Experimental Gene Transfer Procedure to Treat Alpha 1-Antitrypsin (AAT) Deficiency

Phase 1

Completed

Conditions: Alpha 1-Antitrypsin Deficiency

Interventions: Biological: rAAV1-CB-hAAT

Registration Number: NCT00430768

Lead Sponsor: University of Massachusetts, Worcester

Brief Summary: Individuals with a deficiency of the alpha 1-antitrypsin (AAT) protein are at risk for developing emphysema and liver damage. Researchers have developed a way to introduce normal AAT genes into muscle cells with the expectation that the AAT protein may be produced at normal levels. This study will evaluate the safety of the experimental gene transfer procedure in individuals with AAT deficiency. The study will also determine what dose may be required to achieve normal levels of AAT.

Detailed Description: AAT deficiency is a genetic disorder in which individuals have inadequate levels of the AAT protein. AAT protects the lungs from white blood cell enzymes that can damage air sacs within the lungs, potentially leading to emphysema. Experimental gene transfer procedures, in which normal copies of genes are inserted into cells, are being developed to treat many genetic diseases, including AAT deficiency. In this study, a modified virus, adeno-associated virus (AAV), has been genetically engineered to contain a normal copy of the AAT gene. When AAV is combined with the AAT gene, the resulting agent, Recombinant Adeno-Associated Virus Alpha 1-Antitrypsin (rAAV1-CB-hAAT) Gene Vector with a chicken beta actin promoter (CB), may be able to carry normal copies of the AAT gene into muscle cells with the expectation that additional AAT would be produced. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the safety of injecting rAAV1-CB-hAAT into individuals with AAT deficiency.

This 14-month study will enroll individuals with AAT deficiency. Participants currently using AAT protein replacement will discontinue its use for 19 weeks during the study. Participants will first attend a baseline study visit, which will include a medical history review; a physical examination; an electrocardiogram (ECG) to record heart activity; blood, urine, and semen collection; pulmonary function tests; and chest and arm scans. Participants will then attend a 5-day inpatient visit, during which they will receive a series of injections consisting of one of four different doses of rAAV1-CB-hAAT. Physical examinations will occur on all 5 inpatient days; pulmonary function testing, arm circumference measurements, and collection of blood, urine, and semen will occur on selected days of the inpatient stay. Follow-up study visits, with possible overnight stays, will occur on Days 14 and 90. On Days 30, 45, 60, 75, 180, 270, and 365, participants will have blood drawn at a local clinic. On these same days, study staff will contact participants by telephone to review their medical history and symptoms. Unused blood and semen samples will be frozen and stored for future research purposes. Participants will have yearly follow-up evaluations by either telephone or mail for a total of 5 years.

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status: COMPLETED

Sex: All

Target Recruitment: 9

Inclusion Criteria

Diagnosed with AAT deficiency
Forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) greater than 24% of predicted value (post bronchodilator)
Willing to discontinue AAT protein replacement 4 weeks (Group 1) and 8 weeks (Groups 2 and 3) prior to study entry, and to resume 11 weeks after rAAV1-CB-hAAT has been administered
Willing to discontinue aspirin, aspirin-containing products, and other drugs that may alter platelet function 7 days prior to study entry, and to resume 24 hours after rAAV1-CB-hAAT has been administered
Willing to use contraception throughout the study

Exclusion Criteria

Required antibiotic therapy for a respiratory infection in the 28 days prior to rAAV1-CB-hAAT administration
Required oral or systemic corticosteroids in the 28 days prior to rAAV1-CB-hAAT administration
Liver disease
Currently receiving or has received an investigational study agent in the 30 days prior to study entry
Received gene transfer agents in the 6 months prior to study entry
Currently smokes cigarettes or uses illegal drugs
History of immune response to human AAT replacement
History of platelet dysfunction
Abnormal ECG, heart disease, pulmonary edema, or embolism in the 6 months prior to study entry
Current or recent facial or chest trauma that makes it medically impossible to perform pulmonary function tests (PFTs)
Any other medical condition that the investigator deems unsuitable for study participation
Pregnant or breastfeeding

Study & Design

Study Type: INTERVENTIONAL

Study Design: PARALLEL

Arm && Interventions

Group	Intervention	Description
Group 3 High Dose	rAAV1-CB-hAAT	rAAV1-CB-hAAT 6.0 x10e13 vg administered in a 9.9 ml volume of study agent in nine separate 1.1 mL injections in the deltoid muscle of the "non-dominant" side under ultrasound guidance
Group 2 Middle Dose	rAAV1-CB-hAAT	rAAV1-CB-hAAT 2.2 x 10e13 vg administered in a 9.9 ml volume of study agent in nine separate 1.1 mL injections in the deltoid muscle of the "non-dominant" side under ultrasound guidance
Group 1 Low Dose	rAAV1-CB-hAAT	rAAV1-CB-hAAT 6.9 x10e12 vector genomes (vg) administered in a 9.9 ml volume of study agent in nine separate 1.1 mL injections in the deltoid muscle of the "non-dominant" side under ultrasound guidance

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Adverse Events Possibly, Probably or Definitely Related to Study Drug	During 1 year after study agent administration	Adverse events considered possibly, probably or definitely related to study drug/study drug procedure Criteria to evaluate severity according to Attachment 2 of the Protocol 1. Mild toxicity, usually transient, requiring no special treatment and generally not interfering with usual daily activities 2. Moderate toxicity which may be ameliorated by simple therapeutic maneuvers, and impairs usual activities 3. Severe toxicity which requires therapeutic intervention and interrupts usual activities. Hospitalization may or may not be required 4. Life-threatening toxicity which requires hospitalization

Secondary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
hAAT Expression in Blood Measured Using M-specific Allele ELISA	Baseline, Days 14, 30, 45, 60, 90, (180, 270, and 365 if not on protein replacement therapy)	4 subjects received prior AAT augmentation therapy; 2 subjects from Group 1 having only washed out for only 28 days complicated the measurement of M-specific levels 2 subjects from group 1 and the other subject did not have an appreciable change in M-specific AAT levels. Thus reporting only Cohorts 2 and 3. After day 90 patients were able to resume AAT protein therapy and thus levels were not collected following commencement of therapy on 201 and 303. 202, Day 365 blood hemolyzed; level not determinable.

Trial Locations

Locations (2): University of Florida, College of Medicine, Department of Pediatrics
🇺🇸
Gainesville, Florida, United States
University of Massachusetts School of Medicine
🇺🇸
Worcester, Massachusetts, United States
University of Florida, College of Medicine, Department of Pediatrics
🇺🇸Gainesville, Florida, United States