First published: 19 March 2024

https://doi.org/10.1111/bcp.16043

Funding information: The study was supported by PharmaEssentia Corporation. Wiley Editing Services provided English editing for the manuscript, and PharmaEssentia provided funding for the editing.

The A20-202 trial is registered at ClinicalTrials.gov (Identifier: NCT05485948) and in China (China National Medical Products Administration registration number: CTR20211664).

Abstract

Aims

To investigate the exposure–response (E-R) relationship, including exposure–efficacy and exposure–safety, of ropeginterferon alfa-2b treatment in patients with polycythaemia vera (PV).

Methods

Based on the results of the phase II trial A20-202 regarding ropeginterferon alfa-2b in patients with PV, E-R analyses were performed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of the given dosing regimen. The E-R analyses were based on logistic and linear regression and the relationship between exposure to ropeginterferon alfa-2b and key efficacy and safety variables. The key efficacy variables included complete haematologic response (CHR) and reduction of the driver mutation JAK2V617F. The safety variable was treatment-related adverse events (TRAEs).

Results

A clear relationship between the exposure to ropeginterferon alfa-2b and CHR was observed, with an increase in drug exposure resulting in an increased probability of achieving CHR. Similar CHR probabilities were observed in the third and fourth quantiles of the average concentration at Week 24. The results from the exposure–JAK2V617F model indicated that the JAK2V617F allele burden decreased with increasing exposure to ropeginterferon alfa-2b and baseline body surface area. Exposure–safety analysis revealed a risk of AEs associated with transaminase abnormalities, which were not associated with clinical significance.

Conclusions

Our analyses have shown that patients with PV treated with ropeginterferon alfa-2b had an increased probability of achieving CHR and a molecular response with acceptable safety risks at the 250–350–500 μg titration dosing regimen. This study has provided the relevant data for the application of a biologics licence of ropeginterferon alfa-2b for PV treatment in China.