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Circulation. 1999;100:1175-1181

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(Circulation. 1999;100:1175-1181.)
© 1999 American Heart Association, Inc.


Clinical Investigation and Reports

Pharmacokinetics and Pharmacodynamic Effects of a New Antibody Glycoprotein IIb/IIIa Inhibitor (YM337) in Healthy Subjects

Sebastian Harder, MD; Carl M. Kirchmaier, MD; Hans Jürgen Krzywanek, MD; Dagmar Westrup, MSc; Jin-Woo Bae, MD; Hans Klaus Breddin, MD

From the Institute of Clinical Pharmacology, University Hospital, Frankfurt am Main (S.H., J.-W.B.); the Deutsche Klinik für Diagnostik, Wiesbaden (C.M.K., D.W.); and the International Institute of Thrombosis and Vascular Diseases, Frankfurt am Main (H.J.K., H.K.B.), Germany.

Correspondence to Dr med Sebastian Harder, Institute of Clinical Pharmacology, University Hospital, Theodor Stern Kai 7, D-60590 Frankfurt am Main, Germany. E-mail harder{at}em.uni-frankfurt.de


*    Abstract
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*Abstract
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down arrowMethods
down arrowResults
down arrowDiscussion
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Background—This study describes the first administration of YM337, the Fab fragment of a humanized monoclonal antibody against the fibrinogen GP IIb/IIIa receptor, in healthy male humans.

Methods and Results—Platelet aggregation (20 µmol/L ADP), platelet adhesion, fibrinogen binding, bleeding time, and YM337 concentrations in plasma were studied in substudy 1 after single boluses of 0.025, 0.05, 0.1, 0.2, and 0.4 mg/kg YM337 and in substudy 2 after a bolus (0.35 mg/kg) plus 6 hours of infusion at different dose levels of YM337 (0.5, 0.75, 1.0, 1.5 µg · kg-1 · min-1), with abciximab as reference drug (n=5 or 6 subjects per group). After the 0.2-mg/kg and 0.4-mg/kg boluses, fibrinogen binding was reduced by >80% and bleeding time was prolonged to {approx}60 minutes. Bolus followed by infusion of 1.0 and 1.5 µg · kg-1 · min-1 YM337 maintained inhibition of platelet aggregation >80%. Aggregation and bleeding time returned to normal within 24 hours. A bolus of 0.25 mg/kg of abciximab followed by an infusion of 0.125 µg · kg-1 · min-1 showed effects similar to those observed with the 0.5- and 0.75-µg · kg-1 · min-1 infusion of YM337. In 53 subjects exposed to YM337, 1 case of transient thrombocytopenia and 3 minor bleeding events occurred. No human anti-chimeric antibodies were detected 2 weeks and 2 months after administration.

Conclusions—YM337 effectively inhibits IIb/IIIa-mediated platelet aggregation and adhesion in humans. The results of this phase 1 study will give rise to further clinical evaluation of YM337.


Key Words: platelets • antibodies • glycoproteins • YM337 • abciximab


*    Introduction
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up arrowAbstract
*Introduction
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down arrowResults
down arrowDiscussion
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Glycoprotein (GP) IIb/IIIa receptor antagonists prevent thrombotic occlusions in patients with acute coronary syndromes and reduce complications associated with high-risk percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA).1 2 3 4 5 The first GP IIb/IIIa receptor antagonist that has been shown to be effective in larger clinical trials is the modified human-mouse chimeric monoclonal antibody (mAb) abciximab.6 YM337 is the Fab fragment of a humanized antibody against the fibrinogen receptor with only minor (compared with abciximab) affinity to the {alpha}Vß3 receptor.7 To minimize immunological responses, the murine antibody C4G1 was humanized by grafting only the mouse hypervariable regions onto a human IgG1 framework.7 Preclinical in vitro assessment of inhibitory effects on platelet function parameters shows a 2- to 4-fold stronger potency of YM337 compared with abciximab.7 Binding of fibrinogen to purified IIb/IIIa was inhibited by both agents with similar potency.7 8 Platelet aggregation investigated in rhesus monkeys was rapidly restored to 50% within 6 hours after a 0.5-mg/kg bolus of YM337, whereas after similar doses of abciximab, aggregation remained inhibited over 12 to 18 hours.9 Furthermore, bleeding time was found to be less prolonged than seen with abciximab.9 The time course of receptor occupancy with abciximab was more sustained than with YM337.9 From these preclinical data, a higher potency of YM337 in regard to platelet inhibition but a faster offset of effects after commencement of treatment would be expected. The aims of the phase 1 study presented here were (1) to evaluate the safety and tolerability of YM337 in healthy male volunteers as a single intravenous injection (substudy 1) or when given as a single bolus followed by a 6-hour infusion (substudy 2) and (2) to characterize the pharmacodynamic profile and the dose-response relationship of YM337 in humans.


