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Completed

NCT Number: NCT03320070

Acthar Gel in Participants With Pulmonary Sarcoidosis

The purpose of this study is to find out if Acthar Gel is safe and effective to treat pulmonary sarcoidosis.

Participants will be randomly assigned (like flipping a coin) to receive a shot under their skin of Acthar Gel or a matching placebo gel that has no drug in it. They will receive their assigned shot twice a week for 24 weeks.

All participants who complete the 24-week treatment period will be eligible to receive Acthar Gel for 24 more weeks, even if they were originally in the placebo group.

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Key information

Conditions

Sarcoidosis, Pulmonary Hemic and Lymphatic Diseases Hypersensitivity Hypersensitivity, Delayed Immune System Diseases Lung Diseases Lung Diseases, Interstitial Lymphatic Diseases Lymphoproliferative Disorders Respiratory Tract Diseases Sarcoidosis

Age range

18 year–90 year

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Phase 4

Primary location

UAB Lung Health Center, Birmingham, Alabama, United States

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Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: No

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

  • Has biopsy-confirmed sarcoidosis meeting American Thoracic Society criteria ≥ 1 year at screening (Visit 1)
  • Has protocol-defined symptomatic pulmonary disease
  • Has been receiving a stable prednisone dose between 5 mg and 40 mg (or equivalent) for pulmonary sarcoidosis, for at least 4 weeks before screening, or a stable dose of another disease-modifying anti-sarcoidosis drug for at least 3 months before screening
  • Has lung function within protocol-defined parameters

Exclusion criteria

  • Has at least a 10% change in forced vital capacity (FVC) on spirometry between Visits 1 and 2
  • Has pulmonary arterial hypertension requiring treatment
  • Has been treated with antitumor necrosis factor-α antibody within the past 3 months
  • Has any pulmonary condition that requires treatment, therefore impeding corticosteroid tapering

Treatment and study plan

Acthar Gel

Drug

Acthar Gel for subcutaneous (SC) injection (80 units per 1 mL)

Other names: H.P. Acthar Gel, Repository Corticotropin Injection

Placebo

Drug

Placebo gel for SC injection

Other names: Matching Placebo

Primary outcomes

  1. DBT: Number of Participants in Each Category of Assessment Based on Forced Vital Capacity (FVC), a Pulmonary Function Test Parameter at Week 24

    Time frame: Week 24

    Forced vital capacity (FVC) is a pulmonary function test parameter that indicates the amount of air that can be forcibly exhaled from the lungs after taking the deepest breath possible. It's measured by spirometry, which is a common breathing test to check lung function. Based on the absolute change of percent predicted, FVC was evaluated to determine if the condition is:

    • Improved (+1) [≥ 5% absolute change]
    • Unchanged (0) [>- 5% to < 5% absolute change], or
    • Worse (-1) [≤ -5% absolute change]

    An additional category "Missing Assessment" indicates the participants who had a missing assessment for this outcome measure.

  2. OLE: Number of Participants in Each Category of Assessment Based on FVC, a Pulmonary Function Test Parameter at Week 48

    Time frame: Week 48

    Forced vital capacity (FVC) is a pulmonary function test parameter that indicates the amount of air that can be forcibly exhaled from the lungs after taking the deepest breath possible. It's measured by spirometry, which is a common breathing test to check lung function. Based on the absolute change of percent predicted, FVC was evaluated to determine if the condition is:

    • Improved (+1) [≥ 5% absolute change]
    • Unchanged (0) [>- 5% to < 5% absolute change], or
    • Worse (-1) [≤ -5% absolute change]

    An additional category "Missing Assessment" indicates the participants who had a missing assessment for this outcome measure.

  3. DBT: Number of Participants in Each Category of Assessment Based on the Diffusing Capacity of the Lungs for Carbon Monoxide (DLCO), a Pulmonary Function Test Parameter at Week 24

    Time frame: Week 24

    The diffusing capacity of the lungs for carbon monoxide (DLCO) measures the ability of the lungs to transfer gas from inhaled air to the red blood cells in the blood. Participants are asked to fully inhale a low concentration of carbon monoxide and an inert tracer gas. Based on the absolute change of percent predicted, DLCO was evaluated to determine if the condition is:

    • Improved (+1) [≥ 5% absolute change]
    • Unchanged (0) [>- 5% to < 5% absolute change],
    • Worse (-1) [≤ -5% absolute change]

    An additional category "Missing Assessment" indicates the participants who had a missing assessment for this outcome measure.

