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In Vivo and In Vitro Efficacy of Artemisinin Combination Therapy

Phase 4
Completed
Conditions
Malaria
Interventions
Registration Number
NCT01976780
Lead Sponsor
Global Emerging Infections Surveillance and Response System
Brief Summary

This study aims to assess the degree of artemisinin resistance in adult and pediatric subjects presenting with uncomplicated falciparum malaria in Western Kenya. The study treatments will be Artemether Lumefantrine (AL) and Artesunate Mefloquine (ASMQ).

Detailed Description

Data generated by this study will provide a snapshot of the current situation regarding P. falciparum sensitivity to ACTs in Western Kenya. By having subjects in one of the study arms receive artesunate and then the partner drug after completion of the artemisinin phase will enable the accurate evaluation of the artemisinin derivative without the confounding influence of the partner drug. Sequential administration of the components of an ACT drug is recognized by the WHO as one of the ways in which ACTs can be administered. There will be close follow-up of the subjects throughout the duration of the study, and as such, subjects who fail to respond adequately will receive prompt rescue treatment. Since it is largely expected that most subjects in Western Kenya will have satisfactory responses to ACTs, data from this study will provide baseline information regarding parasite characteristics when compared to data from Thailand, an area that has reported resistance to ACTs. This, in turn, will potentially enable the identification of key markers, both in the host and the parasite, that may assist in the early detection of resistance, and also to better understand the development of resistance to ACTs. As such, the data generated from this study, both on its own and when compared to and pooled with data from similar studies that will be conducted in Peru and Thailand, will potentially inform both local and international policy regarding ACT use for the treatment of uncomplicated P. falciparum malaria.

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
COMPLETED
Sex
All
Target Recruitment
118
Inclusion Criteria
  • Adult/child aged between 6 months and 65 years inclusive (minimum weight 11kg), presenting with a measured temperature of ≥37.5 C, or history of fever within 24 hours prior to presentation
  • Mono-infection with Plasmodium falciparum
  • Baseline parasitemia of 2000 - 200,000 asexual parasites/µl
  • Ability to provide informed consent
  • Willingness and ability to comply with the study protocol for the duration of the study
  • Willingness to remain in the hospital for 3 days
Exclusion Criteria
  • Presence of signs of severe malaria as defined by WHO
  • Presence of severe anemia, defined as hemoglobin level below 6 g/dl
  • Presence of mixed Plasmodium infection, or mono-infection of non-falciparum Plasmodium
  • Inability to take oral medication
  • History of allergy or contraindications to the study treatments
  • Lactating or pregnant females
  • Any condition that the investigator feels will result in an unfavorable outcome should the potential subject participate in the study

Study & Design

Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Study Design
PARALLEL
Arm && Interventions
GroupInterventionDescription
AS/MQArtesunateTreatment of P.falciparum mono-infection with 4 mg/kg of Artesunate daily for three days followed by 25mg/kg of Mefloquine split over two days.
AS/MQMefloquineTreatment of P.falciparum mono-infection with 4 mg/kg of Artesunate daily for three days followed by 25mg/kg of Mefloquine split over two days.
ALArtemether LumefantrineTreatment of P. falciparum mono-infection with Artemether Lumefantrine administered at the standard dosage according to pre-defined weight bands (5-14 kg: 1 tablet; 15-24 kg: 2 tablets; 25-34 kg: 3 tablets; and \> 34 kg: 4 tablets) given twice a day for 3 days.
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Parasitological clearance rates by microscopy72 hours

Clearance rates for the first 72 hour period after first ACT dose in patients with uncomplicated P. falciparum malaria

Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Antimalarial drug sensitivity responses and molecular genotyping42 days

Correlate clinical outcomes with results of above tests

Identify common specific genetic determinants of artemisinin resistance derived from parasite populations42 days
Gametocyte carriage in patients with uncomplicated malaria after treatment42 days
Parasitological clearance rates by quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR)72 hours

PCR adjusted clearance rates for the first 72 hours after first ACT dose in patients with uncomplicated P. falciparum malaria

PCR-adjusted treatment efficacy of AL and AS/MQ42 days
Catalog parasite samples42 days

Correlated to clinical datasets to longitudinally track resistance trends

Pharmacokinetic parameters associated with ACT failure42 days

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

Walter Reed Project, Kombewa Clinic

🇰🇪

Kisumu, Kenya

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