A Study of Sotatercept in Participants With PAH WHO FC III or FC IV at High Risk of Mortality (MK-7962-006/ZENITH)

Sponsor
Acceleron Pharma Inc. (a wholly owned subsidiary of Merck Sharp and Dohme, a subsidiary of Merck & Co., Inc.) (Industry)
Overall Status
Recruiting
CT.gov ID
NCT04896008
Collaborator
(none)
200
40
2
61
5
0.1

Study Details

Study Description

Brief Summary

The objective of this study is to evaluate the effects of sotatercept (MK-7962, formerly called ACE-011) treatment (plus maximum tolerated background pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) therapy) versus placebo (plus maximum tolerated background PAH therapy) on time to first event of all cause death, lung transplantation, or PAH worsening-related hospitalization of ≥24 hours, in participants with World Health Organization (WHO) functional class (FC) III or FC IV PAH at high risk of mortality.

Condition or Disease Intervention/Treatment Phase
Phase 3

Detailed Description

This is a phase 3, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study to evaluate sotatercept when added to maximum tolerated background PAH therapy on time to first event of all-cause death, lung transplantation, or PAH worsening related hospitalization of ≥24 hours, in participants with WHO FC IV PAH or WHO FC III PAH at high risk of mortality.

Participants with symptomatic PAH (WHO FC III or FC IV at high risk of mortality) who present with idiopathic or heritable PAH, PAH associated with connective tissue diseases (CTD), drug- or toxin-induced, post-shunt correction PAH, or PAH presenting at least 1 year following the correction of congenital heart defect. Participants must have a Registry to Evaluate Early and Long-Term PAH Disease Management (REVEAL) Lite 2 risk score of ≥9 and be on maximum tolerated combination background PAH therapy.

Study Design

Study Type:
Interventional
Anticipated Enrollment :
200 participants
Allocation:
Randomized
Intervention Model:
Parallel Assignment
Intervention Model Description:
Each eligible participant will be randomized in a 1:1 ratio to 1 of the following 2 treatment arms during the double-blind placebo-controlled (DBPC) Treatment Period: Arm 1: Placebo administered subcutaneously (SC) every 21 days plus background PAH therapy Arm 2: Sotatercept at a starting dose of 0.3 mg/kg, with a target dose of 0.7 mg/kg, SC every 21 days plus background PAH therapyEach eligible participant will be randomized in a 1:1 ratio to 1 of the following 2 treatment arms during the double-blind placebo-controlled (DBPC) Treatment Period:Arm 1: Placebo administered subcutaneously (SC) every 21 days plus background PAH therapy Arm 2: Sotatercept at a starting dose of 0.3 mg/kg, with a target dose of 0.7 mg/kg, SC every 21 days plus background PAH therapy
Masking:
Triple (Participant, Care Provider, Investigator)
Primary Purpose:
Treatment
Official Title:
A Phase 3, Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Study to Evaluate Sotatercept When Added to Maximum Tolerated Background Therapy in Participants With Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension (PAH) World Health Organization (WHO) Functional Class (FC) III or FC IV at High Risk Mortality
Actual Study Start Date :
Dec 1, 2021
Anticipated Primary Completion Date :
Nov 30, 2025
Anticipated Study Completion Date :
Dec 31, 2026

Arms and Interventions

Arm Intervention/Treatment
Placebo Comparator: Placebo plus background PAH therapy

Placebo administered subcutaneously (SC) every 21 days plus background PAH therapy

Other: Placebo
Placebo

Experimental: Sotatercept plus background PAH therapy

Sotatercept at a starting dose of 0.3 mg/kg, with a target dose of 0.7 mg/kg, SC every 21 days plus background PAH therapy

Drug: Sotatercept
Sotatercept is a recombinant fusion protein consisting of the extracellular domain of the human activin receptor type IIA linked to the Fc piece of human IgG1.
Other Names:
  • MK-7962
  • ACE-011
  • Outcome Measures

    Primary Outcome Measures

    1. Time to First Confirmed Morbidity or Mortality Event [Up to approximately 46 months]

      Events are defined as all-cause death, lung transplantation, or PAH worsening-related hospitalization of ≥ 24 hours. All events will be adjudicated by a blinded, independent committee of clinical experts.

    Secondary Outcome Measures

    1. Overall survival (OS) [Up to approximately 46 months]

      OS is defined as the time from randomization to death due to any cause.

