A 12-week, randomised, double-blind study evaluating the effects of low-dose (10 mg) and high-dose (80 mg) atorvastatin on macrophage activity and carotid plaque inflammation as determined by ultra small super-paramagnetic iron oxide (USPIO) enhanced carotid magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)

ISRCTN ISRCTN64894118
DOI https://doi.org/10.1186/ISRCTN64894118
ClinicalTrials.gov number NCT00368589
Secondary identifying numbers N/A
Submission date
03/03/2006
Registration date
29/03/2006
Last edited
10/09/2019
Recruitment status
No longer recruiting
Overall study status
Completed
Condition category
Circulatory System
Prospectively registered
Protocol
Statistical analysis plan
Results
Individual participant data

Plain English summary of protocol

Not provided at time of registration

Contact information

Dr Jonathan Gillard
Scientific

University Department of Radiology
Box 219
Level 5
Cambridge University Hospitals Foundation Trust
Hills Road
Cambridge
CB2 2QQ
United Kingdom

Phone +44 (0)1223 336896
Email jhg21@cam.ac.uk

Study information

Study designDouble blind randomised controlled trial
Primary study designInterventional
Secondary study designRandomised controlled trial
Study setting(s)Not specified
Study typeTreatment
Scientific titleA 12-week, randomised, double-blind study evaluating the effects of low-dose (10 mg) and high-dose (80 mg) atorvastatin on macrophage activity and carotid plaque inflammation as determined by ultra small super-paramagnetic iron oxide (USPIO) enhanced carotid magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
Study acronymATHEROMA
Study objectivesThis study will test the hypothesis that the treatment with atorvastatin 80 mg will demonstrate measurable changes in USPIO-enhanced MRI within the first three months of therapy. If this hypothesis is confirmed, this will provide additional clinical validation of USPIO-enhanced MRI methodology for the screening and the assessment of therapeutic response to anti-inflammatory interventions in patients with high-risk atherosclerotic lesions.
Ethics approval(s)This study was approved by the Local Regional Ethics Committee, Cambridge, UK on 3/02/2006, reference number: 05/Q0108/441
Health condition(s) or problem(s) studiedCarotid atherosclerosis
InterventionPatients with USPIO positive carotid plaques on MRI will be randomised into a high-dose or low-dose atorvastatin group. The high-dose statin group will receive 80 mg atorvastatin daily for 12 weeks and the low dose group will receive 10 mg atorvastatin. High resolution MRI will be performed at baseline, 6 weeks and at 12 weeks.
Intervention typeDrug
Pharmaceutical study type(s)
PhaseNot Specified
Drug / device / biological / vaccine name(s)Atorvastatin
Primary outcome measureTo establish whether inflammatory activity of the atherosclerotic plaque, as measured by USPIO-enhanced MRI, can be modified after the administration of high- or low-dose atorvastatin
Secondary outcome measures1. To investigate MRI-derived tensile stress in carotid plaques following the administration of high- or low-dose atorvastatin
2. To quantify changes in cerebral micro-embolisation occurring in patients with carotid plaques treated with high- and low-dose atorvastatin
3. To investigate the effects of high- and low-dose atorvastatin on selected soluble plasma biomarkers
4. To compare macrophage content as determined by USPIO/MRI with histology in carotid atheroma plaques following the administration of high or low dose atorvastatin
5. To assess appearance of new lesions on brain MRI and correlate these with USPIO uptake in the carotid plaque and micro-embolic burden
6. To assess the pharmacokinetic parameters of atorvastatin
Overall study start date01/04/2006
Completion date01/04/2009

Eligibility

Participant type(s)Patient
Age groupAdult
Lower age limit18 Years
SexBoth
Target number of participants40
Total final enrolment40
Key inclusion criteriaA subject will be eligible for inclusion in this study only if all of the following criteria are met:
1. Signed written informed consent prior to beginning study-related procedures (subject must understand the aims, investigational procedures and possible consequences of the study)
2. Male or female aged 18 to 80 years of age at screening. Female subjects must be of non-childbearing potential (post-menopausal females who have been amenorrheic >1 year, or pre-menopausal females with a documented hysterectomy or bilateral oophorectomy).
3. Positive USPIO-enhanced MRI of carotid plaque confirmed by a consultant neuroradiologist. This will be pre-defined.
4. Must either be statin naive or have been on a stable dose of a statin for ≥4 weeks prior to screening, with no evidence of statin intolerability
Key exclusion criteriaA subject will not be eligible for inclusion in this study if any of the following criteria apply:
1. Required continued use of non-statin lipid modifying therapies
2. History of statin intolerance
3. History of chronic viral hepatitis or other chronic hepatic disorders
4. Renal impairment
5. History of myopathy or inflammatory muscle disease
6. Doppler assessment of less than 40% stenosis during screening assessment
7. Contraindication to MRI scanning
8. Planned carotid surgery or endovascular intervention earlier than 10 weeks within the study period
9. Serum triglycerides >400 mg/dl (4.52 mmol/l) at screening
10. Patients with poorly controlled diabetes mellitus and hypertension
11. History of malignancy
12. Evidence of recent severe infection
13. Current life-threatening condition other than vascular disease
14. Alcohol or drug abuse within the past six months
15. Concomitant use of potent CYP450 3A4 inhibitors
16. Chronic use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and oral steroids therapy
17. Chronic use of immunosuppressants
18. Use of an investigational drug within 30 days or five half-lives (whichever is longer) preceding the first dose of study medication
19. Any other subject the investigator deems unsuitable for the study (e.g. due to either medical reasons, laboratory abnormalities, expected study medication non-compliance, or subject’s unwillingness to comply with all study-related procedures)
20. Inability to give informed consent
Date of first enrolment01/04/2006
Date of final enrolment01/04/2009

Locations

Countries of recruitment

  • England
  • United Kingdom

Study participating centre

University Department of Radiology
Cambridge
CB2 2QQ
United Kingdom

Sponsor information

GlaxoSmithKline (UK)
Industry

Greenford Road
Greenford
Middlesex
UB6 OHE
United Kingdom

Phone +44 (0)208 9047500
Email Andrew.P.Brown@gsk.com
ROR logo "ROR" https://ror.org/01xsqw823

Funders

Funder type

Industry

GlaxoSmithKline (GSK)
Government organisation / For-profit companies (industry)
Alternative name(s)
GlaxoSmithKline plc., GSK plc., GSK
Location
United Kingdom

Results and Publications

Intention to publish date
Individual participant data (IPD) Intention to shareNo
IPD sharing plan summaryNot provided at time of registration
Publication and dissemination planNot provided at time of registration
IPD sharing plan

Study outputs

Output type Details Date created Date added Peer reviewed? Patient-facing?
Results article results 01/06/2011 Yes No
Results article results 02/06/2009 10/09/2019 Yes No

Editorial Notes

10/09/2019: ClinicalTrials.gov number, publication reference and total final enrolment number added.