Efficacy and Safety of Brolucizumab vs Aflibercept in Patients With Visual Impairment Due to Diabetic Macular Edema (KINGFISHER)

A 12-Month, 2-Arm, Randomized, Double-Masked, Multicenter Phase III Study Assessing the Efficacy and Safety of Brolucizumab vs. Aflibercept in Patients With Visual Impairment Due to Diabetic Macular Edema (KINGFISHER)

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of brolucizumab vs. aflibercept in the treatment of patients with visual impairment due to diabetic macular edema (DME).

Study Overview

• Status: Completed
• Conditions: Diabetic Macular Edema
• Intervention / Treatment: Drug: Brolucizumab; Drug: Aflibercept

Detailed Description

This study was designed as a Phase III, multi-center, randomized, double-masked, active controlled, parallel group prospective study to evaluate if brolucizumab 6 mg dosed q4w is safe and effective in the treatment of subjects with visual impairment due to diabetic macular edema (DME). Subjects who met all the inclusion and none of the exclusion criteria were randomized in a 2:1 ratio to one of two treatment arms i.e., brolucizumab 6 mg and aflibercept 2 mg. Only one eye was selected as study eye and treated with study medication.

The study included a screening period of up to 2 weeks to assess eligibility, followed by a double-masked treatment period (Day 1 to Week 48). For all subjects, the last study assessment was performed at the Week 52/end of study (EOS) visit. All subjects had study visits q4w through Week 52. The primary analysis was performed at the EOS visit (Week 52).

To ensure masking was maintained, the investigational site had both masked and unmasked staff to perform the masked and unmasked study assessments/procedures accordingly.

