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Graves DiseasePhase 4NCT03667157

Liver Function After Intravenous Methylprednisolone Administration

A Phase 4 study testing every week IVMP therapy and very high doses IVMP therapy in people with Graves Disease and Graves Ophthalmopathy, run by Medical University of Warsaw.

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

Graves' orbitopathy (GO) is a characterized by orbital soft tissue inflammation and oedema associated with glycosaminoglycan deposition and fibrosis. The most frequent cause is Graves' disease. Read more about this study

Who is it for?
Ages 18 years and older
What is being tested?
every week IVMP therapy and very high doses IVMP therapy
Type of treatment
Injection or infusion
Could I receive a placebo?
No, everyone receives an active treatment
How many people
68 participants
Where
No sites listed yet
Study dates
1 Jan 2012to 30 Oct 2016
Phase
Phase 4
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 18 years and older
  • All sexes
  • No healthy volunteers
  • Adult, Older adult

Who may be able to join

  • active, moderate-to-severe Graves' orbitopathy or dysthyroid orbit neuropathy
  • euthyroidism

Who cannot join

  • alanine aminotransferase and/or aspartate aminotransferase >2x upper limit of normal
  • active viral hepatitis
  • cirrhosis
  • present or past medical history of autoimmune hepatitis
  • previous glucocorticoids therapy within the last 6 months
  • alcohol abuse
  • active inflammation
  • active neoplastic disease

About this study

Official title: Influence of Methylprednisolone Pulse Therapy on Liver Function in Patients With Graves' Orbitopathy

Graves' orbitopathy (GO) is a characterized by orbital soft tissue inflammation and oedema associated with glycosaminoglycan deposition and fibrosis. The most frequent cause is Graves' disease. The classification is comprised based on the severity of orbital changes ranging from mild, moderate-to-severe GO and sight-threatening GO, which includes dysthyroid optic neuropathy (DON). Intravenous methylprednisolone (IVMP) pulse therapy is the first-line treatment in the active-phase of moderate-to-severe GO and DON. This therapy is more effective and better tolerated than oral glucocorticoids (GCs). The current recommendation of the European Group of Graves' Orbitopathy (EUGOGO) is that cumulative doses of IVMP should not exceed 8.0g in each treatment course, and pulses should not be given on consecutive or alternate days, except in the case of DON. According to EUGOGO recommendations patients with moderate-to-severe GO are treated with IVMP cumulative dose 4.5g during a 12-week period (for the first 6 weeks 0.5g IVMP per week, for the next 6 weeks 0.25g IVMP per week). According to EUGOGO recommendations patients with DON should receive 3.0g IVMP (1.0g/day for 3 consecutive days) as the basic treatment. This limitation in doses are due to the necessity of the prevention of severe side effects that are rare but may be fatal. One of the most severe adverse events is acute liver injury (ALI), in some cases irreversible and/or fatal. The estimated morbidity and mortality of ALI was found to be 1-4 % and 0.01-0.3%, respectively. Since 2000, there were 5 reported fatal cases.

Mechanisms causing an IVMP-induced ALI remains incompletely elucidated. There are some possible hypotheses that may explain the occurrence of ALI. Firstly, GCs can lead to reactivation of autoimmune hepatitis: an immune "rebound phenomenon" following GCs withdrawal. The second mechanism of ALI is reactivation of viral hepatitis. Finally, there is well known direct toxic effect of GCs on hepatocytes, probably dose-dependent.

This study was performed to evaluate the influence of two different, routinely used schemes of therapy with IVMP in patients with moderate-to-severe GO (first scheme) and DON (second scheme) on biochemical liver parameters. Patients included into the study were treated according to EUGOGO recommendations with routine doses of IVMP and routine scheme of administration for moderate-to-severe GO and DON. No additional treatment was performed during the study protocol.

