Sickle cell disease (SCD) is an autosomal recessive red blood cell (RBC) disorder caused by a single point mutation in the β-globin gene, resulting in the production of hemoglobin S. Hemoglobin S polymerization within deoxygenated RBCs contributes to hemolysis, vaso-occlusion, and end-organ damage. Additionally, abnormal heterocellular adhesive interactions between RBCs and endothelial cells, leukocytes, and platelets play a central role in triggering painful vaso-occlusive crises (VOCs) in patients with SCD. Inclacumab is a recombinant, fully human, monoclonal antibody directed against human P-selectin, a cell adhesion molecule produced by endothelial cells and platelets. Inclacumab interferes with the adhesion of sickle RBCs, platelets, and leukocytes to the endothelium by binding P-selectin and preventing P-selectin from binding to its ligands. This is the putative mechanism by which inclacumab may potentially reduce the incidence of VOCs. We aim to conduct 2 global, multicenter, phase 3 studies and an open-label extension (OLE) study to evaluate the safety and efficacy of inclacumab in individuals with SCD.

The THRIVE studies (THRIVE-131, THRIVE-132, THRIVE OLE) are being conducted in approximately 75 sites worldwide, including 13 sites in Brazil. Of the Brazilian sites, 2 are currently activated. THRIVE-131 (NCT04935879) is a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, multicenter trial in which 240 participants aged ≥12 years experiencing 2 to 10 VOCs in the previous 12 months will be randomized 1:1 to receive intravenous (IV) inclacumab or placebo every 12 weeks for 48 weeks. The primary endpoint is the rate of VOCs during the 48-week treatment period. THRIVE-132 (NCT04927247) is a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, multicenter trial in which 280 participants aged ≥12 years experiencing 2 to 10 VOCs in the previous 12 months will be randomized 1:1 to receive a single dose of IV inclacumab or placebo within 5 days of resolution of an index VOC that required admission to a healthcare facility and treatment with parenteral pain medication. The primary endpoint is the proportion of patients with readmission for a VOC within 90 days of randomization. After completion of their participation in THRIVE-131 or THRIVE-132, participants may enroll in THRIVE-133 OLE in which the long-term safety of inclacumab will be investigated. In THRIVE-133 OLE, participants will receive IV inclacumab every 12 weeks as long as the clinical benefit of treatment outweighs the risk and until access to inclacumab from an alternative source (eg, through commercialization or a managed-access program) becomes available.

Recruiting for both THRIVE-131 and THRIVE-132 began in October 2021 and is ongoing.

The THRIVE-131 and THRIVE-132 phase 3 studies will examine the efficacy of inclacumab in reducing the frequency of VOCs and readmissions due to VOCs, and the THRIVE-133 OLE study will examine the long-term safety of inclacumab in individuals with SCD.

The phase 3 THRIVE studies are expected to provide valuable data on the safety and efficacy of inclacumab as a potential therapy for VOCs associated with SCD.

These studies are supported by Global Blood Therapeutics.