VIDEO: Caplacizumab sped platelet response, improved clinical outcomes in acquired TTP

Atlanta – Adding caplacizumab, an anti–Von Willebrand Factor humanized single variable domain immunoglobulin, to standard therapy for acquired thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (aTTP) significantly hastened platelet normalization and improved several key clinical endpoints in a pivotal randomized placebo-controlled phase 3 trial of 145 patients (HERCULES).

At any given time, platelet normalization was 55% more likely with caplacizumab (10 mg) versus placebo (platelet normalization rate ratio, 1.55; 95% confidence interval, 1.10-2.20; P less than .01), Marie Scully, MD, reported in late-breaking oral presentation at the annual meeting of the American Society for Hematology.Caplacizumab also significantly reduced the rate of aTTP recurrence, compared with placebo (13% vs. 38%; P less than .001) and cut days of plasma exchange, plasma volume, and ICU and hospital stays by 31% to 65%, compared with placebo, reported Dr. Scully of University College Hospital, London, UK. HERCULES enrolled patients with an acute episode of aTTP and at least one prior plasma exchange (PE). Patients received caplacizumab (10 mg) or placebo plus daily PE plus corticosteroids. The caplacizumab group received a single IV dose before their first on-study PE followed by daily subcutaneous doses during PE therapy and for 30 days afterward.

Phase 2 data on aTTP earned caplacizumab fast track designation from the Food and Drug Administration in July 2017. In this video, Dr. Scully highlights key findings of the phase 3 HERCULES trial and discusses how physicians could integrate caplacizumab into their current aTTP treatment approach.

HERCULES was sponsored by Ablynx. Dr. Scully disclosed honoraria and research funding from Ablynx, Shire, Novartis, and Alexion.