Efficacy and Safety of Chemoattractant Receptor-homologous Molecule Expressed on T Helper Type 2 (CRTh2) Antagonist AZD1981 in Chronic Idiopathic Urticaria (CIU) Antihistamines

Phase 2

Completed

Brief Summary: The investigators are recruiting for a chronic hives study. This research is being done to test whether an investigational drug called AstraZeneca drug (AZD)1981 may be helpful for treating people with Chronic Idiopathic Urticaria who continue to have symptoms despite taking antihistamines. The word "investigational" means that AZD1981 is not approved for marketing by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The FDA is allowing the use of AZD1981 in this study.

People with chronic hives lasting for at least 6 months and without a known cause may join. The study involves 6 visits over 8 weeks. Approximately 48 participants expected to take part in this study at the Johns Hopkins Asthma and Allergy Clinic. All participants will be treated with the study medication and/or placebo for 8 weeks.

The results of this trial may have a benefit others with Chronic Idiopathic Urticaria who don't respond well to antihistamines by generating experience and data to support the design of a larger, multicenter trial investigating the efficacy of AZD1981 in treating antihistamine refractory CIU.

Detailed Description: The investigators propose to use AZD1981 in subjects with chronic idiopathic urticaria (CIU) who are otherwise uncontrolled on first-line, oral antihistamine therapy. The skin lesion pathology in CIU shows a perivascular infiltrate of lymphocytes (both Th2 and Th1), eosinophils, and basophils, and closely resembles an allergen-induced late-phase reaction. Further, murine studies show that the chemoattractant receptor-homologous molecule expressed on Th2 (CRTh2) pathway is important in leukocyte recruitment following allergen challenge of the skin. Our proposed hypothesis is that AZD1981 in CIU will reduce CRTh2-expressing, leukocyte recruitment to the skin and reduce leukocyte activation through CRTh2, thus reducing the signs and symptoms in CIU refractory to control with antihistamines.

Recruitment & Eligibility

Inclusion Criteria

Females must be surgically sterile or postmenopausal or using a highly effective form of birth control throughout the duration of the study
Females must have a negative urine pregnancy test at screening
Must meet the criteria for Chronic Idiopathic Urticaria (CIU) as defined by itching and hives for >3 days per week for over 6 weeks with no clear cause
CIU symptoms must have started at least 6 months prior to starting the study
Must have moderate to severe CIU, using a standardized survey, despite taking antihistamines

Exclusion Criteria

Pregnant females or females who plan to become pregnant during the study
Drug or alcohol abuse within the past 3 years
Use of any investigational drug with 30 days of the start of the study
Eczema or other skin conditions associated with itching (besides hives)
Inability to comply with follow-up procedures
Use of the following therapies in the past 30 days: hydroxychloroquine, sulfasalazine, dapsone, methotrexate, cyclophosphamide, Intravenous Immunoglobulin (IVIG), plasmapheresis, cyclosporine, oral or systemic steroids, or other monoclonal antibody therapies
Use of doxepin within the past 2 weeks
Use of either H2 antihistamines and leukotriene receptor antagonists within 7 days before starting the study (unless already on these medications for Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD), asthma or allergic rhinitis)
Inability to take diphenhydramine (Benadryl)
Past or current medical problems or findings from physical examination or laboratory testing that are not listed above, which, in the opinion of the investigator, may pose additional risks or interfere with ability to comply with study procedures.

Exclusion Criteria

Not provided

Arm && Interventions

Group	Intervention	Description
Placebo	Placebo	The placebo will be available in tablet form. The placebo contains the same ingredients as the AZD1981 with the exception of the active compound. The placebo will be self-administered by the subject. Subjects will take 4 tablets in the morning, 4 tablets in the afternoon, and 4 tablets in the evening. The tablets should be swallowed whole with a glass of water.
AZD1981	AZD1981	AZD1981 for oral administration will be available in tablet form. AZD1981 tablets will be provided in 10 mg strengths. The drug will be self-administered by the subject. Subjects will take 4 tablets in the morning, 4 tablets in the afternoon, and 4 tablets in the evening. The tablets should be swallowed whole with a glass of water.

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
The Change in Diary-based Clinical Symptoms as Measured by the Urticaria Activity Score 7 (UAS7)	7 Days	The UAS score, which is the sum of pruritus and hives, will be used to calculate the UAS7. UAS is a validated measure of Chronic Spontaneous Urticaria (CSU) disease activity which scores the intensity of pruritus (0-3, with 0 = no itch and 3 is severe itch) and number of hives (0-3 0 means no hives and 3 means greater than 50 hives) with a maximum value of 6 for a given day. The UAS7 is the sum of the daily average UAS scores (average of a.m. and p.m.) for 7 days with a minimum score of 0 and a maximum value of 42. The UAS7 is a sum of the daily average (average of a.m. and p.m.) for 7 days. The baseline score was established during the second placebo therapy week and compared to the final week of the 4 week active treatment period.

Secondary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
The Ability of AZD1981 to Inhibit Prostaglandin D2 (PGD2)-Induced Eosinophil Shape	Baseline, End of treatment, end of washout	The measure of Eosinophil shape change was assessed by cell scatter characteristics using a flow cytometer. Cellular scatter was established with buffer and then several doses of PGD2 stimulation.
The Number of Participants With Adverse Events	8 weeks	The safety of AZD1981 will be assessed using the following outcome measures: incidence and severity of treatment-emergent adverse events and serious adverse events, clinical laboratory measures, and vital signs. In particular we will measure CBC's with differential at baseline and week 4 and liver function tests every 2 weeks based on past trial experience of dose-related toxicity.