Reversing anticoagulant effects of novel oral anticoagulants: role of ciraparantag, andexanet alfa, and idarucizumab

Abstract

Novel oral anticoagulants (NOACs) are increasingly used in clinical practice, but lack of commercially available reversal agents is a major barrier for mainstream use of these therapies. Specific antidotes to NOACs are under development. Idarucizumab (aDabi-Fab, BI 655075) is a novel humanized mouse monoclonal antibody that binds dabigatran and reverses its anticoagulant effect. In a recent Phase III study (Reversal Effects of Idarucizumab on Active Dabigatran), a 5 g intravenous infusion of idarucizumab resulted in the normalization of dilute thrombin time in 98% and 93% of the two groups studied, with normalization of ecarin-clotting time in 89% and 88% patients. Two other antidotes, andexanet alfa (PRT064445) and ciraparantag (PER977) are also under development for reversal of NOACs. In this review, we discuss commonly encountered management issues with NOACs such as periprocedural management, laboratory monitoring of anticoagulation, and management of bleeding. We review currently available data regarding specific antidotes to NOACs with respect to pharmacology and clinical trials.

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Introduction

For decades, vitamin K antagonists such as warfarin were the only oral agents available for long-term anticoagulation. Warfarin’s variable bioavailability and drug–drug interactions complicate achievement of therapeutic anticoagulation and necessitate regular monitoring. The advent and increasing clinical use of non-vitamin K or novel oral anticoagulants (NOACs) is changing the status quo. Direct factor Xa inhibitors (apixaban and rivaroxaban) and direct thrombin inhibitors (dabigatran) are approved for stroke prevention in atrial fibrillation and prophylaxis and treatment of venous thromboembolism (VTE) in the US and Europe, though dabigatran is not yet approved for VTE prophylaxis in the US.^1–6 More recently, another direct factor Xa inhibitor, edoxaban, was approved for stroke prevention in atrial fibrillation and VTE treatment and prevention of VTE recurrence in the US and Europe.^7–11 Of note is the latest investigational NOAC, the direct factor Xa inhibitor Betrixaban, has the lowest renal clearance and hepatic metabolism and longest half-life among the NOACs.^12,13 It has undergone Phase II trials for stroke prevention in atrial fibrillation and VTE prevention, and it is currently undergoing Phase III investigation for extended thromboprophylaxis for high-risk patients. Compared to warfarin, NOACs have decreased bleeding risk with non-inferior efficacy in patients with atrial fibrillation.^1–3,7,14 A meta-analysis of 12 randomized controlled trials involving 102,607 patients demonstrated the superior safety of NOACs compared to warfarin for the treatment of VTE or atrial fibrillation.¹⁵ NOACs were associated with lower rates of major bleeding, intracranial bleeding, clinically relevant but non-major bleeding, and total bleeding.^15,16

Unlike warfarin, which may be reversed with fresh frozen plasma and vitamin K, there are no approved reversal agents for NOACs. Despite the relative safety of NOACs with respect to hemorrhagic complications, these complications do occur, and up until idarucizumab’s recent US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval, there existed an unmet need for dedicated reversal agents. In this article, we discuss general management strategies for bleeding complications among patients receiving NOACs and available specific antidotes for NOACs with a focus on idarucizumab – a monoclonal antibody designed to reverse anticoagulation with dabigatran.

Management problems with NOACs

Given their relatively recent introduction to clinical use, there are fewer data regarding the management of NOACs. There are three areas of uncertainty with respect to management of NOACs: perioperative management, laboratory monitoring of anticoagulation, and management of bleeding. Perioperative management of NOACs can be challenging due to lack of data from large randomized studies. While the international normalized ratio (INR) is routinely used to monitor warfarin and activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT) used to monitor heparin, monitoring of NOACs with laboratory tests is less clear. A third area of uncertainty is management of bleeding complications in patients receiving NOACs. Despite limited data, there is more clinical experience with warfarin to form guidelines for perioperative management, monitoring, and reversal with vitamin K or plasma factors.⁴ Such guidelines for NOACs are currently unavailable.