*    Methods
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up arrowAbstract
up arrowIntroduction
*Methods
down arrowResults
down arrowDiscussion
down arrowReferences
 
Study Design
In substudy 1, each of 6 subjects received a single bolus of either 0.025, 0.05, 0.1, 0.2, or 0.4 mg/kg YM337 IV; 3 volunteers received placebo. The study started with the lowest dose level. It was intended to establish the dose that inhibited 20 µmol/L ADP–induced platelet aggregation by 80%, comparable to inhibition obtained after abciximab standard doses.10

In substudy 2, a bolus of YM337 (0.35 mg/kg IV) was followed by a 6-hour infusion at 4 different dose levels. Five or 6 subjects received either 0.5, 0.75, 1.0, or 1.5 µg · kg-1 · min-1 YM337. Six other subjects received abciximab as a bolus of 0.25 µg/kg IV followed by an infusion of 0.125 µg · kg-1 · min-1, and 6 subjects received placebo.

Subject Selection and Study Protocol
Both substudies were approved by the local Institutional Review Board, and study subjects gave their written informed consent. Subjects in both substudies (n=68) had a mean age of 28 years, a mean weight of 76 kg, and a mean height of 175 cm. All volunteers had normal findings in the physical and laboratory examinations and normal platelet counts (150x103 to 400x103/µL).

Investigations
Ex Vivo Platelet Aggregation
Samples were collected for platelet aggregation in substudy 1 at 0, 0.25, 1, 6, and 24 hours and in substudy 2 at 0, 0.25, 1, 2, 6, 8, 10, 24, and 48 hours. Platelet aggregation induced by 20 µmol/L ADP was studied in platelet-rich plasma (PRP) with a turbidimetric light-transmittance device (APACT, Labor).

Fibrinogen Binding
Samples were collected for fibrinogen binding in substudy 1 at 0, 0.25, 1, 6, and 24 hours and in substudy 2 at 0, 0.25, 1, 2, 6, 8, 10, 24, and 48 hours. Samples were drawn into a tube containing 3.8% sodium citrate, and PRP was prepared. Platelets were counted by a cell counter, and PRP was diluted with platelet-poor plasma (PPP) to 250 000 platelets/µL. ADP was added at a final concentration of 100 µmol/L, and the samples were incubated for 10 minutes. Platelets were fixed with formaldehyde at a final concentration of 0.5%. After washing and resuspension, samples were incubated with fluorescein (FITC)–conjugated anti-human fibrinogen chicken antibodies (Biopool AB) for 30 minutes. Labeled platelets in PRP were analyzed by FACScan cytometer (Becton Dickinson). Aquisition and processing of data from 10 000 platelets were carried out with Lysis-II software. The mean fluorescence intensity values of the predose probes were set to 100%.11

Platelet Adhesion
Inhibition of platelet adhesion in PRP was assessed in substudy 1 at 0, 0.25, 1, 6, and 24 hours and in substudy 2 at 0, 0.25, 1, 2, 6, 8, 10, 24, and 48 hours. A Buerker counting chamber (siliconized glass) was filled with PRP. After 10 minutes of incubation, the coverslip was removed and the counting chamber was rinsed, and adhering platelets were fixed with glutaraldehyde and counted microscopically. Results are given as adhesion index, ie, count in 1 mm2x100/platelet count in PRP/µL (normal values 0.7 to 2.0).12

Platelet-Induced Thrombin Generation Time
Platelet-induced thrombin generation time (PITT) registers aggregation and coagulation of PRP in the presence of low concentrations (0.5 µg/mL) of hirudin. Samples were collected in substudy 1 at 0, 0.25, 1, 6, and 24 hours and in substudy 2 at 0, 0.25, 1, 2, 6, 8, 10, 24, and 48 hours. The test was performed with a turbidimetric light-transmittance device (Universal Aggregometer, B. Braun), and the clotting times after stimulation of the platelets by the rotating surface of the cuvette are given (normal values 7 to 12 minutes).13

Bleeding Time
Bleeding time was determined in substudy 1 at 0, 0.25, 1, 6, and 24 hours and in substudy 2 at 0, 0.25, 1, 2, 6, 8, 10, 24, and 48 hours. A cuff was placed around the arm and inflated to maintain a pressure of 40 mm Hg. Incision was made by a Simplate R device (Organon Inc). Blood was removed by a swab every 15 seconds, and the time until bleeding stopped was recorded up to 90 minutes.

