Idarucizumab, a Specific Antidote for Dabigatran: Immediate, Complete and Sustained Reversal of Dabigatran Induced Anticoagulation in Elderly and Renally Impaired Subjects

Abstract Introduction Oral anticoagulation is an effective therapy to prevent and treat thromboembolic events. So far, Vitamin K antagonists have been the main drug of choice. Recently, the advent of the direct oral anticoagulants (DOAC) has changed medical practice significantly; nevertheless all anticoagulants are associated with an increased risk of bleeding. Bleeding management can be achieved through established therapies; however specific antidotes are not yet available for these agents to further facilitate patient management in cases needed. Previously the dabigatran antidote (idarucizumab) has demonstrated immediate, complete and sustained reversal of dabigatran induced anti-coagulation in healthy male volunteers. In the present study it was determined whether and to what extent doses of up to 5 g idarucizumab would reverse the anticoagulant effects of dabigatran in male and female healthy mid-aged, elderly and renally impaired volunteers. In addition, it was tested whether oral intake of dabigatran etexilate 24 hrs after idarucizumab treatment could restore dabigatran related anticoagulation. It was further tested if a second administration of idarucizumab 2 months later was safe and well tolerated. Methods Safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetics (PK) and pharmacodynamics (PD) of idarucizumab were investigated in a randomized, double-blind, placebo controlled two-way cross-over study in 46 male and female volunteers. Dabigatran etexilate (DE), 220 mg bid in healthy subjects and 150 mg bid in subjects with mild or moderate renal impairment (CLCR60 to <90 or 30 to <60 [mL/min], respectively) was given over 4 days to achieve the steady state conditions. Idarucizumab doses of 1 g, 2.5 g, 5 g or 5 g given as 2x2.5 g one hour apart were administered as 5 min i.v. infusion 2 hrs after the last dose of DE. Concentrations of unbound dabigatran were determined as a measure of pharmacologically active dabigatran. The anticoagulant effect of dabigatran and its reversal were assessed by coagulation time measurements, including diluted Thrombin Time (dTT, Hemoclot® DTI assay), Ecarin Clotting Time (ECT) and activated Partial Thromboplastin Time (aPTT). Results All administered doses of idarucizumab were safe and well tolerated. PK measurements of unbound dabigatran indicated that idarucizumab binding and thus reversal of the anticoagulant effect of dabigatran occurred immediately after end of infusion. Prolongation of clotting times induced by dabigatran was reversed to baseline at the end of the 5 minute infusion of the antidote. This was consistently demonstrated by all clotting assays. Sustained reversal over the entire observation period was observed for idarucizumab doses of 2.5 g, 5 g and 2x2.5 g. For the 1g dose, there was partial return of dabigatran induced anticoagulation around 2-4 hours after i.v. infusion. Also a second administration of idarucizumab (two months after the first) was safe and resulted in complete reversal. In addition, PD and PK measurements at selected time points and in comparison to placebo treatment confirmed that effective dabigatran anticoagulation could be re-established 24 hours after administration of idarucizumab. Conclusions The dabigatran antidote, idarucizumab, was well tolerated under all conditions tested. The administration of 5 g or 2x2.5 g led to sustained reversal of dabigatran induced anticoagulation in male and female subjects of different age and renal function. In addition, idarucizumab administered 2 months apart achieved the same degree of reversal. Dabigatran anticoagulation could be re-established 24 hrs after idarucizumab dosing. These results support the use of a total dose of 5 g idarucizumab as an effective dose in further clinical testing. Disclosures Glund: Boehringer Ingelheim: Employment. Off Label Use: Idarucizumab, a specific antidote for dabigatran, is in clinical development.. Stangier:Boehringer Ingelheim: Employment. Schmohl:Boehringer Ingelheim: Employment. Moschetti:Boehringer Ingelheim: Employment. Haazen:SGS Life Science Services (contracted by Boehringer Ingelheim to conduct the study): Employment. De Smet:SCS Boehringer Ingelheim Comm. V.: Employment. Gansser:Boehringer Ingelheim: Employment. Norris:Boehringer Ingelheim: Employment. Lang:Boehringer Ingelheim: Employment. Reilly:Boehringer Ingelheim: Employment.