Management of periprocedural anticoagulation with NOACs

In general, surgeries with low risk of bleeding can be safely performed on therapeutic anticoagulation.^17–19 For surgeries with moderate to severe risk of bleeding, the risk of bleeding must be weighed against the risk of thrombosis off anticoagulation, and the decision to stop the NOAC must be individualized. Our approach to periprocedural management of NOACs is discussed next.²⁰

The timing of cessation of NOAC prior to surgery depends on the half-life of the agent, procedure-specific bleeding risks, and renal function of the patient. In general, Factor Xa inhibitors must be stopped at least 24–48 hours prior to surgery with moderate bleeding risk and 48–72 hours prior to surgery with high bleeding risk. Dabigatran may be stopped >72 hours prior to surgeries with moderate bleeding risk. Patients with impaired renal function should have NOACs stopped earlier. Timing of reinitiation of NOACs following surgery depends on achievement of adequate hemostasis. For moderate risk surgeries, NOACs may be restarted 24 hours after the procedure if hemostasis is achieved. For higher risk surgeries, a 48-hour period may be more appropriate. Unlike warfarin, the time to effective anticoagulation is within hours of first administration for all NOACs.^6,17–19,21

Phase II trials regarding NOAC efficacy in thromboprophylaxis suggest that a reduced dose 6–12 hours after surgery may be a safe and effective time to begin prophylaxis.²² In the absence of studies specifically addressing this issue, a general time frame of 24 hours for resumption of rivaroxaban, apixaban, and edoxaban may be appropriate until more data are available.

Recently, the timeline for dabigatran discontinuation and resumption perioperatively has been evaluated prospectively. The timing of the last dose of dabigatran before the procedure is less conservative compared to our approach, and resumption of NOAC post-procedure is overall earlier as well.²³

Monitoring with coagulation studies

Routine coagulation studies including INR and aPTT may not accurately reflect the level of anticoagulation among patients receiving NOACs. In bleeding patients, however, specific laboratory values of anticoagulation can be helpful in guiding management decisions. INR is not recommended for monitoring of any NOAC agent. The aPTT is elevated in patients taking dabigatran and edoxaban, but there is no clear dose–response relationship.^17,24

Specialized assays including thrombin time (TT), dilute thrombin time (dTT), and ecarin-clotting time (ECT) are currently used in research studies. The TT is a very sensitive assay for dabigatran activity, and it can be useful for ensuring complete elimination of dabigatran prior to high-risk elective surgery.²⁰ A quantifiable dose–response relationship is present for dabigatran and ECT and dTT, but these assays are not commercially available at most institutions. For apixaban and rivaroxaban, the anti-factor Xa chromogenic assay yields results consistent with dose–response, but results may not be available in a timely fashion. There remains an unmet need for accurate, commercially available measures of anticoagulation for NOACs that can be performed expeditiously in emergency settings.

General management of bleeding in patients on NOACs

The risk of life-threatening bleed remains a concern with any anticoagulation therapy. In anticoagulated patients who present with bleeding, several factors and considerations affect management decisions, such as supportive care, withdrawal of the offending agent, and use of specific and non-specific hemostatic therapies:

• As with any bleeding event, the site, rate, volume of blood loss, and vital signs should be used to risk stratify the patient.

• Serial complete blood counts may provide information on the rate and volume of bleeding, with the caveat that in massive hemorrhage, the hemoglobin may not immediately reflect the severity of blood loss.

• Time of last anticoagulant dose, the potential for overdose, and possible medication interactions.

• Altered anticoagulant pharmacokinetics – malabsorption of NOACs and/or vitamin K and hepatic and renal dysfunction.

• Consideration of concomitant etiologies of bleeding, such as thrombocytopenia or disseminated intravascular coagulation.