• Study Type: Interventional
• Enrollment (Actual): 517
• Phase: Phase 3

Contacts and Locations

Study Locations

• Hungary
  • Budapest, Hungary, 1083
    • Novartis Investigative Site
  • Debrecen, Hungary, 4032
    • Novartis Investigative Site
  • Szeged, Hungary, H 6725
    • Novartis Investigative Site
  • Baranya
    • Pecs, Baranya, Hungary, 7621
      • Novartis Investigative Site
  • Zala
    • Zalaegerszeg, Zala, Hungary, 8900
      • Novartis Investigative Site
• Israel
  • Haifa, Israel, 3339419
    • Novartis Investigative Site
  • Haifa, Israel, 3436212
    • Novartis Investigative Site
  • Kfar Saba, Israel, 4428164
    • Novartis Investigative Site
  • Petach Tikva, Israel, 4941492
    • Novartis Investigative Site
  • Tel Aviv, Israel, 6789140
    • Novartis Investigative Site
• Puerto Rico
  • Arecibo, Puerto Rico, 00612
    • Novartis Investigative Site
• Slovakia
  • Banska Bystrica, Slovakia, 97517
    • Novartis Investigative Site
  • Bratislava, Slovakia, 85107
    • Novartis Investigative Site
  • Bratislava, Slovakia, 82606
    • Novartis Investigative Site
  • Poprad, Slovakia, 058 45
    • Novartis Investigative Site
  • Trebisov, Slovakia, 075 01
    • Novartis Investigative Site
  • Trencin, Slovakia, 91171
    • Novartis Investigative Site
  • Zvolen, Slovakia, 960 01
    • Novartis Investigative Site
• United States
  • Arizona
    • Phoenix, Arizona, United States, 85016
      • Novartis Investigative Site
    • Phoenix, Arizona, United States, 85053
      • Novartis Investigative Site
    • Tucson, Arizona, United States, 85704-5614
      • Novartis Investigative Site
  • California
    • Beverly Hills, California, United States, 90211
      • Novartis Investigative Site
    • Campbell, California, United States, 95008
      • Novartis Investigative Site
    • Fresno, California, United States, 93720
      • Novartis Investigative Site
    • Huntington Beach, California, United States, 92647
      • Novartis Investigative Site
    • Loma Linda, California, United States, 92354
      • Novartis Investigative Site
    • Mountain View, California, United States, 94040
      • Novartis Investigative Site
    • Oakland, California, United States, 94609
      • Novartis Investigative Site
    • Pasadena, California, United States, 91107
      • Novartis Investigative Site
    • Poway, California, United States, 92064
      • Novartis Investigative Site
    • Rancho Cordova, California, United States, 95670
      • Novartis Investigative Site
    • Redlands, California, United States, 92374
      • Novartis Investigative Site
    • Riverside, California, United States, 92505
      • Novartis Investigative Site
    • Sacramento, California, United States, 95817
      • Novartis Investigative Site
    • Sacramento, California, United States, 95841
      • Novartis Investigative Site
    • San Francisco, California, United States, 94107
      • Novartis Investigative Site
    • Santa Ana, California, United States, 92705
      • Novartis Investigative Site
    • Santa Barbara, California, United States, 93103
      • Novartis Investigative Site
    • Torrance, California, United States, 90509-2910
      • Novartis Investigative Site
    • Ventura, California, United States, 93003
      • Novartis Investigative Site
  • Florida
    • Altamonte Springs, Florida, United States, 32701
      • Novartis Investigative Site
    • Deerfield Beach, Florida, United States, 33064
      • Novartis Investigative Site
    • Fort Lauderdale, Florida, United States, 33309
      • Novartis Investigative Site
    • Fort Myers, Florida, United States, 33912-7125
      • Novartis Investigative Site
    • Orlando, Florida, United States, 32804
      • Novartis Investigative Site
    • Pinellas Park, Florida, United States, 33782
      • Novartis Investigative Site
    • Saint Petersburg, Florida, United States, 33711
      • Novartis Investigative Site
    • Tampa, Florida, United States, 33609
      • Novartis Investigative Site
  • Georgia
    • Atlanta, Georgia, United States, 30342
      • Novartis Investigative Site
    • Marietta, Georgia, United States, 30060
      • Novartis Investigative Site
  • Hawaii
    • 'Aiea, Hawaii, United States, 96701
      • Novartis Investigative Site
  • Illinois
    • Bloomington, Illinois, United States, 61704
      • Novartis Investigative Site
    • Oak Forest, Illinois, United States, 60452
      • Novartis Investigative Site
    • Springfield, Illinois, United States, 62704
      • Novartis Investigative Site
  • Indiana
    • Indianapolis, Indiana, United States, 46280
      • Novartis Investigative Site
    • New Albany, Indiana, United States, 47150
      • Novartis Investigative Site
  • Iowa
    • West Des Moines, Iowa, United States, 50266
      • Novartis Investigative Site
  • Kansas
    • Leawood, Kansas, United States, 66211
      • Novartis Investigative Site
    • Lenexa, Kansas, United States, 66215
      • Novartis Investigative Site
  • Maryland
    • Hagerstown, Maryland, United States, 21740
      • Novartis Investigative Site
  • Massachusetts
    • Boston, Massachusetts, United States, 02114
      • Novartis Investigative Site
  • Michigan
    • Royal Oak, Michigan, United States, 48073
      • Novartis Investigative Site
  • Minnesota
    • Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States, 55435
      • Novartis Investigative Site
  • Missouri
    • Kansas City, Missouri, United States, 64133
      • Novartis Investigative Site
  • Nevada
    • Reno, Nevada, United States, 89502
      • Novartis Investigative Site
  • New Jersey
    • Bloomfield, New Jersey, United States, 07003
      • Novartis Investigative Site
    • Teaneck, New Jersey, United States, 07666
      • Novartis Investigative Site
  • New York
    • Rochester, New York, United States, 14620
      • Novartis Investigative Site
  • North Carolina
    • Hickory, North Carolina, United States, 28602
      • Novartis Investigative Site
    • Southern Pines, North Carolina, United States, 28387
      • Novartis Investigative Site
  • Ohio
    • Cleveland, Ohio, United States, 44122
      • Novartis Investigative Site
    • Columbus, Ohio, United States, 43210
      • Novartis Investigative Site
    • Dublin, Ohio, United States, 43016
      • Novartis Investigative Site
  • Oregon
    • Eugene, Oregon, United States, 97401
      • Novartis Investigative Site
  • Pennsylvania
    • Kingston, Pennsylvania, United States, 95403
      • Novartis Investigative Site
  • Tennessee
    • Chattanooga, Tennessee, United States, 37421
      • Novartis Investigative Site
    • Germantown, Tennessee, United States, 38138
      • Novartis Investigative Site
  • Texas
    • Abilene, Texas, United States, 79606
      • Novartis Investigative Site
    • Austin, Texas, United States, 78705
      • Novartis Investigative Site
    • Austin, Texas, United States, 78731
      • Novartis Investigative Site
    • Austin, Texas, United States, 78750
      • Novartis Investigative Site
    • Bellaire, Texas, United States, 77401
      • Novartis Investigative Site
    • Dallas, Texas, United States, 75231
      • Novartis Investigative Site
    • Fort Worth, Texas, United States, 76104
      • Novartis Investigative Site
    • Harlingen, Texas, United States, 78550
      • Novartis Investigative Site
    • Houston, Texas, United States, 77030
      • Novartis Investigative Site
    • Houston, Texas, United States, 77025
      • Novartis Investigative Site
    • San Antonio, Texas, United States, 78240
      • Novartis Investigative Site
    • Southlake, Texas, United States, 76092
      • Novartis Investigative Site
  • Virginia
    • Norfolk, Virginia, United States, 23502
      • Novartis Investigative Site
  • West Virginia
    • Morgantown, West Virginia, United States, 26506
      • Novartis Investigative Site
  • Wisconsin
    • Madison, Wisconsin, United States, 53705-3611
      • Novartis Investigative Site