Read the detailed description

Depending on the severity according to EUGOGO recommendations, patients were divided into two groups: the first group with active, moderate-to-severe GO (49 patients) and the second group with DON (19 patients). Moderate-to-severe GO was diagnosed according to EUGOGO recommendations. Diagnosis of DON in patients with GO was based on at least two signs, including (i) deterioration of VA (< 1.0), (ii) loss of colour vision (more than two errors in Ishihara plates), (iii) optic disc swelling, and/or (iv) signs of DON in a magnetic resonance (MR) scan (presence of apical crowding and/or optic nerve stretching).

Laboratory tests were performed before treatment in all patients from both evaluated groups. Serum markers of exposure to hepatitis B (HBV) and hepatitis C (HCV) were checked: hepatitis B surface antigen (HBs-Ag), hepatitis B surface antibody (HBs-Ab), hepatitis B core antibody (HBc-Ab), hepatitis C antibody (HCV-Ab). Serum autoantibodies associated with autoimmune hepatitis including anti-nuclear antibodies (ANA1), anti-smooth muscle antibodies (ASMA), anti-mitochondrial antibodies (AMA) and anti-liver kidney-microsomal antibodies (anti-LKM) were also assessed. Thyroid evaluation included measurement of: thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), free triiodothyronine (fT3), free thyroxine (fT4), and serum antithyroid autoantibodies including anti-thyroid peroxidase (aTPO), thyroglobulin antibodies (aTG), thyroid-binding inhibitory immunoglobulin (TBII).

According to EUGOGO recommendations: patients with moderate-to-severe GO were treated with IVMP cumulative dose 4.5g during a 12-week period (for the first 6 weeks 0.5g IVMP per week was administrated and for the next 6 weeks 0.25g IVMP per week) and patients with DON received 3.0g IVMP (1.0g/day for 3 consecutive days).

Liver function parameters for further analysis included alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and total bilirubin. These parameters were measured the day before treatment in both groups and the day after administration of IVMP in selected pulses: after 0.5g (1st pulse), after 3.0g (6th pulse) and after 4.5g (12th pulse ) in the group with moderate-to-severe GO; after 3.0g IVMP in the group with DON.

Depending on concentrations of ALT, liver dysfunction was divided into: mild (above the upper limit of normal but less than 100 U/L), moderate (100-300 U/L) and severe (>300 U/L). ALI was defined as an ALT concentration >300 U/L. However, the investigators also evaluated a 4-fold increase of ALT in comparison to the initial values.

Routine laboratory tests and clinical evaluation were performed before every single pulse. Laboratory tests consisted of: ALT, AST, C reactive protein (CRP). In cases of moderate and severe increase in ALT (more than 100U/L) therapy was stopped.

Follow-up was performed in all of the patients and it included evaluation of AST, ALT and total bilirubin between 1-3 months after completion of IVMP therapy.

Being tested
every week IVMP therapy, very high doses IVMP therapy
Keywords
Graves Disease, Graves Ophthalmopathy, Dysthyroid Orbitopathy, Liver Failure, Liver Injury, Acute Liver Failure, Acute Liver Injury, Methylprednisolone, Glucocorticoids, Glucocorticoids Toxicity, Intravenous, Side effects, Adverse effects, Aminotransferase
Medical subject headings
Graves Disease, Graves Ophthalmopathy, Liver Diseases, Liver Failure, Hepatic Insufficiency, Liver Failure, Acute, Chemical and Drug Induced Liver Injury

What participants receive

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

  • every week IVMP therapyDrug

    12 pulses of intravenous methylprednisolone (IVMP) in every week schedule (for the first 6 weeks 0.5g IVMP per week, for the next 6 weeks 0.25g IVMP per week; cumulative dose 4.5g) according to EUGOGO recommendations

  • very high doses IVMP therapyDrug

    3 pulses of intravenous methylprednisolone (IVMP) (1.0g/day for 3 consecutive days; cumulative dose 3.0g) according to EUGOGO recommendations