In the absence of US FDA-approved NOAC antidotes and prospective data to guide bleed management in the setting of NOAC use, several hemostatic therapies have been described. There is little data on the efficacy of these in NOAC-associated bleeding. Strategies can be categorized as follows:

• Alter pharmacokinetics: reduce the absorption or remove from circulation

• Antifibrinolytic agents – tranexamic acid and ε-aminocaproic acid

• Therapy with plasma factors: prothrombin complex concentrates (PCCs), fresh frozen plasma, and cryoprecipitate

• Specific antidotes: ciraparantag (PER977), andexanet alfa, and idarucizumab

Minor bleeds

Supportive measures such as mechanical compression and discontinuation of anticoagulation (if the bleed risk outweighs the thrombosis risk) is typically most appropriate in minor bleeds such as epistaxis and ecchymosis.^17–19,21

Major bleeding

In cases of major bleeding, the offending NOAC agent must be stopped. Supportive measures such as intravenous hydration, administration of packed red blood cells, and platelet transfusions for thrombocytopenia are essential. Mechanical or surgical compression is invaluable in controlling the source of the bleeding. In addition, the following strategies may be used to achieve hemostasis.

Altering pharmacokinetics of NOACs

For major bleeding associated with apixaban and dabigatran, administration of activated charcoal may reduce continued absorption of the anticoagulant (Table 1). Limited data shows that charcoal administered up to 6 hours after apixaban reduces its plasma concentration, with best effects when administered within 2 hours from ingestion.²⁵ Similarly, activated charcoal may be useful in decreasing dabigatran levels when given within 2–3 hours of ingestion. Limited ex vivo data but no human data are available for dabigatran.²⁶ Although there are no specific studies available for rivaroxaban or edoxaban, activated charcoal may be efficacious for these agents too. Given the limited timeframe for utility, charcoal may be most useful in instances of overdose.

Table 1.

General management of bleeding in patients on novel oral anticoagulant therapy

	Dabigatran	Rivaroxaban	Apixaban	Edoxaban
Minor bleeding	Mechanical compression, interrupt anticoagulation if appropriate
Major bleeding	IV fluids, correct anemia, thrombocytopenia, source control. Stop agent
Activated charcoal	Yes*	Unknown	Yes*	Unknown
Hemodialysis	Yes§	No	No	Unknown
Antifibrinolytics	Tranexamic acid and ε-aminocaproic acid∞
Plasma factors	PCC, aPCC and recombinant FVIIa

Notes:

^*Activated charcoal may be useful in apixaban and dabigatran overdose if administered early, especially within 2–3 hours of ingestion;

^§dabigatran has low protein binding and can be dialyzed unlike rivaroxaban and apixaban;

^∞limited data but inexpensive and favorable safety profile.

Abbreviations: aPCC, activated prothrombin complex concentrate; FVIIa, recombinant factor VII activated; PCC, prothrombin complex concentrate; IV, intravenous.

Hemodialysis is a possible treatment for dabigatran-associated bleeding, given dabigatran’s low protein-bound state and lipophilic profile.¹⁸ Rivaroxaban and apixaban are more highly protein-bound and thus are unlikely to be successfully dialyzed. It is unclear if edoxaban may be removed by dialysis. Small case series and case reports have described achieving hemostasis in patients using intermittent hemodialysis and continuous renal replacement therapy, sometimes in tandem with supportive blood transfusions.²⁷ Dialysis is challenging in cases with major bleeding and hemodynamic instability, and is most likely to be of the greatest utility in instances of dabigatran overdose or emergent need for surgery in otherwise hemodynamically stable patients.

Antifibrinolytic agents

In the case of major bleeding, antifibrinolytic agents such as tranexamic and ε-aminocaproic acid may be used. Their use has been best described in the operating room to decrease blood loss and in the postoperative setting, with a superior safety profile to aprotinin, an agent no longer available in the US.^17,24 Although the efficacy of these agents in case of NOAC-associated bleeding is unknown, these are inexpensive agents with a favorable safety profile.