Drug-Specific Antibodies
Plasma samples obtained before and 2 weeks and 2 months after exposure to the study drugs were tested on human anti-chimeric antibodies (HACAs). Determination of HACAs based on an enzyme immunoassay in which sera from YM337-, abciximab-, and placebo-treated subjects were incubated against YM337, abciximab, and normal human Fab molecules bound to microtiter plates. Blood samples were initially tested at dilutions of 1:10 down to 1:270. Depending on the optical density, samples were diluted further. Postdose samples were potentially scored seropositive for YM337 or abciximab when the optical density exceeded 0.4 and revealed an optical density twice that of the corresponding predose sample.

Pharmacokinetics
Concentrations of YM337 were determined in PRP and in PPP by an ELISA method.14 Platelets in PRP were lysed, and the samples were kept frozen at -70°C until analysis. The lower limit of quantification was 100 ng/mL in PRP and 50 ng/mL in PPP. Linearity of the method was proven up to 8000 ng/mL after appropriate dilution. Pharmacokinetic data were obtained in substudy 1 before treatment and 5, 10, 15, and 30 minutes after the injection and after 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, and 24 hours. In substudy 2, blood was sampled before treatment and 0.25, 1, 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 24, and 48 hours after start of the infusion.

Statistical Evaluation
Results are presented as mean±SD. In substudy 1, the 0.25- and 24-hour target parameters were compared with their baseline value by use of Wilcoxon's matched-pairs signed-rank test. In substudy 2, the 6- and 24-hour values were compared with the results of the placebo group and the group receiving abciximab by the Mann-Whitney U test.


*    Results
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*Results
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Tolerability
A total of 53 subjects were exposed to YM337. Three minor bleeding events occurred (renewed bleeding from incision of a previous bleeding time assessment). In 1 subject receiving infusion of 0.75 µg · kg-1 · min-1 YM337, platelet count in whole blood dropped from 209x103/µL before treatment to 143x103/µL after 15 minutes, 98x103/µL after 6 hours, and a nadir of 60x103/µL after 48 hours; full recovery was attained after 96 hours. Prestudy and poststudy examinations did not reveal signs of inherent platelet dysfunction. In all other subjects, no changes in platelet count during and after administration exceeding ±15% of the pretreatment values were observed.

Human Anti-chimeric Antibodies
Of the predose samples, 35% responded to human Fab fragments as well as to YM337 and abciximab, indicating the presence of nonspecific antibodies against Fab fragments. This anti-Fab response was stable over time and did not vary on administration of placebo, YM337, or abciximab, as was demonstrated by the optical density values obtained with the postdose samples 2 weeks and 2 months after the drug administration. None of the treated subjects revealed a specific HACA response against either YM337 or abciximab.

Pharmacokinetics
After the dose of 0.1 mg/kg, YM337 was detectable only in small amounts in PPP over 20 minutes after the bolus was given (Figure 1Down, top). If one considers the difference PRP-PPP as the drug concentration at the platelets, Figure 1Down might be read as follows: After the 0.1-mg/kg bolus, YM337 is rapidly bound to platelets, and no drug appears as free drug in PPP. After the 0.2-mg/kg and the 0.4-mg/kg boluses, "excess" amounts of YM337 not bound at the platelets appear in PPP but are rapidly cleared after {approx}4 hours (Table 2DownDown). The bottom of Figure 1Down shows the PRP and PPP concentrations after the different infusion regimens. The initial drug concentrations were determined by the bolus dose, but PPP concentrations rose dose-dependently and fell immediately when the infusion was stopped. The PRP concentrations showed a less dose-dependent behavior, and at the end of the infusion, PRP concentrations varied between 2188 ng/mL (0.5 µg · kg-1 · min-1) and 3148 ng/mL (1.5 µg · kg-1 · min-1). After 24 hours, no drug was detectable in PPP, and PRP concentrations after the different infusion regimens were of a similar magnitude of {approx}1300 ng/mL (Table 2Down).