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Azolo[1,5-a]pyrimidines and Their Condensed Analogs with Anticoagulant Activity

Molecules ◽

10.3390/molecules27010274 ◽

2022 ◽

Vol 27 (1) ◽

pp. 274

Author(s):

Konstantin V. Savateev ◽

Victor V. Fedotov ◽

Vladimir L. Rusinov ◽

Svetlana K. Kotovskaya ◽

Alexandr A. Spasov ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Bacterial Infections ◽

Anticoagulant Activity ◽

Dabigatran Etexilate ◽

Oral Anticoagulants ◽

Direct Oral Anticoagulants ◽

Antiviral Agents ◽

Multiple Organ ◽

Thrombin Time ◽

Cytokine Storm ◽

Reference Drug

Hypercytokinemia, or cytokine storm, is one of the severe complications of viral and bacterial infections, involving the release of abnormal amounts of cytokines, resulting in a massive inflammatory response. Cytokine storm is associated with COVID-19 and sepsis high mortality rate by developing epithelial dysfunction and coagulopathy, leading to thromboembolism and multiple organ dysfunction syndrome. Anticoagulant therapy is an important tactic to prevent thrombosis in sepsis and COVID-19, but recent data show the incompatibility of modern direct oral anticoagulants and antiviral agents. It seems relevant to develop dual-action drugs with antiviral and anticoagulant properties. At the same time, it was shown that azolo[1,5-a]pyrimidines are heterocycles with a broad spectrum of antiviral activity. We have synthesized a new family of azolo[1,5-a]pyrimidines and their condensed polycyclic analogs by cyclocondensation reactions and direct CH-functionalization and studied their anticoagulant properties. Five compounds among 1,2,4-triazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidin-7-ones and 5-alkyl-1,3,4-thiadiazolo[3,2-a]purin-8-ones demonstrated higher anticoagulant activity than the reference drug, dabigatran etexilate. Antithrombin activity of most active compounds was confirmed using lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-treated blood to mimic the conditions of cytokine release syndrome. The studied compounds affected only the thrombin time value, reliably increasing it 6.5–15.2 times as compared to LPS-treated blood.

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Update on Edoxaban for the Prevention and Treatment of Thromboembolism: Clinical Applications Based on Current Evidence

Advances in Hematology ◽

10.1155/2015/920361 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 2015 ◽

pp. 1-19 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

Ali Zalpour ◽

Thein Hlaing Oo

Keyword(s):

Vitamin K Antagonists ◽

Dabigatran Etexilate ◽

Oral Anticoagulants ◽

Direct Oral Anticoagulants ◽

Factor Xa ◽

Coagulation Factors ◽

Current Evidence ◽

Thrombin Inhibitor ◽

Prevention And Treatment ◽

Financial Impacts

Vitamin K antagonists (VKA) and heparins have been utilized for the prevention and treatment of thromboembolism (arterial and venous) for decades. Targeting and inhibiting specific coagulation factors have led to new discoveries in the pharmacotherapy of thromboembolism management. These targeted anticoagulants are known as direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs). Two pharmacologically distinct classes of targeted agents are dabigatran etexilate (Direct Thrombin Inhibitor (DTI)) and rivaroxaban, apixaban, and edoxaban (direct oral factor Xa inhibitors (OFXaIs)). Emerging evidence from the clinical trials has shown that DOACs are noninferior to VKA or low-molecular-weight heparins in the prevention and treatment of thromboembolism. This review examines the role of edoxaban, a recently approved OFXaI, in the prevention and treatment of thromboembolism based on the available published literature. The management of edoxaban in the perioperative setting, reversibility in bleeding cases, its role in cancer patients, the relevance of drug-drug interactions, patient satisfaction, financial impacts, and patient education will be discussed.

