Gene Therapy For Hemophilia Research Articles

Second Generation Adeno-Associated Viral Vector Using a Novel Factor VIII Variant with Improved Secretion Achieves Higher Factor VIII Expression in Non-Human Primates

Hemophilia A (HA) is an X-linked bleeding disorder caused by a deficiency in functional factor VIII (FVIII). Adeno-associated virus (AAV)-mediated gene therapy for HA is actively in clinical development, primarily utilizing codon-optimized (CO) wild type (WT) B-domain deleted human FVIII (hFVIII) transgenes. Limitations of these approaches highlight the need to develop novel second generation AAV approaches that improve transgene expression while reducing the vector dose with the fundamental goal of achieving durable levels of FVIII in the normal range while minimizing the potential risk of anti-AAV immune responses and genotoxicity. One of the main challenges of HA gene therapy development is that hFVIII is not expressed efficiently in vitro or in vivo compared to other proteins of similar size. Notably, the FVIII proteins of other species, such as canine and porcine, have superior expression. Previously, we reported that canine FVIII is expressed at higher levels than hFVIII which prompted us to conduct a comparative study between these two proteins (Sabatino 2009). Those studies led us to engineer and characterize a series of FVIII variants around the furin cleavage recognition site (1645-48)(Nguyen 2017) and a secondary cleavage site at 1657-58 in the acidic region 3 (a3). After investigating 15 variants, we identified our best performing variant, hFVIII-Δ3-SP/DE, carrying a deletion of three residues at the furin site (1645-47) (Δ3) (Nguyen 2017) and two amino acid substitutions S1657P and D1658E at the a3 cleavage site. With these minimal modifications, hFVIII-Δ3-SP/DE is secreted significantly more efficiently than WT hFVIII with and without codon-optimization and in conjunction with other improvements in the expression cassette. In the setting of AAV gene therapy, we used AAV8 to deliver WT hFVIII-CO or variant hFVIII-Δ3-SP/DE-CO driven by the modified transthyretin (TTRm) promoter and compared levels of FVIII expression in vivo. Immuno-deficient HA/CD4 KO mice administered AAV8-TTRm-hFVIII-Δ3-SP/DE-CO expressed FVIII levels that were 2-3-fold higher than animals delivered WT FVIII-CO. To investigate this variant in a large animal model, we previously injected AAV8-hFVIII-CO and AAV8-hFVIII-Δ3-SP/DE-CO (2x1012 vg/kg) in an HA dog model tolerized to hFVIII. We observed that the levels of hFVIII expression using the variant were 2 to 4-fold higher than WT hFVIII. Given the success of our variant in HA mice and dogs, we investigated hFVIII-Δ3-SP/DE in non-human primates (NHPs). Animals were negative for neutralizing antibodies to AAV8 prior to vector administration. We delivered AAV8-TTRm-hFVIII-CO or AAV8-TTRm-hFVIII-Δ3-SP/DE-CO to male African green monkeys via intravenous infusion at three vector doses (2x1012, 5x1012, 1x1013 vg/kg)(n=3 per dose per AAV construct). hFVIII antigen levels were measured by hFVIII specific ELISA and are expressed as a percentage of normal levels. Two weeks after AAV administration, NHPs treated with low dose (2x1012 vg/kg) of AAV8-hFVIII-CO expressed a median of 7.4% (range 5.2-8.8%) and AAV8-hFVIII-Δ3-SP/DE-CO expressed 19.2% (range 11.4-72.0%). The mid-dose cohort (5x1012 vg/kg) expressed 17.7% (range 11.8-128.2%) after AAV8-hFVIII-CO and 38.2% (range 12.1-97.0%) after AAV8-hFVIII-Δ3-SP/DE-CO delivery. At 1x1013 vg/kg the AAV8-hFVIII-CO treated NHPs expressed 17.9% (range 12.6-54.3%) while the AAV8-hFVIII-Δ3-SP/DE-CO expressed 114.2% (range 20.2-195.6%). As noted in clinical studies, there is some variability in hFVIII expression in our cohorts. Nevertheless, our data suggests that the delivery of the WT hFVIII transgene did not show a dose response. In contrast, there is a dose-dependent increase in hFVIII-Δ3-SP/DE expression, implying improved secretion correlating with higher levels of FVIII expression. As anticipated, anti-hFVIII antibodies developed to the non-species specific transgene in 16 of 18 animals after 3 weeks post vector administration, leading to a decline in hFVIII expression in most animals. In summary, consistent with our observations in HA mice and dogs, AAV delivery of the Δ3-SP/DE variant in NHPs results in 2 to 5-fold higher dose-dependent levels of FVIII expression than the WT hFVIII. This novel hFVIII variant provides the opportunity to overcome the challenge of inefficient FVIII secretion to improve the efficacy of AAV gene therapy for hemophilia A.

