Faculty Opinions recommendation of Pathogenic Variants in Complement Genes and Risk of Atypical Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome Relapse after Eculizumab Discontinuation.

Author(s):  
Neil Sheerin
2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gema Ariceta ◽  
Fadi Fakhouri ◽  
Lisa Sartz ◽  
Benjamin Miller ◽  
Vasilis Nikolaou ◽  
...  

ABSTRACT Background Eculizumab modifies the course of disease in patients with atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome (aHUS), but data evaluating whether eculizumab discontinuation is safe are limited. Methods Patients enrolled in the Global aHUS Registry who received ≥1 month of eculizumab before discontinuing, demonstrated hematologic or renal response prior to discontinuation and had ≥6 months of follow-up were analyzed. The primary endpoint was the proportion of patients suffering thrombotic microangiopathy (TMA) recurrence after eculizumab discontinuation. Additional endpoints included: eGFR changes following eculizumab discontinuation to last available follow-up; number of TMA recurrences; time to TMA recurrence; proportion of patients restarting eculizumab; and changes in renal function. Results We analyzed 151 patients with clinically diagnosed aHUS who had evidence of hematologic or renal response to eculizumab, before discontinuing. Thirty-three (22%) experienced a TMA recurrence. Univariate analysis revealed that patients with an increased risk of TMA recurrence after discontinuing eculizumab were those with a history of extrarenal manifestations prior to initiating eculizumab, pathogenic variants, or a family history of aHUS. Multivariate analysis showed an increased risk of TMA recurrence in patients with pathogenic variants and a family history of aHUS. Twelve (8%) patients progressed to end-stage renal disease after eculizumab discontinuation; 7 (5%) patients eventually received a kidney transplant. Forty (27%) patients experienced an extrarenal manifestation of aHUS after eculizumab discontinuation. Conclusions Eculizumab discontinuation in patients with aHUS is not without risk, potentially leading to TMA recurrence and renal failure. A thorough assessment of risk factors prior to the decision to discontinue eculizumab is essential.


2017 ◽  
Vol 29 (1) ◽  
pp. 240-249 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elena Goicoechea de Jorge ◽  
Agustín Tortajada ◽  
Sheila Pinto García ◽  
Sara Gastoldi ◽  
Héctor Martín Merinero ◽  
...  

Atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome (aHUS), a rare form of thrombotic microangiopathy caused by complement pathogenic variants, mainly affects the kidney microvasculature. A retrospective genetic analysis in our aHUS cohort (n=513) using multiple ligation probe amplification uncovered nine unrelated patients carrying a genetic abnormality in the complement factor H related 1 gene (CFHR1) that originates by recurrent gene conversion events between the CFH and CFHR1 genes. The novel CFHR1 mutants encode an FHR-1 protein with two amino acid substitutions, L290S and A296V, converting the FHR-1 C terminus into that of factor H (FH). Next-generation massive-parallel DNA sequencing (NGS) analysis did not detect these genetic abnormalities. In addition to the CFHR1 mutant, six patients carried the previously uncharacterized CFH-411T variant. In functional analyses, the mutant FHR-1 protein strongly competed the binding of FH to cell surfaces, impairing complement regulation, whereas the CFH-411T polymorphism lacked functional consequences. Carriers of the CFHR1 mutation presented with severe aHUS during adulthood; 57% of affected women in this cohort presented during the postpartum period. Analyses in patients and unaffected carriers showed that FH plasma levels determined by the nonmutated chromosome modulate disease penetrance. Crucially, in the activated endothelial (HMEC-1) cell assay, reduced FH plasma levels produced by the nonmutated chromosome correlated inversely with impairment of complement regulation, measured as C5b-9 deposition. Our data advance understanding of the genetic complexities underlying aHUS, illustrate the importance of performing functional analysis, and support the use of complementary assays to disclose genetic abnormalities not revealed by current NGS analysis.


