Certolizumab for Pregnancy Complications Due to APS

Recruiting at2 trial locations

Overseen by D. Ware Branch, MD

Age: 18 - 65

Sex: Female

Travel: May Be Covered

Time Reimbursement: Varies

Trial Phase: Phase 2

Recruiting

Sponsor: Ware Branch

Must be taking: Certolizumab

Must not be taking: Prednisone

Disqualifiers: Hypertension, Diabetes, SLE, others

No Placebo Group

Prior Safety Data

Approved in 3 Jurisdictions

Trial Summary

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial tests if adding certolizumab to usual treatment can improve pregnancy outcomes in women with APS and LAC. Certolizumab reduces inflammation, which may help improve blood flow to the placenta and lead to better pregnancy results. Certolizumab pegol has been identified as a promising treatment during pregnancy because it has no late active placental transfer and no clear signs of fetal harm.

Do I need to stop my current medications for the trial?

The trial does not specify if you need to stop taking your current medications, but it does require you to continue with usual treatment, which includes a heparin agent and low-dose aspirin.

Is Certolizumab Pegol safe for use during pregnancy?

Certolizumab Pegol has been studied in pregnant women and shows minimal to no transfer across the placenta, suggesting it is generally safe for use during pregnancy. It has been well tolerated in clinical trials for various conditions, with no new safety concerns identified. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

How does the drug Certolizumab differ from other treatments for pregnancy complications due to APS?

Certolizumab is unique because it is a biologic drug that targets specific proteins in the immune system, potentially offering a different mechanism of action compared to traditional treatments like aspirin, heparin, or intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg), which are more commonly used for managing pregnancy complications in APS. ^{6 7 8 9 10}

Research Team

D. Ware Branch, MD

Principal Investigator

University of Utah

Eligibility Criteria

This trial is for pregnant women aged 18-40 with antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) and lupus anticoagulant (LAC), who are less than 8 weeks into their pregnancy. They must have a hematocrit >26% and no history of diabetes, multifetal gestation, certain infections like HIV or tuberculosis, high blood pressure at screening, or be on high doses of prednisone.

Inclusion Criteria

Pregnant as defined by positive test for elevated ß-HCG and having a live, appropriate sized embryo by ultrasound, but <8 weeks gestation

I have tested positive for LAC twice over 12 weeks apart in the last 18 months.

I have been diagnosed with antiphospholipid syndrome.

Exclusion Criteria

Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes antedating pregnancy

Multifetal gestation

My urine protein levels are high.

Trial Timeline

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Treatment

Participants receive certolizumab starting by 8 weeks and 6 days gestation, with doses at 2 and 4 weeks later, followed by every other week until 27 weeks and 6 days gestation

19 weeks

Initial visit for first dose, followed by bi-weekly visits for subsequent doses

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for safety and effectiveness after treatment, including assessment of pregnancy outcomes and adverse events

6 weeks postpartum

Postpartum Monitoring

Participants are monitored for any adverse outcomes or pertinent concerns related to the study intervention

6 weeks postpartum

Treatment Details

Interventions

• Certolizumab Pegol (Monoclonal Antibodies)

Trial Overview The IMPACT study tests whether adding certolizumab to standard treatment (heparin agent and low-dose aspirin) improves pregnancy outcomes in APS patients with positive LAC tests. All participants receive certolizumab; results will be compared to historical data from similar patients.

Participant Groups

Group I: Certolizumab Pegol Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

All participants are administered certolizumab \[400 mg (given as two subcutaneous injections of 200mg) initially and 2 and 4 weeks later, followed by 200 mg every other week thereafter. 1st dose of certolizumab will be administered by 8 weeks and 6 days gestation and discontinued at 27 weeks 6 days. The regimen of heparin and low dose aspirin is a standard of care treatment for this patient population and is not considered part of the research intervention.

