Vamorolone trial in Duchenne muscular dystrophy shows dose-related improvement of muscle function

Eric P. Hoffman, Benjamin D. Schwartz, Laurel J. Mengle-Gaw, Edward C. Smith, Diana Castro, Jean K. Mah, Craig M. Mcdonald, Nancy L. Kuntz, Richard S. Finkel, Michela Guglieri, Katharine Bushby, Mar Tulinius, Yoram Nevo, Monique M. Ryan, Richard Webster, Andrea L. Smith, Lauren P. Morgenroth, Adrienne Arrieta, Maya Shimony, Catherine SienerMark Jaros, Phil Shale, John M. Mccall, Kanneboyina Nagaraju, John Van Den Anker, Laurie S. Conklin, Avital Cnaan, Heather Gordish-Dressman, Jesse M. Damsker, Paula R. Clemens

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

59 Scopus citations

Abstract

ObjectiveTo study vamorolone, a first-in-class steroidal anti-inflammatory drug, in Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD).MethodsAn open-label, multiple-ascending-dose study of vamorolone was conducted in 48 boys with DMD (age 4-<7 years, steroid-naive). Dose levels were 0.25, 0.75, 2.0, and 6.0 mg/kg/d in an oral suspension formulation (12 boys per dose level; one-third to 10 times the glucocorticoid dose in DMD). The primary goal was to define optimal doses of vamorolone. The primary outcome for clinical efficacy was time to stand from supine velocity.ResultsOral administration of vamorolone at all doses tested was safe and well tolerated over the 24-week treatment period. The 2.0-mg/kg/d dose group met the primary efficacy outcome of improved muscle function (time to stand; 24 weeks of vamorolone treatment vs natural history controls), without evidence of most adverse effects of glucocorticoids. A biomarker of bone formation, osteocalcin, increased in vamorolone-treated boys, suggesting possible loss of bone morbidities seen with glucocorticoids. Biomarker outcomes for adrenal suppression and insulin resistance were also lower in vamorolone-treated patients with DMD relative to published studies of glucocorticoid therapy.ConclusionsDaily vamorolone treatment suggested efficacy at doses of 2.0 and 6.0 mg/kg/d in an exploratory 24-week open-label study.Classification of evidenceThis study provides Class IV evidence that for boys with DMD, vamorolone demonstrated possible efficacy compared to a natural history cohort of glucocorticoid-naive patients and appeared to be tolerated.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)E1312-E1323
JournalNeurology
Volume93
Issue number13
DOIs
StatePublished - Sep 24 2019
Externally publishedYes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Clinical Neurology

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