Onset and duration of action of lokivetmab in a canine model of IL‐31 induced pruritus

Abstract

Background

Interleukin (IL)‐31 is a cytokine involved in allergic inflammation which induces pruritus across species including dogs. Using recombinant canine IL‐31 we have developed a model of pruritus in the dog to evaluate onset of action and duration of effect of therapeutic drugs.

Objective

To assess the onset of action and duration of effect of lokivetmab (Cytopoint) in the IL‐31‐induced pruritus model.

Animals

Twenty‐four purpose‐bred beagle dogs (neutered males, spayed and intact females) 1.5–4.7 years old and weighing between 6 and14 kg.

Methods and materials

Randomized, blinded, placebo‐controlled studies were designed to evaluate the antipruritic properties of lokivetmab. Laboratory beagle dogs were given either placebo, 0.125, 0.5 or 2.0 mg/kg lokivetmab, subcutaneously. IL‐31 then was administered to evaluate pruritus 3–5 h post‐placebo or ‐lokivetmab administration as well as one, seven, 14, 28, 42 and 56 days post‐dosing. Pruritus was evaluated over a 2 h window in animals by video monitoring and scored using a categorical scoring system.

Results

When animals were given 2.0 mg/kg lokivetmab, a significant reduction in pruritus was observed at 3–4, 4–5 and 3–5 h post‐treatment (P ≤ 0.0001). When animals were given either 0.125, 0.5 or 2 mg/kg lokivetmab, the duration of effect was dose‐dependent and statistically significant for 14, 28 and 42 days, respectively (P ≤ 0.0288).

Conclusion

These data indicate that a single subcutaneous injection of 2 mg/kg lokivetmab produces a significant suppression of pruritus starting 3 h post‐treatment that can be sustained for 42 days.

Onset of antipruritic action of lokivetmab in dogs.

Laboratory‐bred beagle dogs were dosed subcutaneously with either placebo or lokivetmab at 2.0 mg/kg on Day (D) 0. Approximately 2.5 h post‐dosing, pruritus was induced using canine interleukin (IL)‐31. Animals were observed for pruritic behaviours for a total of 2 h (3–5 h post‐treatment with placebo or lokivetmab). Observations were presented per hour (3–4 h, 4–5 h and 3–5 h post‐treatment with placebo or lokivetmab). Data are expressed as least square mean (LSM) ± standard error of mean (SEM). Treatment comparisons at each time point were conducted at the two‐sided α = 0.05 significance level (*P < 0.0001).

Introduction

Interleukin (IL)‐31 is a cytokine best known for its pruritogenic effects across species. It was discovered back in 2004 by several groups as a cytokine belonging to the glycoprotein 130/ IL‐6 cytokine family and is believed to be produced by T‐helper 2 (Th2) cells after allergen presentation by Langerhans cells. ¹ It also has been shown to be secreted by activated macrophages, basophils, eosinophils and keratinocytes after allergen exposure or initiation of Type 2 inflammation within tissues. ²

Interleukin‐31 binds a heterodimeric receptor (IL‐31 receptor A and oncostatin M receptor beta) to activate signal transduction pathways within cells. These receptors can be found on immune cell such as macrophages, mast cells, eosinophils and basophils, as well as keratinocytes and dorsal root ganglia of peripheral neurons. When IL‐31 binds its heterodimeric receptor, signalling pathways such as Janus kinase (JAK)/signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT), phosphoinositide 3‐kinase (PI3K)/AKT, and different mitogen‐activated protein kinase pathways, such as extracellular signal‐regulated kinase (ERK), p38 and c‐Jun N‐terminal kinase, are activated, leading to biological changes in cells. These changes include immune cell chemotaxis, pro‐inflammatory cytokine and chemokine secretion, pruritic responses in the skin, and skin barrier disruption resulting in part from alterations in cell proliferation, differentiation and barrier protein synthesis. ²

Concentrations of IL‐31 are elevated in pruritic allergic skin conditions and can induce scratching behaviours in a variety of species such as mice, monkeys and dogs. ³ , ⁴ , ⁵ , ⁶ Studies done in laboratory beagle dogs demonstrated that when IL‐31 was given by several routes (intradermally, subcutaneously and intravenously), it induced strong pruritic behaviours within minutes to hours. ⁷ These findings were used to develop a novel experimental model in dogs to evaluate the antipruritic effects of canine therapeutics. This model was able to determine the onset and duration of action of commonly used treatments for atopic dermatitis (AD) or allergic dermatitis such as oclacitinib (Apoquel, Zoetis; Kalamazoo, MI, USA) and glucocorticoids. ⁸