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Direct oral anticoagulant monitoring: what laboratory tests are available to guide us?

Hematology ◽

10.1182/hematology.2019000027 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 2019 (1) ◽

pp. 194-197 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Ravi Sarode

Keyword(s):

Clinical Decision Making ◽

Vitamin K Antagonists ◽

Oral Anticoagulants ◽

Direct Oral Anticoagulants ◽

Rapid Assessment ◽

Clinical Decision ◽

The United States ◽

Thrombin Inhibitor ◽

Thrombin Time ◽

Clinical Scenarios

Abstract Direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) are increasingly used in the treatment and prophylaxis of thromboembolism because of several advantages over vitamin K antagonists, including no need for laboratory monitoring. However, it has become increasingly important in certain clinical scenarios to know either actual DOAC concentration (quantitative) or presence of DOAC (qualitative). These clinical conditions include patients presenting with major bleeding or requiring urgent surgery who may need a reversal or hemostatic agent, extremes of body weight, failed therapy, etc. Prothrombin time and activated partial thromboplastin time are variably affected by factor Xa inhibitors (FXaIs) and direct thrombin inhibitor (DTI), respectively, depending on reagents’ sensitivity, and hence, they cannot be relied on confidently. Thrombin time is highly sensitive to very low amounts of DTI; thus, normal value rules out a clinically significant amount. Liquid chromatography mass spectrometry accurately measures DOAC levels but is clinically impractical. Dilute thrombin time and ecarin-based assays using appropriate calibrators/controls provide an accurate DTI level. Anti-Xa assay using corresponding FXaI calibrators/controls provides accurate drug levels. However, these assays are not readily available in the United States compared with some other parts of the world. Heparin assays using anti-Xa activity often have a linear relationship with calibrated FXaI assays, especially at the lower end of on-therapy levels, and they may provide rapid assessment of drug activity for clinical decision making. Currently, there is very limited knowledge of DOAC effect on viscoelastic measurements. Although there is uniformity in expression of DOAC concentrations in nanograms per milliliter, a universal FXaI DOAC assay is urgently needed.

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Low-Molecular-Weight Heparin in Cancer Patients: Overview and Indications

Hämostaseologie ◽

10.1055/s-0039-1677796 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 39 (01) ◽

pp. 067-075 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Minna Voigtlaender ◽

Florian Langer

Keyword(s):

Molecular Weight ◽

Cancer Patients ◽

Anticancer Agents ◽

Vitamin K Antagonists ◽

Oral Anticoagulants ◽

Direct Oral Anticoagulants ◽

Low Molecular Weight ◽

Vte Prophylaxis ◽

Patients With Cancer ◽

Increased Risk

AbstractAlthough venous thromboembolism (VTE) is a well-known cause of death in patients with cancer, both its treatment and prevention remain a challenge in daily practice. Direct oral anticoagulants have emerged as safe and efficacious alternatives to vitamin K antagonists in the general population, and recent clinical trials also support their use in select patients with cancer-associated VTE. Despite this, low-molecular-weight heparins (LMWHs), a comparatively ancient class of antithrombotic drugs, remain the anticoagulants of choice in many indications relevant to modern haematology and oncology. In addition to the treatment of established VTE, these indications include VTE prophylaxis in surgical or acutely ill, hospitalized medical cancer patients as well as the prevention of VTE in high-risk patients undergoing ambulatory chemotherapy. In a constantly changing landscape of approved anticancer agents, this review article summarizes pivotal clinical trial data and guideline recommendations regarding the use of LMWH in haematological and oncological patients, who constitute a highly vulnerable patient population due to their increased risk for both bleeding and VTE recurrence.

