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Acute Liver FailurePhase 3NCT00248625

N-acetylcysteine in Non-Acetaminophen Pediatric Acute Liver Failure

A Phase 3 study testing N-acetylcysteine in people with Acute Liver Failure and Hepatic Encephalopathy, run by University of Pittsburgh at 20 sites in 3 countries.

Completed

Finished. The study has ended and is not enrolling. Results may be posted on the official record.

Official record
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Trial summary

We have completed patient enrollment in the the double blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial of intravenous (IV) N-acetylcysteine (NAC) vs. placebo for the treatment of non-acetaminophen ALF. Read more about this study

Who is it for?
Ages Up to 18 years
Conditions the study is for
Acute Liver Failure, Hepatic Encephalopathy
What is being tested?
N-acetylcysteine
Type of treatment
Injection or infusion
Could I receive a placebo?
Yes, some participants may receive a placebo
How many people
184 participants
Where
20 sitesin 3 countries
Study dates
Jan 2000to Oct 2010
Phase
Phase 3
Are there results?
Yes, posted in the registrySummary in the doctors' view

Key requirements

Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.

  • Ages Up to 18 years
  • All sexes
  • No healthy volunteers
  • Child, Adult

Who may be able to join

  • Meet entry criteria for and be enrolled in the Pediatric Acute Liver Failure prospective database.
  • Able to be evaluated and initiate treatment within the first 24 hours of hospitalization
  • Patients transferred from referring hospitals to the study site may be considered for enrollment, provided that no other treatment protocol has begun, and that no liver support device (BAL, extracorporeal liver assist device, transgenic pig perfusion) has been used or is contemplated.
  • Use of fresh frozen plasma infusions will not disqualify patients from participation.

Who cannot join

  • older than 18 years of age
  • pregnancy
  • ALF that is secondary to acute acetaminophen toxicity, mushroom poisoning, or a known malignancy.
  • Patients who exhibit signs of cerebral herniation, have intractable arterial hypotension, require inotropic drugs, or demonstrate signs of sepsis (temperature ≥ 39.5o C or bacteremia) at the time of enrollment
  • No exclusion will be made on the basis of race, ethnic group or gender.
  • Criteria for inclusion of females and minorities will be those established in the NIH guidelines

Trial locations and contacts

20 sites in 3 countries.

20 sites in 3 countries

United States17 sites
  • University of Michigan

    Ann Arbor, Michigan, 48109

  • Emory University, Children's Healthcare of Atlanta

    Atlanta, Georgia, 30322

  • Johns Hopkins University

    Baltimore, Maryland, 21287

  • Harvard University, Boston Children's Hospital

    Boston, Massachusetts, 02115

  • Children's Memorial Hospital

    Chicago, Illinois, 60614

  • University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati Children's Hospital

    Cincinnati, Ohio, 45229

  • Children's Medical Center of Dallas

    Dallas, Texas, 75235

  • University of Colorado, Denver Children's Hospital

    Denver, Colorado, 80218

  • Baylor College of Medicine

    Houston, Texas, 77030

  • Riley Children's Hospital

    Indianapolis, Indiana, 46202

  • Mount Sinai Hospital

    New York, New York, 10029

  • Columbia-Presbyterian

    New York, New York, 10032

  • Children's Hospital of Philadelphia

    Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 19104

  • Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh of UPMC

    Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, 15224

  • University of California, San Francisco

    San Francisco, California, 94143

  • University of Washington

    Seattle, Washington, 98105

  • St. Louis Children's Hospital

    St Louis, Missouri, 63110

Other trials in United States

United Kingdom2 sites
  • Birmingham Children's Hospital

    Birmingham, B4 6NH

  • King's College Hospital (London, UK)

    London, SE59RS

Other trials in United Kingdom

Canada1 site
  • Hospital for Sick Children

    Toronto, Ontario, M5G 1X8

Other trials in Canada

About this study

Official title: A Multi-center Study of the Safety and Efficacy of N-acetylcysteine in the Treatment of Acute Liver Failure in Pediatric Patients Not Caused by Acetaminophen.

We have completed patient enrollment in the the double blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial of intravenous (IV) N-acetylcysteine (NAC) vs. placebo for the treatment of non-acetaminophen ALF. The purpose of this study is to examine the safety and efficacy of intravenous NAC in children with ALF for whom no antidote or other specific treatment is available. Inclusion in the NAC Study required enrollment in the Pediatric Acute Liver Failure (PALF) Study Registry.

