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Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)Phase 2STAT-2ANCT06866275

Suramin for the Treatment of Autism Trial: KZ101 in a Male Pediatric Population With Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)

A Phase 2 study testing KZ101 in people with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), run by Children's Hospital of Orange County at 2 sites in United States.

Recruiting

Looking for participants now. Contact the study team or a site below to ask about taking part.

Sites and contacts
Official record
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Trial summary

Suramin has been found to correct the symptoms, metabolism, and brain synaptic abnormalities in two classical genetic and environmental mouse models of autism. A preliminary clinical trial (SAT-1) examined the safety and activity of a single low-dose of suramin in children with ASD and concluded suramin showed promise… Read more about this study

Who is it for?
Ages 5 to 14 years, men only
Conditions the study is for
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)
What is being tested?
KZ101
Could I receive a placebo?
Yes, some participants may receive a placebo
How many people
45 participants
Where
2 sitesUnited States
Study dates
9 Apr 2025to Apr 2028
Phase
Phase 2
Are there results?
Not yet: the study is under way

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 5 to 14 years
  • Men only
  • No healthy volunteers
  • Child

Who may be able to join

  • Subject must meet all of the following criteria to be enrolled in this study.
  • Male, aged 5-14 years
  • Clinical diagnosis of ASD by DSM-5 criteria
  • ADOS-2 ≥ 7 on the comparison score for Modules 2-4 (completed within the last 2 years).
  • CGI-S ≥ 4 for socialization specific symptoms of ASD
  • Leiter-3 non-verbal IQ > 70
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  • Standard score < 75 on the Socialization Domain of the Comprehensive Interview Form of the Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scale Third Edition
  • Subjects who are sexually active or potentially sexually active agree to use condoms with a spermicidal as a barrier method of contraception during the treatment period and for at least 30 days after the last dose of study medication
  • Subjects agree to wear sunscreen and to wear skin covering to the maximal degree tolerated by the child for the duration of the treatment period and for at least 30 days after the last dose of study medication
  • Subjects must have a ≤ 90 minutes car ride from the study site
  • English-speaking child and parent/guardian or caregiver
  • Parent or their legal guardians must be willing to sign informed consent

Who cannot join

  • Subjects who meet any of the following criteria will be excluded from the study.
  • ASD diagnosis with underlying syndromic diagnosis (e.g., Fragile X, Angelman, Down's Syndrome, etc.)
  • ≤ 5th percentile for weight
  • Unable to tolerate venipuncture or urine collection
  • Acute infection (e.g., upper respiratory tract infection, common cold, flu, strep, COVID-19)
  • Severe co-morbid conditions (e.g., psychosis, seizures/epilepsy uncontrolled by medication, presence of severe visual or hearing impairment) that may interact with study procedures. Controlled epilepsy is allowed providing there has not been a breakthrough seizure in the past year.
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  • Any organ system dysfunction, especially liver (e.g., ALT or AST ≥ 1.5x the upper limit of normal), kidney (estimated glomerular filtration rate or eGFR < 90 mL/min/1.73 m2; hematuria confirmed by urine microscopy [ > 5 red blood cells/high power field]; proteinuria [> 1+ that does not resolve on repeat testing or urine protein to creatinine ratio > 0.3]; and/or presence of any granular, mixed cellular, red blood cell, white blood cell, or muddy brown casts on urine microscopy), or clinically relevant heart or adrenal abnormalities
  • Hospitalization within the previous 2 months from screening
  • Initiation or change in pharmacotherapy within previous 2 months from screening
  • Initiation or change in psychosocial interventions (formal behavioral, cognitive, or cognitive-behavior therapy) within previous 2 months from screening
  • Plan to initiate or change pharmacotherapy or psychosocial interventions during the study
  • Taking prescription medication that may interact adversely with KZ101 or expose the subject to increased risk of harm such as medications with plasma bound substances including sulfonamides, chlorpromazine, and anti-coagulants
  • Currently enrolled in another clinical study or has received any investigational treatment within 30 days of screening
  • Taking > 3 medications addressing behavioral symptoms related to ASD (ie typical/atypical antipsychotics and alpha-adrenergic agonists) or comorbid medical conditions such as ADHD, anxiety, or depression. Anti-seizure medications and other medications not related to neurobehavioral symptoms do not count towards the total number of medications allowed.
  • History of serious dermatological reactions
  • History of allergy, intolerance, or photosensitivity to any drug
  • Unable or unwilling to adhere to study requirements

Trial locations and contacts

2 sites in 1 country. Contact the study team or a site near you to ask about taking part.

