MedPath

Clarithromycin in Multiple Myeloma Induction Therapy

Phase 2
Terminated
Conditions
Multiple Myeloma
Interventions
Drug: Placebo
Drug: VCD induction therapy
Registration Number
NCT02573935
Lead Sponsor
Henrik Gregersen
Brief Summary

This study evaluates the potential synergic anti-myeloma activity of clarithromycin when combined with VCD induction therapy in patients with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma.

Detailed Description

The survival in younger myeloma patients improved in the nineties with the introduction of high-dose melphalan with autologous stem cell support (HDT). However, all patients will eventually experience relapse after HDT and there is a need for improvement of the response after HDT. The choice of induction treatment before HDT affects the outcome after induction therapy as well as the outcome after HDT.

Clarithromycin is a macrolide antibiotic frequently utilized in the treatment of respiratory tract infections and is often used in patients with known hypersensitivity to beta-lactam antibiotic. Besides antibiotic activity, clarithromycin may exert immunomodulatory and anti-inflammatory effects. The toxicity profile of clarithromycin is favourable and the cost is very low.

Studies on cell lines have shown that clarithromycin attenuates autophagy in myeloma cells and a recent study has demonstrated that treatment with clarithromycin enhanced bortezomib-induced cytotoxicity in myeloma cells. Phase II studies without control groups have indicated that clarithromycin might enhance the effect of the thalidomide and lenalidomide. A case-matched analysis compared patients at one centre receiving clarithromycin, lenalidomide and dexamethasone with an equal number of patients at another centre receiving lenalidomide and dexamethasone. This study indicated a favourable effect of clarithromycin with a higher frequency of complete response, very-good-partial-response or better response and progression-free survival. However, there is a need for controlled studies to determine whether clarithromycin might enhance the effect of other myeloma agents.

This randomized placebo-controlled study will include 160 patients with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma eligible for HDT. The study evaluates the potential synergic anti-myeloma activity of clarithromycin when combined with VCD induction therapy in patients with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma, and is conducted by the Danish Myeloma Study Group (DMSG) at seven clinics in Denmark. The first patient was included in May 2015 and enrolment is expected to continue until October 2016. The study ends when the last included patient has been followed for two months after HDT.

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
TERMINATED
Sex
All
Target Recruitment
58
Inclusion Criteria
  • Myeloma diagnosis according to IMWG criteria
  • Treatment demanding disease
  • High-dose melphalan with stem cell support scheduled as a part of the treatment
  • Signed informed consent given prior to any study related activities
  • Age > 18 years
Exclusion Criteria
  • Allogeneic transplantation scheduled as a part of the treatment
  • Myeloma treatment prior to entry in the study, except radiotherapy, bisphosphonates/denosumab or corticosteroids for symptom control
  • Concurrent disease making clarithromycin treatment unsuitable
  • Positive pregnancy test (only applicable for women with childbearing potential)
  • Known or suspected hypersensitivity or intolerance to clarithromycin
  • Prolonged QT corrected (QTc) interval ( > 500 msec on screening ECG)
  • Concurrent treatment with cabergoline, fluconazole, ketoconazole, pimozide, quetiapine, sirolimus, verapamil, tacrolimus, ergot alkaloid, simvastatin or other statins
  • Uncontrolled or severe cardiovascular disease including myocardial infarction within 6 months of enrolment, uncontrolled angina or known cardiac amyloidosis
  • Severe renal dysfunction (estimated creatinine clearance <10 mL/min)
  • Serious medical or psychiatric illness which, in the judgment of the investigator, would make the patient inappropriate for entry into the study

Study & Design

Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Study Design
PARALLEL
Arm && Interventions
GroupInterventionDescription
ClarithromycinVCD induction therapyClarithromycin combined with VCD induction therapy
PlaceboPlaceboPlacebo combined with VCD induction therapy
PlaceboVCD induction therapyPlacebo combined with VCD induction therapy
ClarithromycinClarithromycinClarithromycin combined with VCD induction therapy
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Comparison of number of participants with very good partial response or better response after three courses of VCD combined with clarithromycin or placebo10 weeks
Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Comparison of number of participants with very good partial response or better response after HDT in patients treated with three courses of VCD combined with clarithromycin or placeboFive months
Comparison of number of participants with sCR, CR, PR, PD or SD in the treatment groups after induction therapy and HDT, respectivelyFive months
Comparison of frequency of infections in patients treated VCD combined with clarithromycin or placebo9 weeks
Comparison of number of stem cells harvested in patients treated with clarithromycin and placebo in combination with VCDThree months
Neurotoxicity assessed by FACT/GOG-Ntx, Version 4.0Five months
Quality of life assessed by EORTC QLQ-MY20Five months
Quality of life assessed by EORTC QLQ-C30Five months
Comparison of adverse events in patients treated VCD combined with clarithromycin or placebo assessed by CTCAE v4.0Three months

Trial Locations

Locations (7)

Department of Hematology, Aalborg University Hospital

🇩🇰

Aalborg, Denmark

Department of Hematology, Aarhus University Hospital

🇩🇰

Aarhus, Denmark

Department of Hematology, Herlev Hospital

🇩🇰

Herlev, Denmark

Department of Hematology, Rigshospitalet

🇩🇰

Copenhagen, Denmark

Department of Hematology, Odense University Hospital

🇩🇰

Odense, Denmark

Department of Hematology, Roskilde Hospital

🇩🇰

Roskilde, Denmark

Department of Hematology, Vejle Hospital

🇩🇰

Vejle, Denmark

© Copyright 2025. All Rights Reserved by MedPath