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NCT Number: NCT05912517

A Study of Nipocalimab in Pregnancies at Risk for Severe Hemolytic Disease of the Fetus and Newborn (HDFN)

The purpose of this study is to assess the effectiveness of nipocalimab when compared to placebo in decreasing the risk of fetal anemia (a condition in which a baby's red blood cell volume falls below normal levels while the baby is developing in the womb) with live neonates in pregnant participants at risk for severe hemolytic disease of the fetus and newborn.

Recruiting

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Key information

Age range

18 year–45 year

Sex eligibility

Female

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Phase 3

Primary location

Hospital Italiano de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina

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Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: No

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

  • Pregnant and an estimated gestational age (GA) (based on ultrasound dating) from Week 13^0/7 to Week 18^6/7 at randomization
  • History of severe Hemolytic Disease of the Fetus and Newborn (HDFN) in a prior pregnancy defined as documented:
  • fetal anemia as result of HDFN or fetal hydrops as result of HDFN or received greater than or equal to (>=)1 IUT as a result of HDFN or
  • fetal loss or neonatal death as a result of HDFN, with maternal alloantibody titers for Rhesus antigen D protein (RhD), Kell, Kell Rhesus antigen C protein (Rhc), Rhesus antigen E protein (RhE), or RhC antigen above the critical levels (anti-Kell >=4; other >=16) and evidence of an antigen-positive fetus
  • During the current pregnancy, presence of maternal alloantibody to RhD, Rhc, RhE, or RhC antigen with titers above the critical level (anti-Kell >= 4; other >=16) based on the designated central lab results at screening
  • Evidence of antigen-positivity corresponding to the current maternal alloantibody (RhD, Kell, Rhc, RhE, or RhC) confirmed by non-invasive antigen cell-free fetal DNA (cffDNA) performed at the central laboratory
  • Have screening lab test results within values within the study protocol-specified parameters: a) albumin >= lower limit of normal (LLN); b) alanine transaminase (AST) less than or equal to (<=) 2 × upper limit of normal (ULN); c) alanine transaminase (ALT) <=2 × ULN d) creatinine <=0.8 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL), SI: <=70.7 micromole per liter (μmol/L), and Serum total immunoglobulins G (IgG) ≥ 600 mg/dL SI: >=6 g/L
  • Medically stable on the basis of physical examination, medical history, vital signs, 12-lead ECG, and clinical lab tests performed at screening

Exclusion criteria

  • Currently pregnant with a multiple gestation (twins or more)
  • Evidence of fetal anemia prior to randomization in the current pregnancy
  • History of severe preeclampsia prior to GA Week 34 or severe fetal growth restriction (estimated fetal weight <3rd percentile, based on local fetal growth normative standards) in a previous pregnancy
  • Current uncontrolled hypertension
  • History of myocardial infarction, unstable ischemic heart disease, or stroke
  • Has any confirmed or suspected clinical immunodeficiency syndrome or has a family history of congenital or hereditary immunodeficiency unless confirmed absent in the participant
  • Has inflammatory or autoimmune diseases requiring immunosuppressive therapies that may jeopardize the safety of the participant
  • Currently has a malignancy or has a history of malignancy within 3 years before screening (with the exception of localized basal cell carcinoma and/or squamous cell carcinoma skin cancer that has been adequately treated with no evidence of recurrence for at least 3 months before the first study intervention administration or cervical carcinoma in situ that has been treated with no evidence of recurrence for at least 3 months before the first study intervention)
  • Is currently receiving systemic corticosteroids or other immunosuppressants for disorders unrelated to the pregnancy
  • Has received or planning to receive plasmapheresis, immunoadsorption therapy, intravenous immunoglobulin (IV Ig), or any immunoglobulin (Ig)G fragment crystallizable (Fc)-related protein therapeutics during the current pregnancy
  • Has a severe infection including opportunistic infections
  • Presence of abnormal (protocol-specified) hematologic lab values during screening
  • History of an unprovoked pulmonary embolism or history of recurrent deep vein thrombosis (DVT)

The above information was not intended to contain all considerations relevant to a participant's potential participation in a clinical trial.

