Class proinflammatory effects (MCP-1, IL-1b, CRP); alternative complement activation, C3 depletion in monkeys; no clear ADA
“Complement activation was apparent in monkeys at SC doses of > 20 mg/kg (~7x clinical exposure) and at intravenous (IV) doses as low as 12 mg/kg, as evidenced by transient rises in the level of the complement factor B split product, Bb, and the depletion of complement factor C3 with repeated dosing.”
✓ VerifiedFDA pharmacology/toxicology review, p. 21Source ↗
Biodistribution & persistence
Highest in kidney and liver, also spleen, lymph nodes, bone marrow; little in muscle, eye, brain; steady state 3-6 months
“The organs showing the highest tissue levels in all species are kidney, liver, spleen, lymph nodes and bone marrow, with the kidney and liver showing the highest concentrations. Little to no drug distributes to skeletal muscle, eye or the brain.”
✓ VerifiedFDA pharmacology/toxicology review, p. 20Source ↗
“The major findings observed in repeat-dose toxicity studies were similar to the toxicity profile previously observed with other antisense oligodeoxynucleotides: poor local tolerance, increased coagulation time, complement activation, haematotoxicity, stimulation of the immune system, and uptake of the test article in kidney and liver with subsequent lesions.”
Main pharmacology-related risk is increased susceptibility to infections (C5 inhibition); no complement activation by the aptamer in monkeys; panuveitis with Lucentis combination