Palovarotene for Fibrodysplasia Ossificans Progressiva (FOP): Results of a Randomized, Placebo‐Controlled, Double‐Blind Phase 2 Trial

Fibrodysplasia ossificans progressiva (FOP) is an ultra‐rare genetic disorder characterized by progressive heterotopic ossification (HO), often heralded by flare‐ups, leading to reduced movement and life expectancy. This placebo‐controlled, double‐blind trial (NCT02190747) evaluated palovarotene, an orally bioavailable selective retinoic acid receptor gamma agonist, for prevention of HO in patients with FOP. Patients experiencing a flare‐up were enrolled in two cohorts: (1) patients ≥15 years were randomized 3:1 to palovarotene 10/5 mg (weeks 1–2/3–6) or placebo; (2) patients ≥6 years were randomized 3:3:2 to palovarotene 10/5 mg, palovarotene 5/2.5 mg (weeks 1–2/3–6), or placebo. Cohort data were pooled. The primary endpoint was the proportion of responders (no/minimal new HO at flare‐up body region by plain radiograph) at week 6. Change from baseline in HO volume and new HO incidence were assessed by computed tomography (CT) at week 12. Tissue edema was assessed by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or ultrasound. Forty patients (aged 7–53 years) were enrolled (placebo: n = 10; palovarotene 5/2.5 mg: n = 9; palovarotene 10/5 mg: n = 21). Disease history was similar between groups. In the per‐protocol population, the proportion of responders at week 6 by plain radiograph was 100% with palovarotene 10/5 mg; 88.9% with palovarotene 5/2.5 mg; 88.9% with placebo (Cochran‐Armitage trend test: p = 0.17). At week 12, the proportions were 95.0% with palovarotene 10/5 mg; 88.9% with palovarotene 5/2.5 mg; 77.8% with placebo (Cochran‐Armitage trend test: p = 0.15). Week 12 least‐squares mean (LSmean) new HO volume, assessed by CT, was 3.8 × 10(3) mm(3) with palovarotene 10/5 mg; 1.3 × 10(3) mm(3) with palovarotene 5/2.5 mg; 18.0 × 10(3) mm(3) with placebo (pairwise tests versus placebo: p ≤ 0.12). Palovarotene was well‐tolerated. No patients discontinued treatment or required dose reduction; one patient had dose interruption due to elevated lipase. Although these findings were not statistically significant, they support further evaluation of palovarotene for prevention of HO in FOP in larger studies. © 2022 The Authors. Journal of Bone and Mineral Research published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of American Society for Bone and Mineral Research (ASBMR).