Rapid distribution to liver and kidney; ASGPR-mediated liver uptake saturates at high doses
“Distribution to tissues in mouse and monkey was responsible for the initial rapid plasma clearance, with the highest concentrations present in liver and kidney.”
ASO class: thrombocytopenia, hepatic effects, injection site reactions, hypersensitivity/complement activation
“Potentially clinically relevant observations from repeat-dose toxicity studies with olezarsen (also observed with volanesorsen, the unconjugated ASO) included thrombocytopenia, effects on the liver, injection site reactions, and hypersensitivity/inflammatory responses”
Main pharmacology-related risk is increased susceptibility to infections (C5 inhibition); no complement activation by the aptamer in monkeys; panuveitis with Lucentis combination