The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of deferasirox film coated tablet (FCT) versus phlebotomy for the management of iron overload in adults with Hereditary Hemochromatosis (HH) at risk of iron-related morbidity. This evaluation provided information on the two treatment options in terms of the rate of response of proportion of patients reaching the study target SF ≤ 100 μg/L and their associated safety profiles. In addition to exploring the safety and efficacy of deferasirox FCT in hereditary hemochromatosis (HH), this study is being conducted to fulfill an FDA post-marketing requirement \[PMC 750-10 (Exjade) /PMR 2888-8 (Jadenu)\] to provide additional randomized data to confirm the ocular safety profile of deferasirox through detailed ocular assessments in patients treated with deferasirox FCT for 2 years.
This was a Phase II, multicenter, open-label, randomized two-year study in adults with Hereditary Hemochromatosis (HH) confirmed by HH genotype with iron overload. Eligible subjects were identified during a 4-week screening period, then randomized in a 2:1 ratio to be treated with deferasirox FCT or phlebotomy for up to 24 months (104 weeks).
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
45
Taken orally once per day (QD) as a film coated tablet (FCT)
according to investigator's decision
Novartis Investigative Site
Leuven, Belgium
Novartis Investigative Site
Limoges, France
Novartis Investigative Site
Rennes, France
Novartis Investigative Site
Sibiu, Romania
Novartis Investigative Site
Moscow, Russia
Novartis Investigative Site
Bratislava, Slovakia
Novartis Investigative Site
Bratislava, Slovakia
Novartis Investigative Site
Manresa, Espana, Spain
Novartis Investigative Site
Barakaldo, Vizcaya, Spain
Novartis Investigative Site
Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain
...and 1 more locations
Proportion of Patients Achieving Target SF ≤ 100 μg/L for the First Time
Proportion of participants achieving target serum ferritin (SF) ≤ 100 μg/L on or before Month 24. Participants were considered responders if they met response criteria (target SF ≤100 µg/L) on or before Month 24 (Week 104) during the treatment phase. Any participant who discontinued treatment prematurely before meeting such criterion and participants with unknown or missing SF by Month 24 were counted as non-responder.
Time frame: Up to Month 24
Number of Participants With Ocular Treatment Emergent Adverse Events (AEs)
Number of participants with at least one ocular treatment emergent adverse event (new or worsening from baseline).
Time frame: Adverse events were reported from first dose of study treatment until end of study treatment plus 30 days post treatment, up to a maximum duration of approximately 108 weeks.
Number of Participants With Ocular Treatment Emergent Adverse Events (AEs) by Preferred Term
Number of participants with at least one ocular treatment emergent adverse event (new or worsening from baseline). Preferred terms are based on Medical Dictionary of Regulatory Activities (MedDRA) version 26.0.
Time frame: Adverse events were reported from first dose of study treatment until end of study treatment plus 30 days post treatment, up to a maximum duration of approximately 108 weeks.
Number of Participants With Treatment Emergent Adverse Events (AEs) and Serious Adverse Events (SAEs)
Number of participants with treatment emergent AEs (any AE regardless of seriousness), AEs leading to study treatment discontinuation, and SAEs.
Time frame: Adverse events were reported from first dose of study treatment until end of study treatment plus 30 days post treatment, up to a maximum duration of approximately 108 weeks.
Number of Adverse Events in Participants Who Had Study Treatment Interrupted Due to SF ≤ 100 μg/L and Re-initiated Study Treatment When ≥ 300 μg/L
Number of participants with Adverse Events who interrupt deferasirox FCT at least once due to SF level ≤ 100 μg/L and re-initiate therapy at SF level ≥ 300 μg/L. There were no participants that re-initiated therapy when reached 300 ug/L.
Time frame: Up to 24 months
Categorical Analysis of logMAR Score Changes From Baseline to Best Post-baseline Changes in One Eye With More Extreme Change
Visual acuity was measured using an Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study (ETDRS) chart. A letter score was calculated based on the number of letters that could correctly be identified from specified distances. For low luminance and standard acuity measures, visual acuity was described on a logMAR scale for all measures. For including acuity obtained with the ETDRS letter score, the values were converted to a logMAR scale, using the following formula: logMAR = 1.7-0.02\*ETDRS score. With this conversion, a difference from baseline of 0.1 logMAR = 5-letter difference in visual acuity, 0.2 logMAR = 10-letter difference, 0.3 logMAR = 15-letter difference, 0.4 logMAR = 20-letter difference, 0.5 logMAR = 25-letter difference and 0.6 logMAR = 30-letter difference. Decrease in logMAR score category from baseline indicates improvement in visual acuity. The best change from baseline amongst all post baseline visit is presented.