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Dabigatran treatment simulation in patients undergoing maintenance haemodialysis

Thrombosis and Haemostasis ◽

10.1160/th15-07-0531 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 115 (03) ◽

pp. 562-569 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

Joerg Kreuzer ◽

Martina Brueckmann ◽

Friedrich Schulze ◽

Karl-Heinz Liesenfeld ◽

Andreas Clemens

Keyword(s):

Renal Clearance ◽

Vitamin K ◽

Vitamin K Antagonists ◽

Dabigatran Etexilate ◽

Oral Anticoagulants ◽

Area Under The Curve ◽

Fold Increase ◽

Dose Selection ◽

Maintenance Haemodialysis ◽

Increased Risk

SummaryPatients with atrial fibrillation requiring maintenance haemodialysis are at increased risk of ischaemic stroke and bleeds. Currently, vitamin K antagonists such as warfarin are predominantly used in these patients as limited data are available on the use of non-vitamin K oral anticoagulants, including dabigatran etexilate (dabigatran). Dabigatran is approximately 85 % renally eliminated, thus, its half-life is prolonged in renal impairment. This study simulated the dose-exposure relationship of dabigatran in patients undergoing haemodialysis. Dabigatran exposure was modelled at once- and twice-daily doses of 75 mg, 110 mg and 150 mg and at variations in non-renal clearance and dialysis settings. Resultant dose exposure (area under the curve [AUC]) was compared with values simulated from typical patients in the RE-LY® trial (based on a previously characterised pharmacometric model). In this simulation, all twice-daily dosages resulted in exposures above those simulated from typical RE-LY patients (1.5- to 3.3-fold increase in AUC) and thus may not be optimal for use in haemodialysis patients. However, dabigatran doses of 75 mg or 110 mg once daily produced exposures comparable to those simulated in typical RE-LY patients (-13.3 and +4.4 %, respectively). Of patient and dialysis variables, non-renal clearance had the highest impact on exposure (≤30.8 % change). These data could potentially inform dose selection in patients undergoing maintenance haemodialysis and the findings warrant investigation in future clinical trials.

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Direct oral anticoagulants for the treatment of cancer-associated venous thromboembolism

Phlebologie ◽

10.1055/s-0038-1625439 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 46 (06) ◽

pp. 340-351

Author(s):

M. Voigtlaender ◽

F. Langer

Keyword(s):

Venous Thromboembolism ◽

Cancer Patients ◽

Vitamin K Antagonists ◽

Oral Anticoagulants ◽

Direct Oral Anticoagulants ◽

Treatment Phase ◽

Standard Of Care ◽

Longterm Treatment ◽

Increased Risk ◽

Direct Head

SummaryCancer patients with venous thromboembolism (VTE) are at increased risk for both bleeding and VTE recurrence. Anticoagulation with low-molecular-weight heparin (LMWH) is the standard of care during the initial and longterm treatment phase (i.e. during the first 3–6 months of therapy) based on its overall beneficial safety and efficacy profile compared to vitamin K antagonists (VKAs). The direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) rivaroxaban, apixaban, edoxaban, and dabigatran are approved for the treatment of acute VTE, and the combined six phase-3 trials have included > 1 500 patients with active cancer, as defined by variable selection criteria. Subgroup analyses of these patients, either pooled or separately reported, suggest that DOACs could be a safe and efficacious alternative to VKA therapy for the treatment of cancer-associated VTE. However, the populations of cancer patients included in the DOAC and LMWH trials are not comparable with regard to mortality and VTE risk, and no specific data from direct head-to-head comparisons of DOACs with LMWHs are currently available. The use of DOACs for the management of VTE in cancer is thus not recommended by clinical practice guidelines.