Treatment and study plan

Nipocalimab

Drug

Nipocalimab will be administered as an intravenous infusion.

Other names: JNJ-80202135, M281, JNJ-86507083

Placebo

Drug

Placebo will be administered as an intravenous infusion.

Primary outcomes

  1. Percentage of Pregnancies That did not Result in Fetal Loss, Intrauterine Transfusion (IUT), Hydrops Fetalis, or Neonatal Death

    Time frame: From randomization in the study through 4 weeks of age or 41 weeks Postmenstrual Age (PMA) during neonatal period, whichever is later

    Percentage of pregnancies that did not result in fetal loss, IUT, hydrops fetalis, or neonatal death (during the neonatal period) will be reported. Hydrops fetalis is defined as the presence of greater than or equal to(>=)2 abnormal fluid collections in the fetus or neonate, such as ascites, pleural effusions, pericardial effusion, and generalized skin edema (skin thickness greater (>)5 millimeter [mm]). PMA is the time elapsed between the first day of the last menstrual period and birth (gestational age) plus the time elapsed after birth (chronological age).

Secondary outcomes

  1. Number of Participants With Hemolytic Disease of the Fetus and Newborn (HDFN) by Severity

    Time frame: For first database lock: from randomization in the study through 4 weeks of age or 41 weeks PMA during neonatal period, whichever is later for the first database lock; for second database lock: through 12 weeks after birth

    Number of participants with HDFN by severity will be reported. The severity of HDFN is defined as: 5 (fatal): fetal or neonatal death due to any reason; 4 (severe): hydrops fetalis (in fetus or newborn) or receiving IUT during pregnancy as a result of HDFN but not 5 (fatal); 3 (moderate): neonatal exchange transfusions received as a result of HDFN related hemolysis and jaundice but not 4 (severe) or 5 (fatal); 2 (mild): neonatal simple transfusions received due to HDFN after birth, with or without phototherapy, but not 3 (moderate), 4 (severe), or 5 (fatal); and 1 (minimal or none): not in 2 (mild), 3 (moderate), 4 (severe), or 5 (fatal) as described above. Here database lock implies the last participant has given birth or terminated their pregnancy, completed the Week 4 visit after delivery, and whose neonate has also completed the Week 4 visit (or 41 weeks PMA, whichever is later) or died prior to this timepoint.

  2. Time to First Occurrence of IUT or Hydrops Fetalis

    Time frame: From randomization to delivery of baby (Up to 38 weeks)

    Time to first occurrence of IUT or hydrops fetalis will be reported.

  3. Neonatal Mortality and Morbidity Index (NMMI) in Liveborn Neonates

    Time frame: Through 38 weeks PMA or at discharge if earlier than 38 weeks PMA

    The NMMI will be assessed with the following categories: fatal: fetal/neonatal death; major morbidity: any of intraventricular hemorrhage grade 3/4, seizures, hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy, necrotizing enterocolitis stage 2/3, respiratory distress syndrome requiring mechanical ventilation, bronchopulmonary dysplasia requiring oxygen support, or persistent pulmonary hypertension; Minor morbidity: anemia requiring simple transfusion, hyperbilirubinemia requiring an exchange transfusion, hypotension requiring treatment, intraventricular hemorrhage grade 1/2, necrotizing enterocolitis stage 1, or respiratory distress syndrome not requiring mechanical ventilation; None: no major or minor morbidities described above. Hyperbilirubinemia requiring phototherapy will be classified in this category'

  4. Number of IUT's Received During the Pregnancy

    Time frame: From randomization to delivery of baby (Up to 38 weeks)

    Number of IUT's received during the pregnancy will be reported.

  5. Percentage of Pregnancies With Fetal Loss

    Time frame: Time to delivery of baby (Up to 38 weeks)

    Percentage of pregnancies with fetal loss will be reported.