    2. Transplant-Free Survival [Up to approximately 46 months]

      Transplant-free survival is defined as the time from randomization to the first lung transplantation or death due to any cause.

    3. Percentage of Participants Who Experienced a Mortality Event [Up to approximately 46 months]

      Mortality event is defined as death due to any cause throughout the study.

    4. Change From Baseline in REVEAL Lite 2 Risk Score at Week 24 [Baseline and Week 24]

      The REVEAL Lite 2 uses renal insufficiency (by estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR)), World Health Organization (WHO) functional class (FC), systolic blood pressure (SBP) and heart rate, 6-Minute Walk Distance (6-MWD), and N-terminal prohormone B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) to determine the total risk score. The scores (range: 1-14) can be defined as: low risk as a score of ≤5, intermediate risk as a score of 6 or 7, and high risk as a score of ≥8 for the survival rates.

    5. Percentage of Participants Achieving a Low or Intermediate (≤7) REVEAL Lite 2 Risk Score at Week 24 [Week 24]

      The REVEAL Lite 2 uses renal insufficiency (eGFR), WHO FC, SBP and heart rate, 6-MWD, and NT-proBNP to determine the total risk score. The scores (range: 1-14) can be defined as: low risk as a score of ≤5, intermediate risk as a score of 6 or 7, and high risk as a score of ≥8 for the survival rates.

    6. Change From Baseline in NT-proBNP levels at Week 24 [Baseline and Week 24]

      Blood samples will be collected at baseline and at Week 24 to measure NT-proBNP levels.

    7. Change From Baseline in Mean Pulmonary Artery Pressure (mPAP) at Week 24 [Baseline and Week 24]

      mPAP was measured by right heart catheterization (RHC) at baseline and at Week 24. mPAP is a hemodynamic parameter used to diagnose PAH.

    8. Change From Baseline in Pulmonary Vascular Resistance (PVR) [Baseline and Week 24]

      PVR is a hemodynamic variable measured by RHC at baseline and at Week 24.

    9. Percentage of Participants Who Improve in WHO FC [Up to approximately 46 months]

      The severity of an individual's PAH symptoms was graded using the WHO FC system. WHO functional classification for PAH range from Class I (no limitation in physical activity, no dyspnea with normal activity), Class II (slight limitation of physical activity), Class III (marked limitation of physical activity) and Class IV (cannot perform a physical activity without any symptoms, dyspnea at rest). The change from baseline in WHO FC is classified into "Improved", "No change" and "Worsened". Improvement = reduction in FC, worsened = increase in FC and no change = no change in FC.

    10. Change From Baseline in 6-MWD at Week 24 [Baseline and Week 24]

      6-MWD is a measure of exercise capacity.

    11. Change From Baseline in Cardiac Output (CO) at Week 24 [Baseline and Week 24]

      CO is the volume of blood pumped by the heart per minute.

    12. Change From Baseline in EuroQoL-5 Dimensions Scale 5 Levels (EQ-5D-5L) Index Score at Week 24 [Baseline and Week 24]

      EQ-5D-5L measures health outcome. It consists of of descriptive system and EQ visual analogue scale (EQ-VAS). EQ-5D-5L system has 5 dimensions: mobility, self-care, usual activities, pain/discomfort and anxiety/depression. Each dimension is divided into 5 levels of perceived problems (Level 1-no problem, Level 2-slight problems, Level 3-moderate problems, Level 4-severe problems, Level 5-extreme problems). Participant selects answer for each of 5 dimensions considering response that best matches his/her health "today". Responses will be used to generate an index score.

    Eligibility Criteria

    Criteria

    Ages Eligible for Study:
    18 Years to 75 Years
    Sexes Eligible for Study:
    All
    Accepts Healthy Volunteers:
    No
    Inclusion Criteria:
    • Documented diagnostic right heart catheterization prior to screening confirming the diagnosis of World Health Organization (WHO) pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH)
    Group 1 in any of the following subtypes:
    • Idiopathic PAH

    • Heritable PAH

    • Drug/toxin-induced PAH

    • PAH associated with connective tissue diseases (CTD)

    • PAH associated with simple, congenital systemic to pulmonary shunts at least 1 year following repair

    • Symptomatic PAH classified as WHO functional class (FC) III or IV

    • Registry to Evaluate Early and Long-Term PAH Disease Management (REVEAL) Lite 2 risk score of ≥9

