Vnitr Lek 2025, 71(3):190-196 | DOI: 10.36290/vnl.2025.033

Danicopan

Libor Červinek

Hematologická ambulance MU a FN Brno

Danicopan is a selective inhibitor of complement factor D that acts through the alternative pathway of complement activation. By blocking the alternative pathway of complement, danikopan inhibits extravascular hemolysis (EVH). The efficacy and safety of danikopan in adult PNH patients with clinically significant EVH were evaluated in a multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, phase 3 study ALXN2040-PNH-301. Danicopan added to ravulizumab or eculizumab demonstrated superiority over placebo in the primary endpoint of increase in hemoglobin levels. Danicopan also achieved statistically significant improvements compared to placebo in all 4 secondary endpoints, which were the proportion of patients with an increase in hemoglobin levels of ≥ 20 g/L, the number of patients without a transfusion, the change in FACIT fatigue score, and the change in absolute reticulocyte count. The combination of danicopan treatment with C5 terminal phase inhibitors also stabilizes primary intravascular hemolysis due to the underlying PNH disease. Danicopan is indicated as an add-on therapy to ravulizumab or eculizumab for the treatment of adult patients with paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria who have residual hemolytic anemia.

Keywords: paroxysmal nocturnal haemoglobinuria, haemolysis, complement inhibitors, danicopan.

Accepted: April 28, 2025; Published: May 16, 2025  Show citation