (AD) at 48 study centers in 8 countries.

Pre-assignment details

This study consisted of a screening period (up to 4 weeks), placebo-controlled double-blind treatment period (up to 16 weeks) and an extension period (up to 36 weeks). A total of 194 participants were randomized and received treatment in this study.

Participants by arm

ArmCount
Benralizumab
Participants received benralizumab 30 mg SC injection on Day 1 visit for Q4W until Week 16 visit. In extension phase, participants received benralizumab 30 mg SC injection for either Q4W or Q8W until Week 52 visit.
96
Placebo
Participants received placebo matching benralizumab on Day 1 visit for Q4W until Week 16. In extension phase, participants received benralizumab 30 mg SC injection for Q4W until Week 28 visit and then followed by benralizumab 30 mg SC injection for Q8W until Week 52 visit.
98
Total194

Withdrawals & dropouts

PeriodReasonFG000FG001
Overall StudyAdverse Event22
Overall StudyLost to Follow-up14
Overall StudyOther11
Overall StudyPhysician Decision22
Overall StudyStudy terminated by Sponsor3133
Overall StudyWithdrawal by Subject2219

Baseline characteristics

CharacteristicBenralizumabPlaceboTotal
Age, Continuous29.8 years
STANDARD_DEVIATION 15.87
29.5 years
STANDARD_DEVIATION 16
29.6 years
STANDARD_DEVIATION 15.9
Race/Ethnicity, Customized
Asian
24 Participants20 Participants44 Participants
Race/Ethnicity, Customized
Black or African American
6 Participants6 Participants12 Participants
Race/Ethnicity, Customized
Hispanic or Latino
11 Participants13 Participants24 Participants
Race/Ethnicity, Customized
Not Hispanic or Latino
85 Participants85 Participants170 Participants
Race/Ethnicity, Customized
Other
1 Participants2 Participants3 Participants
Race/Ethnicity, Customized
White
65 Participants70 Participants135 Participants
Sex: Female, Male
Female
40 Participants32 Participants72 Participants
Sex: Female, Male
Male
56 Participants66 Participants122 Participants

Adverse events

Event typeEG000
affected / at risk
EG001
affected / at risk
EG002
affected / at risk
deaths
Total, all-cause mortality
0 / 960 / 980 / 87
other
Total, other adverse events
38 / 9610 / 9829 / 87
serious
Total, serious adverse events
3 / 960 / 982 / 87

Outcome results

Primary

Percentage of Participants With an Investigator Global Assessment (IGA) 0/1 and a Decrease in IGA of ≥2 Points at Week 16 Relative to Baseline

The IGA is an instrument used in clinical studies to rate the severity of AD globally, based on a 5-point scale ranging from 0 = clear; 1 = almost clear; 2 = mild disease; 3 = moderate disease; 4 = severe disease. The IGA used clinical characteristics of erythema, infiltration, papulation, oozing, and crusting as guidelines for the overall severity assessment. A higher score indicated greater severity. A responder at Week 16 was defined as having IGA 0/1 and a decrease in IGA of ≥2 points at Week 16 relative to baseline. Participants who withdrew from the study/required rescue therapy after Day 28 were considered as non-responders from the time these events occurred. Baseline was defined as the last recorded value on or prior to the date of randomization.

Time frame: Baseline (Week 0) and at Week 16

Population: The FAS consisted of all randomized participants who received at least 1 dose of study drug, irrespective of their protocol adherence and continued participation in the study.

ArmMeasureValue (NUMBER)
BenralizumabPercentage of Participants With an Investigator Global Assessment (IGA) 0/1 and a Decrease in IGA of ≥2 Points at Week 16 Relative to Baseline9.4 percentage of participants
PlaceboPercentage of Participants With an Investigator Global Assessment (IGA) 0/1 and a Decrease in IGA of ≥2 Points at Week 16 Relative to Baseline17.3 percentage of participants
Comparison: Treatment difference in IGA responders~Estimates were from a logistic regression model that included treatment group, age as recorded on electronic case report form (eCRF) at screening (\>=12 to \<18 years; \>=18 years), blood eosinophils as recorded on eCRF at screening (\<300 cells/microliters \[μL\]; \>=300 cells/μL) and baseline value of IGA score.p-value: 0.0895% CI: [-17.94, 0.71]Regression, Logistic
Secondary

Percentage of Participants Who Experienced 75% Reduction From Baseline in Eczema Area and Severity Index (EASI-75) at Week 16

The EASI assessed the severity and extent of AD. Severity of 4 AD disease characteristics (erythema, induration/papulation, excoriation \[scratching\], lichenification) each were assessed on a scale of 0 (absent) to 3 (severe) in each of 4 body regions (head/neck, trunk, upper limbs, and lower limbs). Total body total score=sum of the region total scores; ranged from 0 to 72. Participants were classified as responders if they achieved at least 75% reduction from baseline in their EASI total score at Week 16. Participants who withdrew from study/required rescue therapy after Day 28 were non-responders from the time these events occurred. Higher scores indicated a more severe or more extensive condition. Baseline was defined as the last recorded value on or prior to the date of randomization.