    • Right heart catheterization performed during screening (or within 2 weeks prior to screening, if done at the clinical study site) documenting a minimum pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR) of ≥5 Wood units and a pulmonary capillary wedge pressure (PCWP) or left ventricular end-diastolic pressure (LVEDP) of ≤15 mmHg

    • Clinically stable and on stable doses of maximum tolerated (per investigator's judgment) double or triple background PAH therapies for at least 30 days prior to screening

    • Females of childbearing potential must:

    • Have 2 negative urine or serum pregnancy tests as verified by the investigator prior to starting study therapy; must agree to ongoing urine or serum pregnancy testing during the course of the study and until 8 weeks after the last dose of the study drug

    • If sexually active with a male partner, have used, and agree to use highly effective contraception without interruption per protocol; for at least 28 days prior to starting the investigational product, during the study (including dose interruptions), and for 16 weeks (112 days) after discontinuation of study treatment

    • Refrain from breastfeeding a child or donating blood, eggs, or ovum for the duration of the study and for at least 16 weeks (112 days) after the last dose of study treatment

    • Male participants must:

    • Agree to use a condom, defined as a male latex condom or nonlatex condom NOT made out of natural (animal) membrane (e.g., polyurethane), during sexual contact with a pregnant female or a female of childbearing potential while participating in the study, during dose interruptions, and for at least 16 weeks (112 days) following investigational product discontinuation, even if he has undergone a successful vasectomy

    • Refrain from donating blood or sperm for the duration of the study and for 16 weeks (112 days) after the last dose of study treatment

    • Ability to adhere to study visit schedule and understand and comply with all protocol requirements

    • Ability to understand and provide written informed consent

    Exclusion Criteria:
    • Diagnosis of PAH WHO Groups 2, 3, 4, or 5

    • Diagnosis of the following PAH Group 1 subtypes: human immunodeficiency virus-associated PAH and PAH associated with portal hypertension

    • Diagnosis of pulmonary veno-occlusive diseases or pulmonary capillary hemangiomatosis or overt signs of capillary and/or venous involvement

    • Hemoglobin at screening above gender-specific upper limit of normal (ULN), per local laboratory test

    • Baseline platelet count <50,000/mm3 (<50.0 x 109/L) at screening

    • Baseline systolic blood pressure <85 mmHg at screening

    • Pregnant or breastfeeding women

    • Serum alanine aminotransferase or aspartate aminotransferase levels or total bilirubin

    3.0×ULN

    • Currently enrolled in or have completed any other investigational product study within 30 days for small molecule drugs or within 5 half-lives for biologics prior to the date of signed informed consent

    • Prior exposure to sotatercept or known allergic reaction to sotatercept, its excipients or luspatercept

    • History of pneumonectomy

    • Untreated more than mild obstructive sleep apnea

    • History of known pericardial constriction

    • History of restrictive or congestive cardiomyopathy

    • Electrocardiogram (ECG) with Fridericia's corrected QT interval (QTcF) >500 ms during the screening period

    • Personal or family history of long QT syndrome or sudden cardiac death

    • Left ventricular ejection fraction <45% on historical echocardiogram within 1 year prior to the screening visit

    • Any current or prior history of symptomatic coronary disease (prior myocardial infarction, percutaneous coronary intervention, coronary artery bypass graft surgery, or cardiac anginal chest pain) in the past 6 months prior to the screening visit

    • Cerebrovascular accident within 3 months prior to the screening visit

    • Significant (≥ 2+ regurgitation) mitral regurgitation or aortic regurgitation valvular disease

    • Currently on dialysis or anticipated need for dialysis within the next 12 months

