GlaxoSmithKline initiates phase III study with mepolizumab in patients with nasal polyps

Nasal polyps is a chronic inflammatory disease of the nasal passage linings or sinuses leading to soft tissue growth in the upper nasal cavity. The resultant swellings can grow in both nostrils (bilateral) greatly impacting a patient’s quality of life due to nasal obstruction, post nasal drip, loss of smell, facial pain, facial pressure and nasal discharge. The current standard of care is treatment with intranasal corticosteroids and, for severe cases, oral corticosteroids. Surgery to remove the polyp tissue may also be indicated for severe cases however polyps have a strong tendency to reoccur often requiring repeat surgery. 

The study will assess the efficacy and safety of subcutaneous mepolizumab 100mg compared to placebo, administered using a pre-filled syringe every 4 weeks for 52 weeks, on top of standard of care in 400 adult patients with recurrent severe bilateral nasal polyps. The co-primary endpoint of the study is the change from baseline in the total nasal polyps score (sum of left and right nostril score) assessed by endoscopy at week 52 and nasal obstruction, as measured using the visual analogue scale (VAS) symptom score during the four weeks prior to week 52. The key secondary endpoint is the time to first actual surgery for nasal polyps by week 52. The study is anticipated to complete in 2019.

Steve Yancey, Vice President and Medicine Development Leader for mepolizumab, said, “We are pleased to start this study which builds on our existing programmes to investigate mepolizumab in a range of eosinophilic diseases. In general, nasal polyps may be considered a benign disease but in severe cases it can have a significant impact on a patient’s day-to-day living. Our aim is to see whether mepolizumab can improve symptoms, reduce nasal polyp size and reduce the need for surgery in these patients despite optimal medical management.”
About the phase III study

The pivotal phase III study named SYNAPSE, StudY in NAsal Polyps patients to assess the Safety and Efficacy of mepolizumab, is a 52-week, randomised, double-blind, parallel group study. Throughout the study period, patients will receive standard of care for nasal polyps consisting of daily mometasone furoate nasal spray, and if required, saline nasal douching, occasional short courses of high dose oral corticosteroids and/or antibiotics. Patients with severe bilateral nasal polyps were defined as those with an average nasal obstruction VAS symptom score > 5 and an endoscopic score of at least 5 out of a maximum score of 8, with a minimum score of 2 in each nasal cavity. Patients must also have a history of at least one prior surgery for nasal polyps, have recurrent nasal polyps despite treatment with standard of care and be in need of nasal polyp surgery.

Mepolizumab is not approved for use anywhere in the world for nasal polyps. The results of this study will inform any regulatory filing plans in this indication.

Mepolizumab is a targeted anti-IL-5 monoclonal antibody. Mepolizumab binds to the signalling protein IL-5, preventing it from binding to its receptor on the surface of white blood cells called eosinophils. Inhibiting IL-5 binding in this way reduces blood, tissue and sputum eosinophil levels.

Eosinophils are believed to play a role in protecting the body against infection. In some people, increased eosinophil levels can lead to inflammation and play a role in the development of some inflammatory diseases.

Mepolizumab has been developed for the treatment of diseases that are driven by inflammation caused by eosinophils.

Mepolizumab is approved for use in the US, under the brand name Nucala, as the first-in-class add-on maintenance treatment for patients with severe asthma aged 12 years and older, and with an eosinophilic phenotype.

In the US, Nucala (100mg fixed dose subcutaneous injection of mepolizumab) is licensed as an add-on maintenance treatment for patients with severe asthma aged 12 years and older, and with an eosinophilic phenotype. Nucala is not approved for the treatment of other eosinophilic conditions or relief of acute bronchospasm or status asthmaticus. 

Nucala has also been approved for severe eosinophilic asthma in the EU, Japan and a number of other countries worldwide although the details of the indications may vary, with further regulatory applications submitted and under review in other countries.

In the EU, Nucala (100mg fixed dose subcutaneous injection of mepolizumab) is licensed as an add-on treatment for severe refractory eosinophilic asthma in adult patients.

Glaxosmithkline initiates phase iii,with mepolizumab, patients, nasal polyps