Burosumab Provides Sustained Improvement in Phosphorus Homeostasis and Heals Rickets in Children Aged 1 to 4 Years With X-Linked Hypophosphatemia (XLH)
Authors: Gottesman Gary , Imel Erik Allen , Carpenter Thomas O , Chen Angel , Skrinar Alison , Roberts Mary Scott , Whyte Michael P 
Published: May 2021

XLH is the most common heritable rickets. Affected children have high levels of circulating FGF23 that cause hypophosphatemia with consequent rickets and lower limb deformity. Burosumab, a fully human monoclonal antibody that binds FGF23, is FDA-approved for the treatment of XLH in children ≥6 months old and adults. Herein, we report final, 3-year safety and efficacy data from an open-label, phase 2 study of burosumab in children 1 to &lt;5 years old at baseline (NCT02750618).

Eligibility required hypophosphatemia and radiographic evidence of rickets. The primary efficacy endpoint was change from baseline in fasting serum phosphorus (Pi). Secondary endpoints included Rickets Severity Score (RSS) and Radiographic Global Impression of Change (RGI-C). Patients received burosumab subcutaneous Q2W starting at 0.8 mg/kg for 160 weeks (64-week treatment + 96-week treatment extension periods).

All 13 enrolled patients completed the 64-week treatment period; 1 left the study to transition to commercially available burosumab, and 12 completed all 160 weeks. Baseline mean (SD) age was 2.9 (1.1) years; 69% were boys; all had previously received oral phosphate salts and active vitamin D.

Burosumab rapidly corrected fasting serum Pi with mean (SD) levels of 2.5 (0.3) mg/dL at Baseline, 3.7 (0.5) mg/dL at Week 1 (W1), 3.4 (0.5) mg/dL at W64, and 3.4 (0.5) mg/dL at W160 (normal range: 3.2–6.1 mg/dL). Lower RSS indicated improved rickets. Total RSS decreased from 2.9 (1.4) at Baseline to 1.2 (0.5) at W40 and to 0.9 (0.5) at W64 and was maintained through W160 [1.0 (0.6)]. Positive RGI-C scores indicate healing rickets relative to Baseline. Global RGI-C scores indicating substantial healing (≥+2) at W40 [+2.2 (0.3)] and W64 [+2.2 (0.4)] were maintained through W160 [+2.2 (0.4)]. Similarly, lower limb deformity RGI-C scores were +1.2 (0.6) at W40 and +1.5 (0.5) at W64, and sustained healing was evident at W160 [+2.0 (0.3)]. Wrist and knee RSSs and RGI-C scores similarly improved. The upper limit of normal for serum ALP ranged from 297 to 345 U/L depending on the child’s age and sex. Mean ALP was 549 (194) U/L at Baseline, normalized by W40 [335 (88) U/L], and was sustained through W160 [302 (71) U/L].

The burosumab safety profile over 160 weeks resembled previous pediatric studies; no new safety concerns emerged. All patients had ≥1 treatment-emergent adverse event (TEAE). All TEAEs were mild (Grade 1) or moderate (Grade 2) except for one patient with a grade 3 TEAE (food allergy) and one with a grade 3 TEAE (increased serum amylase, 92% salivary/8% pancreatic). One patient had a serious TEAE (dental abscess leading to hospitalization). These grade 3 and serious TEAEs were considered unrelated to study drug.

Burosumab rapidly restored Pi homeostasis, improved rickets, and normalized serum ALP in children with XLH aged 1 to &lt;5 years with no new safety concerns. Improvements were maintained during the 3 years of treatment.