Impact of DOxofylline compaRed tO THEOphylline in asthma: the DOROTHEO 1 study
| ISRCTN | ISRCTN65297911 |
|---|---|
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1186/ISRCTN65297911 |
| Secondary identifying numbers | 30,722-301D |
- Submission date
- 17/05/2018
- Registration date
- 01/06/2018
- Last edited
- 21/06/2018
- Recruitment status
- No longer recruiting
- Overall study status
- Completed
- Condition category
- Respiratory
Plain English Summary
Background and study aims
Doxofylline is a drug belonging to the class methylxanthines, which also includes theophylline. Doxofylline has shown similar efficacy to theophylline in asthmatic patients but with significantly fewer side effects. Unlike other xanthines such as theophylline, doxofylline does not activate certain specific cellular receptors (i.e. adenosine receptors) and does not alter the movement of calcium into cells. These specific characteristics may account for the better safety profile of doxofylline compared to theophylline. Conversely, the anti-asthmatic effects of doxophylline involve other mechanisms, mainly reducing the activity of intracellular enzymes (i.e. phosphodiesterases). Thus, the aim of this study is to investigate the beneficial impact of doxofylline versus theophylline with regard to efficacy and safety in asthmatic patients.
Who can participate?
Adult (over 16 years old) asthmatic patients
What does the study involve?
Participants are randomly allocated to receive 3 months oral treatment three times daily with placebo (dummy drug), doxofylline 200 mg, doxofylline 400 mg or theophylline 250 mg. Lung function tests are carried out at day 1 and at weeks 2, 4, 6, 8, 10 and 12.
What are the possible benefits and risks of participating?
The possible benefits may include increased lung function, reduced asthma attack rate, and reduced use of albuterol, leading to an overall increased asthma control. The potential risks may include the occurrence of side effects, namely gastrointestinal symptoms (nausea, vomiting, gastrointestinal distress, stomach ache), tachycardia or palpitations, insomnia, and nervousness. In any case, the overall treatment benefits would overcome the symptoms related with the side effects.
Where is the study run from?
Family Practice Residency Program, Jacksonville, FL (US); Delaware Valley Lung Center, Cherry Hill, NJ (US); Allergy & Immunology, Inc., Stockton, CA (US); Medical Research Group, Salt Lake City, UT (US); Allergy Associates, Inc., North Dartmouth, MA (US); International Medical Technical Consultants, Inc., Prairie Village, KS (US); Advanced Allergy & Asthma, Albany, NY (US); Pulmonary Associates, Philadelphia, PA (US); Asthma & Allergy Research Center, Orange, CA (US); Allergic Disease Associates, Philadelphia, PA (US); Pharmaceutical Research & Consulting, Inc., Dallas, TX (US); Doctors’ Clinic Research Center, Vero Beach, FL (US); Pharmaco Health Research Center, Austin, TX (US); Allergy Asthma Care, Cranford, NJ (US); El Paso Institute for Medical Research and Development, El Paso, TX (US); Allergy and Asthma Consultants, P.A., Tinton Falls, NJ (US); University of Arizona Health Science Center, Tucson, AZ (US); Allergy Research Foundation, Inc., Los Angeles, CA (US); Creighton University School of Medicine, Omaha, NE (US).
When is the study starting and how long is it expected to run for?
September 1990 to November 1994
Who is funding the study?
Roberts Pharmaceutical Corporation (USA)
Who is the main contact?
