Betibeglogene autotemcel gene therapy for non–β00 genotype β-thalassemia

Franco Locatelli*, Alexis A Thompson, Janet L. Kwiatkowski, John B. Porter, Adrian J. Thrasher, Suradej Hongeng, Martin G. Sauer, Isabelle Thuret, Ashutosh Lal, Mattia Algeri, Jennifer Schneiderman, Timothy S. Olson, Ben Carpenter, Persis J. Amrolia, Usanarat Anurathapan, Axel Schambach, Christian Chabannon, Manfred Schmidt, Ivan Labik, Heidi ElliotRuiting Guo, Mohammed Asmal, Richard A. Colvin, Mark C. Walters

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

159 Scopus citations

Abstract

BACKGROUND Betibeglogene autotemcel (beti-cel) gene therapy for transfusion-dependent β-thalassemia contains autologous CD34+ hematopoietic stem cells and progenitor cells transduced with the BB305 lentiviral vector encoding the β-globin (βA-T87Q) gene. METHODS In this open-label, phase 3 study, we evaluated the efficacy and safety of beti-cel in adult and pediatric patients with transfusion-dependent β-thalassemia and a non–β00 genotype. Patients underwent myeloablation with busulfan (with doses adjusted on the basis of pharmacokinetic analysis) and received beti-cel intravenously. The primary end point was transfusion independence (i.e., a weighted average hemoglobin level of ≥9 g per deciliter without red-cell transfusions for ≥12 months). RESULTS A total of 23 patients were enrolled and received treatment, with a median followup of 29.5 months (range, 13.0 to 48.2). Transfusion independence occurred in 20 of 22 patients who could be evaluated (91%), including 6 of 7 patients (86%) who were younger than 12 years of age. The average hemoglobin level during transfusion independence was 11.7 g per deciliter (range, 9.5 to 12.8). Twelve months after beti-cel infusion, the median level of gene therapy–derived adult hemoglobin (HbA) with a T87Q amino acid substitution (HbAT87Q) was 8.7 g per deciliter (range, 5.2 to 10.6) in patients who had transfusion independence. The safety profile of beti-cel was consistent with that of busulfan-based myeloablation. Four patients had at least one adverse event that was considered by the investigators to be related or possibly related to beti-cel; all events were nonserious except for thrombocytopenia (in 1 patient). No cases of cancer were observed. CONCLUSIONS Treatment with beti-cel resulted in a sustained HbAT87Q level and a total hemoglobin level that was high enough to enable transfusion independence in most patients with a non–β00 genotype, including those younger than 12 years of age. (Funded by Bluebird Bio; HGB-207 ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT02906202.).

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)415-427
Number of pages13
JournalNew England Journal of Medicine
Volume386
Issue number5
DOIs
StatePublished - Feb 3 2022

Funding

All the authors generated, collected, and had access to the clinical data and confirm that the study was conducted in accordance with the protocol (available at NEJM.org). The authors and the sponsor, Bluebird Bio, interpreted the data, and an independent data monitoring committee regularly reviewed all safety data. All the authors reviewed and approved the manuscript for publication and vouch for the accuracy and completeness of the data. Medical writing support was funded by Bluebird Bio. Supported by Bluebird Bio.

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Medicine

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