Frunevetmab, a felinized anti-nerve growth factor monoclonal antibody, for the treatment of pain from osteoarthritis in cats

Background: Frunevetmab, a felinized antinerve growth factor monoclonal antibody, effectively decreases osteoarthritis (OA) pain in cats.

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy of frunevetmab given at monthly intervals in a randomized, placebo-controlled, parallel-group, double-blind superiority study.

Animals: Two hundred seventy-five client-owned cats with naturally-occurring OA pain and associated mobility impairment and disability.

Methods: Randomized, placebo-controlled, parallel-group, double-blind, superiority study. Following screening, cats received frunevetmab (nominal dose of 1.0 mg/kg, SC [effective dose range of 1.0-2.8 mg/kg]) or placebo on days 0, 28, and 56. Outcome measures were owner questionnaires and veterinary physical and orthopedic evaluations at days 28, 56, and 84. Success/failure rates (and numbers needed treat, NNT) and change in scores (and standardized effect size, ES) were analyzed.

Results: Frunevetmab (182) and placebo (93) treated cats were enrolled and received at least 1 treatment. Significant improvement with frunevetmab over placebo occurred at days 28 and 56 for the client specific outcome measures (CSOM) questionnaire (success rates and total scores [NNT of 9 and ES of 0.3 at day 56]); at days 28 and 56 for owner-assessed global treatment response; and at days 56 and 84 for veterinarian-assessed joint pain (ES of 0.18 at day 56). Adverse events did not differ between groups, except skin disorders which collectively occurred significantly more frequently in frunevetmab treated (32/182 cats) vs placebo (8/93 cats).

Conclusions and clinical importance: Frunevetmab has the potential to address a critical gap in the treatment of pain because of osteoarthritis in cats.

CSOM; FMPI; arthritis; client specific outcome measures; degenerative joint disease; feline; feline musculoskeletal pain index.