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Figure 1. Concentrations (mean values) of YM337 in PRP and PPP (inset). Top, Bolus ({circ} 0.1 mg/kg, • 0.2 mg/kg, {diamond} 0.4 mg/kg). Bottom, Bolus 0.35 mg/kg, followed by an infusion ({circ} 0.5 µg · kg-1 · min-1, • 0.75 µg · kg-1 · min-1, {diamond} 1.0 µg · kg-1 · min-1, {diamondsuit} 1.5 µg · kg-1 · min-1).


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Table 2. Platelet Function and Fibrinogen Binding After a Bolus Dose of 0.35 mg/kg YM337 or 0.25 mg/kg Abciximab and a 6-Hour Infusion at Baseline, After 6 Hours, and After 24 Hours


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Table 2A.

Pharmacodynamics
Substudy 1
In general, no effect was seen after 0.025-µg/kg and 0.05-µg/kg IV bolus doses of YM337 (data not shown). Maximal inhibition of 20 µmol/L ADP–induced platelet aggregation averaged 94% after the 0.4-µg/kg bolus dose (Table 1Down, Figure 2Down). Pretreatment values for the platelet adhesion index varied between 1.1 and 1.48; after 0.25 hours, the adhesion index was reduced to 0.001 after the 0.4-µg/kg bolus. Fibrinogen binding was maximally reduced to 53% after the 0.1-µg/kg bolus, 33% after the 0.2-µg/kg bolus, and 25% after the 0.4-µg/kg bolus. Bleeding time was prolonged to 62 minutes after the 0.4-µg/kg bolus. After 24 hours, fibrinogen binding returned to 65% to 100% (Table 1Down, Figure 2Down).


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Table 1. Platelet Function and Fibrinogen Binding After a Single Bolus Dose of YM337 at Baseline, Maximum after 15 Minutes, and After 24 Hours



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Figure 2. Effects (mean values) of a single bolus dose of YM 337 ({circ} 0.1 µg/kg, • 0.2 µg/kg, {diamond} 0.4 µg/kg) or placebo ({triangleup}). Top, Inhibition of ADP (20 µmol)–induced platelet aggregation; middle, bleeding time; bottom, fibrinogen binding.

Substudy 2
Maximal inhibition of ADP-induced platelet aggregation was obtained at 0.25 hours and averaged between 90% and 95% after the various infusion regimens (Figure 3Down). At the end of the 6-hour infusion period, inhibition was between 54% (0.5 µg · kg-1 · min-1) and 93% (1.5 µg · kg-1 · min-1). Maximal inhibition immediately after the bolus abciximab was 77% and 37% after 6 hours of infusion. ADP-induced aggregation returned to normal 24 hours after start of the infusion (Table 2Up, Figure 4Down).



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Figure 3. Effects (mean values) of a bolus, followed by a 6-hour infusion (bolus 0.35 mg/kg YM337, infusion rate {circ} 0.5 µg · kg-1 · min-1, • 0.75 µg · kg-1 · min-1, {diamond} 1.0 µg · kg-1 · min-1, {diamondsuit} 1.5 µg · kg-1 · min-1; {star} bolus dose of 0.25 µg/kg abciximab, infusion rate 0.125 µg · kg-1 · min-1) or placebo ({triangleup}). Top, Inhibition of ADP 20 µmol–induced platelet aggregation; bottom, fibrinogen binding. Dashed line indicates end of infusion.



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Figure 4. Effects (mean±SD) of YM337 or abciximab in different dose levels at end of infusion (6 hours) and 18 hours after end of infusion (24 hours) on inhibition of ADP 20 µmol–induced platelet aggregation (top); bleeding time (bottom).

After the initial bolus, bleeding time was maximally prolonged to >60 minutes with YM337 as well as after abciximab. At 6 hours, YM337-induced prolongation of bleeding time increased dose-dependently and averaged 18 minutes with 0.5 µg · kg-1 · min-1 up to 65 minutes with 1.5 µg · kg-1 · min-1. Eighteen hours after the end of the infusion, bleeding times were normal or remained only slightly prolonged (Table 2Up, Figure 4Up).

PITT values determined 6 hours after start of the infusion were significantly prolonged with YM337 and abciximab, averages ranging between 13 minutes (1.0 µg · kg-1 · min-1 YM337) and 21 minutes (0.75 µg · kg-1 · min-1 YM337) (Table 2Up).