Adrienne Moore, PhD contact

714-288-7456

adrienne.moore@choc.org

United States2 sites, 2 recruiting
  • Kennedy Krieger Institute

    Baltimore, Maryland, 21205

    Katie Kay, 443-923-3819, kayk@kennedykrieger.org

    Karen Chen, 667-205-4393, chenk@kennedykrieger.org

    Recruiting
  • Children's Hospital Orange County, Thompson Autism and Neurodevelopmental Center

    Orange, California, 92868

    Adrienne R Moore, PhD, 714-288-7456, adrienne.moore@choc.org

    Aram Kim, MD

    Recruiting

Other trials in United States

About this study

Official title: Suramin for the Treatment of Autism Trial (STAT): A Randomized, Double Blind, Crossover Trial of KZ101 in a Male Pediatric Population With Autism Spectrum Disorder

Suramin has been found to correct the symptoms, metabolism, and brain synaptic abnormalities in two classical genetic and environmental mouse models of autism. A preliminary clinical trial (SAT-1) examined the safety and activity of a single low-dose of suramin in children with ASD and concluded suramin showed promise as a novel approach to treatment of ASD. The current study, STAT-2A, will be a randomized, double-blind, crossover, 30-week study to evaluate the preliminary proof of concept, safety, and PK of suramin sodium (KZ101) with repeat dosing by IV infusion in males 5-14 years of age who have been diagnosed with ASD. The study will be conducted at approximately 3 sites contributing approximately 15 subjects per site. Total enrollment of approximately 45 subjects is planned to achieve approximately 36 participants completing the study.

Read the detailed description

After up to a 4-week screening period, participants will undergo 8 weeks of active or placebo treatment (Period 1), followed by an 8-week washout period, and then cross over to 8 weeks of placebo or active treatment (Period 2). Patients will be followed for 2 weeks after completion of Period 2. Two dosing groups are designated as Group A, who are randomly assigned to active treatment with KZ101 in Period 1 and saline in Period 2, and Group B, who are randomly assigned to saline infusion in Period 1 and active treatment with KZ101 in Period 2. Dosing in both periods will consist of 2 IV infusions of either saline (placebo) or KZ101 (active treatment), given 4 weeks apart.

Being tested
KZ101, Placebo
Keywords
Suramin, suramin sodium
Medical subject headings
Autism Spectrum Disorder

What participants receive

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

  • KZ101Drug

    Also called Suramin, Suramin sodium

    For active treatment with KZ101, a loading dose of 454 mg/m2 (salt-free) will be followed by a treatment dose of 363 mg/m2 (salt-free).

  • PlaceboDrug

    Also called Saline

    Dosing in the placebo group will consist of a volume of normal saline equivalent to that given during the active treatment period for each participant.

Study groups in NCT06866275
Study groupRoleWhat they receive
Drug followed by PlaceboExperimentalNot described
Receives: Drug: KZ101; Drug: Placebo
Placebo followed by DrugPlacebo comparatorNot described
Receives: Drug: KZ101; Drug: Placebo

What is being measured

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

  1. Primary Efficacy Endpoint - Vineland-3 Socialization Domain

    The primary efficacy endpoint will be the change in standard score on the Socialization Domain of the Comprehensive Interview Form of the Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scale Third Edition (Vineland-3), which includes subdomains for coping skills, play skills, and interpersonal relation skills.

    Measured: Change from Screening to Week 8 (before washout) will be compared to change from Week 16 to Week 24 (after washout).

Secondary outcomes (8)
  1. Secondary Efficacy Endpoint - Vineland-3, Additional Scores

    Vineland-3 Composite Score, Communication Domain Score, and Daily Living Skills Domain Score will also be assessed.

    Measured: Secondary outcome measures will be used to assess change from Week 0 to Week 8 (before washout) and from Week 16 to Week 24 (after washout).

  2. Secondary Efficacy Endpoint - Global Impresssion, Severity/Change

    Clinician Global Impression of Severity and Change, and Caregiver/Parent Global Impression of Severity and Change, will be collected and assessed weighted for socialization.

    Measured: Secondary outcome measures will be used to assess change from Week 0 to Week 8 (before washout) and from Week 16 to Week 24 (after washout).

  3. Secondary Efficacy Endpoint - Social Responsiveness Scale-2

    The Social Responsiveness Scale-2 (SRS-2) is a well-established tool to evaluate socialization that was also used in a prior pilot study.

    Measured: Secondary outcome measures will be used to assess change from Week 0 to Week 8 (before washout) and from Week 16 to Week 24 (after washout).

  4. Secondary Efficacy Endpoint - Aberrant Behavior Checklist, Second Edition (ABC-2)

    The ABC-2 provides measures of repetitive behaviors and includes domains of irritability, social withdrawal, stereotypy, hyperactivity, and inappropriate speech.

    Measured: Secondary outcome measures will be used to assess change from Week 0 to Week 8 (before washout) and from Week 16 to Week 24 (after washout).

  5. Secondary Efficacy Endpoint - Childhood Sleep Habits Questionnaire (CSHQ)

    As a large proportion of the adolescents with ASD population is highly impacted by sleep concerns, the CSHQ will be administered to investigate relationships between KZ101 and sleep.