Dr Alberto Giraudi
alberto.giraudi@abcfarmaceutici.it
Contact information
Scientific
Via Canton Moretti, 29
Località San Bernardo, Ivrea (TO)
10090
Italy
| Phone | +39 (0)125 240111 |
|---|---|
| alberto.giraudi@abcfarmaceutici.it |
Study information
| Study design | Multicenter double-blind randomized placebo-controlled Phase III clinical trial |
|---|---|
| Primary study design | Interventional |
| Secondary study design | Randomised controlled trial |
| Study setting(s) | Home |
| Study type | Treatment |
| Participant information sheet | Not available in web format, please use the contact details to request a patient information sheet |
| Scientific title | A double-blind Phase III evaluation of doxofylline, theophylline, and placebo in patients with chronic reversible asthma |
| Study acronym | DOROTHEO 1 |
| Study hypothesis | Doxofylline [2-(7’-theophylline-methyl)-1,3-dioxolane] is a methylxanthine derivative with the presence of a dioxolane group in position 7. As a drug used in the treatment of asthma, doxofylline has shown similar efficacy to theophylline but with significantly fewer side effects in animal and human studies. Unlike other xanthines, doxofylline lacks any significant affinity for adenosine A1 or A2 receptors and does not produce stimulant effects. Decreased affinity for adenosine receptors may account for the better safety profile of doxofylline compared to theophylline. Unlike theophylline, doxofylline does not affect calcium influx and does not antagonize the actions of calcium channel blockers which could explain reduced cardiac adverse reactions associated with the drug. The anti-asthmatic effects of doxophylline are mediated by other mechanisms, primarily through inhibiting the activities of the phosphodiesterase (PDE) enzymes. Therefore, the hypothesis of this study was that doxofylline may have the same efficacy profile of theophylline, and that doxofylline may have a greater safety profile compared to theophylline in patients with asthma. |
| Ethics approval(s) | Lead centre ethics board: The Asthma Center, Philadelphia, PA, USA, 13/05/1991, ref: 30,722-301D-91 The study protocol was reviewed and approved by Institutional Review Boards (IRBs) at the following study sites: Family Practice Residency Program, Jacksonville, FL (US); Delaware Valley Lung Center, Cherry Hill, NJ (US); Allergy & Immunology, Inc., Stockton, CA (US); Medical Research Group, Salt Lake City, UT (US); Allergy Associates, Inc., North Dartmouth, MA (US); International Medical Technical Consultants, Inc., Prairie Village, KS (US); Advanced Allergy & Asthma, Albany, NY (US); Pulmonary Associates, Philadelphia, PA (US); Asthma & Allergy Research Center, Orange, CA (US); Allergic Disease Associates, Philadelphia, PA (US); Pharmaceutical Research & Consulting, Inc., Dallas, TX (US); Doctors’ Clinic Research Center, Vero Beach, FL (US); Pharmaco Health Research Center, Austin, TX (US); Allergy Asthma Care, Cranford, NJ (US); El Paso Institute for Medical Research and Development, El Paso, TX (US); Allergy and Asthma Consultants, P.A., Tinton Falls, NJ (US); University of Arizona Health Science Center, Tucson, AZ (US); Allergy Research Foundation, Inc., Los Angeles, CA (US); Creighton University School of Medicine, Omaha, NE (US) |
| Condition | Asthma |
| Intervention | Subjects were randomly assigned to one of the four treatment groups in blocks of four patients according to a computer-generated randomization schedule prepared by the sponsor. Participants receive 3 months oral therapy as follows: 1. Placebo t.i.d. 2. Doxofylline 200 mg t.i.d. 3. Doxofylline 400 mg t.i.d. 4. Theophylline 250 mg t.i.d. |
| Intervention type | Drug |
| Pharmaceutical study type(s) | |
| Phase | Phase III |
| Drug / device / biological / vaccine name(s) | Doxofylline, theophylline |
| Primary outcome measure | The primary outcome was the forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1). The derived variable that was considered for comparative assessments among treatments was the percent change in the 2 hours FEV1 value from the baseline value (T0, hour 0). The primary timepoint was the last observation that was reported for each subject during the double-blind treatment period (3 months). FEV1 values were measured by using pulmonary function tests (PFTs) at day 1 (T0) and after at week 2, week 4, week 6, week 8, week 10, week 12. |
