Hot FlashesPhase 2/3NCT00317148
Effect of Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) on Hot Flashes in Postmenopausal Women
A Phase 2/3 study testing DHEA capsule in people with Hot Flashes, run by CHU de Quebec-Universite Laval at 1 site in Canada.
Trial summary
The purpose of the study is to evaluate the effect of daily oral intake of DHEA 50 mg for 4 months on reducing vasomotor symptoms (hot flashes) compared to placebo administration in postmenopausal women. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 40 to 70 years, women onlyHealthy volunteers can take part
- Conditions the study is for
- Hot Flashes
- What is being tested?
- DHEA capsule
- Type of treatment
- Pill or oral medicine
- Could I receive a placebo?
- Yes, some participants may receive a placebo
- How many people
- 50 participants
- Where
- 1 siteCanada
- Study dates
- Aug 2005to Dec 2007
- Phase
- Phase 2/3
- Are there results?
- None posted in the registry
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 40 to 70 years
- Women only
- Healthy volunteers accepted
- Adult, Older adult
Who may be able to join
- Healthy postmenopausal women with 50 or more moderate to severe hot flushes.
- Women between 40 to 70 years of age.
Who cannot join
- Body mass index (BMI) of 35 kg/m2 or more.
- Significant metabolic and endocrine diseases.
- Diagnosis of cancer.
- Use of steroids or drugs that interfere with the metabolism of estrogen.
- Use of any systemic estrogen, progestin, or DHEA in the eight weeks prior to randomization.
- Use of alternative therapies or natural products to treat postmenopausal symptoms in the four weeks prior to randomization.
- Palpable fibroids or uterine prolapse: Grade 2 or 3.
- Cigarette smoking
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country.
About this study
Official title: Phase II-III Placebo-Controlled, Study to Evaluate the Effects of DHEA on Vasomotor Symptoms (Hot Flashes) in Postmenopausal Women
The purpose of the study is to evaluate the effect of daily oral intake of DHEA 50 mg for 4 months on reducing vasomotor symptoms (hot flashes) compared to placebo administration in postmenopausal women.
Read the detailed description
Humans, along with the other primates, are unique among animal species in having adrenals that secrete large amounts of the inactive precursor steroids dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) and especially its sulfate DHEA-S. The marked reduction in the formation of DHEA-S by the adrenals during aging results in a dramatic fall in the formation of androgens and estrogens in peripheral target tissues, a situation that has been proposed to be associated with age-related diseases including skin atrophy, insulin resistance and obesity. Much attention has been given to the benefits of DHEA administered to postmenopausal women, especially on the bone, skin, vagina and well being after oral as well as percutaneous administration of the precursor steroid.
This study proposes to study the effect of 50 mg oral DHEA capsules during a period of 4 months administered to postmenopausal women experiencing 50 or more moderate to severe hot flushes per week. Participants will be stratified by the number of hot flushes experienced per week. The two strata are: 50-70 or more than 70 hot flushes per week. During the study several biological and clinical parameters will be evaluated, as well as the reduction of the number of hot flashes and improvement of overall quality of life.
Subjects will be evaluated at specific time intervals during the study for the above mentioned parameters as well as tolerability and adverse reactions.
- Conditions
- Hot Flashes
- Being tested
- Placebos, DHEA capsule
- Keywords
- Hot Flashes, Menopause, Quality of Life, Hot flushes
- Medical subject headings
- Hot Flashes
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
PlacebosDrug
Placebo capsule
DHEA capsuleDrug
One capsule of DHEA
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Placebo | Experimental | Not described Receives: Drug: Placebos |
| DHEA | Experimental | Not described Receives: Drug: DHEA capsule |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Use of a diary to monitor the number and intensity of hot flashes as compared to placebo at screening, day 1, weeks 2, 4, 8, 12 and 16
Secondary outcomes (1)
Evaluation of safety as well as quality of life, psychological general well being, and sexual life by questionnaires at day 1, 2, 4, 8, 12 and 16 weeks of treatment
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted24 Apr 2006 (estimated)
- Study startAug 2005
- Primary completionSep 2006
- Study completionDec 2007
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Publications (10)Papers the sponsor has linked to this study.
