Study Assessed the Safety and Efficacy of Eltrombopag in Chinese Refractory or Relapsed Severe Aplastic Anemia (SAA) Subjects.

A Non-randomized, Open-label, Multi-center, Phase II Study to Assess the Safety and Efficacy of Eltrombopag in Chinese Subjects With Refractory or Relapsed Severe Aplastic Anemia

This was a non-randomized, open-label, phase II study to assess the efficacy and safety of eltrombopag in Chinese subjects with refractory or relapsed severe aplastic anemia (SAA). Treatment with eltrombopag was started at 25 mg/day and increased by 25 mg/day every 2 weeks according to the platelet count up to 150 mg/day. The hematological response rate was assessed at 3, 6 months and 1 year after starting the study treatment (Week 13, 26 and 52).

Study Overview

• Status: Completed
• Conditions: Aplastic Anemia
• Intervention / Treatment: Drug: Eltrombopag

Detailed Description

This was a bridging study to support China registration. An estimation strategy rather than a formal hypothesis testing was pursued. Twenty subjects were enrolled into the study.

Treatment with eltrombopag started at 25 mg/day and increased by 25 mg/day every 2 weeks according to the platelet count, up to 150 mg/day. Hematological response rate was assessed at 3, 6 months and 1 year (Week 13, 26 and 52) after starting the study treatment. Subjects in whom the treatment was found to be effective at 6 months continued to receive the treatment. Eltrombopag was discontinued if the treatment was ineffective at 6 months. Subjects discontinued eltrombopag before 6 months if any of the treatment discontinuation criteria was met.

Analysis set for the primary endpoint was Full Analysis Set (FAS) and subjects who discontinue from the study before Week 26 were treated as non-responders in the response analysis. Eltrombopag treatment was provided to subjects who were considered to require continued treatment at Week 26. After Week 26, if all of the hematologic response criteria (i.e., platelet count > 50×109/L, hemoglobin level > 100 g/L without transfusion, and neutrophil count > 1.0×109/L) remained fulfilled for more than 8 weeks, the dose of eltrombopag was decreased by half. If the response continued for further 8 weeks even at the decreased dose, the treatment was discontinued. If a decrease in any of the hematologic values (i.e., platelet count < 30×109/L, hemoglobin < 90 g/L, or neutrophil count < 0.5×109/L) was found after dose reduction, the dose was increased to the previous level. Furthermore, after treatment interruption, the treatment was restarted if any of the hematologic values decreased to the above-mentioned levels. The response assessment and safety evaluation were performed at Week 52.

The Extension part of this study started 1 year (Week 52) after the initiation of study treatment. This part was included in the study with an ethical consideration for subjects who required continued treatment. The continued treatment was provided up to the launch of eltrombopag after approval. Follow-up visit was performed 30 days after the discontinuation of eltrombopag treatment.

To better understand the pharmacokinetics (PK) characteristics of eltrombopag in Chinese severe aplastic anemia (SAA) patient population, intensive PK blood samples were collected only in the initial 12 Chinese subjects receiving 25 mg/day dose after reaching steady-state, to provide evaluable full PK profiles. Steady-state trough concentrations were collected at other dose levels and in other subjects.

• Study Type: Interventional
• Enrollment (Actual): 20
• Phase: Phase 2

Contacts and Locations

Study Locations

• China
  • Tianjin, China, 300052
    • Novartis Investigative Site
  • Tianjin, China, 300020
    • Novartis Investigative Site
  • Jiangsu
    • Nanjing, Jiangsu, China, 210000
      • Novartis Investigative Site
  • Jiangxi
    • Nanchang, Jiangxi, China, 330006
      • Novartis Investigative Site
  • Sichuan
    • Chengdu, Sichuan, China, 610041
      • Novartis Investigative Site