Read the detailed description

The Pediatric Acute Liver Failure (PALF) Study Group to identify, characterize, and develop management strategies for infants, children and adolescents who present with acute liver failure. The PALF study group includes 20 sites (17 in the United States, 2 in the United Kingdom, and 1 in Canada). The primary objective of the Pediatric Acute Liver Failure (PALF) study is to collect, maintain, analyze, and report clinical, epidemiological, and outcome data in children with ALF, including information derived from biospecimens.

Patients enrolled in the PALF study registry were able to enroll in the NAC study providing they met the additional required inclusion/exclusion criteria.

Being tested
N-acetylcysteine, Placebo
Keywords
acute liver failure, hepatic encephalopathy, acetaminophen toxicity, N-acetylcysteine
Medical subject headings
Liver Failure, Acute, Hepatic Encephalopathy

What participants receive

What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.

  • N-acetylcysteineDrug

    Also called Mucomyst

    The study drug is administered as a continuous infusion at a dose of 150 mg/kg/day for up to 7 days following entry into the study. The infusion is discontinued at the time of death, liver transplant or discharge.

  • PlaceboDrug

    Also called dextrose in water

    Eligible children were adaptively allocated within strata defined by age (less than 2 years of age or at least 2 years old) and hepatic encephalopathy (grade 0-1 or 2-4) to receive N-acetylcysteine (150 mg/kg/d) in 5% dextrose (D5W) and water or placebo consisting of an equal volume of D5W alone. Volumes were adjusted for small children. Study medications were infused over 24 hours for up to 7 consecutive days in a dedicated line without other medications. Treatment was stopped earlier than 7 days in the case of hospital discharge, liver transplantation, or death within 7 days of randomization.

Study groups in NCT00248625
Study groupRoleWhat they receive
N-acetylcysteine (NAC)Active comparatorEligible children were adaptively allocated by age (less than 2 years of age or at least 2 years old) and hepatic encephalopathy (grade 0-1 or 2-4) to receive N-acetylcysteine (150 mg/kg/d) in 5% dextrose (D5W) infused over 24 hours for up to 7 consecutive days
Receives: Drug: N-acetylcysteine
placeboPlacebo comparatorEligible children were adaptively allocated within strata defined by age (less than 2 years of age or at least 2 years old) and hepatic encephalopathy (grade 0-1 or 2-4) to receive 5% dextrose (D5W) infused over 24 hours for up to 7 consecutive
Receives: Drug: Placebo

What is being measured

The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.

  1. Survival

    Spontaneous survival without transplant plus survival following transplantation

    Measured: One year following randomization

Secondary outcomes (7)
  1. Spontaneous Recovery

    Survival without liver transplantation

    Measured: One year following randomization

  2. Cumulative Percent Incidence of Transplantation by 1 Year

    Measured: Within 1 year of randomization

  3. Length of Hospital Stay

    Measured: Randomization to hospital discharge

  4. Categorized Length of ICU Stay

    The length of ICU stay was categorized as number of days in ICU within 7 days of randomization, unless participant either died or received an LTx within this time period. Special categories were created for these cases.

    Measured: Within 7 days of randomization

  5. Number of Organ Systems Failing

    Measured: Within 7 days of randomization

  6. Highest Coma Grade of Hepatic Encephalopathy

    West Haven Criteria for hepatic encephalopathy (Grade 0 - IV ) is used for participants > 3 year of age. Coma grade IV indicates a participant who is comatose , with no reflexes, is decerebrate and has abnormal EEG changes with very slow delta activity. For participants less than 3 years the Whittington Scale was used. The Whittington scale does not use EEG changes and has only 3 levels, early (grades I and II), Mid (III) with somnolence, stupor, combativeness and Late (IV) for participants who are comatose with absent reflexes and decerebrate or decorticate posturing.

    Measured: Within 7 days of randomization

  7. Infectious Complication

    Measured: Within 7 days of randomization

Timeline

From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.

  1. First posted4 Nov 2005 (estimated)
  2. Study startJan 2000
  3. Primary completionSep 2009
  4. Study completionOct 2010

Resources

More details

For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.