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

Ware Branch

Lead Sponsor

Trials

2

Recruited

1,300+

David Ware Branch

Lead Sponsor

Trials

1

Recruited

60+

Hospital for Special Surgery, New York

Collaborator

Trials

257

Recruited

61,800+

Dr. Douglas E. Padgett

Hospital for Special Surgery, New York

Chief Medical Officer since 2023

MD from Cornell University Medical College

Dr. Bryan T. Kelly

Hospital for Special Surgery, New York

Chief Executive Officer since 2023

MD, MBA

University of Toronto

Collaborator

Trials

739

Recruited

1,125,000+

Allison Brown

University of Toronto

Chief Medical Officer

PhD in Chemical Engineering from the University of Toronto

Michael Sefton

University of Toronto

Chief Executive Officer since 2017

PhD in Chemical Engineering from the University of Toronto and MIT

NYU Langone Health

Collaborator

Trials

1,431

Recruited

838,000+

Dr. Alec C. Kimmelman

NYU Langone Health

Chief Executive Officer

MD and PhD from Mount Sinai School of Medicine

Dr. Nicole M. Adler

NYU Langone Health

Chief Medical Officer since 2023

MD

Findings from Research

In a review of 625 reported pregnancies involving certolizumab pegol (CZP), 372 had known outcomes, showing that maternal exposure resulted in 254 live births and a miscarriage rate of 15.3%, suggesting that CZP does not significantly harm pregnancy outcomes.

The majority of pregnancies were exposed to CZP during the first trimester, and while there were some reports of congenital malformations and one neonatal death, the overall findings indicate that maternal CZP exposure does not appear to adversely affect pregnancy outcomes, although more extensive studies are needed for conclusive safety assessments.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Pregnancy Outcomes in Subjects Exposed to Certolizumab Pegol. Clowse, ME., Wolf, DC., Förger, F., et al.[2019]

In a study involving 16 pregnant women receiving certolizumab pegol (CZP), the drug showed minimal to no transfer to infants at birth, indicating low fetal exposure during the third trimester.

The findings support the continued use of CZP during pregnancy for women with chronic inflammatory diseases, as it appears to be safe for the developing fetus.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Lack of placental transfer of certolizumab pegol during pregnancy: results from CRIB, a prospective, postmarketing, pharmacokinetic study. Mariette, X., Förger, F., Abraham, B., et al.[2019]

In a review of 1392 pregnancies exposed to certolizumab pegol (CZP), a TNF inhibitor, 88.4% resulted in live births, indicating a favorable outcome for pregnancies during CZP treatment.

There were no significant signals for adverse pregnancy outcomes or congenital malformations associated with CZP exposure, providing reassurance for women with chronic inflammatory diseases considering this treatment during pregnancy.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Pharmacovigilance pregnancy data in a large population of patients with chronic inflammatory disease exposed to certolizumab pegol. Clowse, M., Fischer-Betz, R., Nelson-Piercy, C., et al.[2022]

Certolizumab pegol (Cimzia®) has been shown to significantly improve psoriasis symptoms in adults, with more patients achieving a 75% reduction in PASI score compared to placebo in phase III trials involving moderate to severe plaque psoriasis.

This medication is particularly beneficial for women of childbearing age due to its unique properties, such as minimal placental transfer and low infant exposure during breastfeeding, while maintaining a good safety profile.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Certolizumab Pegol: A Review in Moderate to Severe Plaque Psoriasis. Lee, A., Scott, LJ.[2021]

In a study of 1,137 pregnancies with maternal exposure to certolizumab pegol (CZP), 85.3% resulted in live births, indicating that CZP is generally safe for use during pregnancy.

The analysis found no evidence of teratogenic effects or increased risk of fetal death associated with CZP, providing reassurance for women of childbearing age considering this treatment for chronic inflammatory diseases.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Pregnancy Outcomes After Exposure to Certolizumab Pegol: Updated Results From a Pharmacovigilance Safety Database. Clowse, MEB., Scheuerle, AE., Chambers, C., et al.[2019]

Intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg) therapy shows promising efficacy for treating recurrent pregnancy loss in Antiphospholipid Syndrome (APS), with reported success rates between 70-100% when administered in specific regimens during early pregnancy.

