The results from the open-label, phase II Galactic53 trial on Viltolarsen (Viltepso) presented at the American Academy of Neurology annual meeting showed promising outcomes for boys and men with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD). The study indicated that Viltolarsen was well tolerated with no new safety concerns. Moreover, there was a potential clinical benefit in pulmonary function for participants on the exon-skipping therapy, as evidenced by improvements in forced vital capacity and peak cough flow.
One of the key findings of the trial was the positive impact of Viltolarsen on pulmonary function in both ambulatory and nonambulatory DMD patients. The percentage of predicted forced vital capacity showed an increase or stabilization in 90% of ambulatory participants on Viltolarsen, with a significant overall change at week 49. Nonambulatory patients also exhibited improvements in forced vital capacity compared to the control group. These results are particularly encouraging as pulmonary function is a critical aspect of DMD progression and can lead to assisted ventilation as the disease advances.
The FDA granted accelerated approval to Viltolarsen in 2020, highlighting the potential of exon-skipping therapies in treating DMD. Further studies, including a confirmatory phase III trial, are currently ongoing to assess the clinical benefits of Viltolarsen in DMD patients with specific dystrophin gene mutations amenable to exon 53 skipping. The approval of other exon-skipping therapies like golodirsen and eteplirsen in previous years underscores the importance of exploring alternative treatment options for DMD.
The Galactic53 trial compared 20 ambulatory and nonambulatory males receiving Viltolarsen to a control group from the CINRG DNHS study. The participants on Viltolarsen generally experienced mild-to-moderate treatment-emergent adverse events, with no serious complications or treatment-related deaths reported. The safety profile of Viltolarsen in this trial was considered favorable, indicating its potential as a well-tolerated treatment option for DMD patients.
In addition to pulmonary function assessments, the researchers also measured peak cough flow as an exploratory endpoint in the study. Both ambulatory and nonambulatory patients on Viltolarsen showed improvements in peak cough flow compared to the control group, further supporting the therapeutic potential of the exon-skipping therapy. Moreover, performance measures related to upper limb function remained stable over the 49-week study period, indicating a preservation of functional abilities in DMD patients receiving Viltolarsen.
The findings from the Galactic53 trial on Viltolarsen demonstrate promising outcomes in terms of safety, efficacy, and clinical benefits for DMD patients. The improvements in pulmonary function and other exploratory endpoints suggest that Viltolarsen may have a significant impact on disease progression and quality of life for individuals with DMD. Continued research and development in the field of exon-skipping therapies are crucial for advancing treatment options and improving outcomes for patients with DMD.
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