  6. Percentage of Pregnancies With Fetal or Neonatal Death

    Time frame: Through Week 4 or 41 weeks PMA

    Percentage of pregnancies with fetal or neonatal death (through the neonatal period) as a result of HDFN will be reported.

  7. Percentage of Pregnancies With Hydrops Fetalis

    Time frame: Up to 41 weeks PMA

    Percentage of pregnancies with hydrops fetalis will be reported. Hydrops fetalis is defined as the presence of >=2 abnormal fluid collections in the fetus or neonate, such as ascites, pleural effusions, pericardial effusion, and generalized skin edema (skin thickness >5 mm).

  8. Percentage of Pregnancies Receiving IUT During Pregnancy

    Time frame: Up to 35 weeks of GA period

    Percentage of pregnancies receiving IUT during pregnancy will be reported.

  9. Gestational Age (GA) at First IUT

    Time frame: Up to 35 weeks of GA period

    GA at first IUT will be reported.

  10. Percentage of Pregnancies Receiving >1 IUT During Pregnancy

    Time frame: Up to 35 weeks of GA period

    Percentage of pregnancies receiving >1 IUT during pregnancy will be reported.

  11. Percentage of Pregnancies Receiving IUT or HDFN Resulting in Fetal Demise (Less Than) <GA Week 20

    Time frame: Up to 20 weeks

    Percentage of pregnancies receiving IUT or HDFN resulting in fetal demise <GA Week 20 will be reported.

  12. Gestational Age at Delivery

    Time frame: Up to 38 weeks

    Gestational age at delivery will be reported.

  13. Percentage of Pregnancies With Neonatal Death Through the Neonatal Period

    Time frame: From randomization in the study through 4 weeks of age or 41 weeks PMA during neonatal period, whichever is later

    Percentage of pregnancies with neonatal death through the neonatal period will be reported.

  14. Percentage of Liveborn Neonates With HDFN-related Morbidities Other Than Anemia and Hyperbilirubinemia or Jaundice

    Time frame: From day of birth up to 4 weeks

    Percentage of liveborn neonates with HDFN-related morbidities other than anemia and hyperbilirubinemia or jaundice will be reported.

  15. Absolute Weight of Liveborn Neonates or Infants

    Time frame: Up to 104 weeks

    Absolute weight of liveborn neonates or infants will be reported.

  16. Change From Baseline in Weight of Liveborn Neonates or Infants

    Time frame: Baseline to up to 104 weeks

    Change from baseline in weight of liveborn neonates or infants will be reported.

  17. Liveborn Neonates Length of Stay in Neonatal Intensive Care Unit

    Time frame: From day of birth up to 27 days

    Liveborn neonates length of stay in neonatal intensive care unit will be reported.

  18. Percentage of Liveborn Neonates Receiving Exchange Transfusions for HDFN

    Time frame: From day of birth up to 27 days

    Percentage of liveborn neonates receiving exchange transfusions for HDFN will be reported.

  19. Number of Neonatal Exchange Transfusions per Liveborn Neonate

    Time frame: From day of birth up to 27 days

    Number of neonatal exchange transfusions per liveborn neonate will be reported.

  20. Percentage of Liveborn Neonates or Infants with Simple Transfusions for HDFN

    Time frame: For first database lock: From birth up to 4 weeks; for second database lock: From birth up to 12 weeks

    Percentage of liveborn neonates or infants with simple transfusions for HDFN through the neonatal period (for the first database lock) or 12 weeks (for the second database lock) after birth will be reported.

  21. Number of Simple Transfusions for HDFN per Liveborn Neonate or Infant

    Time frame: For first database lock: From birth up to 4 weeks; for second database lock: From birth up to 12 weeks

    Number of simple transfusions for HDFN per liveborn neonate or infant through the neonatal period (for the first database lock) or 12 weeks (for the second database lock) after birth will be reported.

