Auxora for the Treatment of Patients With Acute Pancreatitis and Accompanying Systemic Inflammatory Response Syndrome: Clinical Development of a Calcium Release-Activated Calcium Channel Inhibitor

Bruen, Charles; Miller, Joseph; Wilburn, John; Mackey, Caleb; Bollen, Thomas L.; Stauderman, Kenneth; Hebbar, Sudarshan; Bollen, Thomas L

To assess the safety of Auxora in patients with acute pancreatitis (AP), systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS), and hypoxemia, and identify efficacy endpoints to prospectively test in future studies. METHODS: This phase 2, open-label, dose-response study randomized patients with AP, accompanying SIRS, and hypoxemia (n = 21) to receive low-dose or high-dose Auxora plus standard of care (SOC) or SOC alone. All patients received pancreatic contrast-enhanced computed tomography scans at screenings, day 5/discharge, and as clinically required 90 days postrandomization; scans were blinded and centrally read to determine AP severity using computed tomography severity index. Solid food tolerance was assessed at every meal and SIRS every 12 hours. RESULTS: The number of patients experiencing serious adverse events was not increased with Auxora versus SOC alone. Three (36.5%) patients with moderate AP receiving low-dose Auxora improved to mild AP; no computed tomography severity index improvements were observed with SOC. By study end, patients receiving Auxora better tolerated solid foods, had less persistent SIRS, and had reduced hospitalization versus SOC. CONCLUSIONS: The favorable safety profile and patient outcomes suggest Auxora may be an appropriate early treatment for patients with AP and SIRS. Clinical development will continue in a randomized, controlled, blinded, dose-ranging study.