- Other trials for Hot FlashesStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
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 2/3
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- Quadruple blind
- Who is masked
- Participant, Care provider, Investigator, Outcomes assessor
- Enrolment
- 50 participants (actual)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- CHU de Quebec-Universite Laval
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Sponsor
- Investigators
- Leonello Cusan, MD, PhD, Principal investigator, CHUL Research CenterFernand Labrie, MD, PhD, Study director, CHUL Research Director
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT00317148
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- ERC-205
- Status last verified
- Apr 2017
- First submitted
- 20 Apr 2006
- Last updated
- 7 Apr 2017
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- No
Publications
Arlt W, Callies F, Koehler I, van Vlijmen JC, Fassnacht M, Strasburger CJ, Seibel MJ, Huebler D, Ernst M, Oettel M, Reincke M, Schulte HM, Allolio B. Dehydroepiandrosterone supplementation in healthy men with an age-related decline of dehydroepiandrosterone secretion. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2001 Oct;86(10):4686-92. doi: 10.1210/jcem.86.10.7974.
PubMed 11600526Baulieu EE. Neuroactive neurosteroids: dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) and DHEA sulphate. Acta Paediatr Suppl. 1999 Dec;88(433):78-80. doi: 10.1111/j.1651-2227.1999.tb14408.x.
PubMed 10626550Belanger A, Candas B, Dupont A, Cusan L, Diamond P, Gomez JL, Labrie F. Changes in serum concentrations of conjugated and unconjugated steroids in 40- to 80-year-old men. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 1994 Oct;79(4):1086-90. doi: 10.1210/jcem.79.4.7962278.
PubMed 7962278Diamond P, Cusan L, Gomez JL, Belanger A, Labrie F. Metabolic effects of 12-month percutaneous dehydroepiandrosterone replacement therapy in postmenopausal women. J Endocrinol. 1996 Sep;150 Suppl:S43-50.
PubMed 8943786Flynn MA, Weaver-Osterholtz D, Sharpe-Timms KL, Allen S, Krause G. Dehydroepiandrosterone replacement in aging humans. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 1999 May;84(5):1527-33. doi: 10.1210/jcem.84.5.5672.
PubMed 10323374Jedrzejuk D, Medras M, Milewicz A, Demissie M. Dehydroepiandrosterone replacement in healthy men with age-related decline of DHEA-S: effects on fat distribution, insulin sensitivity and lipid metabolism. Aging Male. 2003 Sep;6(3):151-6.
PubMed 14628495Labrie F. Intracrinology. Mol Cell Endocrinol. 1991 Jul;78(3):C113-8. doi: 10.1016/0303-7207(91)90116-a.
PubMed 1838082Labrie F, Belanger A, Cusan L, Gomez JL, Candas B. Marked decline in serum concentrations of adrenal C19 sex steroid precursors and conjugated androgen metabolites during aging. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 1997 Aug;82(8):2396-402. doi: 10.1210/jcem.82.8.4160.
PubMed 9253307Labrie F, Diamond P, Cusan L, Gomez JL, Belanger A, Candas B. Effect of 12-month dehydroepiandrosterone replacement therapy on bone, vagina, and endometrium in postmenopausal women. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 1997 Oct;82(10):3498-505. doi: 10.1210/jcem.82.10.4306.
PubMed 9329392Labrie F, Simard J, Luu-The V, Belanger A, Pelletier G, Morel Y, Mebarki F, Sanchez R, Durocher F, Turgeon C, Labrie Y, Rheaume E, Labrie C, Lachance Y. The 3B-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase/isomerase gene family: lessons from type II 3B-HSD congenital deficiency.In: Signal Transduction in Testicular Cells. Ernst Schering Research Foundation Workshop. Hansson, V., Levy, F.O. and Tasken, K. (eds.), Berlin, Heidelberg, New York, Springer-Verlag, Vol. Suppl. 2:pp. 185-218, 1996.