    Measured: Secondary outcome measures will be used to assess change from Week 0 to Week 8 (before washout) and from Week 16 to Week 24 (after washout).

  6. Secondary Efficacy Endpoint - Parenting Stress Impact (PSI)

    Data from the PSI will be used to evaluate whether changes in symptoms in the ASD participant is associated with changes in parental stress throughout the study.

    Measured: Secondary outcome measures will be used to assess change from Week 0 to Week 8 (before washout) and from Week 16 to Week 24 (after washout).

  7. Secondary Efficacy Endpoint - Child Behavior Check List (CBCL)

    The CBCL is a parental measure of internalizing and externalizing behaviors as well as common DSM-5 conditions co-occurring with ASD.

    Measured: Secondary outcome measures will be used to assess change from Week 0 to Week 8 (before washout) and from Week 16 to Week 24 (after washout).

  8. Secondary Efficacy Endpoint - Ohio State University Autism Rating Scale, 5th Edition

    The Ohio State University Autism Rating Scale 5 (OARS-5) will provide three summary scores to be evaluated with KZ101 administration and placebo administration: autism symptom count, weighted mean severity score of autism symptoms, and impairment index based on level of support needed.

    Measured: Secondary outcome measures will be used to assess change from Week 0 to Week 8 (before washout) and from Week 16 to Week 24 (after washout).

Timeline

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

  1. First posted10 Mar 2025
  2. Study start9 Apr 2025
  3. Primary completionApr 2028 (estimated)
  4. Study completionApr 2028 (estimated)

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 2
Primary purpose
Treatment
Allocation
Randomised
Intervention model
Crossover
Masking
Quadruple blind
Who is masked
Participant, Care provider, Investigator, Outcomes assessor
Enrolment
45 participants (estimated)
IDs, dates and publications
ClinicalTrials.gov ID
NCT06866275
Sponsor's protocol ID
CHOC IRB# 2308114
Acronym
STAT-2A
Status last verified
Jul 2026
First submitted
24 Feb 2025
Last updated
30 Jul 2026
Results posted
No
Data monitoring committee
Yes
FDA-regulated drug
Yes
FDA-regulated device
No
Individual data sharing
No: There is no plan to share IPD at this time.

Publications

  • Naviaux RK, Zolkipli Z, Wang L, Nakayama T, Naviaux JC, Le TP, Schuchbauer MA, Rogac M, Tang Q, Dugan LL, Powell SB. Antipurinergic therapy corrects the autism-like features in the poly(IC) mouse model. PLoS One. 2013;8(3):e57380. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0057380. Epub 2013 Mar 13.

    PubMed 23516405
  • Naviaux JC, Schuchbauer MA, Li K, Wang L, Risbrough VB, Powell SB, Naviaux RK. Reversal of autism-like behaviors and metabolism in adult mice with single-dose antipurinergic therapy. Transl Psychiatry. 2014 Jun 17;4(6):e400. doi: 10.1038/tp.2014.33.

    PubMed 24937094
  • Naviaux JC, Wang L, Li K, Bright AT, Alaynick WA, Williams KR, Powell SB, Naviaux RK. Antipurinergic therapy corrects the autism-like features in the Fragile X (Fmr1 knockout) mouse model. Mol Autism. 2015 Jan 13;6:1. doi: 10.1186/2040-2392-6-1. eCollection 2015.

    PubMed 25705365
  • Naviaux RK, Curtis B, Li K, Naviaux JC, Bright AT, Reiner GE, Westerfield M, Goh S, Alaynick WA, Wang L, Capparelli EV, Adams C, Sun J, Jain S, He F, Arellano DA, Mash LE, Chukoskie L, Lincoln A, Townsend J. Low-dose suramin in autism spectrum disorder: a small, phase I/II, randomized clinical trial. Ann Clin Transl Neurol. 2017 May 26;4(7):491-505. doi: 10.1002/acn3.424. eCollection 2017 Jul.

    PubMed 28695149

Questions about this trial

What is this clinical trial studying?

A Phase 2 study testing KZ101 in people with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), run by Children's Hospital of Orange County at 2 sites in United States.

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 12 inclusion and 17 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: looking for participants now, as of the sponsor's last update on 30 Jul 2026. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.

Where is the study taking place?

The record lists 2 sites in United States. 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 2 studies give the treatment to a larger group to see whether it has the intended effect and to keep checking safety.

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

Are results available for this study?

This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.

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

Contact Adrienne Moore, PhD (714-288-7456, adrienne.moore@choc.org), or a site near the patient. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.

What does the primary outcome measure?

Primary Efficacy Endpoint - Vineland-3 Socialization Domain (time frame: Change from Screening to Week 8 (before washout) will be compared to change from Week 16 to Week 24 (after washout).). 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 NCT06866275, which also lists 4 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 30 Jul 2026.

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