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Allogenic Bone Marrow Mesenchymal Stem Cell Therapy in Acute-on-chronic Liver Failure

Phase 1
Terminated
Conditions
Acute on Chronic Hepatic Failure
Interventions
Biological: Allogenic mesenchymal stem cells
Other: Placebo
Registration Number
NCT02857010
Lead Sponsor
Pere Gines
Brief Summary

Double-blind placebo randomized controlled trial evaluating the clinical efficacy of allogenic bone marrow derived mesenchymal stem cells in cirrhotic patients with acute-on-chronic liver failure

Detailed Description

Introduction: The most important cause of death in patients with cirrhosis is the development of Acute-on-Chronic Liver Failure (ACLF), a syndrome recently redefined with high mortality. The only effective treatment for ACLF is liver transplantation. However, available organs are limited. Other treatments, such as artificial liver support systems, do not improve survival. ACLF is characterized by increased systemic inflammatory state together with impaired liver regeneration what leads to multiorgan failure. Mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) therapy is an attractive strategy for ACLF owing to the immunomodulatory and regenerative properties of these cells. Aim: To investigate the effects of allogeneic bone marrow MSCs transplantation on liver and other organ functions and systemic inflammation in patients with ACLF. Altruist bone marrow donors will be the source of MSCs. Design and methodology: randomized, double-blind phase I placebo-controlled trial aimed at comparing placebo (solution without cells) and MSCs (4 doses of 2 x 106/kg administered on days 1, 4, 11 and 18). Thirty patients, 15 per group will be included. ACLF will be defined by the CLIF SOFA score and patients stratified according to severity. Outcomes evaluated will be: 1) Organ function (CLIF SOFA and CLIF-C ACLF score); 2) Liver (Child-Pugh and MELD scores,serum bile acids, ammonia and lactate levels), circulatory (systemic and splanchnic hemodynamics, renin, noradrenalin) and endothelial function (nitric oxide, von Willebrand factor); 3 Inflammatory response (serum cytokine panel and transcriptomic analysis of monocytes and polymorphonuclear cells from peripheral blood); 4) Survival at 28 days, 3 and 12 months; and 5) Safety. Expected results: Therapy with MSCs could have beneficial effects on the evolution of patients with ACLF (modulation of inflammatory response and improvement of liver and extra-hepatic organ function) what could translate into an improvement on short-term survival.

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
TERMINATED
Sex
All
Target Recruitment
23
Inclusion Criteria
  • Liver cirrhosis
  • ACLF grade 1, 2 or 3 (Canonic criteria)
  • Signed informed consent
Exclusion Criteria
  • Acute or subacute liver failure without cirrhosis
  • ACLF grade 1 with response to medical therapy
  • Evidence of current malignancy including hepatocellular carcinoma (any grade) or alphafetoprotein > 400 ng/ml
  • Previous personal history of malignancy (active or in complete remission) or familiar history of hereditary cancer.
  • Moderate or severe chronic heart failure (NYHA III-IV)
  • Renal replacement therapy
  • Severe chronic pulmonary disease (GOLD III-IV)
  • Gastrointestinal bleeding in the last 5 days
  • Previous liver transplantation
  • Immunosuppressive therapy
  • Extrahepatic cholestasis
  • HIV infection
  • Pregnant of breastfeeding women
  • Pre-menopausal women who are of child bearing potential and are not practicing an acceptable method of birth control.
  • Participation in any investigational trial in the last 3 months
  • Active addition to illegal drugs
  • Refusal to participate
  • Patients who can not provide prior informed consent

Study & Design

Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Study Design
PARALLEL
Arm && Interventions
GroupInterventionDescription
Allogenic Mesenchymal stem cellsAllogenic mesenchymal stem cellsIntravenous allogenic bone marrow derived mesenchymal stem cells: 4 doses of 2 x 106/kg administered on days 1, 4, 11 and 18
PlaceboPlaceboSolution without cells on days 1, 4, 11 and 18
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Change in organ function: chronic liver failure-sequential organ failure assessment (CLIF-SOFA)Change from Baseline CLIF-SOFA score at 28 days
Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Child-Pugh score as a marker of liver functionChange from Baseline Child-Pugh score at 28 days, 90 days, one year and 2 years

Child-Pugh

Model for End-stage Liver Disease (MELD) score as a marker of liver functionChange from Baseline MELD score at 28 days, 90 days, one year and 2 years

MELD scores

serum bile acids as a surrogate marker of liver functionChange from Baseline serum bile acids at 28 days

serum bile acids

ammonia levels as a surrogate marker of liver functionChange from Baseline serum ammonia at 7, 21 and 28 days

ammonia

Endothelial function measured by nitric oxide levelsChange from Baseline serum nitric oxide levels at 7, 21 and 28 days

Nitric oxide

Endothelial function measured by von Willebrand factor levelsChange from Baseline serum von Willebrand factor levels at 7, 21 and 28 days

von Willebrand factor

Lactate levels as a surrogate marker of liver functionChange from Baseline serum lactate levels at 7, 21 and 28 days

lactate levels

Hepatic portal venous gradient (HPVG)Change from Baseline HPVG at 21 days

HPVG in mmHg

Renal function measured by serum creatinineChange from Baseline serum creatinine at 7, 21 and 28 days

serum creatinine

Renal function measured by Blood urea nitrogen (BUN)Change from Baseline serum BUN at 7, 21 and 28 days

serum BUN

urine neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) as a surrogate marker of renal functionChange from Baseline NGAL at 7, 21 and 28 days

urine neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL)

Inflammatory responseChange from Baseline cytokine panel at 4, 11 and 18 days

Serum cytokine panel

Number of participants with treatment-related adverse events as assessed by World Health Organization (WHO) classification for acute and subacute toxicityNumber of participants with treatment-related adverse events as assessed by WHO classification for acute and subacute toxicity at 2 years
Change in chronic liver failure C acute on chronic liver failure score (clif C ACLF)Change from Baseline clif C ACLF score at 28 days
Transcriptome analysisChange from Baseline transcriptome analysis at 7-8 days and 12-18 days

Transcriptome analysis of monocytes and polymorphonuclear cells from peripheral blood

Number of participants aliveNumber of participants alive at 28 days, 3 months, 12 months and 2 years

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

Hospital Clinic de Barcelona

🇪🇸

Barcelona, Spain

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