Fibrinogen binding was maximally reduced with YM337 to (average) values between 20% and 30% 0.25 hour after the bolus was given (Figure 3Up). At 6 hours, fibrinogen binding ranged between 20% and 34% (Figure 4Up, Table 2Up). With abciximab, fibrinogen binding was maximally reduced to 43% after 0.25 hour and averaged 50% after 6 hours of infusion. Eighteen hours after the end of the 6-hour infusion, binding remained significantly reduced to {approx}50% with all doses of YM337 as well as abciximab (Figure 3Up).

Relationships between the fibrinogen binding and corresponding values of the 20 µmol/L ADP–induced platelet aggregation and between the fibrinogen binding and bleeding times could be characterized by curvilinear or asymptotic monoexponential functions, in which fibrinogen binding must be reduced to {approx}30% to 40% to reach a 50% reduction in platelet aggregation as well as a 2-fold increase in bleeding time (Figure 5Down).



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Figure 5. Relationship between fibrinogen binding and inhibition of ADP 20 µmol–induced platelet aggregation (top) and relationship between fibrinogen binding and bleeding time (bottom). Top, solid line indicates mean curve of data described by a sigmoidal Emax model. Fibrinogen binding of 35% obtains half-maximal inhibition of platelet aggregation and {approx}2-fold prolongation of bleeding time. Dashed lines delimit 95% CIs of mean curves.


*    Discussion
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up arrowAbstract
up arrowIntroduction
up arrowMethods
up arrowResults
*Discussion
down arrowReferences
 
The principal findings from these phase 1 studies were that (1) both IIb/IIIa antagonists lead to a complete reduction of platelet aggregation and adhesion, markedly prolonged bleeding times, and inhibition of platelet-induced thrombin generation; (2) all these parameters returned to baseline 18 hours after termination of the infusion; and (3) thrombocytopenia is also possible with the new, humanized mAb YM337. It must be emphasized that these results are limited to the typical phase 1 setting: altogether, 53 healthy male subjects were exposed, and possible interactions with drugs administered in clinical situations (aspirin and heparin) could not be taken into consideration.

The IIb/IIIa receptor antagonist abciximab and the peptide or peptidomimetic IIb/IIIa receptor antagonists eptifibatide and tirofiban are used in PTCA and in acute coronary syndromes.1 2 3 4 5 Other drugs, eg, humanized antibodies and orally available RGD peptidomimetics, are in different stages of clinical development.7 15 16 The preclinical pharmacology of the humanized mAb YM337 shows similar IIb/IIIa receptor binding but a faster decline of effects compared with abciximab in animal experiments.9 In these first human studies, however, the pharmacodynamic profile of YM337 resembles that of abciximab with regard to magnitude and rate of recovery of platelet inhibition, and in contrast to animal data,9 bleeding time was prolonged to a similar magnitude. Thrombocytopenia, possibly related to immunogenic response mediated by anti-chimeric antibodies,17 is reported to occur in 2% to 4% of all patients treated with abciximab and other GP IIb/IIIa inhibitors.17 18 In our study, 1 of 53 subjects exposed to YM337 showed transient thrombocytopenia that started 15 minutes after start of the infusion. Data obtained in another phase 1 study with YM337 revealed 1 more case of thrombocytopenia in a subset of 34 exposed subjects (Yamanouchi Europe BV, Leiderdorp, Netherlands, data on file). A rough estimate therefore gives a 2% incidence of thrombocytopenia with YM337, comparable to that with abciximab.18 None of the subjects exhibited development of drug-specific anti-chimeric antibodies. From these first human data, however, differences in antigenicity between YM337 and abciximab could not be claimed.

The inhibitory effects of GP IIb/IIIa inhibitors on ADP-induced aggregation and on fibrinogen binding have been used as a surrogate for the clinical efficacy of these drugs.19 20 Effects on platelet adhesion and thrombin generation have been only inconsistently reported, and the inhibitory effect on these parameters is seen with both abciximab and YM337. The effects of IIb/IIIa inhibitors on thrombin generation have been described earlier.21 Although the inhibitory effect on thrombin generation after specific IIb/IIIa blockade can be augmented in vitro by a specific {alpha}Vß3 antagonist,21 our in vivo results did not show differences in the PITT assay between abciximab (with similar affinity to IIb/IIIa and {alpha}Vß3 receptors) and YM337 (exhibiting a higher affinity to IIb/IIIa receptors). The contribution of this anticoagulant effect to the clinical efficacy remains unclear, but this finding may be important when interactions with anticoagulants must be considered.22 23