Time frame: Baseline, Weeks 24, 52, 76 and 104.
Categorical Analysis of logMAR Score Changes From Baseline to Worst Post-baseline Changes in One Eye With More Extreme Change
Visual acuity was measured using an Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study (ETDRS) chart. A letter score was calculated based on the number of letters that could correctly be identified from specified distances. For low luminance and standard acuity measures, visual acuity was described on a logMAR scale for all measures. For including acuity obtained with the ETDRS letter score, the values were converted to a logMAR scale, using the following formula: logMAR = 1.7-0.02\*ETDRS score. With this conversion, a difference from baseline of 0.1 logMAR = 5-letter difference in visual acuity, 0.2 logMAR = 10-letter difference, 0.3 logMAR = 15-letter difference, 0.4 logMAR = 20-letter difference, 0.5 logMAR = 25-letter difference and 0.6 logMAR = 30-letter difference. Increase in logMAR score from baseline indicates worsening in visual acuity. The worst change from baseline amongst all post baseline visit is presented.
Time frame: Baseline, Weeks 24, 52, 76 and 104.
Categorical Analysis of Worst Post-baseline Values of Intraocular Pressure in One Eye With More Extreme Change
Intraocular pressure was measured by tonometry. Intraocular pressure values \>5 to ≤21 mmHg were considered normal. The worst post-baseline value corresponds to the worst outcome amongst all post baseline visit
Time frame: Weeks 24, 52, 76 and 104
Categorical Analysis of Changes in Intraocular Pressure From Baseline to Best/Worst Post-baseline Changes in One Eye With More Extreme Change
Intraocular pressure was measured by tonometry. A decrease in intraocular pressure from baseline indicated improvement.
Time frame: Baseline, up to Week 104
Number of Participants With Slit Lamp Results for Any Evaluation and Worst Eye
Slit lamp examination was used to evaluate lids, cornea, conjunctiva, iris, anterior chamber, aqueous flare, aqueous inflammatory cells and lens. Any post-baseline abnormalities (not present at baseline) in slit lamp examination were assesses by the investigator and classified as insignificant or clinically significant. Number of participants with slit lamp results (normal, insignificant, significant, missing) for any evaluation and worst eye are reported.
Time frame: Baseline, up to Week 104
Number of Participants With an Increase From Baseline of ≥1 and ≥2 in LOCS III Grades
Lens Opacities Classification System III (LOCS III) grading scales include lens opacities defined as nuclear opalescence (NO), nuclear color (NC), cortical (C) cataract and posterior subcapsular (P) cataract with several degrees of extend, i.e. severity. The LOCS III scale for nuclear opalescence and for nuclear color ranges from 0 to 6. The LOCS III scale for cortical cataract and posterior subcapsular cataract opacity ranges from 0 to 5. For all scales, higher values indicate higher opacity, opalescence, or color (range: NO0/NC0/C0/P0 to NO6/NC6/C5/P5). Number of participants with an increase from baseline of ≥1 and increase of ≥2 in LOCS III grades is reported.
Time frame: Baseline, up to Week 104
Number of Participants With Fundus Oculi Results for Any Evaluation and Worst Eye
Fundus oculi examination was used to evaluate peripheral retina, macula, optic nerve, and vitreous hemorrhage. Any post-baseline abnormalities (not present at baseline) in fundus oculi examination were assessed by the investigator and classified as insignificant or clinically significant. Number of participants with fundus oculi results (normal, insignificant, significant, missing) for any evaluation and worst eye are reported.
Time frame: Baseline, up to Week 104
Time to Response (TTR)
Time to response (TTR) is defined as the time from the date of randomization to the date of the first time the SF achieved a value ≤ 100 μg/L during the treatment phase. Participants who did not achieve SF ≤ 100 μg/L were censored as follows: at the last serum ferritin assessment date on or before month 24 (week 104), at the day of randomization if a subject does not have any post-baseline serum ferritin value or at the death date. TTR was analyzed using the Kaplan-Meier method.
Time frame: Up to Month 24
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