Study groups in NCT03667157
Study groupRoleWhat they receive
moderate-to-severe Graves OrbitopathyActive comparatoractive, moderate-to-severe Graves Orbitopathy according to EUGOGO.
Receives: Drug: every week IVMP therapy
Dysthyroid Orbit NeuropathyActive comparatorDysthyroid Orbit Neuropathy according to EUGOGO
Receives: Drug: very high doses IVMP therapy

What is being measured

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

  1. Influence of IVMP pulses in 12 every week schedule on mean ALT

    Administration of IVMP in 12 every week schedule: 6 weeks 0.5g IVMP per week plus 6 weeks 0.25g IVMP per week. Change of mean value of alanine aminotransferase (ALT) between baseline (before administration of IVMP) and the end of the therapy (after the last pulse of IVMP).

    Measured: 12 weeks

  2. Influence of IVMP pulses in 3 consecutive days schedule on mean ALT

    Administration of 3g IVMP (1g in 3 consecutive days). Change of mean value of ALT between baseline (before IVMP) and the end of the therapy (after the last pulse of IVMP).

    Measured: 3 days

Secondary outcomes (2)
  1. Influence of IVMP pulses in 12 every week schedule on prevalence of mild, moderate and severe liver dysfunction.

    Administration of IVMP in 12 every week schedule: 6 weeks 0.5g IVMP per week plus 6 weeks 0.25g IVMP per week. Depending on concentrations of ALT, liver dysfunction was divided into: mild (above the upper limit of normal but less than 100 U/L), moderate (100-300 U/L) and severe (>300 U/L). ALI was defined as an ALT concentration >300 U/L. Prevalence of all types of liver dysfunction was count after IVMP treatment.

    Measured: 12 weeks

  2. Influence of IVMP pulses in 3 consecutive days schedule on prevalence of mild, moderate and severe liver dysfunction.

    Administration of 3g IVMP (1g in 3 consecutive days). Depending on concentrations of ALT, liver dysfunction was divided into: mild (above the upper limit of normal but less than 100 U/L), moderate (100-300 U/L) and severe (>300 U/L). ALI was defined as an ALT concentration >300 U/L. Prevalence of all types of liver dysfunction was count after IVMP treatment.

    Measured: 3 days

Timeline

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

  1. First posted12 Sep 2018
  2. Study start1 Jan 2012
  3. Primary completion30 Oct 2016
  4. Study completion30 Oct 2016

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 4
Primary purpose
Supportive care
Allocation
Non-randomised
Intervention model
Parallel groups
Masking
None (open label)
Enrolment
68 participants (actual)
IDs, dates and publications
ClinicalTrials.gov ID
NCT03667157
Sponsor's protocol ID
IVMPLiver
Status last verified
Sep 2018
First submitted
8 Sep 2018
Last updated
13 Sep 2018
Results posted
No
Data monitoring committee
No
FDA-regulated drug
No
FDA-regulated device
No
Individual data sharing
Yes: The collected data will be shared in a publication.

Publications

  • Miskiewicz P, Jankowska A, Brodzinska K, Milczarek-Banach J, Ambroziak U. Influence of Methylprednisolone Pulse Therapy on Liver Function in Patients with Graves' Orbitopathy. Int J Endocrinol. 2018 Oct 21;2018:1978590. doi: 10.1155/2018/1978590. eCollection 2018.

    PubMed 30420883

Questions about this trial

What is this clinical trial studying?

A Phase 4 study testing every week IVMP therapy and very high doses IVMP therapy in people with Graves Disease and Graves Ophthalmopathy, run by Medical University of Warsaw.

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 13 Sep 2018. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.

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 phase mean?

Phase 4 studies take place after a treatment is approved, to learn more about its long-term benefits and risks in everyday use.

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?

Influence of IVMP pulses in 12 every week schedule on mean ALT (time frame: 12 weeks). The study lists 2 primary outcomes in all. 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 NCT03667157, which also lists 1 linked publication.

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 13 Sep 2018.

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