Safety and dose relationship of recombinant human activated protein C for coagulopathy in severe sepsis. Drotrecogin alfa (activated) in children with severe sepsis: a multicentre phase III randomised controlled trial. Extended drotrecogin alfa (activated) treatment in patients with prolonged septic shock. Drotrecogin alfa (activated) for adults with severe sepsis and a low risk of death. Efficacy and safety of recombinant human activated protein C for severe sepsis. Drotrecogin alfa (activated) in adults with septic shock.
To assess the safety and effect on coagulopathy of a range of doses of recombinant human activated protein C (rhAPC). To determine an effective dose and duration of rhAPC for use in future clinical trials.
                Double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled, multicenter, dose-ranging (sequential), phase II clinical trial.
                Forty community or academic medical institutions in United States and Canada.
                One hundred thirty-one adult patients with severe sepsis.
                Intravenous infusion of rhAPC (12, 18, 24, or 30 microg/kg/hr) or placebo for 48 or 96 hrs.
                No significant differences in incidence of serious bleeding events (4% rhAPC, 5% placebo, p >.999) or incidence of serious adverse events (39% rhAPC, 46% placebo, p = 0.422) between rhAPC- and placebo-treated patients were observed. One of 53 rhAPC-treated patients with suitable immunogenicity samples had a low level, transient, non-neutralizing anti-APC antibody response not associated with any clinical adverse event. Significant dose-dependent decreases in both D-dimer (p <0.001) and end of infusion interleukin 6 levels (p =.021) were demonstrated. No statistically significant effects on fibrinogen or platelet counts were observed. A nonstatistically significant 15% relative risk reduction in 28-day all-cause mortality was observed between rhAPC- and placebo-treated patients.
                rhAPC was safe and well-tolerated and demonstrated a dose-dependent reduction in D-dimer and interleukin 6 levels relative to placebo. The dose of 24 microg/kg/hr for 96 hrs was selected for use in future clinical studies. Drotrecogin alfa (activated) (DrotAA) is used for the treatment of adults with severe sepsis who have a high risk of dying. A phase 1b open-label study has indicated that the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of DrotAA are similar in children and adults. We initiated the RESOLVE (REsearching severe Sepsis and Organ dysfunction in children: a gLobal perspectiVE) trial to investigate the efficacy and safety of the drug in children.
                Children aged between 38 weeks' corrected gestational age and 17 years with sepsis-induced cardiovascular and respiratory failure were randomly assigned to receive placebo or DrotAA (24 microg/kg/h) for 96 h. We used a prospectively defined, novel primary endpoint of Composite Time to Complete Organ Failure Resolution (CTCOFR) score. Secondary endpoints were 28-day mortality, major amputations, and safety. Analysis was by intention-to-treat. This trial is registered with clinicaltrials.gov, number NCT00049764.
                477 patients were enrolled; 237 received placebo, and 240 DrotAA. Our results showed no significant difference between groups in CTCOFR score (p=0.72) or in 28-day mortality (placebo 17.5%; DrotAA, 17.2%; p=0.93). Although there was no difference in overall serious bleeding events during the 28-day study period (placebo 6.8%; DrotAA 6.7%; p=0.97), there were numerically more instances of CNS bleeding in the DrotAA group (11 [4.6%], vs 5 [2.1%] in placebo, p=0.13), particularly in children younger than 60 days. For CTCOFR score days 1-14, correlation coefficient was -0.016 (95% CI -0.106 to 0.74); relative risk for 28-day mortality was 1.06 (95% CI 0.66 to 1.46) for DrotAA compared with placebo.
                Although we did not record any efficacy of DrotAA in children with severe sepsis, serious bleeding events were similar between groups and the overall safety profile acceptable, except in children younger than 60 days. However, we gained important insights into clinical and laboratory characteristics of childhood severe sepsis, and have identified issues that need to be addressed in future trials in critically ill children. To determine the efficacy and safety of extended drotrecogin alfa (activated) (DAA) therapy.
                Multicentre, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled study.
                Sixty-four intensive care units in nine countries.
                Adults with severe sepsis and vasopressor-dependent hypotension after a 96-h infusion of standard DAA.
                A total of 193 patients received an intravenous infusion of extended DAA 24 microg/kg/h or sodium chloride placebo for a maximum of 72 h.
                At extended therapy initiation (baseline), DAA-group patients had lower protein C levels (P = 0.23) and higher vasopressor requirements, particularly for the primary vasopressor used, norepinephrine (P = 0.03), compared with placebo-group patients. DAA treatment did not result in a difference in the primary outcome of time to resolution of vasopressor-dependent hypotension versus placebo (P = 0.419). However, few patients reached resolution (DAA 34%, placebo 40%) as most continued to require vasopressor support after 72 additional hours of treatment. Treatment did not reduce 28-day all-cause mortality and in-hospital mortality or improve organ function compared with placebo, although there was a lower percentage change in D-dimers (P < 0.001) and increases in protein C levels were numerically greater on extended infusion. There was no difference in serious adverse events including bleeding events.
                Extended DAA treatment did not result in more rapid resolution of vasopressor-dependent hypotension, despite demonstrating anticipated biological effects on D-dimer and protein C levels. A reduced planned sample size combined with baseline imbalances in protein C levels and vasopressor requirements may have limited the ability to demonstrate a clinical benefit. In November 2001, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved drotrecogin alfa (activated) (DrotAA) for adults who had severe sepsis and a high risk of death. The FDA required a study to evaluate the efficacy of DrotAA for adults who had severe sepsis and a low risk of death.