Durability of Bleeding Protection and Factor IX Activity Levels Are Demonstrated in Individuals with and without Adeno-Associated Virus Serotype 5 Neutralizing Antibodies (Titers

Introduction: Pre-existing adeno-associated virus (AAV) neutralizing antibodies (NAbs) have limited the efficacy of AAV-based gene therapy in prior clinical applications, including in hemophilia. A unique aspect of the Phase 3 HOPE-B clinical trial (NCT03569891) assessing etranacogene dezaparvovec gene therapy, an AAV serotype 5 vector expressing Padua factor IX (FIX), was the enrollment of participants regardless of their baseline AAV5 NAb status. The HOPE-B clinical trial met its primary efficacy endpoint, providing hemostatic protection superior to standard of care FIX prophylaxis over 52 weeks of follow-up after stable FIX Padua expression (defined as Months 7-18). Aim: Assess efficacy and safety of etranacogene dezaparvovec in HOPE-B participants with (NAb+) and without (NAb-) pre-existing AAV5 NAbs over 18 and 24 months of follow-up. Methods: Adult male participants with severe or moderately severe hemophilia B (FIX ≤2%), NAb+ or NAb-, were treated in the Phase 3, open-label, single-arm, HOPE-B trial with a single intravenous infusion of etranacogene dezaparvovec (2x1013 gc/kg), following a ≥6-month lead-in period receiving FIX prophylaxis. FIX activity, annualized bleed rate (ABR), and use of infused replacement FIX concentrates were assessed regularly during the lead-in and the first 12 months after receiving etranacogene dezaparvovec, then every 6 months during the long-term follow-up (Years 2-5). Adverse events were recorded continuously. Although not an exclusion criterion, AAV5 NAbs were assessed on the day of intravenous dosing (baseline), using a custom-developed, cell-based in vitro AAV5 transduction inhibition assay (sensitivity 10 ng/mL antibody, titer 1:7, intra and inter-run coefficient of variation [CV] <30%). Results: Of the 54 participants who received etranacogene dezaparvovec, at baseline 33 participants were NAb- and 21 were NAb+. The median (Q1-Q3) titer among NAb+ participants was 56.9 (23.3-198.9) and 20/21 (95%) NAb+ participants had titers of <1:700. One participant with a markedly high NAb titer of 3212 prior to vector dosing and one participant who only received a partial dose (due to an infusion-related reaction; NAb titer: 198.9), did not express FIX Padua and did not discontinue FIX prophylaxis. All other participants (52/54) discontinued FIX prophylaxis. At 18- and 24-months post-dose, no clinically meaningful correlation between an individual's baseline AAV5 NAb titer and FIX activity levels was identified, up to a NAb titer of <1:700 (24-month Pearson coefficient: -0.29; Spearman coefficient: -0.25; R2: 0.086). Sustained FIX activity levels (median [min-max]) were demonstrated at 18 months post-dose in NAb+ <1:700 (32.0% [10.3-57.9]) and NAb- (35.0% [4.5-122.9]) participants and at 24 months post-dose in NAb+ <1:700 (33.5% [9.1-88.3]) and the NAb- (35.4% [4.7-99.2]) participants (Table 1). At both 18- and 24-months post-dose, NAb+ <1:700 and NAb- participants demonstrated a low ABR (Table 2). The ABR achieved by the NAb+ <1:700 and NAb- subgroups at 18 months was 1.30 and 0.93, and at 24 months was 1.65 and 0.80, respectively. These ABRs were significantly improved compared with the respective ABRs of 4.29 (p=0.0005 and p=0.0065 at 18 and 24 months, respectively) and 3.80 (p<0.0001 at 18 and 24 months) observed during the ≥6-month lead-in period of continuous FIX prophylaxis. The safety profile of etranacogene dezaparvovec was similar between NAb subgroups. At 24 months, corticosteroid-treated transaminase elevations occurred in 6/33 NAb- (18.2%) and 3/21 NAb+ (14.3%) participants. Infusion-related reactions occurred in 2/33 NAb- (6.1%) and 5/21 NAb+ (23.8%) participants. There was no statistically significant association between infusion-related reactions and NAb status (p=0.0956). Conclusions: Throughout 24 months of follow-up, AAV5 NAb- and NAb+ (<700 titer) HOPE-B participants receiving etranacogene dezaparvovec demonstrated significant reductions in ABR, freedom from continuous FIX prophylaxis and a comparable and acceptable safety profile, regardless of NAb status. FIX activity levels were stable, with no association between baseline NAb status (up to titer <1:700) and the long-term durability of FIX expression. Figure 1View largeDownload PPTFigure 1View largeDownload PPT Close modal