Nephron ◽  
2021 ◽  
pp. 1-10
Author(s):  
Eric Rondeau ◽  
Gianluigi Ardissino ◽  
Marie-Pierre Caby-Tosi ◽  
Imad Al-Dakkak ◽  
Fadi Fakhouri ◽  
...  

<b><i>Background:</i></b> Pregnancy outcomes in patients with atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome (aHUS) are not well-documented. Here, we present characteristics of and outcomes for patients with aHUS who became pregnant while enrolled in the Global aHUS Registry. <b><i>Methods:</i></b> The observational Global aHUS Registry (NCT01522183), initiated in April 2012, collects demographics, disease history, treatment, and outcomes data for patients with aHUS, regardless of treatment approach. This descriptive analysis includes patients from the Registry with evaluable pregnancy data supplemented with pharmacovigilance information; the number of pregnancies, outcomes, and exposure to eculizumab were evaluated. <b><i>Results:</i></b> As of April 1, 2019, 44 pregnancies were recorded in 41 patients, with 24 pregnancies exposed to eculizumab. Pathogenic variants were identified in 48.8% of patients. Three patients were on dialysis and 6 patients had a kidney graft at the time of pregnancy. Excluding elective terminations, 85.3% of pregnancies resulted in live births. Elective terminations were recorded in 22.7% of pregnancies, miscarriages occurred in 9.1% of pregnancies, and late fetal death in 2.3% of pregnancies. No malformations or anomalies were reported. <b><i>Conclusions:</i></b> Our results show that in women with aHUS, even on dialysis or with a kidney graft, pregnancy is possible with careful monitoring for aHUS flares and prematurity. Prophylactic or therapeutic eculizumab offers disease control with low-risk of fetal abnormalities.


2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Anja Gäckler ◽  
Ulf Schönermarck ◽  
Vladimir Dobronravov ◽  
Gaetano La Manna ◽  
Andrew Denker ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome (aHUS) triggered by pregnancy is a rare disease caused by dysregulation of the alternative complement pathway that occurs in approximately 1 in 25,000 pregnancies. The 311 phase 3 trial (NCT02949128) showed that ravulizumab, a long-acting C5 inhibitor obtained through selective modifications to eculizumab, is efficacious in inhibiting complement-mediated thrombotic microangiopathy (TMA) in patients with aHUS. In this analysis, we report outcomes in a subgroup of patients from the 311 study who developed TMA postpartum. Methods This was a phase 3, multicenter trial evaluating efficacy and safety of ravulizumab in adults (≥18 years of age) with aHUS naïve to complement inhibitor treatment. The primary endpoint was complete TMA response (simultaneous platelet count normalization [≥150 × 109/L], lactate dehydrogenase normalization [≤246 U/L] and 25% improvement in serum creatinine) through the 183-day initial evaluation period. Additional efficacy endpoints included time to complete TMA response, hematologic normalization, and dialysis requirement status. Results Eight patients presenting with TMA postpartum (median age of 37.7 [range; 22.1–45.2] years) were diagnosed with aHUS and received ≥1 dose of ravulizumab. Five patients (63%) were on dialysis at baseline. Complete TMA response was achieved in 7/8 patients (87.5%) in a median time of 31.5 days. Hematologic normalization was observed in all patients. All patients on dialysis at baseline discontinued dialysis within 21 days after treatment with ravulizumab. All patients showed continued improvements in the estimated glomerular filtration rate from baseline to Day 183. Three possible treatment-related adverse events were observed in 2 patients (arthralgia and nasopharyngitis [both non-severe]; urinary tract infection). No deaths or meningococcal infections occurred. Conclusions Treatment with ravulizumab provided immediate and complete C5 inhibition, resulting in rapid clinical and laboratory improvements and complete TMA response through 183 days in patients with aHUS triggered by pregnancy. The safety profile observed in this subset of patients analysed is consistent with the 311 study investigating ravulizumab in patients with aHUS naïve to complement treatment. Trial registration Clinical trial identifier:NCT02949128.


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