A Safety and Efficacy Study of Different Doses of Oxfendazole Compared to a Single Dose of Albendazole to Treat Trichuris Trichiura Infection in Adults

This is a Phase 2 trial to evaluate the efficacy of different doses of oxfendazole versus a single dose of albendazole in curing or reducing the egg burden in subjects with T. trichiura infections. 249 subjects will be randomized in a 1:1:1 ratio to one of three dose-groups to receive a single dose of oxfendazole 400 mg or 800 mg, or a single dose of albendazole 400 mg. Water and a snack will be provided to aid in ingestion of the study product and a study team member will observe the ingestion of study product. The study team members and study subjects will not be blinded to the dose group. However, the laboratory assessors evaluating the stool samples will be blinded. Subjects will be recruited in Iquitos, Peru, and surrounding villages where there is a high prevalence of T. trichiura infection. Subjects will be solicited through town hall meetings and local clinics and through recommendations from local care providers. A two-stage screening process will be utilized. If subjects are found on the screening stool exam to have only a stool parasite other than T. trichuria or if the subject chooses not to participate in the study, the subject will be referred to a local health provider. If stool analysis performed at the end of the study period demonstrates stool parasites, the subjects will be contacted and referred to their local health provider where they will receive standard of care treatment. The primary objective is to assess the cure rate of different dose regimens of oxfendazole vs. albendazole in the treatment of T. trichiura infections using the Kato-Katz stool examination method. The secondary objectives are to: 1) assess the cure rate of different dose regimens of oxfendazole vs albendazole in the treatment of T. trichiura infections using the stool concentration examination method, 2) assess the clinical response compared to baseline, as shown by reduction in T. trichiura egg counts using the Kato-Katz stool examination method, 3) assess the clinical response compared to baseline, as shown by reduction in T. trichiura egg counts using the stool concentration method, 4) assess the proportion of subjects with moderate or heavy infection before treatment who had no infection or only light infection after treatment using the Kato-Katz stool examination method, 5) assess the proportion of subjects with moderate or heavy infection before treatment who had no infection or only light infection after treatment using the stool concentration examination method, 6) establish the spectrum of activity of oxfendazole against other intestinal helminths using the Kato-Katz stool examination method, 7) establish the spectrum of activity of oxfendazole against other intestinal helminths using the stool concentration examination method, 8) assess the tolerability of each oxfendazole dose group compared to the albendazole dose group, and 9) assess the safety in subjects treated with oxfendazole.

Inclusion criteria

• Male or female aged 18-65 years, inclusive and weigh ≥45 kg.
• Are willing to participate in this trial, as evidenced by written or witnessed oral informed consent.
• T. trichiura* is demonstrated in a stool sample obtained within 14 days before randomization and enrollment.

*The presence of A. lumbricoides, N. americanus, A. duodenalis, or other helminths will not be a cause for exclusion.

• Are willing to comply with the requirements of this protocol, particularly to provide four stool samples and two blood samples* over approximately 4- 6 weeks.

*An extra stool or blood sample might be required if the samples are not collected within the appropriate time frame or to follow up on abnormal laboratory tests.

• Females must have a negative serum pregnancy test within 10 days or a negative urine pregnancy test 72 hours prior to the first study drug administration.*ª

*If a woman of child bearing potential is on an injectable form of contraception, a single serum pregnancy test at screening (Days -10 to -1) is acceptable. If the woman is not using an injectable form of contraception, a pregnancy test must be negative 72 hours prior to the first study drug administration.

ª Pregnancy testing is not required for women of non-childbearing potential

• Female subjects of childbearing potential must be using effective contraception.* *Effective methods of contraception include: abstinence from sexual intercourse, monogamous relationship with a vasectomized partner, male condoms with spermicide, surgical sterility, intrauterine contraceptive device, oral or injectable contraceptives, diaphragm in combination with contraceptive cream or foam. Females aged >/=50 years who have had no menstrual periods for 1 year may be enrolled. Females must agree to continue effective contraception for approximately 28 days following the last study drug administration.

Exclusion criteria

• Has demonstrated a previous hypersensitivity reaction to oxfendazole or a related compound (e.g. albendazole, mebendazole).
• Has a diarrheal disease that would interfere with the evaluation of stool samples*.

• More than 6 stools per day or stools that are completely liquid.
• Has received an antihelminthic within 14 days before enrolment.
• Has received an investigational drug within 30 days before the screening visit or is scheduled to receive such a drug during this trial.
• Has a concomitant infection or another underlying disease that would compromise the safety, diagnosis, and evaluation of responses to the study drug.
• Has a known history of renal dysfunction or plasma creatinine >/=1.5 times the upper limit of normal (ULN) for age.
• Has a known history of hepatic dysfunction or AST, ALT, total bilirubin >/=1.5 times the ULN.
• Has a hemoglobin that is less than 8 g/dL.
• Is a female who is pregnant, lactating, or planning a pregnancy during this trial (up to days 28 after the last scheduled dose).
• Has previously been enrolled in this trial.
• Has any condition that would, in the investigator's opinion, interfere with this trial.