  22. Percentage of Liveborn Neonates With Hyperbilirubinemia Treated With Phototherapy

    Time frame: From day of birth up to 27 days

    Percentage of liveborn neonates with hyperbilirubinemia treated with phototherapy will be reported.

  23. Number of Days of Phototherapy Received for Hyperbilirubinemia per Liveborn Neonate

    Time frame: From day of birth up to 27 days

    Number of days of phototherapy received for hyperbilirubinemia per liveborn neonate will be reported.

  24. Percentage of Liveborn Neonates or Infants Receiving Intravenous Immunoglobulin (IVIg) for HDFN Treatment

    Time frame: For first database lock: From birth up to 4 weeks; for second database lock: From birth up to 12 weeks

    Percentage of liveborn neonates or infants receiving IVIg for HDFN treatment will be reported.

  25. Number of Maternal Deaths

    Time frame: Form randomization up to 24 weeks postpartum

    Number of maternal deaths will be reported.

  26. Number of Participants with Adverse Events (AEs)

    Time frame: From randomization up to 24 weeks postpartum

    Number of participants with AEs, serious adverse events, and AEs of special interest (AESIs), AE's leading to discontinuations, infections, serious infections, infusion reactions, and hypersensitivity reactions will be reported. Treatment-emergent adverse events associated with the following situations are considered as AESIs: hypoalbuminemia, clinically significant bleeding with a corresponding placental finding on ultrasound, maternal infections that led to clinically significant morbidities or mortalities in fetus or neonates, Infections that are severe or require intravenous (IV) anti-infective or operative or invasive intervention in maternal participants or neonates or infants, and infants with hypogammaglobulinemia.

  27. Number of Maternal Pregnancy Complications

    Time frame: Up to 38 weeks

    Number of maternal pregnancy complications will be reported.

  28. Number of IUT Related complications

    Time frame: Up to 35 weeks of GA period

    Number of participants with IUT related complications will be reported.

  29. Percentage of Pregnancies With Cesarean Delivery, Preterm Birth, Fetal Growth, and Preeclampsia

    Time frame: Up to 38 weeks of GA period

    Percentage of pregnancies with cesarean delivery, cesarean delivery due to IUT complications, preterm birth <GA week 28, preterm birth <GA week 32, preterm birth <GA week 34, preterm birth <GA week 37, fetal growth restriction, and preeclampsia will be reported.

  30. Percentage of Liveborn Neonates or Infants Who Died

    Time frame: Up to 104 weeks

    Percentage of liveborn neonates or infants who died will be reported.

  31. Percentage of Liveborn Neonates or Infants With AEs

    Time frame: Up to 104 weeks

    Percentage of liveborn neonates or infants with AEs, SAEs, AESIs, infections, serious infections will be reported. An AE is any untoward medical occurrence in a clinical study participant administered a pharmaceutical (investigational or non-investigational) product. Any event requiring hospitalization (or prolongation of hospitalization) that occurs during participation in the study must be reported as an SAE.

  32. Percentage of Liveborn Neonates or Infants Receiving IVIg for Non-HDFN Indications

    Time frame: Up to 104 weeks

    Percentage of liveborn neonates or infants receiving IVIg for non-HDFN indications will be reported.

  33. Percentage of Liveborn Neonates or Infants With Abnormal Hearing

    Time frame: Up to 104 weeks

    Percentage of liveborn neonates or infants with abnormal hearing will be reported.

  34. Bayley Scales of Infant Development and Toddler Development

    Time frame: Week 52 and 104

    The Bayley Scales of infant development is considered the standard assessment of early child development and includes cognition, language, motor skills, social emotional, and adaptive behavior will be reported. The Bayley Scales (3rd edition) are reference standards that measure infant and toddler development in five areas: cognition, language, motor skills, social-emotional and adaptive behavior. The cognition, language and motor skills scales are directly administered to the infant, while social-emotional, and adaptive behavior scales are caregiver questionnaires. The scores are standardized using norm reference samples with representative demographics and age adjusted for prematurity. Higher scores in the Bayley Scales indicate better outcomes.