Lokivetmab (Cytopoint, Zoetis) is a caninized monoclonal antibody that binds and neutralizes canine IL‐31 and is given as a subcutaneous injection every four to eight weeks. It has been approved for the treatment of clinical signs associated with AD as well as other forms of allergic dermatitis in dogs across the world. In clinical trials, lokivetmab significantly reduced pruritus as early as Day (D)1 and significantly improved the condition of the dogs’ skin as early as D7, the first evaluation days for these end‐points. ⁹ The aim of the present study was to further characterize the onset of antipruritic action and the duration of effect of a single injection of lokivetmab s.c. in a laboratory model of IL‐31‐induced pruritus in beagle dogs.

Materials and methods

Animal care and ethics

A group of 24 purpose‐bred beagles were used to complete the onset of duration study (eight neutered males, 15 spayed females, one intact female; 2–3 years old weighing 7.2–14.4 kg; originally from Marshall BioResources; North Rose, NY, USA). The duration of effect study was performed in a different set of 24 purpose‐bred beagle dogs (10 neutered males, 14 spayed females; 1.5–4.7 years old weighing 6.3–14.8 kg; originally from Marshall BioResources or Ridglan Farms, Inc.; Mt. Horeb, WI, USA). All dogs for both studies were maintained and used as part of an in‐house colony whose pruritic behavioural responses to exogenous IL‐31 were extensively characterized in previous studies.

All animal procedures were performed following site‐specific, local and national Animal Health IACUC guidance to assure compliance with the Animal Welfare Act, Regulations 9 CFR parts 1, 2 and 3, and with the Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals, issued by the ILAR Commission of Life Sciences, National Academy Press (Washington, DC, USA, 1996). Water and a diet (based on caloric needs) of Royal Canin Adult Medium (Royal Canin; Aimargues, France) (onset of action study) or Purina Lab diet #5007 (Purina; St Louis, MI, USA) (duration of effect study) were available. Dogs were not fasted before placebo or IL‐31 dosing.

Test article

Refrigerated sterile‐filtered stock solutions of vehicle (placebo) and lokivetmab were brought up to room temperature and aliquoted at volumes matched to the D0 body weights of the study animals. Each dog received a single injection of 1 mL per 10 kg body weight of 20, 5 or 1.25 mg/mL of lokivetmab s.c. for doses of 2, 0.5 or 0.125 mg/kg, respectively.

Study design

Onset of action study. This study was run after the approval of lokivetmab to characterize onset of action of lokivetmab, and hypothesis testing was conducted at the two‐sided P ≤ 0.05 level of significance. A blinded, randomized, placebo‐controlled study was conducted using laboratory beagle dogs. Twenty‐four dogs (n = 12 per treatment) were given either placebo or 2.0 mg/kg lokivetmab s.c. Dogs were randomized to treatments according to a randomized complete block design with blocking based on historical pruritus (based on the average of three challenge assessments before study start) and pen location. Blocks then were randomized to two batches (cohorts for pruritus assessment) of three blocks. They were then challenged with IL‐31 (2.5 µg/kg) to induce pruritus before lokivetmab or placebo administration on D–7 and 2.5 h post‐lokivetmab or ‐placebo administration on D0. Pruritus was scored between 0.5 h and 2.5 h post‐IL‐31 administration on each of those days. Dogs were evaluated for pruritus between 3 and 5 h post‐placebo or ‐lokivetmab administration to evaluate the onset of action of lokivetmab.

Duration of effect study. This study was run to investigate the duration of effect in the development of lokivetmab. Hypothesis testing was conducted at the two‐sided P ≤ 0.10 level of significance because greater risk at this phase of the programme was acceptable. A blinded, randomized, placebo‐controlled study was conducted using laboratory beagle dogs. Twenty‐four dogs (n = 6 per treatment) were given either placebo or 0.125, 0.5 or 2.0 mg/kg lokivetmab s.c. Dogs were randomized to treatments according to a randomized complete block design, with blocking based on historical pruritus (based on the average of three challenge assessments before study start) and pen location. Blocks then were randomized to two batches (cohorts for pruritus assessment), one containing eight and the second four blocks. They then were challenged with IL‐31 (1.75 µg/kg) to induce pruritus before lokivetmab or placebo administration on D–7, and challenged with IL‐31 again on D1, D7, D14, D28, D42 and D56 post‐lokivetmab or ‐placebo administration to evaluate the duration of antipruritic effect of the monoclonal antibody (mAb). Pruritus was scored between 0.5 h and 2.5 h post‐IL‐31 administration on each of those days.

