Iptacopan Reduces Proteinuria and Stabilizes Kidney Function in C3 Glomerulopathy
Carla Nester, Ute Eisenberger, Alexandre Karras, Moglie Le Quintrec, Liz Lightstone, Manuel Praga, Giuseppe Remuzzi, María José Soler, Junhao Liu, Matthias Meier, Ronda Tawfik, G. Junge, Andrea Biondani, Angelo J. Trapani, Nicholas J.A. Webb, Edwin Wong
Abstract
Introduction C3 glomerulopathy (C3G) is a complex, chronic, ultra rare, progressive primary glomerulonephritis, resulting from alternative complement pathway overactivation, leading to kidney failure in most patients, and frequent recurrence in transplants. Iptacopan (LNP023) is an oral, proximal complement inhibitor specifically targeting factor B, that selectively inhibits the alternative complement pathway. Methods This was a phase 2 extension study of 26 adult patients with native kidney (cohort A), or recurrent C3G (post kidney transplantation; cohort B) receiving open label iptacopan. Results At 12 months, patients in cohort A had a significant reduction in 24-hour urine protein-to-creatinine ratio (UPCR; 57%; P < 0.0001; confidence interval [CI]: 0.31–0.59), an improvement in estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR; 6.83 ml/min per 1.73 m 2 ; P = 0.0174; CI: 1.25–12.40), and an increase in serum C3 levels (geometric mean ratio to baseline: 3.53; P < 0.0001; CI: 3.01–4.15). In cohort B, most patients had normal urinary protein excretion at baseline (mean [range] 24-hour UPCR: 121 [9–445]), which was slightly lower by 12 months (21% reduction; CI: 0.48–1.31; P = 0.3151). In cohort B at 12 months, mean eGFR was at baseline values (mean change from baseline: −0.96 ml/min per 1.73 m 2 ; P = 0.7335; CI: −6.60 to 4.69). Cohort B patients had significantly higher serum C3 values at 12 months compared with baseline (ratio:1.96; CI: 1.70–2.27; P < 0.0001). In cohorts A + B combined, the median difference in C3 deposit score on renal biopsy from baseline was −7.00 (CI: −12.00 to 4.00;) at 9 to 12 months treatment with iptacopan. Conclusion These data provide a clinical rationale for further evaluation of long-term treatment of C3G with iptacopan.