Adults with Severe or Moderately Severe Hemophilia B Receiving Etranacogene Dezaparvovec in the HOPE-B Phase 3 Clinical Trial Continue to Experience a Stable Increase in Mean Factor IX Activity Levels and Durable Hemostatic Protection after 24 Months’ Follow-up

Introduction: Etranacogene dezaparvovec (formerly AMT-061), an investigational gene therapy for hemophilia B, is an adeno-associated virus serotype 5 (AAV5) vector, containing a codon-optimized, highly active factor IX (FIX) Padua R338L transgene under the control of a liver-specific promoter. The Phase 3 HOPE-B clinical trial (NCT03569891) of etranacogene dezaparvovec met its primary efficacy endpoint, providing hemostatic protection superior to standard of care FIX prophylaxis over 52 weeks of follow-up after stable FIX Padua expression (defined as Months 7-18). However, the potential for liver-directed AAV to sustain long-term clotting factor expression remains unknown, with most human experience derived from early phase clinical trials. Aim: Efficacy and safety data is provided from the pivotal Phase 3 HOPE-B clinical trial over a period of 24 months of gene expression. Methods: In this open-label, single-arm study, adult male participants with severe or moderately severe hemophilia B (FIX≤2%), with or without pre-existing AAV5 neutralizing antibodies (NAbs), were infused with a single dose of etranacogene dezaparvovec (2x1013 gc/kg), following a ≥6-month lead-in period receiving FIX prophylaxis. FIX activity, annualized bleed rate (ABR), and FIX infusions were assessed frequently during the lead-in and first 12 months after receiving etranacogene dezaparvovec, then every 6 months during the long-term follow-up (Years 2-5). Adverse events (AEs) were recorded continuously. Results: Of the 54 participants who received etranacogene dezaparvovec, 53 participants received the full dose and 52 completed 24 months of follow-up. At 464 days (~15 months) following infusion, one 75-year-old participant died from cardiogenic shock, preceded by a urinary tract infection, which was considered unrelated to treatment. Of the 54 participants, 52 (96.3%) discontinued and remained free of continuous FIX prophylaxis from Day 21 to Month 24, including 20 participants with baseline AAV5 NAb titers up to 1:700. One participant with a markedly higher AAV5 NAbs titer (1:3212) and one participant who received only a partial vector dose (due to an infusion-related reaction) did not express FIX Padua or discontinue FIX prophylaxis. Compared with the ≥6-month lead-in period (mean ABR 4.18), mean ABR for all bleeds during Months 7-24 post-treatment was significantly reduced by 64% (mean ABR 1.51; p=0.0002), sustaining the same bleed reduction that satisfied the primary endpoint of the trial during Months 7-18. The mean ABR for all other bleed types was also substantially reduced (Figure 1). The mean FIX activity level of participants was 39.0 IU/dL (standard deviation [SD]: ±18.7; min-max: 8.2-97.1) at Month 6 (n=51) and sustained at 36.7 IU/dL (±19.0; 4.7-99.2) at Month 24 post-treatment (n=50; Figure 2). There was an overall 96% reduction in mean unadjusted annualized FIX consumption from the lead-in period (257,339 IU/year/participant) to Months 19-24 (9751 IU/year/participant; p<0.0001). During the 24 months post-dose, all participants experienced at least one treatment-emergent AE (TEAE); of the 557 events, 424 (76%) were mild, 115 (21%) were moderate, and 18 (3%) were severe. A total of 38 participants (70.4%) experienced 93 treatment-related TEAEs, with only one occurring during Months 18-24. There was an increase in alanine transaminase (with or without increased aspartate transaminase) in eleven participants (20.4%). Nine participants (16.7%) received supportive care with reactive corticosteroids for a mean duration of 79.8 days (SD: 26.6; range: 51-130 days). There were no serious AEs related to treatment; a serious AE of hepatocellular carcinoma was determined by independent molecular genomic and integration analysis to be unrelated to treatment. Conclusions: Demonstrating durability of disease correction with acceptable safety is the next major hurdle for gene therapy in people with hemophilia B. After 24 months’ follow-up, single-dose etranacogene dezaparvovec resulted in stable FIX Padua expression in participants with AAV NAb undetected or <1:700 titer; reduction in ABR remained durable and superior to FIX prophylaxis. This outcome was achieved with limited early reactive corticosteroid exposure in a minority of participants, allowing all participants who discontinued prophylaxis to remain off prophylaxis at Month 24. Figure 1View largeDownload PPTFigure 1View largeDownload PPT Close modal