                We randomly assigned adult patients with severe sepsis and a low risk of death (defined by an Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation [APACHE II] score <25 or single-organ failure) to receive an intravenous infusion of placebo or DrotAA (24 microg per kilogram of body weight per hour) for 96 hours in a double-blind, placebo-controlled, multicenter trial. The prospectively defined primary end point was death from any cause and was assessed 28 days after the start of the infusion. In-hospital mortality within 90 days after the start of the infusion was measured, and safety information was collected.
                Enrollment in the trial was terminated early because of a low likelihood of meeting the prospectively defined objective of demonstrating a significant reduction in the 28-day mortality rate with the use of DrotAA. The study enrolled 2640 patients and collected data on 2613 (1297 in the placebo group and 1316 in the DrotAA group) at the 28-day follow-up. There were no statistically significant differences between the placebo group and the DrotAA group in 28-day mortality (17.0 percent in the placebo group vs. 18.5 percent in the DrotAA group; P=0.34; relative risk, 1.08; 95 percent confidence interval, 0.92 to 1.28) or in in-hospital mortality (20.5 percent vs. 20.6 percent; P=0.98; relative risk, 1.00; 95 percent confidence interval, 0.86 to 1.16). The rate of serious bleeding was greater in the DrotAA group than in the placebo group during both the infusion (2.4 percent vs. 1.2 percent, P=0.02) and the 28-day study period (3.9 percent vs. 2.2 percent, P=0.01).
                The absence of a beneficial treatment effect, coupled with an increased incidence of serious bleeding complications, indicates that DrotAA should not be used in patients with severe sepsis who are at low risk for death, such as those with single-organ failure or an APACHE II score less than 25.
                Copyright 2005 Massachusetts Medical Society. Drotrecogin alfa (activated), or recombinant human activated protein C, has antithrombotic, antiinflammatory, and profibrinolytic properties. In a previous study, drotrecogin alfa activated produced dose-dependent reductions in the levels of markers of coagulation and inflammation in patients with severe sepsis. In this phase 3 trial, we assessed whether treatment with drotrecogin alfa activated reduced the rate of death from any cause among patients with severe sepsis.
                We conducted a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, multicenter trial. Patients with systemic inflammation and organ failure due to acute infection were enrolled and assigned to receive an intravenous infusion of either placebo or drotrecogin alfa activated (24 microg per kilogram of body weight per hour) for a total duration of 96 hours. The prospectively defined primary end point was death from any cause and was assessed 28 days after the start of the infusion. Patients were monitored for adverse events; changes in vital signs, laboratory variables, and the results of microbiologic cultures; and the development of neutralizing antibodies against activated protein C.
                A total of 1690 randomized patients were treated (840 in the placebo group and 850 in the drotrecogin alfa activated group). The mortality rate was 30.8 percent in the placebo group and 24.7 percent in the drotrecogin alfa activated group. On the basis of the prospectively defined primary analysis, treatment with drotrecogin alfa activated was associated with a reduction in the relative risk of death of 19.4 percent (95 percent confidence interval, 6.6 to 30.5) and an absolute reduction in the risk of death of 6.1 percent (P=0.005). The incidence of serious bleeding was higher in the drotrecogin alfa activated group than in the placebo group (3.5 percent vs. 2.0 percent, P=0.06).
                Treatment with drotrecogin alfa activated significantly reduces mortality in patients with severe sepsis and may be associated with an increased risk of bleeding. There have been conflicting reports on the efficacy of recombinant human activated protein C, or drotrecogin alfa (activated) (DrotAA), for the treatment of patients with septic shock.
                In this randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, multicenter trial, we assigned 1697 patients with infection, systemic inflammation, and shock who were receiving fluids and vasopressors above a threshold dose for 4 hours to receive either DrotAA (at a dose of 24 μg per kilogram of body weight per hour) or placebo for 96 hours. The primary outcome was death from any cause 28 days after randomization.
                At 28 days, 223 of 846 patients (26.4%) in the DrotAA group and 202 of 834 (24.2%) in the placebo group had died (relative risk in the DrotAA group, 1.09; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.92 to 1.28; P=0.31). At 90 days, 287 of 842 patients (34.1%) in the DrotAA group and 269 of 822 (32.7%) in the placebo group had died (relative risk, 1.04; 95% CI, 0.90 to 1.19; P=0.56). Among patients with severe protein C deficiency at baseline, 98 of 342 (28.7%) in the DrotAA group had died at 28 days, as compared with 102 of 331 (30.8%) in the placebo group (risk ratio, 0.93; 95% CI, 0.74 to 1.17; P=0.54). Similarly, rates of death at 28 and 90 days were not significantly different in other predefined subgroups, including patients at increased risk for death. Serious bleeding during the treatment period occurred in 10 patients in the DrotAA group and 8 in the placebo group (P=0.81).
                DrotAA did not significantly reduce mortality at 28 or 90 days, as compared with placebo, in patients with septic shock. (Funded by Eli Lilly; PROWESS-SHOCK ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT00604214.).
This updated review found no evidence suggesting that APC should be used for treating patients with severe sepsis or septic shock. APC seems to be associated with a higher risk of bleeding. The drug company behind APC, Eli Lilly, has announced the discontinuation of all ongoing clinical trials using this drug for treating patients with severe sepsis or septic shock. APC should not be used for sepsis or septic shock outside randomized clinical trials.