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

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

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

• Chinese patients aged greater than or equal to 18 years old.
• Patient with a previous diagnosis of severe aplastic anemia and had insufficient response following at least one treatment course in the period time of > 6 months of immunosuppression with a regimen containing anti-thymocyte globulin (ATG), anti-lymphocyte globulin (ALG), and/or cyclophosphamide, or alemtuzumab.
• Platelet count ≤ 30 × 10^9/L at screening.
• Patient must not currently have the option of stem cell transplantation.
• Patient has an Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status 0-2.
• Patient with QTcF (Fridericia's QT correction formula) at screening <450 msec, or <480 msec with bundle branch block, as determined via the mean of a triplicate ECG and assessed at site.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Treatment with ATG/ALG, cyclophosphamide or alemtuzumab in the past 6 months.
• Congenital aplastic anemia
• AST or ALT ≥3 times the upper limit of normal.
• Creatinine, total bilirubin, and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) ≥ 1.5× local ULN (total bilirubin ≥ 2.5 × local ULN with Gilbert's Syndrome).
• Paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH) granulocyte clone size determined by flow cytometry ≥ 50%.
• Presence of chromosomal aberration (-7/7q- detected by fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH), or other aberrations detected by G-band staining).
• Evidence of a clonal hematologic bone marrow disorder on cytogenetics.
• Past medical history of thromboembolism within 6 months or current use of anticoagulants.
• Have any concomitant malignancies and must be fully recovered from treatment for any other malignancy and have been disease-free for 5 years.
• Patient with clinically significant (of such severity that it would preclude the patient's ability to consent, be compliant with study procedures, tolerate protocol therapy) bacterial, fungal, mycobacterial, parasitic or viral infection (Patient with acute bacterial infections requiring antibiotic use should delay Screening/enrollment until the course of antibiotic therapy has been completed).
• Patient with known hepatocellular disease
• Presences of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg), positive hepatitis C antibody test result at screening.
• Cardiac disorder (NYHA) functional classification Grade II/III/IV
• Past medical history of immediate or delayed hypersensitivity to compounds chemically similar to eltrombopag or their excipients.
• Treatment with another investigational product within 30 days.
• Prior treatment with eltrombopag, romiplostim, or any other TPO (thrombopoietin) receptor agonist.
• Positive result for HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) antibody test.
• Pregnant or nursing (lactating) woman.
• Woman of child-bearing potential.

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Design Details

• Primary Purpose: Treatment
• Allocation: N/A
• Interventional Model: Single Group Assignment
• Masking: None (Open Label)

Number of Arms

1

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm	Intervention / Treatment
Experimental: Eltrombopag; Subjects started eltrombopag treatment at 25 mg/day since Day 1.	Drug: Eltrombopag; Eltrombopag are film-coated tablets containing 25 mg of eltrombopag free acid in each tablet.; Other Names: ETB115

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Hematologic Response Rate at 6 Months (Week 26) by Investigator	Hematologic response rate: percentage of subjects who met any of the International Working Group criteria: Platelet count: If platelet transfusion independent at baseline (BL): Transfusion independent and increase from BL by 20×10^9/L or more; If platelet transfusion dependent at BL: No platelet transfusion requirement for 8 weeks; Hemoglobin: If red blood cells (RBC) transfusion independent at BL: transfusion independent and increase from BL by 15 g/L or more; If RBC transfusion dependent at BL: A decrease of at least 4 units in RBC transfusions in the post-treatment 8-week period (1 unit = RBC derived from 200 mL blood) or no RBC transfusion requirement for 8 weeks; Neutrophil count: In the absence of granulocyte colony stimulating factor (G-CSF) taken within 21 days preceding the blood sample collection: Increase from BL by 0.5×10^9/L or more, or (if < 0.5×10^9/L at BL) increase by 100% or more. Patients who discontinued from the trial before week 26 were treated as non-responders.	6 months (Week 26)