First-in-Patient Dose Prediction for Adeno-Associated Virus-Mediated Hemophilia Gene Therapy Using Allometric Scaling.

In this study, the author compared the performance of two allometric scaling approaches and body-weight-based dose conversion approach for first-in-patient (FIP) dose prediction for adeno-associated virus (AAV)-mediated hemophilia gene therapy using preclinical and clinical efficacy data of nine AAV vectors. In general, body-weight-based direct conversion of effective doses in monkeys or dogs was more likely to underestimate FIP dose but worked for one bioengineered vector with a high transduction efficiency specifically in humans. In contrast, allometric scaling between gene efficiency factor (log GEF) and body weight (log W) was likely to overestimate FIP dose but worked for two vectors with capsid-specific T-cell responses in patients. The third approach, allometric scaling between log GEF and W-0.25 was appropriate for FIP dose prediction in the absence of T-cell responses to AAV vectors or a dramatic difference in vector transduction efficiency between animals and humans.

Comprehensive analysis and prediction of long-term durability of factor IX activity following etranacogene dezaparvovec gene therapy in the treatment of hemophilia B

Objective Congenital hemophilia B is a rare bleeding disorder caused by defects in the gene encoding factor IX (FIX) leading to coagulation deficiency. Recurrent bleeds may cause chronic pain, disability, and reduced quality of life. Phase 2 b and 3 single-arm, open-label, single-dose trials assessing etranacogene dezaparvovec gene therapy for hemophilia B have demonstrated sustained FIX activity levels over observed periods, but long-term durability of the treatment effect has not been established. Using statistical modeling, we estimate long-term durability of FIX activity levels after receiving etranacogene dezaparvovec. Methods Participants from Phase 2 b (N = 3; NCT03489291) and 3 studies (N = 52; NCT03569891) were included. Two participants who did not respond to treatment were excluded. FIX activity was assessed by one-stage activated partial thromboplastin time assay. FIX activity levels at Month 6 post-treatment were considered baseline. Bayesian and Frequentist linear mixed models predicted FIX activity levels up to 25.5 years at an individual and population level with pre-treatment adeno-associated virus 5 (AAV5) neutralizing antibody (NAb) status as primary covariate. Results Bayesian and Frequentist linear mixed models predicted no more than 6/55 (10.91%) observed participants would have FIX activity levels <2% up to 25.5 years post-infusion. Bayesian model-based predictions of future participants suggest >80% would be free from prophylactic FIX replacement products 25.5 years post-infusion. Both models predicted FIX activity levels were not significantly influenced by pre-treatment AAV5 NAb status. Conclusions People with hemophilia B receiving etranacogene dezaparvovec would likely achieve durable FIX activity levels and remain free of prophylactic FIX replacement products for up to 25.5 years following single administration. The long-term factor IX durability predictions are based on statistical methods and results in vivo may differ.

Development of an AAV DNA-based synthetic vector for the potential gene therapy of hemophilia in children.

