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Completed

NCT Number: NCT02660112

(+) Epicatechin to Treat Friedreich's Ataxia

This 24-week study will test the safety and effectiveness of synthetically produced (+) Epicatechin in treating patients who have Friedreich's Ataxia, a neurological disorder.

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Key information

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: No

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

Inclusion criteria

  • Confirmed diagnosis of Friedreich's Ataxia (FA) by Frataxin genetic testing and/or Frataxin enzyme analysis
  • Between age 10 and 50 years of age, inclusive
  • Body weight of 25 kilograms or higher
  • Minimum of one affected organ (cardiac or neurological) system, as evidenced by clinical signs/symptoms
  • Disease duration ≤7 years, based on onset date of FA symptoms
  • Has no known contraindication to gadolinium contrast such as severe allergy or Glomerular Filtration Rate <30 ml/min/m^2.
  • Has no known contraindication to non-contrast Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) evaluation such as pacemaker or magnetically active metal fragments.
  • Women of childbearing age must:
  • Have a negative pregnancy human chorionic gonadotropin test prior to receiving study drug.
  • Agree to use contraception for the duration of the study drug dosing, plus 1 month after completion of the study.

Exclusion criteria

  • Advanced cardiac failure, New York Heart Association (NYHA) Classification Scale-Class IV (advanced stage heart failure)
  • Clinically significant comorbidities that may also lead to cardiomyopathy, for example long standing hypertension, familial cardiomyopathy.
  • Clinically significant comorbidities that would, in the opinion of the investigators, compromise the interpretation of test results.
  • Pregnant, breast-feeding or planning to become pregnant during study timeframe.
  • Patients with contraindications to regadenoson, i. e. second- or third-degree atrioventricular (AV) block or sinus node dysfunction. Has received an investigational drug within thirty (30) days of baseline visit.
  • Thrombocytopenia (<125 x 10^9/Liter) or prolonged Prothrombin Time/Partial Thromboplastin Time (PT/PTT) at baseline.
  • Clinically significant hypotension (systolic blood pressure <90) due to heart failure or other conditions.

Treatment and study plan

(+)-Epicatechin

Drug

25mg (+)-Epicatechin capsules. Starting dose 75mg total daily dose (one 25mg cap taken three times per day). Dose escalation at 12 weeks for non-responders to 150mg total daily dose (two 25mg caps taken three times per day)

Primary outcomes

  1. Change From Baseline in Friedreich Ataxia Rating Scale (FARS) Composite Score

    Time frame: Baseline, 24 weeks

    The Friedreich Ataxia Rating Scale (FARS) is made up of a measure of ataxia, an activities of daily living subscale and a neurological subscale. This scale also includes the 8m walk at maximum speed (8MW), the 9-hole peg test (9HPT), PATA rate (assesses speech speed by repetitions of pronouncing "PaTa" ) and low-contrast letter acuity.

    FARS is made up of a measure of ataxia, an activities of daily living subscale and a neurological subscale. This scale also includes the 8m walk at maximum speed (8MW), the 9-hole peg test (9HPT), PATA rate and low-contrast letter acuity. The scores from the three subscales are added to generate a total score ranging from 0 to 159, with a higher score indicating a greater level of disability.

  2. Change in Ventricular Hypertrophy as Shown on Cardiac MRI

    Time frame: Baseline, 24 weeks

    Left ventricular mass and left ventricular (LV) mass indexed to body surface area estimated by Left Ventricle (LV)cavity dimension and wall thickness at end-diastole. Normal values of LV mass indexed to body surface area are found to be 49-115 gL/m2 in men and 43-95 g/m2 in women.

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Ralitza Gavrilova

Other

Collaborators

  • Cardero Therapeutics, Inc.

Registry information

Official study title

A Phase II, Open Label Prospective Single Center Drug Study Evaluating the Safety and Efficacy of (+)-Epicatechin in Subjects With Friedreich's Ataxia

Important dates

Study start
2016
Primary completion
2018
Study completion
2018
First posted
Jan 21, 2016
Registry last updated
Dec 5, 2019

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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