  4. OLE: Number of Participants in Each Category of Assessment Based on the DLCO, a Pulmonary Function Test Parameter at Week 48

    Time frame: Week 48

    The diffusing capacity of the lungs for carbon monoxide (DLCO) measures the ability of the lungs to transfer gas from inhaled air to the red blood cells in the blood. Participants are asked to fully inhale a low concentration of carbon monoxide and an inert tracer gas. Based on the absolute change of percent predicted, DLCO was evaluated to determine if the condition is:

    • Improved (+1) [≥ 5% absolute change]
    • Unchanged (0) [>- 5% to < 5% absolute change],
    • Worse (-1) [≤ -5% absolute change]

    An additional category "Missing Assessment" indicates the participants who had a missing assessment for this outcome measure.

  5. DBT: Number of Participants in Each Category of Assessment Based on High Resolution Computer Tomography (HRCT) at Week 24

    Time frame: Week 24

    High-resolution computer tomography (HRCT) is a type of computed tomography (CT) with specific techniques to enhance image resolution. It is used in the diagnosis of various health problems, most commonly for lung disease. These images show cross sections (slices) through the lungs. HRCT imaging was evaluated by the investigator/radiologist and the central reader to determine if the condition is improved (+1), unchanged (0), or worse (-1). An additional category "Missing Assessment" indicates the participants who had a missing assessment for this outcome measure.

  6. OLE: Number of Participants in Each Category of Assessment Based on HRCT at Week 48

    Time frame: Week 48

    High-resolution computer tomography (HRCT) is a type of computed tomography (CT) with specific techniques to enhance image resolution. It is used in the diagnosis of various health problems, most commonly for lung disease. These images show cross sections (slices) through the lungs. HRCT imaging was evaluated by the investigator/radiologist and the central reader to determine if the condition is improved (+1), unchanged (0), or worse (-1). An additional category "Missing Assessment" indicates the participants who had a missing assessment for this outcome measure.

  7. DBT: Number of Participants in Each Category of Assessment Based on the King's Sarcoidosis Questionnaire (KSQ) (General Health), a Quality of Life Parameter at Week 24

    Time frame: Week 24

    King's sarcoidosis questionnaire (KSQ) (General Health) is a 28-item questionnaire for participants to indicate the status of their sarcoidosis and treatment. Each item was answered on a 7-point scale where 1 means the participant experiences the symptom all the time and 7 means the participant does not experience the symptom at all. Higher scores indicate improvement, and a change of 4 points is considered clinically meaningful. The score on the scale was evaluated to determine if the condition is:

    • Improved (+1) based on a change of ≥ 4 points
    • Unchanged (0) based on a change of >- 4 to < 4 points
    • Worse (-1) based on a change of ≤ -4 points

    An additional category "Missing Assessment" indicates the participants who had a missing assessment for this outcome measure.

  8. OLE: Number of Participants in Each Category of Assessment Based on the KSQ (General Health), a Quality of Life Parameter at Week 48

    Time frame: Week 48

    King's sarcoidosis questionnaire (KSQ) (General Health) is a 28-item questionnaire for participants to indicate the status of their sarcoidosis and treatment. Each item was answered on a 7-point scale where 1 means the participant experiences the symptom all the time and 7 means the participant does not experience the symptom at all. Higher scores indicate improvement, and a change of 4 points is considered clinically meaningful. The score on the scale was evaluated to determine if the condition is:

    • Improved (+1) based on a change of ≥ 4 points
    • Unchanged (0) based on a change of >- 4 to < 4 points
    • Worse (-1) based on a change of ≤ -4 points

    An additional category "Missing Assessment" indicates the participants who had a missing assessment for this outcome measure.