Compared to traditional treatments like prednisone and low-dose aspirin or heparin, IVIg appears to reduce complications such as pre-eclampsia and intrauterine growth retardation, making it a potentially safer and more effective option despite its higher cost.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Utilization of intravenous immunoglobulin therapy to treat recurrent pregnancy loss in the antiphospholipid syndrome: a review. Harris, EN., Pierangeli, SS.[2022]

A case report highlights a successful pregnancy in a patient with antiphospholipid antibody syndrome (APS) and severe thrombocytopenia, treated with intravenous rituximab and immunoglobulin (IvIg), marking a potential new approach for similar cases.

This is the first documented instance of a positive pregnancy outcome using rituximab in conjunction with IvIg for APS patients facing severe complications, suggesting that these treatments may be considered for patients who do not respond to standard therapies.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

A case of successful pregnancy following multidrug treatment including rituximab and intravenous immunoglobulin for primary antiphospholipid antibody syndrome refractory to conventional treatment. Nagata, M., Kaneko, K., Kohno, C., et al.[2021]

In a study of 1650 women with antiphospholipid syndrome (APS), significant clinical and laboratory differences were found between those who met the Sydney criteria for obstetric APS (OAPS) and those who did not (non-criteria OAPS, NC-OAPS), particularly in the prevalence of aPL laboratory categories.

Despite these differences, fetal-maternal outcomes, including live births and thrombotic complications, were similar between the two groups when treated, indicating that treatment may be effective regardless of whether patients meet the Sydney criteria.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Comparative study of obstetric antiphospholipid syndrome (OAPS) and non-criteria obstetric APS (NC-OAPS): report of 1640 cases from the EUROAPS registry. Alijotas-Reig, J., Esteve-Valverde, E., Ferrer-Oliveras, R., et al.[2021]

In a study of 30 patients with antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) involving 35 pregnancies, the use of hydroxychloroquine significantly reduced pregnancy losses from 81% to 19% when compared to previous treatments (p<0.05).

Among 14 patients with a history of refractory obstetrical APS, the addition of hydroxychloroquine led to successful live births in 78% of cases, highlighting its potential effectiveness in improving pregnancy outcomes for these high-risk patients.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The efficacy of hydroxychloroquine for obstetrical outcome in anti-phospholipid syndrome: Data from a European multicenter retrospective study. Mekinian, A., Lazzaroni, MG., Kuzenko, A., et al.[2018]

Subcutaneous heparin and low-dose aspirin are effective standard therapies for pregnant women with antiphospholipid antibodies (aPL) and a history of fetal loss, supported by recent randomized controlled trials.

For women who do not respond to aspirin and heparin, intravenous immunoglobulin may be a beneficial additional treatment option, while prednisone is generally avoided due to its high risk of complications for both mother and fetus.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Update on the management of the pregnant patient with antiphospholipid antibody. Sammaritano, LR.[2019]

References

1. Canada pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Pregnancy Outcomes in Subjects Exposed to Certolizumab Pegol. [2019]

2. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Lack of placental transfer of certolizumab pegol during pregnancy: results from CRIB, a prospective, postmarketing, pharmacokinetic study. [2019]

3. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Pharmacovigilance pregnancy data in a large population of patients with chronic inflammatory disease exposed to certolizumab pegol. [2022]

4. New Zealand pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Certolizumab Pegol: A Review in Moderate to Severe Plaque Psoriasis. [2021]

5. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Pregnancy Outcomes After Exposure to Certolizumab Pegol: Updated Results From a Pharmacovigilance Safety Database. [2019]

6. Norway pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Utilization of intravenous immunoglobulin therapy to treat recurrent pregnancy loss in the antiphospholipid syndrome: a review. [2022]

7. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

A case of successful pregnancy following multidrug treatment including rituximab and intravenous immunoglobulin for primary antiphospholipid antibody syndrome refractory to conventional treatment. [2021]

8. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Comparative study of obstetric antiphospholipid syndrome (OAPS) and non-criteria obstetric APS (NC-OAPS): report of 1640 cases from the EUROAPS registry. [2021]

9. Netherlands pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The efficacy of hydroxychloroquine for obstetrical outcome in anti-phospholipid syndrome: Data from a European multicenter retrospective study. [2018]

10. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Update on the management of the pregnant patient with antiphospholipid antibody. [2019]