Induction of pruritus and video surveillance and pruritus scoring

On each scheduled day of pruritus measurements, dogs were transferred to video rooms and placed in free‐standing, single housed pens (approximately 90 cm × 180 cm), each equipped with ceiling‐mounted cameras (Multicam Digital Surveillance System, RMISS Inc.; Wilmington, DE, USA) that digitally recorded the animals for real‐time observation and/or viewing of recordings via computer links. Animals were acclimated ≥ 1 h before initiation of any video observation period for pruritus assessment. For each observation period, four dogs were evaluated for 2 h (recordings started ˜ 15–20 min post‐challenge with IL‐31‐) in real time by one observer using split‐screen monitors. Video observers were scientists trained to observe and score pruritic behaviours in dogs. There was one observer for every four dogs, and each observer watched and scored their four dogs for the duration of the study. Observers were blinded to treatment. Categorical “yes/no” decisions were made at discrete 1 min intervals with regard to whether at least one pruritic behaviour was displayed by the study animals. Displays of pruritic behaviour such as licking/chewing of paws, flank and/or anal regions, scratching of flanks or neck, floor pawing, head‐shaking and scooting of their bottom across the cage flooring were registered with a “yes” response. The cumulative number of “yes” determinations made within each observation period provided the pruritus score.

Statistical methods

Pruritic score data for onset and duration of action studies were analysed using general mixed linear models. In both studies pre‐treatment pruritic scores at D–7 were used as a covariate in the statistical models and least squares means (LSM) were used as estimates of the treatment means. If the covariate was not significant (P < α) it was dropped from the final model.

Onset of action. Scores for first hour, second hour and for the total 2 h period were analysed using a model with the fixed effect of treatment, and random effects of batch, block within batch and error. Treatment comparisons were conducted using the two‐sided α = 0.05 significance level. The pre‐treatment (D–7) covariate used was time‐matched (first hour, second hour or total).

Duration of effect. Scores for the total 2 h period were analysed using a repeated measures model with fixed effects of treatment, time and treatment‐by‐time, and random effects of batch, block within batch, the interaction between block and treatment within batch (animal term), and error. Treatment comparisons were conducted within time points using the two‐sided α = 0.10 significance level.

Results

Evaluation of the onset of action of lokivetmab demonstrated that a single dose (2 mg/kg s.c.) significantly reduced pruritic activity in a canine model of IL‐31‐induced pruritus 3–4 h post‐dosing (P < 0.0001). The LSM pruritic scores [± standard error of measurement (SEM)] were 38 ± 4.4 for placebo‐treated animals compared to 9 ± 2.6 for lokivetmab‐treated animals. Pruritus also was significantly reduced 4–5 h post‐dosing (51 ± 2.2 for placebo‐ versus 20 ± 5.4 for lokivetmab‐treated animals; P < 0.0001) or for the full 2 h observation window of 3–5 h post‐administration with antibody (90 ± 6.2 for placebo‐ versus 29 ± 7.4 for lokivetmab‐treated animals; P < 0.0001.) See Figure 1 for results.

Figure 1.

Onset of antipruritic action of lokivetmab in dogs.

Laboratory‐bred beagle dogs were dosed subcutaneously with either placebo or lokivetmab at 2.0 mg/kg on Day (D) 0. Approximately 2.5 h post‐dosing, pruritus was induced using canine interleukin (IL)‐31. Animals were observed for pruritic behaviours for a total of 2 h (3–5 h post‐treatment with placebo or lokivetmab). Observations were presented per hour (3–4 h, 4–5 h and 3–5 h post‐treatment with placebo or lokivetmab). Data are expressed as least square mean (LSM) ± standard error of mean (SEM). Treatment comparisons at each time point were conducted at the two‐sided α = 0.05 significance level (*P < 0.0001).