    Contacts and Locations

    Locations

    Site City State Country Postal Code
    1 David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA ( Site 1068) Los Angeles California United States 90095
    2 University of California Irvine ( Site 1086) Orange California United States 92868
    3 University of California San Diego Medical Center ( Site 1002) San Diego California United States 92037
    4 University of California San Francisco ( Site 1019) San Francisco California United States 94118
    5 University of Colorado Hospital ( Site 1013) Aurora Colorado United States 80045
    6 The George Washington University Medical Faculty Associates ( Site 1025) Washington District of Columbia United States 20037
    7 Mayo Clinic Jacksonville - PPDS ( Site 1045) Jacksonville Florida United States 32224
    8 AdventHealth Orlando ( Site 1058) Orlando Florida United States 32803
    9 Northside Hospital ( Site 1073) Atlanta Georgia United States 30342
    10 University of Kansas Medical Center ( Site 1020) Kansas City Kansas United States 66160
    11 Tufts Medical Center - PPDS ( Site 1012) Boston Massachusetts United States 02111
    12 Brigham and Women's Hospital ( Site 1014) Boston Massachusetts United States 02115
    13 University of Michigan ( Site 1011) Ann Arbor Michigan United States 48109
    14 University of Rochester Medical Center - PPDS ( Site 1039) Rochester New York United States 14642-0001
    15 Duke University Medical Center ( Site 1026) Durham North Carolina United States 27713
    16 Medical University of South Carolina - PPDS ( Site 1003) Charleston South Carolina United States 29425
    17 Statcare Pulmonary Consultants - Knoxville ( Site 1031) Knoxville Tennessee United States 37909
    18 Medical College of Wisconsin - Froedtert Hospital ( Site 1051) Milwaukee Wisconsin United States 53226
    19 St Vincent's Hospital Sydney ( Site 1102) Darlinghurst New South Wales Australia 2010
    20 John Hunter Hospital ( Site 1101) New Lambton Heights New South Wales Australia 2305
    21 Hôpital Erasme ( Site 1402) Anderlecht Bruxelles-Capitale, Region De Belgium 1070
    22 UZ Gasthuisberg ( Site 1401) Leuven Vlaams-Brabant Belgium 3000
    23 Hôpitaux Universitaires de Strasbourg ( Site 1307) Strasbourg Bas-Rhin France 67000
    24 Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Toulouse. ( Site 1315) Toulouse Haute-Garonne France 31059
    25 CHU de Nancy - Hôpital de Brabois Adultes ( Site 1308) Vandœuvre-lès-Nancy Meurthe-et-Moselle France 54511
    26 CHRU Lille ( Site 1306) Lille Nord France 59037
    27 Hôpital Louis Pradel ( Site 1317) Bron Rhone France 69500
    28 CHU Bicêtre ( Site 1304) Le Kremlin-Bicêtre Val-de-Marne France 94270
    29 CHU de Poitiers ( Site 1316) Poitiers Vienne France 86021
    30 Krankenhaus Neuwittelsbach ( Site 1510) München Bayern Germany 80639
    31 Universitaetsklinikum Giessen und Marburg GmbH ( Site 1512) Giessen Hessen Germany 35392
    32 Medizinische Hochschule Hannover ( Site 1505) Hannover Niedersachsen Germany 30625
    33 Uniklinik Köln ( Site 1511) Cologne Nordrhein-Westfalen Germany 50931
    34 Universitätsklinikum des Saarlandes ( Site 1513) Homburg Saarland Germany 66424
    35 Ospedale S. Giuseppe Multimedica ( Site 2403) Milan Lombardia Italy 20123
    36 La Sapienza-Università di Roma-Policlinico Umberto I ( Site 2402) Roma Italy 161
    37 Unidad de Investigación Clínica en Medicina, S.C ( Site 2505) Monterrey Nuevo Leon Mexico 64718
    38 VU Medisch Centrum ( Site 2601) Amsterdam Noord-Holland Netherlands 1081 HV
    39 Hospital Universitario 12 de Octubre ( Site 1603) Madrid Spain 28041
    40 Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust ( Site 1203) London London, City Of United Kingdom W2 1NY

    Sponsors and Collaborators

    • Acceleron Pharma Inc. (a wholly owned subsidiary of Merck Sharp and Dohme, a subsidiary of Merck & Co., Inc.)

    Investigators

    • Study Director: Medical Director, Merck Sharp & Dohme LLC

    Study Documents (Full-Text)

    None provided.

    More Information

    Publications

    None provided.
    Responsible Party:
    Acceleron Pharma Inc. (a wholly owned subsidiary of Merck Sharp and Dohme, a subsidiary of Merck & Co., Inc.)
    ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier:
    NCT04896008
    Other Study ID Numbers:
    • 7962-006
    • A011-14
    • MK-7962-006
    • 2021-001498-21
    First Posted:
    May 21, 2021
    Last Update Posted:
    Aug 23, 2022
    Last Verified:
    Aug 1, 2022
    Individual Participant Data (IPD) Sharing Statement:
    Yes
    Plan to Share IPD:
    Yes
    Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated Drug Product:
    Yes
    Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated Device Product:
    No
    Keywords provided by Acceleron Pharma Inc. (a wholly owned subsidiary of Merck Sharp and Dohme, a subsidiary of Merck & Co., Inc.)
    Additional relevant MeSH terms:

    Study Results

    No Results Posted as of Aug 23, 2022