Time frame: Baseline (Week 0) and at Week 16

Population: The FAS consisted of all randomized participants who received at least 1 dose of study drug, irrespective of their protocol adherence and continued participation in the study.

ArmMeasureValue (NUMBER)
BenralizumabPercentage of Participants Who Experienced 75% Reduction From Baseline in Eczema Area and Severity Index (EASI-75) at Week 1619.8 percentage of participants
PlaceboPercentage of Participants Who Experienced 75% Reduction From Baseline in Eczema Area and Severity Index (EASI-75) at Week 1624.5 percentage of participants
Comparison: Treatment difference in EASI-75 responders~Estimates were from a logistic regression model that included treatment group, age as recorded on eCRF at screening (\>=12 to \< 18 years; \>=18 years), blood eosinophils as recorded on eCRF at screening (\<300 cells/μL; \>=300 cells/μL) and baseline EASI total score.p-value: 0.38495% CI: [-16.67, 6.36]Regression, Logistic
Secondary

Percentage of Participants Who Experienced 90% Reduction From Baseline in Eczema Area and Severity Index (EASI-90) at Week 16

The EASI assessed the severity and extent of AD. Severity of 4 AD disease characteristics (erythema, induration/papulation, excoriation \[scratching\], lichenification) each were assessed on a scale of 0 (absent) to 3 (severe) in each of 4 body regions (head/neck, trunk, upper limbs, and lower limbs). Total body total score=sum of the region total scores; ranged from 0 to 72. Participants were classified as responders if they achieved at least 90% reduction from baseline in their EASI total score at Week 16. Participants who withdrew from study/required rescue therapy after Day 28 were non-responders from the time these events occurred. Higher scores indicated a more severe or more extensive condition. Baseline was defined as the last recorded value on or prior to the date of randomization.

Time frame: Baseline (Week 0) and at Week 16

Population: The FAS consisted of all randomized participants who received at least 1 dose of study drug, irrespective of their protocol adherence and continued participation in the study.

ArmMeasureValue (NUMBER)
BenralizumabPercentage of Participants Who Experienced 90% Reduction From Baseline in Eczema Area and Severity Index (EASI-90) at Week 167.3 percentage of participants
PlaceboPercentage of Participants Who Experienced 90% Reduction From Baseline in Eczema Area and Severity Index (EASI-90) at Week 1615.3 percentage of participants
Comparison: Treatment difference in EASI-90 responders~Estimates were from a logistic regression model that included treatment group, age as recorded on eCRF at screening (\>=12 to \< 18 years; \>=18 years), blood eosinophils as recorded on eCRF at screening (\<300 cells/μL; \>=300 cells/μL) and baseline EASI total score.p-value: 0.07895% CI: [-16.94, 0.59]Regression, Logistic
Secondary

Percentage of Participants With an Improvement of ≥4 or More Points in Peak Pruritus Weekly Score

The peak pruritus numeric rating scale (NRS) was a 1-item daily assessment of the worst itch the participant experienced over the past 24 hours. The score ranged from 0 to 10, with 0 being no itch and 10 being worst itch imaginable and so a reduction in score was considered an improvement. A responder was defined as having an improvement of 4 or more points relative to baseline. Participants who withdrew from the study/required rescue therapy after Day 28 were considered as non-responders from the time these events occurred. The Week 16 weekly scores were defined as the average of the daily scores for the 7 days prior to the weekly score.

Time frame: At Week 16

Population: The FAS consisted of all randomized participants who received at least 1 dose of study drug, irrespective of their protocol adherence and continued participation in the study.

ArmMeasureValue (NUMBER)
BenralizumabPercentage of Participants With an Improvement of ≥4 or More Points in Peak Pruritus Weekly Score14.6 percentage of participants
PlaceboPercentage of Participants With an Improvement of ≥4 or More Points in Peak Pruritus Weekly Score14.3 percentage of participants
Comparison: Treatment difference in Peak Pruritus NRS~Estimates were from a logistic regression model that included treatment group, age as recorded on eCRF at screening (\>=12 to \< 18 years; \>=18 years), blood eosinophils as recorded on eCRF at screening (\<300 cells/μL; \>=300 cells/μL) and baseline Peak Pruritus score.p-value: 0.88995% CI: [-8.93, 10.32]Regression, Logistic

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Data processed: Feb 6, 2026