Therapy with plasma factors

The use of concentrated coagulation factors in emergency, life-threatening bleeds to prevent imminent death has been described in case reports. These products were originally designed for patients with specific factor deficiencies, such as in hemophilia. Their utility in anticoagulation reversal and achieving hemostasis has been better described with warfarin.^28,29 Their efficacy in NOAC-associated bleeding, however, has not been validated by large randomized controlled trials. The following formulations are available:

• Inactivated PCC

  • ○ three factor: FII, FIX, FX
  • ○ four factor: FII, FVII, FIX, FX
• Activated PCCs

  • ○ four factor: activated factor VII, small amounts of FII, FVII, FIX, and FX
• Recombinant FVIIa

  • ○ Activated FVII

Studies of PCC in reversal of NOACs have been limited to animal models and small healthy subject studies. Outcomes have largely been centered on the following hemostatic laboratory parameters: anti-factor Xa activity, INR/prothrombin time (PT), and endogenous thrombin potential-area under the curve.³⁰ Evidence that correction of laboratory values translates to clinically significant hemostasis, however, is lacking. Importantly, these complexes do not come without thrombotic risk. These agents are also expensive. Presently, their use is on a case–by-case basis.

Among the PCCs, four-factor PCC in patients on rivaroxaban has the most evidence. One small trial (n=12) reported normalization of PT upon administration of four-factor PCC in patients anticoagulated with rivaroxaban for 2 days. In patients anticoagulated with dabigatran, PCC did not normalize coagulation studies (PT, ECT, and TT).³¹ Four-factor PCC may also be effective in edoxaban. In a larger randomized controlled trial (n=110), 50 IU/kg 4F-PCC completely reversed effects of edoxaban on bleeding duration and endogenous thrombin potential following punch biopsy.³⁰ Factor-three PCC may have a greater effect on thrombin generation but lesser effect on PT compared to four-factor PCC.³²

Of the factor complexes, activated prothrombin complex concentrates, an activated PCC available as factor eight inhibitor bypassing activity (FEIBA) in the US, has the most promising results in preclinical studies. In a randomized cross-over ex vivo study (n=10), FEIBA corrected all parameters altered by rivaroxaban administration: endogenous thrombin potential, lag-time, and time to peak. In patients who were administered dabigatran, recombinant FVIIa, and FEIBA corrected dabigatran-mediated prolonged lag-time but not endogenous thrombin potential-area under the curve.³³

Lastly, the antidotes to the oral direct thrombin inhibitor and factor Xa inhibitors are in development, which will be discussed in the next section. These bind and inactivate the drug’s site of action or the drug itself. It is important to note that not all bleeding patients require NOAC reversal. Control of bleeding can be achieved in patients with major bleeding with previously described supportive therapies and general management strategies. The use of specific NOAC reversal agents will likely be restricted to cases with life-threatening bleeding or the need for emergent surgery. Antidotes may even be used for reversal of anticoagulation prior to elective procedures. One antidote, ciraparantag, will also pursue this application. In the clinical setting, this will likely be contingent on cost, indication for anticoagulation, and convenience of bridging therapies.

Specific antidotes/management strategies

Three antidotes are currently in development for NOAC reversal (Table 2):

• Ciraparantag (PER977): direct thrombin inhibitors, factor Xa inhibitors, and heparins

• Andexanet alfa (AnXa, PRT064445): factor Xa inhibitors

• Idarucizumab (aDabi-Fab, BI 655075):³⁴ dabigatran

Table 2.

