Dose-finding and pharmacokinetic studies of praziquantel in patients infected with Opisthorchis viverrini

ISRCTN ISRCTN77186750
DOI https://doi.org/10.1186/ISRCTN77186750
Secondary identifying numbers N/A
Submission date
22/07/2014
Registration date
27/08/2014
Last edited
22/01/2019
Recruitment status
No longer recruiting
Overall study status
Completed
Condition category
Infections and Infestations
Prospectively registered
Protocol
Statistical analysis plan
Results
Individual participant data

Plain English summary of protocol

Background and study aims
Opisthorchiasis is a neglected tropical disease caused by liver flukes (parasites) for which only a single drug is available, praziquantel. Praziquantel doses used for the treatment are still experimental and the nature of the drug has not yet been studied. We aim to compare the effectiveness and safety of four oral praziquantel doses in patients infected with Opisthorchis viverrini and to measure praziquantel disposition using dried blood spot technology.

Who can participate?
Adult men and women infected with O. viverrini can participate in the study.

What does the study involve?
Three stool samples will be collected on different days within a maximum of 5 days. Medical history of patients participating in the study will be assessed with a standardized and previously used questionnaire, in addition to a full clinical examination carried out by the study doctor. Participants will be randomly allocated to one of the four praziquantel doses or to receive a placebo (dummy). Praziquantel will be given based on weight. A small amount of blood will be collected by pricking the tip of the middle or ring finger. Blood will be collected at different time points after dosing. A few drops of blood will be transferred at each time point onto filter paper and dried for about 1 hour. The dried blood spot cards will be transported to Basel, Switzerland and stored at -20° C until they are analysed. Side effects will be carefully studied up to 72 hours after treatment by experienced doctors. The effectiveness of the treatment will be determined 19-25 days after treatment by collecting another three stool samples, collected on consecutive days, and microscopically examining the samples for eggs. Patients will be considered Opisthorchis negative if no eggs have been found in the stool or specimens.

What are the possible benefits and risks of participating?
This study will increase our understanding of the nature of the drug praziquantel. All procedures in this study are routinely conducted at a health facility. They do not bear any particular additional risks. Side effects are mild and include stomach pain and dizziness.

Where is the study run from?
The study will take in a village in remote Laos (single study site).

When is the study starting and how long is it expected to run for?
The study starts in August 2014 and runs until December 2014.


Who is funding the study?
Swiss National Science Foundation, Switzerland.

Who is the main contact?
Prof Jennifer Keiser
jennifer.keiser@unibas.ch

Contact information

Prof Jennifer Keiser
Scientific

Socinstr. 57
PO Box
Basel
4051
Switzerland

Study information

Study designRandomized, controlled phase 2 single-blind dose-finding trial
Primary study designInterventional
Secondary study designRandomised controlled trial
Study setting(s)Other
Study typeTreatment
Participant information sheet Not available in web format, please use the contact details below to request a patient information sheet
Scientific titleDose-finding and pharmacokinetic studies of praziquantel in patients infected with Opisthorchis viverrini: a randomized, controlled phase 2 single-blind dose-finding trial
Study acronymOpipraz
Study objectivesThe currently used praziquantel dosages are empirical and could be improved through dose-finding and pharmacokinetic studies.
Ethics approval(s)EKNZ 2014-163 and ethical clearance Lao PDR
Health condition(s) or problem(s) studiedOpisthorchiasis
InterventionParticipants will be randomized to one of four treatment groups or a control group (given a placebo)
1. Praziquantel 30 mg/kg
2. Praziquantel 40 mg/kg
3. Praziquantel 50 mg/kg
4. Praziquantel 3 x 25 mg/kg
Intervention typeDrug
Pharmaceutical study type(s)
PhasePhase II
Drug / device / biological / vaccine name(s)Praziquantel
Primary outcome measureCure rate: measured 21 days post-treatment
Secondary outcome measures1. Egg reduction rate: measured 21 days post-treatment
2. Pharmacokinetic parameters: measured up to 24 hours post-treatment
3. Safety: measured 3 hours and 24 hours post-treatment
Overall study start date15/08/2014
Completion date01/12/2014

Eligibility

Participant type(s)Patient
Age groupAdult
SexBoth
Target number of participants200
Key inclusion criteria1. Written informed consent signed by participant
2. Age 15-65 years
3. Able and willing to be examined by a study physician at the beginning of the study and 3 weeks after treatment
4. Able and willing to provide three stool samples at the beginning of the study and 3 weeks after treatment
5. Able and willing to provide 11 finger prick blood samples for PK studies
6. Infected with O. viverrini
7. Absence of major systemic illnesses as assessed by a medical doctor, upon initial clinical assessment
8. No known allergy to study medications
Key exclusion criteria1. No written informed consent
2. Presence of any abnormal medical condition, judged by the study physician
3. History of acute or severe chronic disease such as liver or renal disease
4. Recent use of anthelminthic drug (within past 4 weeks)
5. Pregnancy or breastfeeding
6. Administration of any investigational product or use of any investigational device within 30 days prior to praziquantel administration. Subjects who have used drugs that may affect thepharmacokinetics of praziquantel from 15 days before dosing until the last PK sample, e.g., phenytoin, barbiturates, primidone, carbamazapine, oxcarbazepine, topiramate, felbamate, rifampicin, nelfinavir, ritonavir, griseofulvin, oral ketoconazole
7. Consumption of substances known to be potent inhibitors or inducers of CYP P450s such as grapefruit juice, grapefruit juice containing products, and herbal remedies or dietary supplements containing St John’s Wort, in the two weeks before dosing
8. Attending other clinical trials during the study
9. Below 15 years of age
10. Negative diagnostic result for Opisthorchis
11. Allergy to praziquantel
Date of first enrolment15/08/2014
Date of final enrolment01/12/2014

Locations

Countries of recruitment

  • Lao People's Democratic Republic
  • Switzerland

Study participating centre

Socinstr. 57
Basel
4051
Switzerland

Sponsor information

Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute (Switzerland)
Research organisation

c/o Jennifer Keiser
Socinstr. 57
PO Box
Basel
4051
Switzerland

ROR logo "ROR" https://ror.org/03adhka07

Funders

Funder type

Research organisation

Swiss National Science Foundation (Switzerland)
Private sector organisation / Trusts, charities, foundations (both public and private)
Alternative name(s)
Schweizerischer Nationalfonds, Swiss National Science Foundation, Fonds National Suisse de la Recherche Scientifique, Fondo Nazionale Svizzero per la Ricerca Scientifica, Fonds National Suisse, Fondo Nazionale Svizzero, Schweizerische Nationalfonds, SNF, SNSF, FNS
Location
Switzerland

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?
Basic results 22/01/2019 22/01/2019 No No

Additional files

ISRCTN77186750_BasicResults_22Jan19.pdf
Uploaded 22/01/2019

Editorial Notes

22/01/2019: The basic results of this trial have been uploaded as an additional file