Eculizumab to Treat Paroxysmal Nocturnal Hemoglobinuria
Completed · Phase 3
Conditions studied: Hemoglobinuria, Paroxysmal
In brief
This study will examine the safety and effectiveness of the experimental drug eculizumab in treating patients with paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH), a rare disorder of red blood cells that leads to premature destruction of the cells and resulting anemia. Patients may be at high risk of blood clots and may develop bone marrow failure or aplastic anemia, with low white blood cell and platelet counts. Eculizumab is a monoclonal antibody that may help improve the survival of red blood cells. Patients 18 years of age and older with PNH who require blood transfusions for anemia and have received at least four transfusions in the 12 months preceding evaluation for this study may be eligible to enroll. Candidates are screened with a medical history, physical examination, and check of vital signs. Participants have an electrocardiogram (EKG) and blood and urine tests, and are vaccinated against Neisseria meningitides, a common bacteria that can cause a disabling or fatal type of meningitis. They then enter an observation phase of the study, with monthly visits during which they complete a questionnaire; update their health status, transfusion record, and medication use; have their vital signs checked and PNH symptoms evaluated; have blood and urine tests; and receive a transfusion, if necessary. These visits continue for up to 3 months until patients receive a "qualifying" transfusion; that is, a transfusion given as a consequence of a certain hemoglobin level with symptoms or a different level without symptoms. Patients are then randomly assigned to receive either eculizumab or a placebo (salt solution with no active ingredient). Both study medications are given intravenously (through a vein) over 30 minutes once a week for five doses and then once every 2 weeks for another 11 doses. At each treatment visit (study weeks 0-24), patients update their health status, transfusion records, and medication use; have their vital signs checked; and provide a blood sample. At various visits, they also complete a questionnaire, provide a urine sample and have an EKG. At the last treatment visit (week 26 or the final visit for patients who end their participation before visit 18) patients have a complete physical examination in addition to the procedures listed above.
Key facts
- Study ID
- NCT00098280
- Run by
- National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI)
- People needed
- 75
- Starts
- 2004-12-01
- Expected to finish
- 2006-02-01
- Last updated by the study team
- 2008-03-04
Who can join
Age: any. Sex: any. Healthy volunteers: accepted.
You may not qualify if…
- Patients whose mean hemoglobin levels prior to transfusion over the previous 12 months is greater than 10.5 gm/dL;
- Absolute Neutrophil count less than or equal to 500/microL;
- Presence or suspicion of active bacterial infection, in the opinion of the Investigator, at Visit 3 or recurrent bacterial infections;
- Known or suspected hereditary complement deficiency;
- Participation in any other investigational drug trial or exposure to other investigational agent, device, or procedure within 30 days prior to Visit 1;
- Pregnant, breast-feeding, or intending to conceive during the course of the study, including the Post-treatment Phase;
- History of meningococcal disease;
- History of bone marrow transplantation;
- Any condition that, in the opinion of the Investigator, could increase the patient's risk by participating in the study or confound the outcome of the study.
Where it is running
- National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute (NHLBI) — Bethesda, Maryland, United States
Full record on ClinicalTrials.gov
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