| Secondary outcome measures | 1. The secondary outcome variables were forced vital capacity (FVC), FEV1/FVC, forced expiratory flow during the middle half of the FVC (FEF25%-75%) and peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR). These outcomes were expressed as the percent change in the 2 hours values from the baseline value (T0, hour 0). The endpoint was the last observation that was reported for each subject during the double-blind treatment period (3 months). These secondary outcomes were measured by using PFTs at day 1 (T0) and after at week 2, week 4, week 6, week 8, week 10, week 12. 2. Secondary efficacy variables derived from the Medication/Symptom Diaries were asthmatic attack rate (total number of attacks divided by the total number of days on study medication), albuterol use rate (total number of puffs divided by total number of days on study medication), average daily peak flow meter (PFM) rate, and global assessment. For the daily PFM rate, the percent change from baseline (T0) was calculated. For the remaining efficacy variables derived from the Medication/Symptom Diaries, the absolute change from baseline (T0) was determined. “Baseline” for these variables was defined as the value obtained from the diaries during the placebo run-in phase, after that these secondary outcomes were measured at week 2, week 4, week 6, week 8, week 10, week 12. 3. Safety was assessed by physical examinations, ECGs, and the recording of vital signs, laboratory test results, and adverse events. All clinical adverse events (AE) entered on the Case Report Forms (CRFs) were to be classified as to possible relation to study medication (not related, possibly related, definitely related, or unknown) and severity (mild, moderate, or severe). Also recorded for each AE were the start and stop dates, the action taken (none, study medication discontinued, or treatment prescribed), and the outcome (recovered, recovered with sequelae, under treatment, deceased, unknown, or ongoing). If a subject experienced an AE leading to withdrawal from the study, the investigator was to make an effort to have the subject return to the study center for examination and for obtaining a serum sample for drug level determination. The time and date of the last dose taken were to be entered into the CRF. |
| Overall study start date | 14/09/1990 |
| Overall study end date | 02/04/1997 |
Eligibility
| Participant type(s) | Patient |
|---|---|
| Age group | Adult |
| Lower age limit | 18 Years |
| Sex | Both |
| Target number of participants | 200 |
| Participant inclusion criteria | 1. Males and nonpregnant females. Women of childbearing potential had to use acceptable methods of birth control and have a negative prestudy serum β-hCG pregnancy test. Acceptable methods of birth control were limited to vaginal or intrauterine contraceptive devices or agents and natural (postmenopausal) or surgical sterility. Abstention, oral contraceptives, and use of contraceptive by the woman’s partner were not acceptable methods of birth control 2. Age: adults, 16 years of age or older 3. Health status: nonsmokers for at least 6 months before entering the study, in good physical condition with a more than 1-year history of chronic, extrinsic reversible hyperreactive airway disease (asthma) 4. Willing to undergo the procedures required in the protocol 5. Willing to undergo a chest x-ray if required by the Principal Investigator 6. On screening, subjects must have had a baseline FEV1 value within 50% to 80% of the predicted FEV1 value for their age and height, when immediate-release theophylline or sustained-release theophylline had been withheld for at least 24 hours. Subjects were further required to have abstained from use of any sympathomimetic, including beta-agonist inhalers, for at least 8 hours before the screening pulmonary function tests (PFTs) 7. On screening, subjects had to show at least a 15% increase in FEV1 30 minutes after administration of a standard dose (2 puffs, 180 µg) of albuterol 8. Subjects must have demonstrated, by verbal history, a period of at least 1 month of acceptable clinical control of their asthma in the preceding 3 years using oral theophylline, alone or in combination with a beta-agonist inhaler 9. Subjects had to weight at least 48 kg (105 lb) |
| Participant exclusion criteria | 1. Clinically significant deviation from normal in physical examination, laboratory parameters, ECG, or chest x-ray, as evaluated by the Principal Investigator, that would have precluded the subject’s participation in the study 2. Clinically significant coexisting disease, including: 2.1. Clinically significant cardiovascular disease, including a history of congestive heart failure 2.2. Angina pectoris within 1 year 2.3. History of myocardial infarction within 1 year 2.4. Convulsive disorder 2.5. Clinically significant gastrointestinal disease, including active peptic ulcers within the preceding 5 years 2.6. Renal disease 2.7. Hepatic disease 2.8. Hematologic disease 2.9. Insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus 2.10. Nonreversible chronic pulmonary disease 2.11. Known infection with human immunodeficiency virus 2.12. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease 3. Presence of any acute illness 4. Sensitivity to theophylline or theophylline-like agents 5. A resting heart rate of less than 50 bpm or greater than 100 bpm and/or an arterial blood pressure of less than 100/60 mmHg or greater than 140/90 mmHg when sitting 6. History of alcohol, narcotic, barbiturate, marijuana, or polydrug abuse 7. Participation in other investigational drug studies within 30 days before the start of this study 8. Subjects who were unlikely to be compliant with the protocol requirements 9. Oral contraceptive use was not allowed because of the propensity for these drugs to decrease theophylline clearance. If a woman became pregnant during the study, she was to be withdrawn from the study 10. Nursing mothers 11. Subjects using aerosol steroids were required to discontinue their use at least 1 month before the study and to refrain from using them throughout the entire study. Subjects using oral steroids to control bronchoconstriction were excluded from participation. Subjects using cromolyn sodium or oral steroids were required to discontinue their use at least 1 month before the study and to refrain from using them throughout the entire study, with the exception of acute steroid burst treatment 12. Due to their effects on theophylline clearance, none of the following could be taken during the study: allopurinol, ciprofloxacin, erythromycin, troleandomycin, lithium carbonate, phenytoin, rifampin, or cimetidine |
| Recruitment start date | 13/08/1991 |
| Recruitment end date | 28/11/1994 |
Locations
Countries of recruitment
- United States of America
Study participating centres
32206
United States of America
08003
United States of America
95207
United States of America
84111
United States of America
02747
United States of America
64108
United States of America
12203
United States of America
19140
United States of America
92868
United States of America
19107
United States of America
75231
United States of America
32960
United States of America
78705
United States of America
07066
United States of America
79905
United States of America
07701
United States of America
85721
United States of America
91356
United States of America
68178
United States of America
Sponsor information
Industry
Meridian Center II, 4 Industrial Way West
Eatontown
07724
United States of America
Industry
Via Canton Moretti, 29
Località San Bernardo, Ivrea ( TO )
10090
Italy
| Phone | +39 (0)125 240111 |
|---|---|
| alberto.giraudi@abcfarmaceutici.it | |
| Website | http://www.abcfarmaceutici.it |
Not defined
| Website | http://www.takeda.com/ |
|---|---|
"ROR" |
https://ror.org/03bygaq51 |
Funders
Funder type
Industry
No information available
No information available
Results and Publications
| Intention to publish date | 15/12/2018 |
|---|---|
| Individual participant data (IPD) Intention to share | Yes |
| IPD sharing plan summary | Available on request |
| Publication and dissemination plan | This study is planned to be published in a high-impact peer reviewed journal by 15/12/2018. Additional documents (study protocol and clinical study report) will be publically available at the date of publication of the study. |
| IPD sharing plan | Dr Alberto Giraudi (alberto.giraudi@abcfarmaceutici.it) can be contacted for accessing to the datasets. Available data include patient-by-patient variable recorded at each time-point and will be available for request in one year from the publication of the paper. Informed consent was obtained by all the participants of the study. Data will be shared merely for scientific purposes (i.e. post-hoc analyses, pooled analyses) with researchers employed at institutional research departments who will make a formal request to the scientific board of ABC Farmaceutici. If the scientific board determine the proposed analysis is consistent with the local ethics and legal rules, and could provide further evidence than those published, the data will be released in agreement with patients' anonymisation. The data will be available for one year from the date of publication in a high-impact peer reviewed journal. |
Study outputs
| Output type | Details | Date created | Date added | Peer reviewed? | Patient-facing? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Basic results | 01/06/2018 | 21/06/2018 | No | No |
Additional files
- ISRCTN65297911_BasicResults_01Jun18.pdf
- Uploaded 21/06/2018
Editorial Notes
21/06/2018: Internal review.
01/06/2018: The basic results of this trial have been uploaded as an additional file.