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 7 Apr 2017. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Phase II-III Placebo-Controlled, Study to Evaluate the Effects of DHEA on Vasomotor Symptoms (Hot Flashes) in Postmenopausal Women
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT00317148
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- ERC-205
- Conditions
- Hot Flashes
- Keywords
- Hot Flashes, Menopause, Quality of Life, Hot flushes
- Phase
- Phase 2/3
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Completed
- Enrolment
- 50 participants (actual)
- Lead sponsor
- CHU de Quebec-Universite LavalUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- Aug 2005 (actual)
- Primary completion
- Sep 2006 (actual)
- Study completion
- Dec 2007 (actual)
- First posted
- 24 Apr 2006 (estimated)
- Results
- Not posted in the source record
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
The purpose of the study is to evaluate the effect of daily oral intake of DHEA 50 mg for 4 months on reducing vasomotor symptoms (hot flashes) compared to placebo administration in postmenopausal women.
Detailed description
Humans, along with the other primates, are unique among animal species in having adrenals that secrete large amounts of the inactive precursor steroids dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) and especially its sulfate DHEA-S. The marked reduction in the formation of DHEA-S by the adrenals during aging results in a dramatic fall in the formation of androgens and estrogens in peripheral target tissues, a situation that has been proposed to be associated with age-related diseases including skin atrophy, insulin resistance and obesity. Much attention has been given to the benefits of DHEA administered to postmenopausal women, especially on the bone, skin, vagina and well being after oral as well as percutaneous administration of the precursor steroid.
This study proposes to study the effect of 50 mg oral DHEA capsules during a period of 4 months administered to postmenopausal women experiencing 50 or more moderate to severe hot flushes per week. Participants will be stratified by the number of hot flushes experienced per week. The two strata are: 50-70 or more than 70 hot flushes per week. During the study several biological and clinical parameters will be evaluated, as well as the reduction of the number of hot flashes and improvement of overall quality of life.
Subjects will be evaluated at specific time intervals during the study for the above mentioned parameters as well as tolerability and adverse reactions.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- Quadruple blind (participant, care provider, investigator, outcomes assessor)
- Number of arms
- 2
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Placebo | Experimental | Drug: Placebos |
| DHEA | Experimental | Drug: DHEA capsule |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 40 to 70 years
- Sex
- Female only
- Healthy volunteers
- Accepted
- Age groups
- Adult, Older adult
Key inclusion criteria (2 listed)
- Healthy postmenopausal women with 50 or more moderate to severe hot flushes.
- Women between 40 to 70 years of age.
Key exclusion criteria (8 listed)
- Body mass index (BMI) of 35 kg/m2 or more.
- Significant metabolic and endocrine diseases.
- Diagnosis of cancer.
- Use of steroids or drugs that interfere with the metabolism of estrogen.
- Use of any systemic estrogen, progestin, or DHEA in the eight weeks prior to randomization.
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Interventions
| Intervention | Type | Arms |
|---|---|---|
| PlacebosPlacebo capsule | Drug | Placebo |
| DHEA capsuleOne capsule of DHEA | Drug | DHEA |
Primary outcome
Use of a diary to monitor the number and intensity of hot flashes as compared to placebo at screening, day 1, weeks 2, 4, 8, 12 and 16
1 secondary outcome
Evaluation of safety as well as quality of life, psychological general well being, and sexual life by questionnaires at day 1, 2, 4, 8, 12 and 16 weeks of treatment
Results and safety
The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 7 Apr 2017.
- Background: PubMed 11600526Arlt W, Callies F, Koehler I, van Vlijmen JC, Fassnacht M, Strasburger CJ, Seibel MJ, Huebler D, Ernst M, Oettel M, Reincke M, Schulte HM, Allolio B. Dehydroepiandrosterone supplementation in healthy men with an age-related decline of dehydroepiandrosterone secretion. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2001 Oct;86(10):4686-92. doi: 10.1210/jcem.86.10.7974.
