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Treatment of Sarcopenia with Bimagrumab: Results from a Phase II, Randomized, Controlled, Proof‐of‐Concept Study
Author(s) -
Rooks Daniel,
Praestgaard Jens,
Hariry Sam,
Laurent Didier,
Petricoul Olivier,
Perry Robert G.,
LachTrifilieff Estelle,
Roubenoff Ronenn
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
journal of the american geriatrics society
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.992
H-Index - 232
eISSN - 1532-5415
pISSN - 0002-8614
DOI - 10.1111/jgs.14927
Subject(s) - medicine , sarcopenia , placebo , preferred walking speed , grip strength , lean body mass , randomized controlled trial , physical therapy , body mass index , body weight , alternative medicine , pathology
Objectives To assess the effects of bimagrumab on skeletal muscle mass and function in older adults with sarcopenia and mobility limitations. Design A 24‐week, randomized, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled, parallel‐arm, proof‐of‐concept study. Setting Five centers in the United States. Participants Community‐dwelling adults (N = 40) aged 65 and older with gait speed between 0.4 and 1.0 m/s over 4 m and an appendicular skeletal muscle index of 7.25 kg/m 2 or less for men and 5.67 kg/m 2 or less for women. Intervention Intravenous bimagrumab 30 mg/kg (n = 19) or placebo (n = 21). Measurements Change from baseline in thigh muscle volume (TMV), subcutaneous and intermuscular fat, appendicular and total lean body mass, grip strength, gait speed, and 6‐minute walk distance (6MWD). Results Thirty‐two (80%) participants completed the study. TMV increased by Week 2, was sustained throughout the treatment period, and remained above baseline at the end of study in bimagrumab‐treated participants, whereas there was no change with placebo treatment (Week 2: 5.15 ± 2.19% vs −0.34 ± 2.59%, P < .001; Week 4: 6.12 ± 2.56% vs 0.16 ± 3.42%, P < .001; Week 8: 8.01 ± 3.70% vs 0.35 ± 3.32%, P < .001; Week 16: 7.72 ± 5.31% vs 0.42 ± 5.14%, P < .001; Week 24: 4.80 ± 5.81% vs −1.01 ± 4.43%, P = .002). Participants with slower walking speed at baseline receiving bimagrumab had clinically meaningful and statistically significantly greater improvements in gait speed (mean 0.15 m/s, P = .009) and 6MWD (mean 82 m, P = .022) than those receiving placebo at Week 16. Adverse events in the bimagrumab group included muscle‐related symptoms, acne, and diarrhea, most of which were mild in severity and resolved by the end of study. Conclusion Treatment with bimagrumab over 16 weeks increased muscle mass and strength in older adults with sarcopenia and improved mobility in those with slow walking speed.