on through binding and activation of the TPO receptor, a mechanism analogous to endogenous TPO.
12.2 Pharmacodynamics
In clinical studies, treatment with Nplate resulted in dose-dependent increases in platelet counts. After a single subcutaneous dose of 1 to 10 mcg/kg Nplate in patients with chronic ITP, the peak platelet count was 1.3 to 14.9 times greater than the baseline platelet count over a 2- to 3-week period. The platelet counts were above 50 x 109/L for seven out of eight patients with chronic ITP who received six weekly doses of Nplate at 1 mcg/kg.
12.3 Pharmacokinetics
In the long-term extension study in patients with ITP receiving weekly treatment of Nplate subcutaneously, the pharmacokinetics of romiplostim over the dose range of 3 to 15 mcg/kg indicated that peak serum concentrations of romiplostim were observed about 7 to 50 hours post dose (median: 14 hours) with half-life values ranging from 1 to 34 days (median: 3.5 days). The serum concentrations varied among patients and did not correlate with the dose administered. The elimination of serum romiplostim is in part dependent on the TPO receptor on platelets. As a result, for a given dose, patients with high platelet counts are associated with low serum concentrations and vice versa. In another ITP clinical study, no accumulation in serum concentrations was observed (n = 4) after six weekly doses of Nplate (3 mcg/kg). The accumulation at higher doses of romiplostim is unknown.
13 NONCLINICAL TOXICOLOGY
13.1 Carcinogenesis, Mutagenesis, Impairment of Fertility
The carcinogenic potential of romiplostim has not been eva luated. The mutagenic potential of romiplostim has not been eva luated. Romiplostim had no effect on the fertility of rats at doses up to 37 times the MHD based on systemic exposure.
13.2 Animal Toxicology and/or Pharmacology
In a 4-week repeat-dose toxicity study in which rats were dosed subcutaneously three times per week, romiplostim caused extramedullary hematopoiesis, bone hyperostosis and marrow fibrosis at clinically equivalent and higher doses. In this study, these findings were not observed in animals after a 4-week post treatment recovery period. Studies of long-term treatment with romiplostim in rats have not been conducted; therefore, it is not known if the fibrosis of the bone marrow is reversible in rats after long-term treatment.
14 CLINICAL STUDIES
14.1 Chronic ITP
The safety and efficacy of Nplate were assessed in two double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical studies and in an open-label extension study.
Studies 1 and 2
In Studies 1 and 2, patients with chronic ITP who had completed at least one prior treatment and had a platelet count of ≤ 30 x 109/L prior to study entry were randomized (2:1) to 24 weeks of Nplate (1 mcg/kg subcutaneous [SC]) or placebo. Prior ITP treatments in both study groups included corticosteroids, immunoglobulins, rituximab, cytotoxic therapies, danazol, and azathioprine. Patients already receiving ITP medical therapies at a constant dosing schedule were allowed to continue receiving these medical treatments throughout the studies. Rescue therapies (ie, corticosteroids, IVIG, platelet transfusions, and anti-D immunoglobulin) were permitted for bleeding, wet purpura, or if the patient was at immediate risk for hemorrhage. Patients received single weekly SC injections of Nplate, with individual dose adjustments to maintain platelet counts (50 x 109/L to 200 x 109/L).
Study 1 eva luated patients who had not unde |