Antidotes for NOACs, ongoing and completed clinical trials

Antidote	Study	Study description	Enrollment (number of people)	Results/anticipated completion date	Clinical trial identifier
Perosphere	Phase I, non-randomized	Pharmacokinetic study of single-dose administration of PER977 in healthy subjects	6	August 2014	NCT02205905
	Phase I, RCT	Safety/efficacy of escalating doses of PER977 alone and following one dose of edoxaban	80 Randomized 8:2 to PER977 or placebo	Achieved baseline hemostasis within 10–30 minutes following administration (whole-blood clotting time); effects sustained for 24 hours	NCT01826266
	Phase II, RCT	Safety/efficacy of escalating reversal doses of PER977 following edoxaban. Additionally investigating effects of PER977 on re-anticoagulation with edoxaban and second PER977 reversal	69 Randomized 4:1 to PER977 or placebo	September 2015	NCT02207257
Andexanet alfa	Phase II, RCT	Pharmacokinetics/safety of andexanet alfa in reversing rivaroxaban, apixaban, edoxaban, enoxaparin, and betrixaban	144 Randomized 6:3	November 2013 Preliminary data: Immediate dose- dependent reduction in factor Xa activity that returned to placebo levels by 2 hours following treatment.	NCT01758432
	Phase III, RCT ANNEXA (Andexanet Alfa a Novel Antidote to the Anticoagulant Effects of fXA Inhibitors)	ANNEX – A Safety/efficacy of andexanet alfa in reversal of apixaban in healthy 50–75 yo subjects	64	Preliminary data: Immediate reversal of anticoagulation lasting 1–2 hours. Anti-factor Xa activity decreased by 94% and near normalization of ACT	NCT02207725
		ANNEXA – R Safety/efficacy of andexanet alfa in reversal of rivaroxaban in healthy 50–75 yo subjects	79	November 2014
	Phase III, cohort study	Safety and efficacy of andexanet alfa in achieving hemostasis in patients with major bleeding on direct or indirect factor Xa inhibitors (except lovenox)	270	November 2022	NCT02329327
Idarucizumab	Phase I, RCT	Part 1: Rising dose assessment of idarucizumab in healthy subjects	110 Randomized 3:1 to idarucizumab or placebo	Safe and well tolerated. Rapid peak plasma exposure and elimination achieved	NCT01688830
		Part 2: Safety and efficacy of idarucizumab in dabigatran reversal in healthy subjects	47 Randomized 3:1 to idarucizumab or placebo	Immediate, complete, and sustained (72 hours) reversal of dabigatran-induced anticoagulation (dTT, ECT, aPTT, TT) in healthy subjects
	Phase III, cohort study RE- VERSE AD (A Study of the RE- VERSal Effects of Idarucizumab on Active Dabigatran)	Safety and efficacy of idarucizumab in dabigatran reversal in patients with serious bleeding (group A) or patients requiring urgent procedure (group B)	Estimated enrollment: 300	July 2017 Interim analysis of 90 patients who received idarucizumab: idarucizumab normalized dTT in $93% of patients, ECT in $88%, and unbound dabigatran concentration was reduced to minimal levels. Median cessation of bleeding in group A: 11.4 hours. Normal hemostasis achieved in 92% of patients undergoing surgery (92%) in group B	NCT02104947

Abbreviations: ACT, activated clotting time; RE-VERSE AD, Reversal Effects of Idarucizumab on Active Dabigatran; dTT, dilute thrombin time; ECT, ecarin-clotting time; NOACs, novel oral anticoagulants; TT, thrombin time; aPTT, activated partial thromboplastin time; RCT, randomized control trial; yo, years-old.

Andexanet alfa and idarucizumab are currently undergoing Phase III clinical trial investigations. Idarucizumab was US FDA approved in October 2015.³⁵ Andexanet alfa is undergoing review for FDA approval with “Breakthrough Therapy” designation.^35,36 Figure 1 depicts the site of action of anticoagulants and their reversal agents in development.

Figure 1.

Coagulation cascade depicting site of action of anticoagulants and reversal agents.

Notes: Dark gray: Idarucizumab – potential reversal agent for direct thrombin inhibitor (dabigatran). Light gray: Perosphere – potential reversal agents for drugs in dashed box. White: Andexanet alfa – potential reversal agent for drugs in solid box.

Abbreviation: LMWH, low molecular weight heparin.

Ciraparantag/PER977: NOACs and heparin antidote

Ciraparantag (PER977, Perosphere, Danbury, CT, USA) is a small synthetic and cationic molecule that binds direct Xa inhibitors, direct thrombin inhibitors, and unfractionated and low molecular weight heparin (LMWH) through non-covalent hydrogen bonds and charge–charge interactions (Table 3). There is little published data on the exact mechanism of the molecule. In rat-tail transection bleeding assays, PER977 demonstrated reversal of anticoagulants with thromboelastography studies and reduced bleeding. Edoxaban required the smallest dose for full reversal. In ex vivo human blood studies, PER977 reversed rivaroxaban or apixaban in a dose-dependent fashion, which was quantified by measuring anti-Xa activity.³⁷ No procoagulant effects were observed in these studies.