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Hematologic Response Rate by Investigator	Hematologic response rate: percentage of subjects who met any of the International Working Group criteria: Platelet count: If platelet transfusion independent at baseline (BL): Transfusion independent and increase from BL by 20×10^9/L or more; If platelet transfusion dependent at BL: No platelet transfusion requirement for 8 wks; Hemoglobin: If red blood cells (RBC) transfusion independent at BL: transfusion independent and increase from BL by 15 g/L or more; If RBC transfusion dependent at BL: A decrease of at least 4 units in RBC transfusions in the post-treatment 8-week period (1 unit =RBC derived from 200 mL blood) or no RBC transfusion requirement for 8 wks; Neutrophil count: In the absence of granulocyte colony stimulating factor (G-CSF) taken within 21 days preceding the blood sample collection: Increase from BL by 0.5×10^9/L or more, or (if < 0.5×10^9/L at BL) increase by 100% or more. Patients who discontinued from the trial before wks 13 & 26 were treated as non-responders.	Week (Wk) 13, Week 52
Change From Baseline in Platelet Count	Change (increase from baseline) in platelet count (in the absence of platelet transfusion) were calculated according to the lab test results entered into the case report form (CRF) that were summarized at each visit using descriptive statistics. Platelet Count (×109/L) was assessed in hematology test.	Baseline, Week 13, Week 26, Week 52
Change From Baseline in Hemoglobin Levels	Change (increase from baseline) in hemoglobin (in the absence of red blood cell (RBC) transfusion) were calculated according to the lab test results entered into the CRF that were summarized at each visit using descriptive statistics. Hemoglobin level (g/L) was assessed in hematology test.	Baseline, Week 13, Week 26 and Week 52
Change From Baseline in Neutrophil Count	Change (increase from baseline) in neutrophil count (in the absence of granulocyte colony stimulating factor (G-CSF) and calculated according to the lab test results entered into the CRF that were summarized at each visit using descriptive statistics). Neutrophil count (×109/L) was assessed in hematology test.	Baseline, Week 13, Week 26 and Week 52
Time to Hematologic Response by Investigator	Time to hematological response was defined as the time from the date of first study drug administration to the first hematological response. If a participant did not meet hematological response before or at the cutoff date, censoring was performed using the date of last assessment.	Baseline to Week 26
Duration of Hematologic Response by Investigator	Duration of hematologic response (any response according to the response criteria for the primary endpoint). For subjects who responded, duration of response was defined as the number of weeks from the first date of hematological response until the first date of relapse or death. Only participants with at least two response assessments were included for the duration of hematologic response assessment.	up to approx. 3.5 years
Frequency of Platelets Transfusion	For subjects receiving transfusion (platelets) at baseline, the frequency of platelet transfusion in each period (Baseline: 4 weeks before Day 1; Week 13, 26, 52: 4 weeks before each visit day) was summarized using descriptive statistics.	Baseline, Week 13, Week 26 and Week 52
Amount of Platelets Transfusion	The amount of transfusion was defined as the sum of transfusion multiplied by the volume of transfusion.	Baseline, Week 13, Week 26 and Week 52
Frequency of Red Blood Cells (RBC) Transfusion	For subjects receiving transfusion (RBC (Red Blood Cell)) at baseline, the frequency of RBC transfusion in each period (Baseline: 8 weeks before Day 1; Week 13, 26, 52: 8 weeks before each visit day) was summarized using descriptive statistics.	Baseline, Week 13, Week 26 and Week 52
Amount of Red Blood Cells (RBC) Transfusion	The amount of RBC transfusion was defined as the sum of transfusion multiplied by the volume of transfusion.	Baseline, Week 13, Week 26 and Week 52
Plasma PK Parameters of Eltrombopag: Cmax	Cmax is the maximum (peak) observed plasma drug concentration after single dose administration (mass*volume-1). Blood samples were collected from patients to assess the plasma concentrations of eltrombopag. The plasma concentrations were used to determine the PK characteristics of eltrombopag. Serial intensive PK blood samples were collected for the initial 25 mg/day dose to provide at least 12 participants with evaluable PK profiles at steady state.	pre-dose, and 1, 2, 4, 6, 8 and 24 hours post-dose on Day 14
Plasma PK Parameters of Eltrombopag: Tmax	Tmax is the time to reach maximum (peak) plasma drug concentration after single dose administration (time). Blood samples were collected from all patients to assess the plasma concentrations of eltrombopag. The plasma concentrations were used to determine the PK characteristics of eltrombopag. Serial intensive PK blood samples were collected for the initial 25 mg/day dose to provide at least 12 participants with evaluable PK profiles at steady state.	pre-dose, and 1, 2, 4, 6, 8 and 24 hours post-dose on Day 14
Plasma PK Parameters of Eltrombopag: AUCtau & AUClast	AUCtau is the area under the curve calculated to the end of a dosing interval (tau) at steady-state (amount*time*volume-1). AUClast is the AUC calculated from time 0 to the time of the last quantifiable concentration. Blood samples were collected from patients to assess the plasma concentrations of eltrombopag. The plasma concentrations were used to determine the PK characteristics of eltrombopag. Serial intensive PK blood samples were collected for the initial 25 mg/day dose to provide at least 12 participants with evaluable PK profiles at steady state.	pre-dose, and 1, 2, 4, 6, 8 and 24 hours post-dose on Day 14
Plasma PK Parameters of Eltrombopag: CLss/F	Steady State (CLss/F) is the apparent systemic (or total body) clearance at steady state from plasma (volume/time) following drug administration. Blood samples were collected from patients to assess the plasma concentrations of eltrombopag. The plasma concentrations were used to determine the PK characteristics of eltrombopag. Serial intensive PK blood samples were collected for the initial 25 mg/day dose to provide at least 12 participants with evaluable PK profiles at steady state.	pre-dose, and 1, 2, 4, 6, 8 and 24 hours post-dose on Day 14
Plasma Trough Concentration of Eltrombopag	Ctrough is the pre-dose concentration at the end of dose interval (mass*volume-1). Blood samples were collected from patients to assess the plasma concentrations of eltrombopag. The plasma concentrations were used to determine the PK characteristics of eltrombopag. Serial intensive PK blood samples were collected for the initial 25 mg/day dose to provide at least 12 participants with evaluable PK profiles at steady state. Sparse PK blood samples were collected for the other doses and in the rest of the patients for Ctrough assessment.	Pre-dose sample on the 15th day after each new dose level was started
Number of Participants With Clonal Evolution	Number of participants with clonal evolution with a normal karyotype at baseline including clonal evolution to PNH (Paroxysmal Nocturnal Hemoglobinuria), evolution to AML (Acute Myeloid Leukemia) or MDS (Myelodysplastic Syndromes).	From Baseline up to approx. 2.9 years