Recombinant AAV serotype vectors and their variants have been or are currently being used for gene therapy for hemophilia in several phase I/II/III clinical trials in humans. However, none of these trials have included children with hemophilia since the traditional liver-directed AAV gene therapy will not work in these patients because of the following reasons: (i) Up until age 10–12, the liver is still growing and dividing, and with every cell division, the AAV vector genomes will be diluted out due to their episomal nature; and (ii) Repeated gene delivery will be needed, but repeat dosing, even with an ideal AAV vector is not an option because of pre-existing antibodies to AAV vectors following the first administration. Here we describe the development of an optimized human Factor IX (hF.IX) gene expression cassette under the control of a human liver-specific transthyretin promoter covalently flanked by AAV inverted terminal repeats (ITRs) with no open ends (optNE-TTR-hF.IX), which mediated ~sixfold higher hF.IX levels than that from a linear TTR-hF.IX DNA construct in human hepatoma cells up to four-weeks post-transfection. In future studies, encapsidation of the optNE-TTR-hF.IX DNA in liver-targeted synthetic liposomes, may provide a viable approach for the potential gene therapy for hemophilia in children.

Application of Gene Therapy in Hemophilia.

Gene therapy refers to introducing normal exogenous genes into target cells to correct or compensate for the diseases caused by defective and abnormal genes for the purpose of therapy. It holds out hope of a cure for single-gene genetic diseases such as thalassemia, hemophilia, etc. At present, gene therapy is performed in two ways: introducing exogenous genes, and gene editing. A great number of clinical trials of gene therapy in hemophilia have been carried out using viral vectors to introduce foreign genes into target cells. However, the production of neutralizing antibodies following injection and the inability to prepare viral vectors in large quantities limit their application. Although gene-editing methods like CRISPR avoid the above problems, the potential risks of off-target effects are still unknown. More trials and evidence are needed to elucidate the safety and accuracy of gene therapy. This paper will review the bench and clinical work of gene therapy in hemophilia in recent years, and summarize the challenges and prospects of gene therapy, so as to provide directions for future scientific research in this field.

Gene Therapy and Hemophilia: Where Do We Go from Here?

Gene therapy for hemophilia using adeno-associated virus (AAV) derived vectors can reduce or eliminate patients’ disease-related complications and improve their quality of life. Broad implementation globally will lead to societal gains and foster health equity. Several vector products each for factor IX (FIX) or factor VIII (FVIII) deficiency are in advanced clinical development. Safety data are reassuring. Efficacy data for up to 8 and 5 years, respectively, vary considerably among vector types and among individuals, but indicate significant reduction in bleeds and factor use. Products will soon be approved for marketing. This review highlights the relevant considerations for implementation of hemophilia gene therapy, specifically across a broad range of socioeconomic backgrounds globally, based on recent publications and our own experience. We address the current efficacy and safety data and relevant aspects of vector immunology. We then discuss pertinent implementation steps including pre-implementation and readiness assessments, considerations on cost, cost-effectiveness and payment models, approaches to education and informed consent, and the operational needs as well as the need for monitoring of health outcomes and implementation outcomes. To prevent a lag or complete lack of establishing access to this life-changing therapy option for all patients with hemophilia worldwide, adaptable pathways supported by collaborative and international efforts of all stakeholders are needed.

Adeno-Associated Virus Gene Therapy for Hemophilia.

In vivo gene therapy is rapidly emerging as a new therapeutic paradigm for monogenic disorders. For almost three decades, hemophilia A (HA) and hemophilia B (HB) have served as model disorders for the development of gene therapy. This effort is soon to bear fruit with completed pivotal adeno-associated viral (AAV) vector gene addition trials reporting encouraging results and regulatory approval widely anticipated in the near future for the current generation of HA and HB AAV vectors. Here we review the clinical development of AAV gene therapy for HA and HB and examine outstanding questions that have recently emerged from AAV clinical trials for hemophilia and other monogenic disorders.