  9. DBT: Number of Participants in Each Category of Assessment Based on the Fatigue Assessment Score (FAS), a Quality of Life Parameter at Week 24

    Time frame: Week 24

    The fatigue assessment score (FAS) is a 10-item checklist for participants to indicate the level of their fatigue. Each item was answered on a 5-point scale where 1 means the participant does not experience the symptom all and 5 means the participant experiences the symptom all the time. Lower scores indicate improvement (less fatigue) and a change of 4 points is considered clinically meaningful. The score on the scale was evaluated to determine if the condition is:

    • Improved (+1) based on a change of ≤ -4 points
    • Unchanged (0) based on a change of >- 4 to < 4 points
    • Worse (-1) based on a change of ≥ 4 points

    An additional category "Missing Assessment" indicates the participants who had a missing assessment for this outcome measure.

  10. OLE: Number of Participants in Each Category of Assessment Based on FAS, a Quality of Life Parameter at Week 48

    Time frame: Week 48

    The fatigue assessment score (FAS) is a 10-item checklist for participants to indicate the level of their fatigue. Each item was answered on a 5-point scale where 1 means the participant does not experience the symptom all and 5 means the participant experiences the symptom all the time. Lower scores indicate improvement (less fatigue) and a change of 4 points is considered clinically meaningful. The score on the scale was evaluated to determine if the condition is:

    • Improved (+1) based on a change of ≤ -4 points
    • Unchanged (0) based on a change of >- 4 to < 4 points
    • Worse (-1) based on a change of ≥ 4 points

    An additional category "Missing Assessment" indicates the participants who had a missing assessment for this outcome measure.

  11. DBT: Number of Participants in Each Category of Assessment Based on Corticosteroid Taper Score in Participants Receiving Each Dose of Prednisone at Week 24

    Time frame: Week 24

    Corticosteroids are first line treatment for sarcoidosis. Concerns of corticosteroid toxicity led to efforts to taper dose sooner. Participants were clinically evaluated at each visit by investigator and categorized by their condition; dose was tapered using algorithm to take them off prednisone using incremental doses of 40,30,20,10,7.5,5,2.5,0 mg, as explained with each category below.

    • Improved: When condition improved, reduce dose by 1 level
    • Unchanged:
    • When stable condition without toxicity: At first stable visit they continue same dose; at second stable visit, reduce dose by 1 level
    • When stable condition with toxicity: toxicity is treated; reduce dose by 1 level
    • Deteriorate: When worsening condition, increase dose by 1 or 2 levels but not >40mg/day

    Dose tapering was done based on the participant's clinical condition.

    Category "Missing Assessment" indicates participants who had a missing assessment for this outcome measure.

  12. OLE: Number of Participants in Each Category of Assessment Based on Corticosteroid Taper Score in Participants Receiving Each Dose of Prednisone at Week 48

    Time frame: Week 48

    Corticosteroids are first line treatment for sarcoidosis. Concerns of corticosteroid toxicity led to efforts to taper dose sooner. Participants were clinically evaluated at each visit by investigator and categorized by their condition; dose was tapered using algorithm to take them off prednisone using incremental doses of 40,30,20,10,7.5,5,2.5,0 mg, as explained with each category below.

    • Improved: When condition improved, reduce dose by 1 level
    • Unchanged:
    • When stable condition without toxicity: At first stable visit they continue same dose; at second stable visit, reduce dose by 1 level
    • When stable condition with toxicity: toxicity is treated; reduce dose by 1 level
    • Deteriorate: When worsening condition, increase dose by 1 or 2 levels but not >40mg/day

    Dose tapering was done based on the participant's clinical condition.

    Category "Missing Assessment" indicates participants who had a missing assessment for this outcome measure.

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Mallinckrodt

Industry

Registry information

Official study title

A Multicenter, Randomized, Double Blind, Placebo Controlled Exploratory Study to Assess the Efficacy and Safety of Acthar Gel in Subjects With Pulmonary Sarcoidosis

Acronym: PULSAR

Important dates

Study start
2018
Primary completion
2021
Study completion
2021
First posted
Oct 25, 2017
Registry last updated
Feb 27, 2023

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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