Efficacy of albendazole in treatment of Clonorchis sinensis infection

ISRCTN ISRCTN46268871
DOI https://doi.org/10.1186/ISRCTN46268871
Secondary identifying numbers 2024-009
Submission date
19/02/2025
Registration date
27/02/2025
Last edited
25/02/2025
Recruitment status
No longer recruiting
Overall study status
Completed
Condition category
Infections and Infestations
Prospectively registered
Protocol
Statistical analysis plan
Results
Individual participant data
Record updated in last year

Plain English summary of protocol

Background and study aims
This study focuses on a liver fluke called Clonorchis sinensis, which causes a disease known as clonorchiasis. Over 13 million people in China, South Korea, northern Vietnam, and far eastern Russia are infected. Currently, there is no vaccine, so treatment relies on a drug called praziquantel. However, there are concerns about drug resistance and side effects. This study aims to test another drug, albendazole, to see if it is effective and has fewer side effects.

Who can participate?
Adults aged 18-70 years who have been confirmed to be infected with Clonorchis sinensis can participate. The study will include 100 people, with 50 having a light infection and 50 having a moderate to heavy infection.

What does the study involve?
Participants will be randomly assigned to receive either praziquantel or albendazole. Those in the praziquantel group will take the drug three times a day for one day. Those in the albendazole group will take the drug twice a day for four days.

What are the possible benefits and risks of participating?
Participants may benefit from receiving treatment for their infection. However, there are risks of side effects from the drugs. Praziquantel is known to have higher rates of side effects, while albendazole is thought to have fewer side effects, but this is still being studied.

Where is the study run from?
National Institute of Parasitic Diseases, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention (Chinese Center For Tropical Disease Research), China.

When is the study starting and how long is it expected to run for?
November 2024 to June 2025.

Who is funding the study?
National Disease Control and Prevention Administration, China.

Who is the main contact?
Dr Men-Bao Qian, qianmb@nipd.chinacdc.cn

Contact information

Dr Men-Bao Qian
Public, Scientific, Principal Investigator

No. 207, Rui Jin Er Road
Shanghai
200025
China

ORCiD logoORCID ID 0000-0002-3027-2889
Phone +86-21-64739075
Email qianmb@nipd.chinacdc.cn

Study information

Study designRandomized exploratory open-label phase II trial with two treatment arms
Primary study designInterventional
Secondary study designRandomised parallel trial
Study setting(s)Hospital
Study typeTreatment
Participant information sheet Not available in web format, please use contact details to request a participant information sheet
Scientific titleComparison on the efficacy of praziquantel and albendazole in treatment of Clonorchis sinensis infection
Study objectivesHigh dose of albendazole is comparable to praziquantel in treatment of Clonorchis sinensis infection
Ethics approval(s)

Approved 20/11/2024, Ethical Review Committee of National Institute of Parasitic Diseases, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention (Chinese Center For Tropical Disease Research) (No. 207, Rui Jin Er Road, Shanghai, 200025, China; +86-21-54593271; lizhen@nipd.chinacdc.cn), ref: 2024-009

Health condition(s) or problem(s) studiedClonorchis sinensis infection
InterventionLight infection (Eggs per gram of feces <1 000):
Group 1: albendazole with a dose of 400 mg, twice a day for 4 days
Group 2: praziquantel (25 mg/kg 3 times a day for 1 day)

Moderate and heavy infection (Eggs per gram of feces ≥1 000):
Group 1: albendazole with a dose of 400 mg, twice a day for 4 days
Group 2: praziquantel (25 mg/kg 3 times a day for 1 day)

Randomisation by sealed envelope.
Intervention typeDrug
Pharmaceutical study type(s)Dose response
PhasePhase II
Drug / device / biological / vaccine name(s)albendazole, praziquantel
Primary outcome measureCure rates and egg reduction rates three weeks after treatment: For diagnosis two stool samples will be collected before and after treatment. From each stool sample three Kato-Katz thick smears will be examined.
Secondary outcome measuresAdverse events due to specific treatment: Participants will be monitored 3 hours and 24 hours after treatment with a standard questionnaire for adverse events.
Overall study start date20/11/2024
Completion date20/06/2025

Eligibility

Participant type(s)Patient
Age groupAdult
Lower age limit18 Years
Upper age limit70 Years
SexBoth
Target number of participants100
Key inclusion criteria1. Patients (18-70 years) infected with C. sinensis, as assessed by the presence of eggs in the stool
2. Signed written informed consent
3. Able and willing to be examined by a study physician at the beginning of the study and at the end of study follow-up survey (3-4 weeks post-treatment)
4. Able and willing to provide multiple stool samples at the beginning and end of study
5. Absence of major systemic illnesses, psychiatric and neurological disorders as assessed by the medical doctor, upon initial clinical assessment
6. No known or reported hypersensitivity to albendazole or praziquantel
7. No known or reported history of chronical illness as cancer, diabetes, chronic heart, liver or renal disease
8. For females, not pregnant, as assessed by a female nurse (interview and pregnancy test if need be), upon initial clinical assessment
Key exclusion criteria1. For females, pregnancy
2. Presence of any abnormal medical condition, judged by the study physician
3. History of acute or severe chronic disease
4. Known or reported hypersensitivity to albendazole or praziquantel
5. Known or reported psychiatric or neurological disorders
6. Use of any anthelminthic within the past month
7. Attending other clinical trials during the study
8. Absence of signed written informed consent sheet
Date of first enrolment20/03/2025
Date of final enrolment20/05/2025

Locations

Countries of recruitment

  • China

Study participating centre

Binyang Center for Disease Control and Prevention
No 12, Jianshe Community, Binzhou township, Binyang county
Nanning
530400
China

Sponsor information

National Institute of Parasitic Diseases, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention (Chinese Center For Tropical Disease Research)
Other

No. 207, Rui Jin Er Road
Shanghai
200025
China

Phone +86-21-54593271
Email lizhen@nipd.chinacdc.cn

Funders

Funder type

Government

National Disease Control and Prevention Administration

No information available

Results and Publications

Intention to publish date
Individual participant data (IPD) Intention to shareYes
IPD sharing plan summaryAvailable on request
Publication and dissemination planPlanned scientific publication in a peer reviewed journal.
IPD sharing planThe datasets generated during and/or analysed during the current study will be available upon reasonable request from qianmb@nipd.chinacdc.cn

Editorial Notes

19/02/2025: Trial's existence confirmed by Ethical Review Committee of National Institute of Parasitic Diseases, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention (Chinese Center For Tropical Disease Research).