Gene Therapy in Haemophilia: Updates from Clinical Trials and Insights to Future Technologies

At the International Society on Thrombosis and Haemostasis (ISTH) 2022 Congress, held 9th–13th July, multiple oral and poster presentations were dedicated to gene therapy as a treatment for haemophilia A or B. These included updates from clinical trials of adeno-associated virus (AAV)-based gene therapy products and guidance on the real-world monitoring of patients with haemophilia who have received gene therapy, both in the short- and long-term. The unmet needs and challenges associated with gene therapy were also discussed, and several preclinical studies that aimed to refine AAV-based strategies were presented. Finally, there were a number of presentations providing an insight into the ongoing research into alternative gene therapy strategies, including the use of non-viral gene transfer, gene editing strategies, and nanobodies.

FRI299 - Interim 52-week analysis of immunogenicity to the vector capsid and transgene-expressed human FVIII in GENEr8-1, a phase 3 clinical study of valoctocogene roxaparvovec, an AAV5-mediated gene therapy for hemophilia A

FRI299 - Interim 52-week analysis of immunogenicity to the vector capsid and transgene-expressed human FVIII in GENEr8-1, a phase 3 clinical study of valoctocogene roxaparvovec, an AAV5-mediated gene therapy for hemophilia A

Factor IX Padua for haemophilia B gene addition: universal adaptation and repeated success

In The Lancet Haematology, Feng Xue and colleagues1 report 1 year of sustained mean factor IX (FIX) activity well into the mild range of haemophilia and sufficient to nearly eliminate bleeding events among ten Chinese participants with haemophilia B who received BBM-H901, an adeno-associated viral (AAV) vector mediating FIX Padua (F9 [Arg338Leu]) gene transfer. This success follows multiple trials of AAV-mediated gene addition for haemophilia B that have adapted the FIX Padua transgene2–5 and demonstrate the therapeutic benefit of using an enhanced functional transgene for haemophilia gene therapy while also adapting lessons learned from previous work in AAV vector design.

PCR45 Development of a Patient-Reported Outcome Measure (PROM) to Fully Report a Proposed Core Outcome Set

coreHEM, a core outcome set (COS) for hemophilia gene therapy (GT) was identified by multi-stakeholder consensus (Iorio, Haemophilia, 2018). When consistently measured, the COS will inform a value-based approach to evaluating GT. First steps to determining appropriate measurements for each outcome were previously reported (ISPOR 2018). One outcome, mental health (MH) outlook, was regarded as highly important to capture the potential transformational impact of GT, however no instruments that measured MH when receiving a novel treatment were identified.

The Hemophilia Gene Therapy Patient Journey: Questions and Answers for Shared Decision-Making.

PurposeThe anticipated emergence of hemophilia gene therapy will present people with hemophilia (PWH) and treating clinicians with increasingly complex treatment options. It will be critical that PWH and their families be empowered to participate fully in decision-making through transparent communication and the development of targeted educational resources.MethodsThe Council of Hemophilia Community (CHC) convened across a series of roundtable meetings to define the patient journey for hemophilia gene therapy, and to develop a question-and-answer style resource to guide discussion between healthcare professionals (HCPs) and their patients. Patient groups were also consulted during the development of this tool.ResultsThe CHC defined 5 key stages in the hemophilia gene therapy patient journey: pre-gene therapy (information-seeking and decision-making), treatment initiation, short- and long-term post-gene therapy follow-up. PWH will have different questions and concerns at each stage of their journey, which should be discussed with their HCP to aid decision-making. The resulting patient journey infographic and Q&A resource (see Supplementary Materials) has been developed for HCPs and PWH to provide a novel and practical roadmap of key issues and considerations throughout all stages.ConclusionThese resources support a collaborative, patient-centric, shared decision-making approach to inform treatment decision discussions between HCPs and PWH. The value of such discussions will be influenced by the language adopted; health literacy is a particularly important consideration, and these discussions should be accessible and tailored to PWH. HCPs and PWH can benefit from awareness of the common questions and uncertainties as they progress together along the patient journey. While the contents of this article are specific to hemophilia gene therapy, the concepts developed here could be adapted to aid patients in other disease states.