Table 3.

Ciraparantag – a universal reversal agent undergoing FDA review

Ciraparantag (PER977) at a glance
Mechanism of action	Universal reversal agent
	Synthetic molecule binds:
	Direct Xa inhibitors (apixaban, rivaroxaban, and edoxaban)
	Direct thrombin inhibitors (dabigatran)
	Unfractionated and low molecular weight heparin
Proposed dose	Single 100 mg IV dose*
Time to effect	30 minutes: restoration of WBCT and mean fibrin–fibrin diameter**
Adverse effects	Mild perioral and facial flushing, dysgeusia**
	PT remains elevated
	Does not appear to be sensitive marker for PER977-mediated anticoagulation reversal*
	No prothrombotic effect§
Possible indications	Life threatening hemorrhage
	Emergent surgery
	Elective procedures to minimize time off anticoagulation

Notes:

^*Dose being investigated in Phase II trial;

^**data from Laulicht et al;⁵⁰

^§data from Ansell et al.³⁸

Abbreviations: FDA, Food and Drug Administration; PT, prothrombin time; WBCT, whole-blood clotting time; IV, intravenous.

In a preliminary study involving 80 healthy patients, PER977 (100–300 mg IV) was administered to subjects 3 hours after receiving edoxaban (60 mg oral). Anticoagulation reversal was monitored with whole-blood clotting time, which correlated with edoxaban plasma concentration. PER977 restored baseline hemostasis within 10–30 minutes and effects were sustained for 24 hours.³⁸ Phase II trials investigating reversal of edoxaban with escalating doses of PER977 are underway. Plans for Phase III trials with edoxaban have also been announced.³⁹

Possible procoagulant effects of PER977 have been questioned. PER977 was not found to reverse oral factor Xa inhibitors in human plasma, but instead exhibited possible human platelet activation potentiation. This however was in the absence of signs of platelet aggregation.⁴⁰

Andexanet alfa: factor Xa inhibitor antidote

Andexanet alfa (PRT064445, Portola Pharmaceuticals, San Francisco, CA, USA) is a recombinant and an inactivated form of factor Xa engineered as a universal antidote to factor Xa inhibitors. It also binds LMWH and fondaparinux-activated antithrombin III, which act as indirect Xa inhibitors (Table 4).⁴¹ Andexanet alfa acts as a decoy factor that binds with high affinity to factor Xa inhibitors, thus increasing its plasma concentration and reducing its unbound concentration. Though andexanet mimics factor Xa, it does not have procoagulant catalytic activity due to a serine to alanine mutation in the protease catalytic triad. It does not interact with any plasma coagulation proteins, apart from tissue factor pathway inhibitor (TFPI).

Table 4.

Andexanet alfa (PRT064445) – a factor Xa inhibitor antidote undergoing FDA review

Andexanet at a glance
Mechanism of action	Recombinant and inactivated form of factor Xa
	Binds factor Xa inhibitors: apixaban, rivaroxaban, and edoxaban
Proposed dose	400 mg IV bolus ±2 hours infusion at 4 mg/min*
Time to effect	2 minutes: 94% decrease in anti fXa activity§
	Effects of bolus last 1–2 hours
Adverse effects	No known prothrombotic effect – tissue factor pathway inhibitor interaction deserves further investigation
Possible indications	Life-threatening hemorrhage
	Emergent surgery

Notes:

^*Dose currently being investigated in Phase III, part 2 trial;

^§data from Crowther et al.⁴⁴

Abbreviation: FDA, Food and Drug Administration; IV, intravenous.

Promising ex vivo and animal studies have allowed for the initiation of human clinical trials.⁴² In ex vivo clotting assays, andexanet alfa completely reversed rivaroxaban as quantified by anti-factor Xa activity and PT. In rat models, andexanet normalized INR after infusion with rivaroxaban, apixaban, and betrixaban. The significance of normalized INR was confirmed with restoration of hemostasis by andexanet alfa in rabbits treated with rivaroxaban. In rats anticoagulated by indirect factor Xa inhibitors, enoxaparin (LMWH) and fondaparinux, andexanet alfa completely stopped blood loss after tail transection.