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: 18 years and older (Adult, Older Adult)
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: No
• Genders Eligible for Study: All

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

• Signed informed consent must be obtained prior to participation in the study.
• Patients with type 1 or type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) and Hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) ≤ 12% at screening.

• Study eye: Visual impairment due to DME with:

  • Best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) score between 73 and 23 letters, inclusive, using Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study (ETDRS) visual acuity testing charts at an initial testing distance of 4 meters
  • DME involving the center of the macula, with Central Subfield Thickness (CSFT) ≥ 320 µm on Spectral Domain Optical Coherence Tomography (SD-OCT)

Exclusion Criteria:

• High-risk proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR) in the study eye
• Concomitant conditions or ocular disorders in the study eye which confound interpretation of study results, compromise visual acuity or require medical or surgical intervention
• Any active intraocular or periocular infection or active intraocular inflammation in the either eye
• Uncontrolled glaucoma in the study eye
• Presence of amblyopia, amaurosis or ocular disorders in the fellow eye with BCVA <20/200
• Use of anti-VEGF therapies, intraocular surgery or laser photocoagulation (macular or panretinal) in the study eye during the 3-month period prior to baseline
• Use of intraocular or periocular corticosteroids in the study eye during the 6-month period prior to baseline, and use of fluocinolone acetonide intravitreal (IVT) implant (Iluvien) at any time prior to baseline
• Prior investigational drugs in either eye, vitreoretinal surgery in the study eye at any time prior to baseline

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Design Details

• Primary Purpose: Treatment
• Allocation: Randomized
• Interventional Model: Parallel Assignment
• Masking: Triple

Number of Arms

2

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm	Intervention / Treatment
Experimental: Brolucizumab 6mg q4w; Brolucizumab 6 mg/0.05 mL every 4 weeks.	Drug: Brolucizumab; Intravitreal injection; Other Names: RTH258, ESBA1008
Active Comparator: Aflibercept 2mg q4w; Aflibercept 2mg/0.05 mL every 4 weeks	Drug: Aflibercept; Intravitreal injection; Other Names: Eylea

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Change From Baseline in Best-corrected Visual Acuity (BCVA) at Week 52	BCVA will be assessed using Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study (ETDRS) visual acuity testing charts. Visual function of the study eye was assessed using the ETDRS protocol. Participants with a BCVA ETDRS letter score of 73 to 23 (per the inclusion criteria) (approximate Snellen equivalent of 20/40 to 20/320) in the study eye were included. Min and max possible scores are 0-100 respectively. A higher score represents better functioning. Last observation carried forward (LOCF) was used for the imputation of missing values.	Baseline, Week 52