Application of in-vitro-cultured primary hepatocytes to evaluate species translatability and AAV transduction mechanisms of action

Recombinant adeno-associated virus (AAV) is an effective platform for therapeutic gene transfer; however, tissue-tropism differences between species are a challenge for successful translation of preclinical results to humans. We evaluated the use of in vitro primary hepatocyte cultures to predict in vivo liver-directed AAV expression in different species. We assessed whether in vitro AAV transduction assays in cultured primary hepatocytes from mice, nonhuman primates (NHPs), and humans could model in vivo liver-directed AAV expression of valoctocogene roxaparvovec (AAV5-hFVIII-SQ), an experimental gene therapy for hemophilia A with a hepatocyte-selective promoter. Relative levels of DNA and RNA in hepatocytes grown in vitro correlated with in vivo liver transduction across species. Expression in NHP hepatocytes more closely reflected expression in human hepatocytes than in mouse hepatocytes. We used this hepatocyte culture model to assess transduction efficacy of a novel liver-directed AAV capsid across species and identified which of 3 different canine factor VIII vectors produced the most transgene expression. Results were confirmed in vivo. Further, we determined mechanisms mediating inhibition of AAV5-hFVIII-SQ expression by concomitant isotretinoin using primary human hepatocytes. These studies support using in vitro primary hepatocyte models to predict species translatability of liver-directed AAV gene therapy and improve mechanistic understanding of drug-drug interactions.

Encouraging signs for a new generation of AAV-driven gene therapy

David McCall, Commissioning Editor of Cell &amp; Gene Therapy Insights, speaks to Dr Katherine A High, President, Therapeutics, AskBio.Dr Katherine High trained in internal medicine, hematology, and molecular genetics, and began her faculty career at UNC-Chapel Hill. After moving to the University of Pennsylvania, she conducted pioneering bench-to-bedside studies of gene therapy for hemophilia. These led to a series of basic and clinical investigations that characterized the human immune response to AAV gene delivery vectors. Her work evolved to encompass clinical translation of genetic therapies for multiple inherited disorders. As the inaugural director of a Center at The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, where she was also an Investigator of the Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI), Dr High assembled a multidisciplinary team of scientists and physicians to discover and develop new gene therapies for genetic diseases. In 2013, her Center at CHOP spun out as Spark Therapeutics, where she led the team that achieved the first FDA approval of a gene therapy for a genetic disease. After Spark was acquired by Roche in 2019, Dr High did a (virtual) sabbatical as a Visiting Professor at Rockefeller University, and in 2021 joined AskBio as President, Therapeutics. Dr High is an elected member of the National Academy of Medicine (US), the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, the Royal College of Physicians (London), and the National Academy of Sciences (US).

Haemophilia gene therapy-Update on new country initiatives.

Gene therapy is emerging as a potential cure for haemophilia. Gene therapy is a one-time treatment that can elevate factor levels for many years and minimize or eliminate the need for clotting factor concentrate (CFC) replacement therapy. However, there is a paucity of reports on gene therapy efforts in countries outside of North America or Europe, especially in low-and-middle-income countries (LMIC). All indications are that gene therapy will be one of standard care treatments for haemophilia in the future. Still, it may not be accessible to many countries due to various barriers and challenges. At the same time, each country may formulate solutions that may be used globally. To summarize the approaches taken to establish haemophilia gene therapy in Japan, China, India, South Africa, and Brazil, and to describe the US-initiated multi-LMIC haemophilia gene therapy development program to include Peru, Vietnam, Thailand, Nepal, and Sri Lanka. A review of related published information or as accessible by each country's author. Different starting conditions, differing input and level of support from the multitude of stakeholders, and strong leadership have led to various approaches for facilitating research and developing needed infrastructure and regulatory and financing models. Gene therapy programs are at various stages of development and include both adeno-associated viral and lentiviral vectors. Global partnerships and collaboration, exchange of knowledge and experience, and alignment of processes across borders will promote further progress towards global access to gene therapy for haemophilia.

Examining patient and professional perspectives in the UK for gene therapy in haemophilia.