Four separate Phase II randomized, placebo-controlled trials have characterized andexanet alfa’s efficacy in a partial reversal of apixaban, rivaroxaban, edoxaban, and enoxaparin. In a small rivaroxaban trial, patients received rivaroxaban 20 mg daily for 6 days followed by escalating doses of andexanet infusion. In those dosed 210 and 420 mg, factor Xa activity was immediately reduced in a dose-dependent manner by 20% and 53%, respectively. Following termination of infusion, factor Xa activity returned to placebo levels by 2 hours following treatment. No serious adverse events were reported.⁴²

Currently Phase III ANNEXA trials (Andexanet Alfa a Novel Antidote to the Anticoagulant Effects of fXA Inhibitors) are testing the safety and efficacy of andexanet alfa in healthy subjects anticoagulated with apixaban (ANNEXA-A) and rivaroxaban (ANNEXA-R). Preliminary data in n=33 (treatment n=24) showed that an andexanet alfa bolus reduced apixaban-mediated anticoagulation immediately. Anti-factor Xa activity decreased by 94% (P<0.0001), and near normalization of coagulation (activated clotting time [ACT]) lasted 1–2 hours.⁴³ In part two of this phase, a 400 mg IV bolus followed by a 2-hour infusion was evaluated for efficacy in reduction of the plasma-free fraction of apixaban and normalization of thrombin generation and sustained effect. Complete results from these Phase III studies are anticipated.⁴⁴

Although procoagulant adverse effects have not been observed clinically, andexanet’s binding of TFPI deserves further investigation. In enzymatic assays, andexanet bound TFPI with similar affinity as that of factor Xa. Unlike the factor X-TFPI complex, the andexanet-TFPI complex does not have enzymatic inhibitory factor X activity. When administered alone, andexanet-TFPI binding did not increase thrombin generation. However, in the presence of rivaroxaban, the andexanet-TFPI interaction led to enhanced thrombin generation.⁴⁵

Idarucizumab: dabigatran antidote

Idarucizumab (aDabi-Fab, BI 655075, Boehringer Ingelheim, Ingelheim am Rhein, Germany) is a humanized mouse monoclonal antibody fragment that binds dabigatran and reverses its anticoagulant effects. Idarucizumab has an extremely high affinity for dabigatran (nearly 350 times stronger than dabigatran’s affinity for thrombin), and is able to reverse dabigatran’s anticoagulant effects at a 1:1 stoichiometric ratio.⁴⁶ Its mechanism of action is analogous to that of the digoxin antibody fragment antidote (Table 5).

Table 5.

Idarucizumab – a direct thrombin (dabigatran) inhibitor undergoing FDA review

Idarucizumab at a glance
Mechanism of action	Binds free and thrombin-bound dabigatran
	Renal elimination of complex
Dose	Two 2.5 g 50 mL bolus IV infusions within 15 minutes: total 5 g*
Half-life	45 minutes, may require repeat dosing*
Time to effect	Normalization of dTT and ECT minutes after infusion*
	Median time to cessation of bleeding: 11.4 hours*
Adverse effects	Headache, nasopharyngitis, back pain, skin irritation – similar to placebo§
	No prothrombotic effect§
Possible indications	Life-threatening hemorrhage
	Emergent surgery
	Dabigatran overdose

Notes:

^*Data from Pollack et al:⁴⁹ interim analysis of Phase III study;

^§data from Glund et al:⁴⁷,⁴⁸ Phase I studies.

Abbreviations: dTT, dilute thrombin time; FDA, Food and Drug Administration; ECT, ecarin-clotting time; IV, intravenous.

Pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics

Idarucizumab is administered by intravenous infusion. Idarucizumab binds both free and thrombin-bound dabigatran with a rapid on-rate and slow off-rate. The bound complex is eliminated predominantly by renal excretion. Idarucizumab is distributed solely within the intravascular space, while dabigatran distributes to body tissues as well. Idarucizumab continues to draw dabigatran from the extravascular spaces into the intravascular space and eliminates it. In Phase I studies, peak idarucizumab concentrations occurred shortly after completion of intravenous infusion.⁴⁷ The half-life of idarucizumab is ~45 minutes.

