Multicenter, Randomized, Double-Blind, Active-Controlled Trial Comparing REMICADE® (infliximab) and REMICADE® plus Azathioprine to Azathioprine in the Treatment of Patients with Crohn’s Disease Naive to both Immunomodulators and Biologic Therapy (Study of Biologic and Immunomodulator Naive Patients in Crohn’s Disease) SONIC - SONIC

Conditions: moderate to severe Crohn’s Disease
MedDRA version: 8.1Level: LLTClassification code 10011401Term: Crohn's disease

Registration Number: EUCTR2004-002815-10-DK

Lead Sponsor: Centocor B.V.

Brief Summary: Not available

Detailed Description: Not available

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status: ot Recruiting

Sex: All

Target Recruitment: 500

Inclusion Criteria

1) Are considered eligible according to the following tuberculosis (TB) screening criteria:
a. Have no history of latent or active TB prior to screening.
b. Have no signs or symptoms suggestive of active TB upon medical history and/or physical examination.
c. Have had no recent close contact with a person with active TB.
d. Within 1 month prior to the first administration of study agent have a negative tuberculin skin test.
e. Have a chest radiograph (both posterior-anterior and lateral views), taken within 3 months prior to the first administration of study agent and read by a qualified radiologist, with no evidence of current active TB or old inactive TB. For European Countries Only: If according to country-specific guidelines lateral views are not done, having only the posterior-anterior view is acceptable.
2) Are 21 years of age or older at the time of the first study infusion (Week 0); may be male or female.
3) Have a CDAI score of = 220 and = 450.
4) Have Crohn’s disease of at least 6 weeks duration, with colitis, ileitis, or ileocolitis, confirmed by radiography or endoscopy. Single or multiple draining fistulas may be present provided there is no evidence of active fistula-related abscess.
5) Are EITHER:
a. Corticosteroid-dependent (ie, patients who become symptomatic after a decrease in corticosteroid dose such that they have a CDAI = 220 [budesonide alone does not qualify as a corticosteroid for the purpose of this criterion]), OR
b. Are being considered for their second (or greater) course of oral systemic corticosteroids (prednisone or equivalent), (budesonide alone does not qualify as a corticosteroid for the purpose of this criterion) for active Crohn’s disease within the past 12 months, OR
c. Are 5-ASA failures (ie, patients who have not had an adequate response to at least a 4-week course of 5-ASA or sulfasalazine (ie, 2.4 g/day 5-ASA or equivalent in sulfasalazine [Germany only: 3 to 4 g/day 5-ASA or equivalent in sulfasalazine] for at least 4 weeks), OR
d. Are budesonide failures (i.e., patients who have not had an adequate response to a course of budesonide =6 mg/day [Germany only: =9 mg/day] for at least 4 weeks). Budesonide failures who are 5-ASA-naive are eligible for this study.
6) Are able to adhere to the concomitant medication requirements as described in the protocol, section 4.1: Inclusion Criteria (under bullet six).
7) Are able to adhere to the study visit schedule and other protocol requirements.
8) Are capable of providing written informed consent. Written informed consent must be obtained prior to performing any study-related procedures.
9) Women of childbearing potential and all men who are (or become) sexually active must use adequate birth control measures (eg, oral contraceptives, intrauterine device, barrier method with spermicide, or surgical sterilization) throughout the study and must continue such precautions for 6 months after receiving the last study agent infusion.
10) The screening laboratory tests must meet the following criteria:
a. Hemoglobin > 8.5 g/dL
b. WBC count > 3.5 billion cells/L
c. Neutrophils > 1.5 billion cells/L
d. Platelets >100 billion cells/L
e. AST and ALT levels must be within 2 times the ULN for the laboratory conducting the test. Alkaline phosphatase levels must be within 3 times ULN for the laboratory conducting the test.

For the OLE extension the following criteria are applicable:
1. Must have completed the week 50 visit in the Main study.
2. Have a CDAI sc

Exclusion Criteria

1)Have local manifestations of CD like strictures, active fistula-related abscesses, or other complications for which surgery might be indicated or might preclude utilization of CDAI to assess response to therapy If an abscess has been present previously, at least 6 weeks must have elapsed between drainage of the abscess and screening.
2)Have had intra-abdominal surgery within 6 months prior to screening.
3)Have received treatment with parenteral nutrition within 6 weeks of screening.
4)Have an ostomy or stoma.
5)Have known severe fixed symptomatic stenosis of the large or small intestine.
6)Are pregnant, nursing, or planning pregnancy during the trial or within 6-month period thereafter.
7)Have shown an hypersensitivity response, including anaphylaxis, to an immunoglobulin product.
8)Have an allergy to murine proteins or other chimeric proteins.
9)Have received within 3 months prior to screening or are expected to receive any live virus or live bacterial vaccinations during the trial or up to 3 months after the last administration of study agent.
10)Have had a serious infection, or been hospitalized for an infection, or treated with intravenous antibiotics for an infection within 2 months prior to screening.
11)Have a history of latent or active granulomatous infection.
12)Have had a BCG vaccination within 12 months of screening.
13)Have had a nontuberculous mycobacterial infection or opportunistic infection within 6 months prior to screening.
14)Have a chest radiograph within 3 months prior to randomization that shows an abnormality suggestive of a malignancy or current active infection, including TB.
15)Are considered ineligible according to the TB eligibility assessment, screening and early detection of reactivation rules defined in the protocol.
16)Have current active hepatitis B or a history of hepatitis C infection.
17)Have HIV infection.
18)Have signs, symptoms of or a history of SLE; severe, progressive, or uncontrolled renal, hepatic, hematologic, endocrine, pulmonary, cardiac, neurologic, or cerebral diseases.
19)Have a transplanted organ.
20)Have a history of lymphoproliferative disease including lymphoma, or signs and symptoms suggestive of possible lymphoproliferative disease, like lymphadenopathy of unusual size or location or splenomegaly.
21)Have any known malignancy or history of malignancy within the 5-year prior to screening.
22)Have multiple sclerosis or other central demyelinating disorder.
23)Have had a chronic or recurrent infectious disease including but not limited to chronic renal infection; chronic chest infection; sinusitis; recurrent urinary tract infection; open, draining, or infected skin wound or ulcer.
24)Have a concomitant illness that could interfere with the patient’s participation in the trial.
25)Have used any investigational drug within 30 days prior to screening, or within 5 half-lives of the investigational agent, whichever is longer.
26)Are participating in another trial using an investigational agent, procedure, or device during participation in this trial.
27)Have previously participated in 3 or more investigative trials in CD within 5 years prior to screening. Patients participating in the TREAT registry must discontinue from the registry before enrolling in SONIC.
28)Have a history of substance abuse within the previous 3 years, history of noncompliance to medical regimens, or other condition/circumstance that could interfere with the patient’s adherence to protocol requirements.
29)Have a