Efficacy and Safety of Romiplostim Versus Eltrombopag in the Treatment of Thrombocytopenia in Patients With Wiskott-Aldrich Syndrome

Randomized, Two-arm Single-center Phase II Clinical Trial Comparing the Efficacy and Safety of Romiplostim Versus Eltrombopag in the Treatment of Thrombocytopenia in Patients With Wiskott-Aldrich Syndrome

This is a prospective, open-label, randomized, two-arm clinical trial conducted to evaluate the safety and efficacy of romiplostim in comparison with eltrombopag in the treatment of thrombocytopenia in patients with Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome

Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome (WAS) is a life-threatening primary immunodeficiency associated with bleeding of variable severity due to severe thrombocytopenia. Considering that the hemorrhagic events are a cause of death in 21% of WAS patients, management of thrombocytopenia constitutes a major challenge. Findings of defective platelet production by megakaryocytes and reduced in vitro pro-platelet formation suggested the possibility of megakaryocyte stimulation by TPO-RAs romiplostim, eltrombopag as a treatment strategy. Each of them has distinct pharmacodynamic, pharmacokinetic properties, different effects on megakaryopoiesis, and might have different efficacy in individual patients.

The aim of this study is to compare the efficacy and safety of romiplostim and another TPO-RA eltrombopag for the treatment of thrombocytopenia in patients with WAS and assess the benefit of switching these molecules in refractory subjects. The patients will be randomized in a 1:1 fashion to receive either romiplostim or eltrombopag.

After enrollment, (see detailed inclusion and exclusion criteria below) subjects under 18 years of age with a confirmed diagnosis of WAS and thrombocytopenia (platelet count of less than 70 x 109/L) will be assigned to receive romiplostim at an initial dose of 9 µg/kg subcutaneously per week or oral eltrombopag at a dose of 2-3mg/kg daily (ages 1 to 5 years) and 75 mg/daily (>6 years) for at least 1 month.

Bleeding severity will be evaluated with a modified World Health Organization (WHO) Bleeding Scale, lab tests (blood counts, biochemical analyses), ECG will be assessed after 30 days of treatment (30 +/- 7 days).

The efficacy of romiplostim/eltrombopag will be defined by the following criteria: complete response -an achievement of the platelet count >100 x 109/L, partial - platelet count at least 30 x 109/L higher than the patient's pretreatment baseline count up to to 100 x 109/L. No response will be defined as not achieving a platelet count of > 30 x 109/L from the baseline count.

Refractory patients will be switched to alternate TPO-RA agonist. Other reasons for switching that are not related to efficacy might include adverse events, active colitis, patient preference.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Genetically verified Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome
• Thrombocytopenia (platelet count < 70 x 109/L)
• Age: under 18 years
• Subject/legal representative has signed written informed consent.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Patients, who do not meet the inclusion criteria.

• Any prior history of arterial or venous thrombosis within the past year.

• Arm II (eltrombopag):

  1. abnormal hepatic function -elevated AST/ALT > 1.5 times upper limit of normal within 4 weeks prior to enrollment
  2. Active colitis