- Background: PubMed 10626550Baulieu EE. Neuroactive neurosteroids: dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) and DHEA sulphate. Acta Paediatr Suppl. 1999 Dec;88(433):78-80. doi: 10.1111/j.1651-2227.1999.tb14408.x.
- Background: PubMed 7962278Belanger A, Candas B, Dupont A, Cusan L, Diamond P, Gomez JL, Labrie F. Changes in serum concentrations of conjugated and unconjugated steroids in 40- to 80-year-old men. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 1994 Oct;79(4):1086-90. doi: 10.1210/jcem.79.4.7962278.
- Background: PubMed 8943786Diamond P, Cusan L, Gomez JL, Belanger A, Labrie F. Metabolic effects of 12-month percutaneous dehydroepiandrosterone replacement therapy in postmenopausal women. J Endocrinol. 1996 Sep;150 Suppl:S43-50.
- Background: PubMed 10323374Flynn MA, Weaver-Osterholtz D, Sharpe-Timms KL, Allen S, Krause G. Dehydroepiandrosterone replacement in aging humans. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 1999 May;84(5):1527-33. doi: 10.1210/jcem.84.5.5672.
- Background: PubMed 14628495Jedrzejuk D, Medras M, Milewicz A, Demissie M. Dehydroepiandrosterone replacement in healthy men with age-related decline of DHEA-S: effects on fat distribution, insulin sensitivity and lipid metabolism. Aging Male. 2003 Sep;6(3):151-6.
- Background: PubMed 1838082Labrie F. Intracrinology. Mol Cell Endocrinol. 1991 Jul;78(3):C113-8. doi: 10.1016/0303-7207(91)90116-a.
- Background: PubMed 9253307Labrie F, Belanger A, Cusan L, Gomez JL, Candas B. Marked decline in serum concentrations of adrenal C19 sex steroid precursors and conjugated androgen metabolites during aging. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 1997 Aug;82(8):2396-402. doi: 10.1210/jcem.82.8.4160.
- Background: PubMed 9329392Labrie F, Diamond P, Cusan L, Gomez JL, Belanger A, Candas B. Effect of 12-month dehydroepiandrosterone replacement therapy on bone, vagina, and endometrium in postmenopausal women. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 1997 Oct;82(10):3498-505. doi: 10.1210/jcem.82.10.4306.
- BackgroundLabrie F, Simard J, Luu-The V, Belanger A, Pelletier G, Morel Y, Mebarki F, Sanchez R, Durocher F, Turgeon C, Labrie Y, Rheaume E, Labrie C, Lachance Y. The 3B-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase/isomerase gene family: lessons from type II 3B-HSD congenital deficiency.In: Signal Transduction in Testicular Cells. Ernst Schering Research Foundation Workshop. Hansson, V., Levy, F.O. and Tasken, K. (eds.), Berlin, Heidelberg, New York, Springer-Verlag, Vol. Suppl. 2:pp. 185-218, 1996.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: No
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Referral and contact
AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals. Contact the study team or a site listed below; they decide who can take part. This study is not recruiting at the moment.
Leonello Cusan, MD, PhD principal investigator
CHUL Research Center
Fernand Labrie, MD, PhD study director
CHUL Research Director
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A Phase 2/3 study testing DHEA capsule in people with Hot Flashes, run by CHU de Quebec-Universite Laval at 1 site in Canada.
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 2 inclusion and 8 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 7 Apr 2017. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
Where is the study taking place?
The record lists 1 site in 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. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.
What does this combined phase mean?
Phase 2 studies give the treatment to a larger group to see whether it has the intended effect and to keep checking safety.
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?
The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.
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?
Use of a diary to monitor the number and intensity of hot flashes as compared to placebo at screening, day 1, weeks 2, 4, 8, 12 and 16. 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 NCT00317148, which also lists 10 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 7 Apr 2017.