Talecris Biotherapeutics announced the publication of combined data from two studies demonstrating that augmentation therapy with Alpha (1)-Proteinase Inhibitor (Human) (A1PI) significantly reduces lung tissue loss in patients with emphysema related to Alpha (1)-Antitrypsin (AAT) deficiency.

AAT deficiency is a rare, genetic disease in which low levels of the AAT protein circulating in the lungs can increase an individual's risk of developing emphysema. Treatment with A1PI therapy augments or increases the levels of this protein in the lungs.

Two randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trials investigated the effect of A1PI therapy on emphysema progression using change in lung density as a measure. Lung density is a validated and specific measure of tissue loss in emphysema that relates well to physiological and clinical features of the disease.

Although the two studies used different intravenous dosing regimens, they were comparable in treatment duration, patient characteristics and the use of Computed Tomography (CT) to study lung density. The similar characteristics of the studies allowed the pooling of the individual patient data, which increased the robustness of the analysis. An analysis of the data from both studies was conducted by Professor Robert A. Stockley, Birmingham, UK, and Professor Asger Dirksen, Hellerup, Denmark.

The results of the integrated analysis demonstrated a mean change in lung density from baseline to the final CT scan of -4.082 g/L for the AAT treatment group and -6.379g/L for the placebo group, a statistically significant difference of 2.297 (95% CI, 0.669 to 3.926; p = 0.006).

"The mean data from the integrated analysis demonstrate a deceleration of lung tissue loss with AAT augmentation therapy versus placebo with statistical significance," said Stockley.

The effect of augmentation therapy with any Alpha (1)-proteinase inhibitor (A1PI) on pulmonary exacerbations and on the progression of emphysema in Alpha (1)-antitrypsin deficiency has not been demonstrated in a single, prospective, randomized, controlled clinical trial.

Talecris Biotherapeutics, manufacturer of Prolastin-C (Alpha(1)-Proteinase Inhibitor [Human]), funded the integrated analysis and the Exactle trial included in the analysis.

PROLASTIN-C is indicated for chronic augmentation and maintenance therapy in Alpha (1)-antitrypsin (AAT) deficiency in patients with emphysema. AAT deficiency is a genetic condition in which low levels of the alpha-1 protein can result in emphysema. The active protein in it increases or "augments" protein levels in AAT deficient patients. In the US, it has replaced Prolastin, the leading augmentation therapy in North America for more than 20 years.

The effect of augmentation therapy with any Alpha(1)-proteinase inhibitor (A1PI) on pulmonary exacerbations and on the progression of emphysema in Alpha(1)-antitrypsin deficiency has not been demonstrated in randomized, controlled clinical trials.

Prolastin-C and Prolastin may contain trace amounts of IgA. Patients with known antibodies to IgA, which can be present in patients with selective or severe IgA deficiency, have a greater risk of developing potentially severe hypersensitivity and anaphylactic reactions. Prolastin-C is contraindicated in patients with antibodies against IgA. The most common drug related adverse reactions observed at a rate of greater than or equal to 1% in subjects receiving Prolastin-C were chills, malaise, headache, rash, hot flush, and pruritus.

The most serious adverse reaction observed during clinical studies with Prolastin-C was a rash on the abdomen and extremities in 1 subject. In clinical studies with Prolastin, reactions were observed in 1.16% of infusions, the most common being fever, lightheadedness and dizziness.

Both Prolastin-C and Prolastin are made from human plasma. Products made from human plasma may carry a risk of transmitting infectious agents, e.g., viruses and, theoretically, the Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD) agent. There is also the possibility that unknown infectious agents may be present in such products.

Alpha (1)-antitrypsin deficiency, also known as AAT deficiency or Alpha-1, is an inherited disorder that causes significant reduction in the naturally occurring protein Alpha (1)-proteinase inhibitor. It is most common in the Caucasian population of northern Europe and North America. AAT deficiency is also the most common cause of genetic liver disease in children, and genetic emphysema (shortness of breath) in adults. Individuals suffering from AAT deficiency often develop severe Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) causing disability and premature death. AAT deficiency is estimated to affect 200,000 people in North America and Europe combined, although greater than 90% remain undiagnosed.

Talecris Biotherapeutics is a global biotherapeutic and biotechnology company that discovers, develops and produces critical care treatments for people with life-threatening disorders in a variety of therapeutic areas including immunology, pulmonology, neurology and hemostasis.