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: Novartis Pharmaceuticals
• Investigators: Study Director: Novartis Pharmaceuticals, Novartis Pharmaceuticals

Publications and helpful links

General Publications

• Chang H, He G, Fu R, Li F, Han B, Li T, Liu L, Mittal H, Jin H, Zhang F. Efficacy and safety of eltrombopag in Chinese patients with refractory or relapsed severe aplastic anemia. Sci Rep. 2023 Nov 2;13(1):18955. doi: 10.1038/s41598-023-45607-0.

Helpful Links

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

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start (Actual): December 9, 2019
• Primary Completion (Actual): July 16, 2021
• Study Completion (Actual): May 17, 2023

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: June 13, 2019
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: June 13, 2019
• First Posted (Actual): June 17, 2019

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Actual): December 30, 2025
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: December 8, 2025
• Last Verified: January 1, 2025

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Keywords: Eltrombopag; Severe Aplastic Anemia; ETB115; Chinese subject; Chinese refractory or relapsed SAA subjects; refractory severe aplastic anemia; relapsed severe aplastic anemia
• Additional Relevant MeSH Terms: Bone Marrow Failure Disorders; Hematologic Diseases; Bone Marrow Diseases; Anemia; Hemic and Lymphatic Diseases; Anemia, Aplastic; eltrombopag
• Other Study ID Numbers: CETB115E2202

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 expert panel on the basis of scientific merit. All data provided is anonymized to respect the privacy of patients who have participated in the trial in line with applicable laws and regulations.

This trial data is currently available according to the process described on www.clinicalstudydatarequest.com

Drug and device information, study documents

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