Safety and pharmacology of ponezumab (PF-04360365) after a single 10-minute intravenous infusion in subjects with mild to moderate Alzheimer disease.

OBJECTIVE

Ponezumab (PF-04360365) is a humanized anti-amyloid beta (Aβ) monoclonal antibody designed for treatment of Alzheimer disease (AD). A single 2-hour intravenous infusion of 0.1 to 10 mg/kg was previously shown to be safe and well tolerated in subjects with mild to moderate AD, with measurable effects on plasma and cerebrospinal fluid Aβ. This phase I, dose-escalation, open-label study evaluated the safety, pharmacokinetics, and pharmacodynamics of a single 10-minute intravenous infusion.

METHODS

Subjects with mild to moderate AD received ponezumab 1 mg/kg (n = 3), 3 mg/kg (n = 3), 5 mg/kg (n = 4), or 10 mg/kg (n = 5). They were followed up as outpatients for 6 months.

RESULTS

All subjects completed the trial. Ponezumab was safe and well tolerated with no deaths, withdrawals, or drug-related moderate, severe, or serious adverse events. Mild drug-related adverse events included headache (3 patients) and lethargy and hypoesthesia (both in 1 patient). No infusion reactions, clinically meaningful laboratory abnormalities, vital sign changes, electrocardiographic changes, or antidrug antibodies were detected. There was no evidence of brain microhemorrhage, vasogenic edema, encephalitis, or other imaging abnormality. Cognitive function showed no treatment-related trends. Ponezumab displayed approximately dose-proportional increases in plasma exposure. Steady-state volume of distribution was 113 to 172 mL/kg, clearance was 2.7 to 3.0 mL/d/kg, and terminal half-life was 35 to 52 days. Plasma maximum observed concentration and the area under the plasma concentration-time profile from time 0 extrapolated to infinite time of Aβ(1-x) and Aβ(1-40) increased dose-dependently.

CONCLUSIONS

Administration of ponezumab as a 10-minute infusion was safe and well tolerated and produced effects on plasma Aβ species comparable with a 2-hour infusion. Shorter infusions may provide more flexibility, comfort, and convenience for patients and caregivers.