  35. Change From Baseline in Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7-Item (GAD7) Over time During Pregnancy and Postpartum

    Time frame: Baseline (Day 1) and Week 30 during pregnancy and Week 4 postpartum

    Change from baseline in GAD7 over time during pregnancy and postpartum will be reported. The GAD-7 scale is a self-administered questionnaire designed to measure anxiety. The recall period for all items is the past 2 weeks. Responses to all items are rated on a 4-point Likert scale ranging from 0 "not at all" to 3 "nearly every day". The total score ranges from 0 to 21, with higher scores indicating higher severity of anxiety symptoms.

  36. Change From Baseline in Short Form 36 Version 2 (SF-36v2) Acute Form Domain Score

    Time frame: Baseline (Day 1) and Week 30 during pregnancy and Week 4 postpartum

    Change from baseline in SF-36v2 acute form domain score will be reported. The SF-36 version 2 acute is a self-administered, 36-item questionnaire measuring health-related quality of life and includes 8 domains that measure physical functioning, role limitations due to physical health problems, bodily pain, general health, vitality social functioning, role limitations due to emotional problems, and mental health. The 8 domains can be aggregated into 2 summary scales that reflect physical and mental health: a physical component summary and a mental component summary. Responses to all items are rated on a 3, 5, or 6-point Likert scale, with higher scores indicating better health status.

  37. Change From Baseline in EuroQol Five-dimension Questionnaire (EQ-5D-5L) Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) Score

    Time frame: Baseline (Day 1) and Week 30 during pregnancy and Week 4 postpartum

    Change from baseline in EQ-5D-5L visual analogue score will be reported. The EQ-5D descriptive system is comprised of 5 items across the following 5 dimensions: mobility, self-care, usual activities, pain or discomfort and anxiety or depression. The EQ-5D-5L uses a 5-point Likert response scale ranging from "no problems" to "extreme problems", with higher scores indicating better quality of life. EQ-5D-5L consists of the EQ-5D descriptive system and the EQ visual analogue scale (EQ-VAS). EQ-VAS score ranges from 0 to 100, where 0 = worst imaginable health state and 100 = best imaginable health state. Higher score indicates good health state.

  38. Change From Baseline in EuroQol 5-Dimension Descriptive (EQ-5D) Index Score

    Time frame: Baseline (Day 1) and Week 30 during pregnancy and Week 4 postpartum

    Change from baseline in EQ-5D index score will be reported. The EQ-5D descriptive system is comprised of 5 items across the following 5 dimensions: mobility, self-care, usual activities, pain or discomfort and anxiety or depression. The EQ-5D-5L descriptive system uses a 5-point Likert response scale ranging from "no problems" to "extreme problems", with higher scores indicating better quality of life.

  39. Infant Health-Related Quality of Life Instrument (IQI) Score for Neonate or Infant Overtime

    Time frame: Weeks 4, 8 and 52

    IQI score for neonate or infant will be reported. The IQI consists of 7 health attributes including sleeping, feeding, breathing, stooling or poo, mood, skin, and interaction. Responses to all items are rated on a 4-point Likert scale, with higher scores indicating better quality of life.

Study contacts

Contact information is provided by the study sponsor or research team.

Study Contact

CONTACT

[email protected]

844-434-4210

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Janssen Research & Development, LLC

Industry

Registry information

Official study title

A Phase 3 Randomized, Placebo-Controlled, Double-Blind, Multicenter Study to Evaluate the Efficacy and Safety of Nipocalimab in Pregnancies at Risk for Severe Hemolytic Disease of the Fetus and Newborn (HDFN)

Acronym: AZALEA

Important dates

Study start
2023
Primary completion
2027
Study completion
2029
First posted
Jun 22, 2023
Registry last updated
Jul 31, 2026

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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