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NCT Number: NCT00519818

Comparison of Two Forms of Hydrocortisone in Patients With Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia

This study will test a new, extended release form of hydrocortisone called Chronocort in patients with congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH). People with CAH do not make enough of the adrenal hormones cortisol and aldosterone, and their adrenal glands make too much of the sex hormone androgen. Medicines called glucocorticoids (hydrocortisone, dexamethasone and prednisone) are currently used to treat CAH, but finding the best dose of these drugs that effectively lowers androgens without causing undesirable side effects, such as weight gain and slow growth rate in children, is often difficult to achieve.

Adolescents and adults with CAH due to 21-hydroxylase deficiency may be eligible for this study. Children 16 years of age and older are eligible with confirmation by bone age that they are no longer growing.

Participants undergo the following tests and procedures during two inpatient visits one month apart at the NIH Clinical Center:

* Medical history and physical examination. * Medications: Following 7 days of Cortef (standard drug treatment for CAH), patients begin taking Chronocort on day 3 of hospitalization and continue the tablets once a day for 1 month. * Blood tests: A catheter (plastic tube) is inserted in a vein and left in place for frequent blood draws in order to avoid repeated needlesticks. Blood is drawn for chemistries, blood count, pregnancy test in women, and for serial tests (up to 26 samples in a 24-hour period) to measure hormone levels. * 24-hour urine test. * Height and weight measurements.

Between the two hospitalizations, patients are contacted by NIH weekly to check for possible side effects from Chronocort. Two weeks after the first visit, patients also will have blood drawn by their regular doctor or a local clinic. A few days before the second hospitalization, patients undergo a 20-minute telephone questionnaire about energy level and well being.

About 30 days after discharge from the second hospitalization, patients are followed up with a telephone call to see how they are doing.

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Key information

Conditions

Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia 21-hydroxylase Deficiency Adrenal Gland Diseases Adrenal Hyperplasia, Congenital Adrenogenital Syndrome Congenital Abnormalities Congenital adrenal hyperplasia due to 21 hydroxylase deficiency Congenital, Hereditary, and Neonatal Diseases and Abnormalities Disorders of Sex Development Endocrine System Diseases Female Urogenital Diseases Female Urogenital Diseases and Pregnancy Complications Genetic Diseases, Inborn Gonadal Disorders Male Urogenital Diseases Metabolic Diseases Metabolism, Inborn Errors Nutritional and Metabolic Diseases Steroid Metabolism, Inborn Errors Urogenital Abnormalities Urogenital Diseases

Age range

16 year–60 year

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Phase 1 / Phase 2

Primary location

National Institutes of Health Clinical Center, 9000 Rockville Pike

Bethesda, Maryland, 20892, United States

About this study

Congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) due to 21-hydroxylase deficiency is a disease of the adrenal cortex characterized by cortisol deficiency with or without aldosterone deficiency, and androgen excess. The severe or classic form occurs in 1 in 15,000 births worldwide, while the mild non-classic form is a common cause of hyperandrogenism. The discovery of glucocorticoid therapy as a treatment for CAH occurred in the 1950's resulting in patients with classic CAH surviving to live a normal lifespan. However, existing treatment is suboptimal and many unresolved clinical problems exist. Standard hormone replacement often fails to normalize the growth and development of children with CAH, and adults may experience iatrogenic Cushing syndrome, hyperandrogenism, infertility or the development of the metabolic syndrome. Chronocort, a newly-developed formulation of hydrocortisone, results in a slow release of hydrocortisone that is designed to mimic the normal cortisol circadian rhythm. This new medical strategy, physiologic cortisol replacement, offers the prospect of an improved outcome of treatment. Chronocort has been safely given to healthy adult males in pharmacokinetic studies. This first ever study in patients with CAH is a pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic study comparing Chronocort to Cortef, the conventional immediate-release form of hydrocortisone.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: No

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

  • INCLUSION CRITERIA:

Satisfactory pre-trial screening

Provision of signed written informed consent and written assent from patients less than 18 years old, as applicable.

Good general health.

Females of childbearing potential must have a negative pregnancy test initially and at all visits. Females who are engaging in sexual intercourse must be using medically acceptable method of contraception.

Exclusion criteria

Co-morbid condition requiring daily administration of a medication that induces hepatic enzymes or interferes with the metabolism of glucocorticoids.

Clinical or biochemical evidence of hepatic or renal disease. Creatinine above the normal range or elevated liver function tests (Transaminases greater than 1.5 the upper limits of normal).

Females who are pregnant or lactating.

Patients with any other significant medical or psychiatric conditions that in the opinion of the Investigator would preclude participation in the trial.

Participation in another clinical trial of an investigational or licensed drug or device within 3 months prior to inclusion in this study.

Treatment and study plan

Chronocort

Drug

Chronocort 30 mg once daily nigh time dose for 28 +/- 3 days duration

Other names: Hydrocortisone modified release tablet treatment

Cortef

Drug

Cortef 3 times daily(total dose 30 mg)for minimum of 7 days

Other names: Hydrocortisone immediate release tablet

Primary outcomes

  1. Chronocort vs. Cortef Cortisol Concentrations (AUC Over 24 Hours - Time Points 0,.5,1,1.5,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,10,10.5,11, 11.5,12,13,15,17,17.5,18,18.5,19,20,22,24 Post Dose).

    Time frame: Cortef after one week, Chronocort after one month

Secondary outcomes

  1. 17 Hydroxyprogesterone at 08.00 Hours

    Time frame: Cortef after one week compared with Chronocort after one month

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Neurocrine UK Limited

Industry

Collaborators

  • National Institutes of Health Clinical Center (CC)

Registry information

Official study title

A Phase 2, Open Label, Crossover Pharmacokinetic and Pharmacodynamic Study to Compare Chronocort Versus Cortef in Patients With CAH

Important dates

Study start
2007
Primary completion
2009
Study completion
2009
First posted
Aug 23, 2007
Registry last updated
Apr 26, 2022

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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