Results from the duration of effect study showed that a significant reduction in pruritus was observed to D14 for a dose of 0.125 mg/kg (LSM pruritic scores ± SEM of 91 ± 5.1 for placebo versus 51 ± 5.1 for 0.125 mg/kg lokivetmab; P < 0.0001), to D28 for a dose of 0.5 mg/kg (81 ± 8 for placebo versus 55 ± 8 for 0.5 mg/kg lokivetmab, P = 0.0288) and to D42 for a dose of 2.0 mg/kg (90 ± 8.7 for placebo versus 61 ± 8.7 for 2 mg/kg lokivetmab, P = 0.0245). No significant differences were seen on D56 for any of the doses tested. See Figure 2 for results.

Figure 2.

Duration of the antipruritic effect of lokivetmab in dogs.

Laboratory‐bred beagle dogs were dosed subcutaneously with either placebo or one of three different lokivetmab concentrations (0.125, 0.5 or 2 mg/kg) on Day (D)0. Pruritus was induced on D1, D7, D14, D28, D42 and D56 using canine interleukin (IL)‐31, and animals were observed for pruritic behaviours for a total of 2 h post‐IL‐31 challenge. Data are expressed as least square mean (LSM) ± standard error of mean (SEM). Treatment comparisons were conducted at the two‐sided α = 0.10 significance level (*P < 0.0001; **P ≤ 0.028; ***P = 0.0003).

Discussion

Lokivetmab (Cytopoint) is a caninized monoclonal antibody that binds and neutralizes canine IL‐31. Its ability to control/treat clinical signs associated with AD confirms that IL‐31 is a key mediator in canine AD. ⁹ IL‐31 has been shown to elicit pruritic responses in multiple species ³ , ⁴ , ⁵ , ⁶ and induce several pro‐inflammatory cytokines from a variety of immune cells implicated in allergic skin disease. ¹⁰ , ¹¹ Intravenous administration of canine IL‐31 to beagle dogs results in a rapid, transient induction of a variety of pruritic phenotypes including itching, scratching and headshaking. ⁸ This phenotypic response to IL‐31 was used to establish a canine model of IL‐31‐induced pruritus ⁸ and allowed us to characterize the onset and dose/duration of action of lokivetmab in this model of pruritus in beagle dogs.

By comparing the results of laboratory model studies to clinical field studies it is possible to determine the translatability of model studies to the clinical setting. Lokivetmab is an approved therapy to control clinical signs of itch and inflammation due to allergic dermatitis or AD in the United States, and as such, was tested in a dose‐determination, randomized, blinded, placebo‐controlled field study. ⁹ That field study demonstrated that administration of lokivetmab at doses of 0.125, 0.5 or 2.0 mg/kg s.c. resulted in a statistically significant (P < 0.05) reduction in LSM values for owner‐assessed pruritus relative to placebo for as long as 21, 35 or 49 days, respectively. Those results are in general correlation with the efficacy observed in the present study where statistically significant (P < 0.05) reduction in pruritic behaviour relative to placebo in the laboratory model was observed for 14, 28 or 42 days for 0.125, 0.5 or 2.0 mg/kg doses, respectively. These results, taken together, bring relevance of the efficacy observed in the model to the efficacy observed in the field and suggest that this laboratory beagle dog IL‐31‐mediated pruritic model may be an attractive translational model for evaluation of IL‐31 inhibitors. One critical component in applying this model for the development of inhibitors is the assurance that the binding kinetics and specificity of the test article for the canine homologue is similar to that of target species protein. Another important consideration is the pharmacokinetic properties of the test article in canine species relative to the target species.

There are multiple challenges associated with evaluating the onset of activity in the clinical setting that primarily are consequences of the difficulty in monitoring client‐owned animals on an hourly basis for rapid onset molecules and behavioural changes associated with a visit to the veterinarian. To help establish what the predicted onset of action may be in the clinical setting, we evaluated multiple time points shortly post‐administration of 2 mg/kg lokivetmab s.c. in the model. This experiment demonstrated a rapid onset of activity (within 3 h) of subcutaneous lokivetmab administration. In accordance with the model efficacy data observed in this study, clinical field trials demonstrated statistically significant reduction in client‐observed pruritus at the first time point evaluated, one day following a single 2 mg/kg s.c. administration. Results from the duration of effect laboratory study support the translatability of effects seen in the IL‐31‐induced pruritus model to effects seen in a clinical setting. These data further indicate that a single subcutaneous injection of lokivetmab (2 mg/kg) produces a significant suppression of pruritus starting 3 h post‐treatment with lokivetmab and is sustained for 42 days.