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Change From Baseline in Central Subfield Thickness (CSFT) at Each Post-baseline Visit	Central Subfield Thickness assessed by Spectral domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) from the central reading center.	Baseline, Weeks 4,8,12,16,20,24,28,32,36,40,44,48 and 52
Number and Percentage of Participants With Fluid-free Macula in the Study Eye at Each Post-baseline Visit	Subretinal Fluid (SRF) and Intraretinal Fluid (IRF) status in the central subfield: proportion of subjects with simultaneous absence of SRF and IRF in the study eye by visit. Events and censoring after 52 weeks are included in week 52 row.	Baseline, Weeks 4,8,12,16,20,24,28,32,36,40,44,48 and 52
Number and Percentage of Participants With Absence of Diabetic Macular Edema (DME) (CSFT < 280 μm) at Each Post-baseline Visit for the Study Eye	Central Subfield Thickness Assessed by Spectral domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) from the central reading center.	Baseline, Weeks 4,8,12,16,20,24,28,32,36,40,44,48 and 52
Time to First Fluid-free Macula - Time-to-first Absence of Subretinal Fluid (SRF) and Intraretinal Fluid (IRF) in the Study Eye - Number of Subjects With Absence of SRF / IRF and Number of Subjects Censored by Visit	Central Subfield Thickness Assessed by Spectral domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) from the central reading center. Fluid status assessments after start of alternative DME treatment in the study eye are censored. Time to first fluid-free macula analysis is based on the subset of subjects with fluid present at baseline and at least one post-baseline assessment. Time (week) was calculated by (study day / 7). Events and censoring after 52 weeks were included in week 52 row.	Baseline, Weeks 4,8,12,16,20,24,28,32,36,40,44,48 and 52
Time to First Fluid-free Macula - Time-to-first Absence of Subretinal Fluid (SRF) and Intraretinal Fluid (IRF) in the Study Eye - Kaplan-Meier Analysis - Probability of Absence of SRF/IRF by Visit	Central Subfield Thickness Assessed by Spectral domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) from the central reading center. Fluid status assessments after start of alternative DME treatment in the study eye are censored. Time to first fluid-free macula analysis is based on the subset of subjects with fluid present at baseline and at least one post-baseline assessment. Time (week) was calculated by (study day / 7). Events and censoring after 52 weeks were included in week 52 row.	Baseline, Weeks 4,8,12,16,20,24,28,32,36,40,44,48 and 52
Time to First Absence of Diabetic Macular Edema (DME) (CSFT < 280 μm) in the Study Eye at Each Post-baseline Visit - Number of Subjects With Probability of Absence of DME and Number Censored by Visit	Central Subfield Thickness Assessed by Spectral domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) from the central reading center. CSFT assessments after start of alternative DME treatment in the study eye are censored. Time to first absence of DME based on subjects with valid baseline and at least one post-baseline CSFT assessment. Time (week) was calculated by (study day / 7). Events and censoring after 52 weeks were included in week 52 row.	Baseline, Weeks 4,8,12,16,20,24,28,32,36,40,44,48 and 52
Time to First Absence of Diabetic Macular Edema (DME) (CSFT < 280 μm) in the Study Eye at Each Post-baseline Visit - Kaplan-Meier Analysis - Probability of Absence of DME by Visit	Central Subfield Thickness Assessed by Spectral domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) from the central reading center. CSFT assessments after start of alternative DME treatment in the study eye are censored. Time to first absence of DME based on subjects with valid baseline and at least one post-baseline CSFT assessment. Time (week) was calculated by (study day / 7). Events and censoring after 52 weeks were included in week 52 row.	Baseline, Weeks 4,8,12,16,20,24,28,32,36,40,44,48 and 52
Best Corrected Visual Acuity (Letters Read): Change From Baseline in Best-corrected Visual Acuity (BCVA) at Each Post-baseline Visit for the Study Eye	BCVA will be assessed using Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study (ETDRS) visual acuity testing charts. Visual function of the study eye was assessed using the ETDRS protocol. Participants with a BCVA ETDRS letter score of 73 to 23 (per the inclusion criteria) (approximate Snellen equivalent of 20/40 to 20/320) in the study eye were included. Min and max possible scores are 0-100 respectively. A higher score represents better functioning.	Baseline, Weeks 4,8,12,16,20,24,28,32,36,40,44,48 and 52
Gain in Best-corrected Visual Acuity (BCVA) (Letters Read): Number (%) of Subjects Who Gained ≥ 5, 10, or 15 Letters in BCVA From Baseline or Reached BCVA ≥ 84 Letters in the Study Eye at Week 52	BCVA will be assessed using Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study (ETDRS) visual acuity testing charts. Visual function of the study eye was assessed using the ETDRS protocol. Participants with a BCVA ETDRS letter score of 73 to 23 (per the inclusion criteria) (approximate Snellen equivalent of 20/40 to 20/320) in the study eye were included. Min and max possible scores are 0-100 respectively. A higher score represents better functioning.	Baseline, Week 52
Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study (ETDRS) Diabetic Retinopathy Severity Scale (DRSS): Proportion of Subjects With >=2-step Improvement From Baseline in the DRSS Score at Each Assessment Visit for the Study Eye	The Diabetic Retinopathy Disease Severity Scale measures the 5 levels of diabetic retinopathy - none, mild, moderate, severe, and proliferative. Severity of Diabetic retinopathy was evaluated using the ETDRS DRSS score assessed by the Central Reading Center based on color fundus photography images in the study eye. When the ETDRS-DR severities were evaluable, they were categorized on the original scale with scores varying from 10 (DR absent) to 85 (very advanced PDR). All DRSS values were then converted into a 12-level scale, allowing the derivation of the ≥2-step and ≥3-step change from baseline for each post-baseline assessment". A lower score represents better functioning. Subjects who had full/partial panretinal photocoagulation or local photocoagulation for new vessel (DRSS score 60) at any visit were excluded. DRSS scores after start of alternative DME treatment in the study eye are censored and replaced by the last value prior to start of this alternative treatment.	Baseline, Weeks 12, 24 and 52
Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study (ETDRS) Diabetic Retinopathy Severity Scale (DRSS): Proportion of Subjects With >=3-step Improvement From Baseline in the DRSS Score at Each Assessment Visit for the Study Eye	The Diabetic Retinopathy Disease Severity Scale measures the 5 levels of diabetic retinopathy - none, mild, moderate, severe, and proliferative. Severity of Diabetic retinopathy was evaluated using the ETDRS DRSS score assessed by the Central Reading Center based on color fundus photography images in the study eye. When the ETDRS-DR severities were evaluable, they were categorized on the original scale with scores varying from 10 (DR absent) to 85 (very advanced PDR). All DRSS values were then converted into a 12-level scale, allowing the derivation of the ≥2-step and ≥3-step change from baseline for each post-baseline assessment". A lower score represents better functioning. Subjects who had full/partial panretinal photocoagulation or local photocoagulation for new vessel (DRSS score 60) at any visit were excluded. DRSS scores after start of alternative DME treatment in the study eye are censored and replaced by the last value prior to start of this alternative treatment.	Baseline, Weeks 12, 24 and 52
Anti-Drug Antibody (ADA): Frequency Distribution of Pre-existing ADA Status in the Brolucizumab Arm		Baseline
Ocular AEs (Greater Than or Equal to 2% in Any Treatment Arm) by Preferred Term in the Study Eye		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 52 weeks.
Number of Subjects With Non-ocular AEs (Greater Than or Equal to 2% in Any Treatment Arm)		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 52 weeks.