Though idarucizumab shares structural similarities with thrombin and mimics its binding of dabigatran, it does not have any prothrombotic activity. In Phase I studies, coagulation parameters were unchanged across a wide range of idarucizumab doses. In a Phase I human study, idarucizumab was safe and effective in the reversal of dabigatran anticoagulant activity.⁴⁸

Dabigatran activity and reversal of its anticoagulant activity by idarucizumab was best assessed by measuring dTT and ECT.⁴⁷ These assays best correlated with unbound dabigatran concentration, which was a rough surrogate of pharmacologically active dabigatran. Dabigatran-induced elevations in dTT and ECT were reversed by idarucizumab, and the reversal was sustained at 72 hours for doses greater than 2 g. Idarucizumab resulted in a decrease in unbound dabigatran concentration in plasma to lower limits of detection.

Phase III data

A Phase III clinical trial, RE-VERSE AD, is currently evaluating the safety and efficacy of idarucizumab for dabigatran reversal in patients who either A) have life-threatening bleeding judged to require a reversal agent by the treating clinician or B) require an emergent procedure within 8 hours (NCT02104947). An interim analysis of 90 patients (51 patients in group A, 39 in group B) was reported earlier this year.⁴⁹ This is a cohort study, as a randomized trial was deemed unethical due to non-availability of a proven alternative to idarucizumab. Atrial fibrillation was the indication for anticoagulation in 96% patients. At baseline, 68 patients had elevated dTT and 81 had elevated ECT. Notably patients with normal clotting tests at baseline had better renal function, reflective of dabigatran clearance between patients with normal renal function.

A 5 g intravenous infusion of idarucizumab was the dose used in this study, which was calculated based on the 99th percentile of total body dabigatran concentration from the Randomised Evaluation of Long-Term Anticoagulation Therapy (RE-LY) study.⁴⁴ Idarucizumab resulted in normalization of dTT in 98% patients in group A and 93% in group B within minutes. The ECT was normalized in 89% patients in group A and 88% in group B. Unbound dabigatran concentration was reduced to minimal levels in all except one patient after minutes of idarucizumab administration.

The median time for cessation of bleeding in group A patients was 11.4 hours. Out of 39 patients in group B, 36 underwent surgery and normal intraoperative hemostasis was present in 92% of these patients. At 24 hours, the concentration of unbound dabigatran increased, and coagulation parameters were abnormal (10% and 19% for dTT; 28% and 46% for ECT for group A and B, respectively). This is consistent with the short half-life of idarucizumab (45 minutes), and may represent diffusion of extravascular dabigatran into the intravascular space. The authors acknowledge the uncertainty of additional idarucizumab dosing in such patients.

Safety and adverse events

There were no differences between adverse events among patients receiving idarucizumab or placebo in Phase I studies. Headache, nasopharyngitis, back pain, and skin irritation were the most frequently reported, with similar symptoms reported in patients receiving placebo. No thrombotic complications occurred among idarucizumab patients in Phase I studies. Pre-existing antibodies reactive to idarucizumab were present in 12% patients, but no adverse events consistent with immunologic reactions were observed.

In the interim analysis of the Phase III study, thrombotic events occurred in five patients.⁴⁹ None of the patients were receiving anticoagulant therapy at the time of thrombotic event. In the absence of a placebo group, it is not possible to link these events to idarucizumab administration. The data from Phase I studies are reassuring with regard to the safety of idarucizumab. Postmarket surveillance will be vital to identify currently unknown adverse events.

Conclusion

NOACs offer a safe, effective, and convenient alternative to warfarin for anticoagulation in several conditions. Most bleeding episodes can be managed by cessation of anticoagulation and supportive measures alone. Specific antidotes for NOACs are under development, and idarucizumab has been the first to be approved by the US FDA. These agents will likely be used in patients with life-threatening bleeding such as intracranial hemorrhage, retroperitoneal bleeding, and in patients requiring emergent surgery.