IntroductionWith the development of gene therapy for people with haemophilia (PWH), it is important to understand how people impacted by haemophilia (PIH) and clinicians prioritise haemophilia treatment attributes to support informed treatment decisions.ObjectiveTo examine the treatment attribute preferences of PIH and clinical experts in the United Kingdom (UK) and to develop a profile of gene therapy characteristics fit for use in future discrete choice experiments (DCEs).MethodsSemi‐structured interviews were conducted with PIH (n = 14) and clinical experts (n = 6) who ranked pre‐defined treatment attributes by importance. Framework analysis was conducted to identify key themes and treatment attributes; points were allocated based on the rankings. Synthesis of results by a multidisciplinary group informed development of a profile of gene therapy characteristics for use in future research.ResultsKey themes identified by PIH and clinical experts included patient relevant features and the importance of ‘informed decision making'. The six top‐ranked treatment attributes were ‘effect on factor level’ (79 points), ‘uncertainty regarding long‐term risks’ (57 points), ‘impact on daily life’ (41 points), ‘frequency of monitoring’ (33 points), ‘impact on ability to participate in physical activity’ (29 points), and ‘uncertainty regarding long‐term benefits’ (28 points). The final treatment characteristics were categorised as therapeutic option, treatment effectiveness, safety concerns, impact on self‐management and quality of life (role limitations).ConclusionWe identified several gene therapy characteristics important to PIH and clinicians in the UK. These characteristics will be used in a future DCE to further investigate patient preferences for gene therapy.

Interindividual variability in transgene mRNA and protein production following adeno-associated virus gene therapy for hemophilia A

Factor VIII gene transfer with a single intravenous infusion of valoctocogene roxaparvovec (AAV5-hFVIII-SQ) has demonstrated clinical benefits lasting 5 years to date in people with severe hemophilia A. Molecular mechanisms underlying sustained AAV5-hFVIII-SQ-derived FVIII expression have not been studied in humans. In a substudy of the phase 1/2 clinical trial (NCT02576795), liver biopsy samples were collected 2.6–4.1 years after gene transfer from five participants. Primary objectives were to examine effects on liver histopathology, determine the transduction pattern and percentage of hepatocytes transduced with AAV5-hFVIII-SQ genomes, characterize and quantify episomal forms of vector DNA and quantify transgene expression (hFVIII-SQ RNA and hFVIII-SQ protein). Histopathology revealed no dysplasia, architectural distortion, fibrosis or chronic inflammation, and no endoplasmic reticulum stress was detected in hepatocytes expressing hFVIII-SQ protein. Hepatocytes stained positive for vector genomes, showing a trend for more cells transduced with higher doses. Molecular analysis demonstrated the presence of full-length, inverted terminal repeat-fused, circular episomal genomes, which are associated with long-term expression. Interindividual differences in transgene expression were noted despite similar successful transduction, possibly influenced by host-mediated post-transduction mechanisms of vector transcription, hFVIII-SQ protein translation and secretion. Overall, these results demonstrate persistent episomal vector structures following AAV5-hFVIII-SQ administration and begin to elucidate potential mechanisms mediating interindividual variability.

Pharmacokinetic analysis identifies a factor VIII immunogenicity threshold after AAV gene therapy in hemophilia A mice

AbstractAdvances in the development of novel treatment options for hemophilia A are prevalent. However, the anti–factor VIII (FVIII) neutralizing antibody (inhibitor) response to existing FVIII products remains a major treatment challenge. Although some novel products are designed to function in the presence of inhibitors, they do not specific address the immunogenicity risk or mechanistic causes of inhibitor development, which remain unclear. Furthermore, most preclinical studies supporting clinical gene therapy programs have reported immunogenicity signals in animal models, especially at higher vector doses and sometimes using multiple vector designs. In these settings, immunogenicity risk factor determination, comparative immunogenicity of competing vector designs, and the potential for obtaining meaningful prognostic data remain relatively unexplored. Additionally, there remains the opportunity to investigate clinical gene therapy as an alternative to standard immune tolerance induction therapy. The current study was designed to address these issues through longitudinal dose-response evaluation of 4 adeno-associated viral (AAV) vector candidates encoding 2 different FVIII transgenes in a murine model of hemophilia A. Plasma FVIII activity and anti-FVIII antibody data were used to generate a pharmacokinetic model that (1) identifies initial AAV-FVIII product expression kinetics as the dominant risk factor for inhibitor development, (2) predicts a therapeutic window where immune tolerance is achieved, and (3) demonstrates evidence of gene therapy–based immune tolerance induction. Although there are known limitations to the predictive value of preclinical immunogenicity testing, these studies can uncover or support the development of design principles that can guide the development of safe and effective genetic medicines.