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: Novartis Pharmaceuticals

Publications and helpful links

Helpful Links

• A Plain Language Trial Summary is available on novctrd.com

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start (Actual): July 17, 2019
• Primary Completion (Actual): March 24, 2021
• Study Completion (Actual): March 24, 2021

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: April 11, 2019
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: April 15, 2019
• First Posted (Actual): April 17, 2019

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Actual): August 12, 2022
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: August 11, 2022
• Last Verified: August 1, 2022

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Keywords: macular edema; intravitreal injection; Diabetic Macular Edema; diabetic retinopathy; aflibercept; brolucizumab; double-masked; Diabetic Macular edema (DME)
• Additional Relevant MeSH Terms: Nervous System Diseases; Eye Diseases; Neurologic Manifestations; Retinal Degeneration; Retinal Diseases; Macular Degeneration; Sensation Disorders; Macular Edema; Edema; Vision, Low; Vision Disorders; Physiological Effects of Drugs; Antineoplastic Agents; Angiogenesis Inhibitors; Angiogenesis Modulating Agents; Growth Substances; Growth Inhibitors; Aflibercept
• Other Study ID Numbers: CRTH258B2305; 2019-001004-37 (EudraCT Number)

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

• Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?: Yes
• IPD Plan Description: Novartis is committed to sharing with qualified external researchers, access to patient-level data and supporting clinical documents from eligible studies. These requests are reviewed and approved by an independent review panel on the basis of scientific merit. All data provided is anonymized to respect the privacy of the patients who have participated in the trial in line with applicable laws and regulations. This trial data availability is according to criteria and process described on www.clinicalstudydatarequest.com

Drug and device information, study documents

• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product: Yes
• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product: No