Because in substudy 1 no direct comparison with abciximab was planned, the target was to obtain values that have been published for the "standard" abciximab dosing scheme (meaning an inhibition of 20 µmol/L ADP–induced platelet aggregation >80%) with >=1 of the doses of YM337 tested.10 19 By extrapolation of the data obtained from substudy 1, this criterion led to the selection of a bolus dose of 0.35 mg/kg in substudy 2. In this study, it was intended to maintain the level of 80% reduction in ADP-induced aggregation and fibrinogen binding over the infusion period. Although both YM337 and abciximab decreased 20 µmol/L ADP–induced aggregation shortly after the bolus by {approx}80%, the standard bolus of abciximab decreased fibrinogen binding by only {approx}55% (in contrast to {approx}80% with YM337), whereas published data on abciximab show that this dose should block IIb/IIIa receptors by 80%.10 19 The discrepancy between our results on fibrinogen binding and reports on receptor occupancy of abciximab could not yet be explained. It might be noteworthy that the receptor binding assay used in the above-cited studies determines the amount of free abciximab binding sites by competition of receptor-bound abciximab with 125I-labeled abciximab,10 20 whereas the fibrinogen binding assay determines the amount of free IIb/IIIa binding sites by competition of mAb bound at IIb/IIIa receptors with the natural ligand fibrinogen,11 24 pointing to differences in the tightness of IIb/IIIa binding of the 2 mAbs in the presence of fibrinogen.

Despite the observation that fibrinogen binding 6 hours after start of the infusion was not different in the 4 dosing groups, a dose-dependent increase in the inhibition of ADP-induced aggregation and in bleeding time was seen (Figures 3Up and 4Up). If the PPP and PRP concentrations are taken into consideration, this finding might be explained by the following model: PPP concentrations showed a dose-dependent increase, but the amount bound to platelets (the difference between PRP and PPP from Table 2Up) was quite similar with all infusion regimens, suggesting a saturation of IIb/IIIa binding sites in the unactivated state. Aggregation is induced in PRP, where free YM337 (the PPP level) is also present and therefore perhaps capable of interfering with platelets during the activation process. This also applies to the bleeding time, in which the in vivo activation of platelets by the dermal incision is countered by free YM337. One further interesting observation in both studies was that antiplatelet effects and bleeding time were rapidly declining despite relatively high concentrations of YM337 in PRP after 24 hours. One explanation is that after short-term exposure with a IIb/IIIa antagonist (eg, after a bolus), receptors show up at the platelet surface (perhaps as a consequence of outside-in signaling), but in the absence of free drug levels, these new receptors are not inhibited. Supposing an "early" rearrangement of IIb/IIIa receptors after the bolus,25 a subsequent infusion might therefore be necessary to interfere with the new receptors, leading to the preservation of >=50% reduction in fibrinogen binding even 18 hours after termination of the infusion, as seen in our study and by others.20 21 However, a steep and curvilinear relationship between fibrinogen binding and aggregation exists, as well as between fibrinogen binding and bleeding time, and fibrinogen binding must be decreased by >=50% to obtain a significant effect on these parameters (Figure 5Up). Nevertheless, because the curve describing the relationship between receptor binding and inhibition of functional parameters is very steep, even a small increase in unblocked receptors (also augmented by generation of new platelets within 24 hours) in the range >50% fibrinogen binding is followed by a marked restoration of aggregation properties and bleeding time, which is the final cause for the rapid decline of inhibitory effects on platelet function after cessation of the infusion.

In conclusion, the new humanized mAb YM337 effectively inhibits IIb/IIIa-mediated platelet aggregation in humans. A bolus of 0.25 mg/kg abciximab IV followed by an infusion of 0.125 µg · kg-1 · min-1 showed effects similar to those observed with the 0.5- and 0.75-µg · kg-1 · min-1 infusions of YM337. In a total of 53 subjects exposed to YM337, 1 case of transient thrombocytopenia occurred, and no HACAs were detected 2 weeks and 2 months after administration. The results of this phase 1 study will give rise to further evaluation of YM337 in which the comparative clinical profile of abciximab has to be established.


*    Acknowledgments
 
This work was sponsored by Yamanouchi Europe BV. The valuable contributions of Dr T. Tan (Yamanouchi Europe BV) are appreciated.

Received March 26, 1999; revision received June 7, 1999; accepted June 14, 1999.


*    References
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up arrowAbstract
up arrowIntroduction
up arrowMethods
up arrowResults
up arrowDiscussion
*References
 

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