Study design
Study type
Interventional
Phase
Phase 3
Primary purpose
Treatment
Allocation
Randomised
Intervention model
Parallel groups
Masking
Triple blind
Who is masked
Participant, Care provider, Investigator
Enrolment
184 participants (actual)
IDs, dates and publications
ClinicalTrials.gov ID
NCT00248625
Sponsor's protocol ID
IRB #: 0608007
Other IDs
U01DK072146
Status last verified
Jun 2016
First submitted
3 Nov 2005
Last updated
28 Jul 2016
Data monitoring committee
Yes
Individual data sharing
No

Publications

  • Narkewicz MR, Dell Olio D, Karpen SJ, Murray KF, Schwarz K, Yazigi N, Zhang S, Belle SH, Squires RH; Pediatric Acute Liver Failure Study Group. Pattern of diagnostic evaluation for the causes of pediatric acute liver failure: an opportunity for quality improvement. J Pediatr. 2009 Dec;155(6):801-806.e1. doi: 10.1016/j.jpeds.2009.06.005. Epub 2009 Jul 29.

    PubMed 19643443
  • Rudnick DA, Dietzen DJ, Turmelle YP, Shepherd R, Zhang S, Belle SH, Squires R; Pediatric Acute Liver Failure Study Group. Serum alpha-NH-butyric acid may predict spontaneous survival in pediatric acute liver failure. Pediatr Transplant. 2009 Mar;13(2):223-30. doi: 10.1111/j.1399-3046.2008.00998.x. Epub 2008 Jul 17.

    PubMed 18643912
  • James LP, Alonso EM, Hynan LS, Hinson JA, Davern TJ, Lee WM, Squires RH; Pediatric Acute Liver Failure Study Group. Detection of acetaminophen protein adducts in children with acute liver failure of indeterminate cause. Pediatrics. 2006 Sep;118(3):e676-81. doi: 10.1542/peds.2006-0069.

    PubMed 16950959
  • Squires RH Jr, Shneider BL, Bucuvalas J, Alonso E, Sokol RJ, Narkewicz MR, Dhawan A, Rosenthal P, Rodriguez-Baez N, Murray KF, Horslen S, Martin MG, Lopez MJ, Soriano H, McGuire BM, Jonas MM, Yazigi N, Shepherd RW, Schwarz K, Lobritto S, Thomas DW, Lavine JE, Karpen S, Ng V, Kelly D, Simonds N, Hynan LS. Acute liver failure in children: the first 348 patients in the pediatric acute liver failure study group. J Pediatr. 2006 May;148(5):652-658. doi: 10.1016/j.jpeds.2005.12.051.

    PubMed 16737880
  • Alonso EM. Acute liver failure in children: the role of defects in fatty acid oxidation. Hepatology. 2005 Apr;41(4):696-9. doi: 10.1002/hep.20680. No abstract available.

    PubMed 15789368
  • Shneider BL, Rinaldo P, Emre S, Bucuvalas J, Squires R, Narkewicz M, Gondolesi G, Magid M, Morotti R, Hynan LS. Abnormal concentrations of esterified carnitine in bile: a feature of pediatric acute liver failure with poor prognosis. Hepatology. 2005 Apr;41(4):717-21. doi: 10.1002/hep.20631.

    PubMed 15791615
  • Sundaram SS, Alonso EM, Narkewicz MR, Zhang S, Squires RH; Pediatric Acute Liver Failure Study Group. Characterization and outcomes of young infants with acute liver failure. J Pediatr. 2011 Nov;159(5):813-818.e1. doi: 10.1016/j.jpeds.2011.04.016. Epub 2011 May 31.

    PubMed 21621221

Questions about this trial

What is this clinical trial studying?

A Phase 3 study testing N-acetylcysteine in people with Acute Liver Failure and Hepatic Encephalopathy, run by University of Pittsburgh at 20 sites in 3 countries.

The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.

Who may be eligible to take part?

The sponsor lists 4 inclusion and 6 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.

Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?

The record says: finished, as of the sponsor's last update on 28 Jul 2016. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.

Where is the study taking place?

The record lists 20 sites in United States, United Kingdom, Canada. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.

What are the possible benefits and risks?

They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. Some participants in this study may receive a placebo. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.

What does this phase mean?

Phase 3 studies compare the treatment with the current standard treatment or a placebo in a large group, to confirm how well it works and watch for side effects.

Not every study follows the same path, and some studies (observational studies, device studies) have no phase.

Are results available for this study?

Yes. Results are posted in the registry (first posted 28 Jul 2016). A summary is in the For doctors view, and the full results are on ClinicalTrials.gov.

How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?

The record lists no contact. The official record names the sponsor, who can be asked directly. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.

What does the primary outcome measure?

Survival (time frame: One year following randomization). It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.

Where can I read the original study information?

On the ClinicalTrials.gov record for NCT00248625, which also lists 7 linked publications.

Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?

No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.

How often is this information updated?

AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 28 Jul 2016.

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