Optimized Erythropoietin (EPO) Treatment

• Status: Completed
• Trial end date: 2019-12-01
• Target enrollment: 0
• Participant gender: All

Summary

Neonatal anemia is the most commonly encountered hematologic problem among all neonates cared for in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). This project seeks to better understand the pathophysiology and treatment of this challenging and important condition, especially as it affects premature, critically ill very low birth weight (VLBW) infants who require intensive laboratory blood monitoring leading to the need for multiple red blood cell (RBC) transfusions (RBCTX). In the research strategy proposed in Study 1, Aims 1, 2 and 3, recombinant human erythropoietin (Epoetin Alpha, PROCRIT, provided by Janssen Scientific Affairs) will first be administered to 1.0 to 1.5 kg VLBW infants; then comprehensive pharmacokinetics (PK) and pharmacodynamics (PD) data will be systematically gathered and analyzed to identify clinical and laboratory covariate parameters differentiating the infants based on their level of Epoetin Alpha responsiveness. Finally the Epoetin Alpha responsiveness predictors thus determined will be applied prospectively in the Aim 4 Study, a 2 x 2 design in which VLBW infants will be identified as good or poor Epoetin Alpha responders, based on the predictors, and then randomly assigned to receive Epoetin Alpha treatment or no treatment. This will test the central hypothesis: RBCTX can be eliminated in the majority of good Epoetin Alpha responders by optimal administration of Epoetin Alpha, but only marginal reductions in RBCTx will occur in the poor Epoetin Alpha responders. This project challenges the prevailing thinking that the efficacy of Epoetin Alpha dosing in stimulating erythropoiesis is insufficient to eliminate the need for RBC transfusions in VLBW infants. Based on extensive preclinical and clinical PK/PD studies by our PPG team, we contend that previous Erythropoietin treatment studies in VLBW infants were not able to realize the full potential of Erythropoietin to eliminate RBCTX (in contrast to the very successful use of Erythropoietin in adult renal failure patients) because previous VLBW studies were conducted 1) without Epoetin Alpha dosing individualized for the complexities of neonatal erythropoiesis and PK/PD of Epoetin Alpha and 2) without consistent criteria for RBC transfusion, Epoetin Alpha dosing, and patient enrollment. Net Epoetin Alpha responsiveness as reflected in Hb level depends on two components: Epoetin Alpha PD and RBC lifespan (Fig 15). By determining RBC lifespan, we will explain inter-subject variability of Epoetin Alpha responsiveness resulting from one of these components. The fetal lifespan data will be examined for its correlation with gestational age. If the correlation is statistically significant, gestational age will be included in the final selection of covariates for the population PK/PD model to be developed at the end of Infant Study 1. To fully understand the correlation of RBC lifespan with gestational age infants ranging from 22-42 weeks gestational age will be studied. The overall impact of Project 1 will be significant and potentially transformative: the development of a personalized, mechanism-driven approach built on sound principles will improve understanding of neonatal anemia and will be applicable to the care of premature, anemic infants.

RELEVANCE Project 1 results confirming our hypothesis that PK/PD optimized Epo treatment is effective in eliminating RBC transfusions administered to a select sub-group of NICU infants will provide fundamental knowledge about neonatal anemia that will reduce the burden of illness and disability caused by this condition. In addition, our results will stimulate researchers to extend our findings to other sub-groups with neonatal anemia, ie, smaller and sicker infants, and will stimulate novel treatments with similar, new biotechnology-produced protein drugs.

• Phase: Phase 2
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers?: No

Details

• Lead Sponsor: John A Widness; University of Iowa
• Collaborators: Department of Health and Human Services; Janssen Scientific Affairs, LLC; National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI)
• Treatments: Epoetin Alfa

Criteria

Inclusion Criteria:

1. Post-menstrual age at birth less than 37 wk;

2. birth weight of 1,001 to 1,500 g;

3. postnatal age <48 h;

4. respiratory distress requiring ventilation;

5. signed consent by parent or guardian.

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Anticipated survival <72 h;

2. Hemolytic anemia due to alloimmune disease (including due to ABO), and other hemolytic disease processes;

3. Major anomalies that are life-threatening during the neonatal and infant periods (central nervous system, cardiac, metabolic chromosomal including, but not limited to, trisomies, deletions, and trinucleotide repeats);

4. Clinical seizures;

5. Congenital thrombotic or hemorrhagic conditions including disseminated intravascular coagulation;

6. Positive blood or spinal fluid bacterial or fungal culture, or other laboratory and/or clinical data indicative of sepsis, including TORCH infections, prior to 48 h of age;

7. Hematocrit >50%;

8. Platelet count >400,000 per µL in first 48 h of life;

9. Hypertension with systolic blood pressure >100 mm Hg.

10. Any condition, in the opinion of the investigators, that would compromise the well being of the subject or the study, or prevent the subject from meeting or performing study requirements.