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Direct oral anticoagulants in patients with antiphospholipid syndrome: a cohort study

Lupus ◽

10.1177/0961203319889156 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 29 (1) ◽

pp. 37-44 ◽

Cited By ~ 9

Author(s):

K Malec ◽

E Broniatowska ◽

A Undas

Keyword(s):

Cohort Study ◽

Antiphospholipid Syndrome ◽

Major Bleeding ◽

Vitamin K Antagonists ◽

Oral Anticoagulants ◽

Direct Oral Anticoagulants ◽

Real Life ◽

Double Positive ◽

Increased Risk ◽

Long Term Follow Up

Objectives Despite controversies, direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) are increasingly used in antiphospholipid syndrome (APS). We investigated the safety and efficacy of DOACs versus vitamin K antagonists (VKAs) in real-life consecutive APS patients. Patients and methods In a cohort study of 176 APS patients, which included 82 subjects who preferred DOACs or had unstable anticoagulation with VKAs, we recorded venous thromboembolism (VTE), cerebrovascular ischemic events or myocardial infarction, along with major bleeding or clinically relevant non-major bleeding (CRNMB). Results APS patients were followed for a median time of 51 (interquartile range 43–63) months. Patients on DOACs and those on VKAs were similar with regard to baseline characteristics. APS patients treated with DOACs had increased risk of recurrent thromboembolic events and recurrent VTE alone compared with those on VKAs (hazard ratio (HR) = 3.98, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.54–10.28, p = 0.004 and HR = 3.69, 95% CI: 1.27–10.68, p = 0.016, respectively) with no differences between rivaroxaban and apixaban or single- or double-positive and triple-positive APS. Thromboembolism on DOACs was associated with older age (median 52 versus 42 years, p = 0.008) and higher global APS score (median 13 versus 8.5, p = 0.013). Patients on DOACs had increased risk of major bleeding or CRNMB (HR = 3.63, 95% CI: 1.53–8.63, p = 0.003), but rates of gastrointestinal bleeds (HR = 3.36, 95% CI: 0.70–16.16, p = 0.13) and major bleeds or CRNMB other than heavy menstrual bleeding (HR = 2.45, 95% CI: 0.62–9.69, p = 0.2) were similar in both treatment groups. Conclusion During long-term follow-up of real-life APS patients, DOACs are less effective and less safe as VKAs in the prevention of thromboembolism.

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Determination of anticoagulant activity of direct oral anticoagulants: the current state of knowledge and a single center experience

Diagnostyka Laboratoryjna ◽

10.5604/01.3001.0013.7977 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 53 (3) ◽

pp. 161-168

Author(s):

Tadeusz Góralczyk ◽

Anetta Undas

Keyword(s):

Anticoagulant Activity ◽

Vitamin K Antagonists ◽

Oral Anticoagulants ◽

Direct Oral Anticoagulants ◽

Thrombin Time ◽

Routine Laboratory ◽

Pharmacological Mechanism ◽

Emergency Procedures ◽

Single Center Experience

Direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) increasingly replace vitamin K antagonists in the treatment and prevention of venous thromboembolism, and stroke prevention in non-valvular atrial fibrillation. Due to their predictable pharmacological mechanism, no diet restrictions and lack of interaction with most drugs, DOACs do not require routine laboratory monitoring. However, in cases of suspected concentrations beyond the expected range or a need for an emergent surgical procedure, access to laboratory methods for reliable DOACs determination is necessary. In a routine laboratory, the anticoagulant effect of dabigatran can be determined using methods based on ecarin or the modified dilute thrombin time. Rivaroxaban, apixaban and edoxaban may be measured using the chromogenic anti-FXa assays. Our own experience (the longest in Poland) from the John Paul II Hospital laboratory with the 24-hour availability of DOACs measurement involves determinations of dabigatran (n = 136), rivaroxaban (n = 374) and apixaban (n = 22) in outpatients and hospitalized patients between May 2013 and April 2017. Determination of the level of DOACs should be available 24/7 in highly specialized medical centers, especially in those which perform emergency procedures for treating patients with acute stroke and hemorrhages.

