Phase III optical trials of teprotumumab have proved effective in the treatment of active thyroid eye disease (TED), moving the monoclonal antibody treatment closer to becoming the first approved treatment beyond the only current option of surgery once the active disease phases ends.
Originally developed as a cancer drug, teprotumumab works by inhibiting the insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1R)-mediated signalling pathway in the orbital cells of patients with TED. It led to a “dramatic” reduction in proptosis compared with those who received a placebo in trials.
Study lead Professor Raymond Douglas said, “If approved, teprotumumab would give physicians the first medicine shown to reduce proptosis during active thyroid eye disease, in addition to treating other painful symptoms.”
Manufacturer Horizon Pharma plans to publish the findings and submit a biologics licence application to the FDA later this year.
