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NCT Number: NCT01277315

Safety and Tolerability of Anakinra in Combination With Riluzol in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis

Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) is an adult neurodegenerative disease that is caused by a selective degeneration of the motor nerve cells in the cortex and myelon. As a result of motor neurodegeneration, a progredient paralysis of the extremities and of the speaking, swallowing, and breathing musculature develops. ALS leads to death by respiratory insufficiency in a mean course of 3-5 years. So far, Riluzole is the only approved neuroprotective medication which effects a slight lifespan prolongation of 1.5 - 2.5 months. Riluzole inhibits the presynaptic glutamate release and lowers the level of glutamate liberated by activated microglia.

The researchers propose an investigational therapy of ALS with subcutaneous administration of 100 mg of Anakinra. The neuronal inflammation is a crucial pathogenetic factor of the motor neuron degeneration. Inflammatory processes are detectable in sporadic ALS, in the autosomal-dominant form of ALS and in transgenic mouse model. The rationale of this clinical trial is based on the anti-inflammatory effect of Anakinra. One of the key mediators of inflammatory response is Interleukin-1. Anakinra is a recombinant produced Interleukin-1 receptor antagonist. This gives Anakinra anti-inflammatory attributes that presumably reduce motor neuron degeneration and disease progression.

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Key information

Conditions

Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Central Nervous System Diseases Metabolic Diseases Motor Neuron Disease Muscular Atrophy, Spinal Nervous System Diseases Neurodegenerative Diseases Neuromuscular Diseases Nutritional and Metabolic Diseases Proteostasis Deficiencies Spinal Cord Diseases TDP-43 Proteinopathies

Age range

18 year–80 year

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Phase 2

Primary location

Charité University Hospital

Berlin, 13353, Germany

About this study

Open Safety and Tolerability study to evaluate a subcutaneous application 100 mg of Anakinra in combination with Riluzol in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: No

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

Inclusion criteria

  • Patients between 18 and 80 years of age
  • Clinical diagnosis of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis with predominant affection of the lower motor neuron or the clinical ALS variant of progressive muscular atrophy (PMA)
  • Clinical signs of lower motor neuron degeneration in at least one anatomic region beyond the brain stem
  • Sporadic and familial ALS
  • Onset of paresis six months to four years before study inclusion
  • Treatment with riluzol 100mg/d at least 1 month before study inclusion

Exclusion criteria

  • Diagnosis of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis with predominant affection or the upper motor neuron without clinical signs of a concurrent affection of the lower motor neuron in at least one anatomic region beyond the brain stem (spastic ALS) - Diagnosis of primary lateral sclerosis (PLS)
  • Patients with known intolerance to anakinra, riluzol or one of the additives
  • Clinically severe hypoventilation syndrome with vital capacity < 50%
  • Pregnancy or breastfeeding
  • Continuous non-invasive ventilation with ventilator-free time < 2 hours - Tracheotomy and mechanical ventilation
  • Laboratory parameters outside the normal range that correspond to a clinically severe cardiovascular, pulmological, hematological, hepatological, metabolic or renal disease
  • Malignancies
  • Severe renal insufficiency (creatinine clearance < 30 ml/min)
  • History of recurrent infections or a disease that may predispose to infections
  • Severe neutropenia (absolute neutrophil count < 1.5 x 109/l)
  • Monoclonal gammopathy of unknown significance
  • Infections including infections with HIV and hepatitis B and C
  • Dementia and unable to give informed consent
  • History of epilepsy and epileptic seizures
  • Contraindication to E coli-derived proteins, anakinra or any components of the product
  • Concurrent therapy of anakinra and etanercept or other TNF blocking agents

Treatment and study plan

Anakinra

Drug

Open Safety and Tolerability study to evaluate a subcutaneous application 100 mg of Anakinra in combination with Riluzol in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis.

Primary outcomes

  1. Number and Severity of adverse events (AE)

    Time frame: 1 month

  2. Number and Severity of serious adverse events (SAE)

    Time frame: 1 month

  3. Number and Severity of adverse drug reactions (ARD)

    Time frame: 1 month

  4. Number and Severity of unexpected adverse drug reactions (UADR)

    Time frame: 1 month

  5. Number and Severity of serious adverse drug reactions (SADR)

    Time frame: 1 month

  6. Number and Severity of suspected unexpected serious adverse reaction (SUSAR)

    Time frame: 1 month

  7. Pathological laboratory parameters

    Time frame: 1 month

Secondary outcomes

  1. Long Term Tolerability and Safety of Anakinra in ALS Patients

    Time frame: 1 month

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Charite University, Berlin, Germany

Other

Collaborators

  • Max Planck Institute for Infection Biology

Registry information

Official study title

Open Safety and Tolerability Trial to Evaluate a Subcutaneous Injection Solution of 100 mg of Anakinra in Combination With Riluzol in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis

Important dates

Study start
2011
Primary completion
2012
Study completion
2012
First posted
Jan 14, 2011
Registry last updated
Feb 14, 2024

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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