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Direct oral anticoagulants (DOAC) for prevention of recurrent arterial or venous thromboembolic events (ATE/VTE) in myeloproliferative neoplasms

Annals of Hematology ◽

10.1007/s00277-020-04350-6 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Karlo Huenerbein ◽

Parvis Sadjadian ◽

Tatjana Becker ◽

Vera Kolatzki ◽

Eva Deventer ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Myeloproliferative Neoplasms ◽

Vitamin K Antagonists ◽

Oral Anticoagulants ◽

Direct Oral Anticoagulants ◽

Anticoagulation Therapy ◽

Thromboembolic Events ◽

Number Of Patients ◽

Increased Risk ◽

Venous Thromboembolic Events ◽

Venous Thromboembolic

AbstractIn patients with BCR-ABL-negative myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPN), arterial or venous thromboembolic events (ATE/VTE) are a major burden. In order to control these complications, vitamin K antagonists (VKA) are widely used. There is no robust evidence supporting the use of direct oral anticoagulants (DOAC) in MPN patients. We therefore compared the efficacy and safety of both anticoagulants in 71 cases from a cohort of 782 MPN patients. Seventy-one of 782 MPN patients (9.1%) had ATE/VTE with nine ATE (12.7%) and 62 VTE (87.3%). Forty-five of 71 ATE/VTE (63.4%) were treated with VKA and 26 (36.6%) with DOAC. The duration of anticoagulation therapy (p = 0.984), the number of patients receiving additional aspirin (p = 1.0), and the proportion of patients receiving cytoreductive therapy (p = 0.807) did not differ significantly between the VKA and DOAC groups. During anticoagulation therapy, significantly more relapses occurred under VKA (n = 16) compared to DOAC treatment (n = 0, p = 0.0003). However, during the entire observation period of median 3.2 years (0.1–20.4), ATE/VTE relapse-free survival (p = 0.2) did not differ significantly between the two anticoagulants. For all bleeding events (p = 0.516) or major bleeding (p = 1.0), no significant differences were observed between VKA and DOAC. In our experience, the use of DOAC was as effective and safe as VKA, possibly even potentially beneficial with a lower number of recurrences and no increased risk for bleedings. However, further and larger studies are required before DOAC can be routinely used in MPN patients.

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Management of the multiple phases of heparin-induced thrombocytopenia

Thrombosis and Haemostasis ◽

10.1160/th16-02-0084 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 116 (11) ◽

pp. 835-842 ◽

Cited By ~ 13

Author(s):

Adam Cuker

Keyword(s):

Platelet Count ◽

Key Management ◽

Vitamin K Antagonists ◽

Oral Anticoagulants ◽

Direct Oral Anticoagulants ◽

Vena Cava ◽

Hepatic Function ◽

Heparin Induced Thrombocytopenia ◽

Increased Risk ◽

Count Recovery

SummaryThe clinical course of heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT) may be separated into five sequential phases: 1. suspected HIT, 2. acute HIT, 3. subacute HIT A, 4. subacute HIT B, and 5. remote HIT. Each phase confronts the clinician with a unique set of management questions. In this review, the phases of HIT are defined and key management questions associated with each phase are discussed. Among patients with Suspected HIT, I use the 4Ts score to determine which patients have a sufficiently high probability of HIT to justify discontinuation of heparin and initiation of a non-heparin parenteral anticoagulant. An algorithm for selecting an appropriate non-heparin anticoagulant based on the patient’s clinical stability, renal and hepatic function, drug availability, and physician comfort is provided. In patients with Acute HIT, I generally avoid prophylactic platelet transfusion and inferior vena cava filter insertion because of a potential increased risk of thrombosis. I perform 4-limb screening compression ultrasonography. In patients with symptomatic thromboembolism or asymptomatic proximal deep-vein thrombosis, I treat with anticoagulation for three months. In patients without thrombosis, I discontinue anticoagulation upon platelet count recovery. I do not transition patients to an oral anticoagulant until platelet count recovery (i. e. Subacute HIT A). I increasingly choose direct oral anticoagulants over vitamin K antagonists in this setting because of their greater convenience and safety. In Subacute HIT B and Remote HIT, I use heparin for cardiovascular surgery, whereas I use bivalirudin in patients with Acute HIT and Subacute HIT A in whom surgery cannot be delayed.

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