A Dose Ranging Study to Evaluate the Safety and Potential Efficacy of rhNGF in Patients With Retinitis Pigmentosa (RP)

Phase 1

Completed

Conditions: Retinitis Pigmentosa

Interventions: Drug: rhNGF 180 µg/ml eye drops solution
Drug: rhNGF 60 µg/ml eye drops solution
Drug: Placebo

Registration Number: NCT02110225

Lead Sponsor: Dompé Farmaceutici S.p.A

Brief Summary: The primary objective of the study is to assess the safety and tolerability of two dose regimens of recombinant human nerve growth factor (rhNGF) eye drops solution administered over 6 months versus a vehicle control in patients with typical retinitis pigmentosa. The secondary objective of this study is to attempt to show a dose response by assessing the potential efficacy of the rhNGF dose regimens for improving or slowing the deterioration of visual function outcomes at 3 and 6 months. During a 6 month follow-up period patients will be monitored to determine if there is evidence of a persistent biological effect after discontinuation of the study treatment.

Detailed Description: This is a 24-week phase Ib/II, multicenter, randomized, double-masked, vehicle controlled, parallel-group, dose-ranging study with a 24-week follow-up period to evaluate the safety and potential efficacy of two doses (60 μg/ml and 180 μg/ml) of recombinant human nerve growth factor (rhNGF) eye drops solution versus vehicle in patients with typical retinitis pigmentosa (RP).

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status: COMPLETED

Sex: All

Target Recruitment: 50

Inclusion Criteria

Patients 18 years of age or older.
Patients with typical forms of RP characterized by the following clinical features: classic fundus appearance (i.e. intraretinal pigment deposits, thinning and atrophy of the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) in the mid- and far peripheral retina, with relative RPE preservation in the macula, waxy pallor of the optic disc, attenuation of the retinal vessels), reduced and delayed ERG responses, visual field constriction
Best corrected distance visual acuity (BCDVA) score of ≥ 48 ETDRS letters (equivalent to 20/100 Snellen, +0.7 LogMar, or 0.2 decimal fraction) in either eye at the time of study enrollment.
Documented evidence of disease progression within the 12 months prior to enrollment in the study as demonstrated by ERG (≥20% decrease in b wave amplitude in scotopic conditions or ≥25% in photopic conditions) and/or visual field testing (≥10% of Goldman Visual Field expressed as area square or ≥3 dB decrease of Humphrey Visual Field Mean Deviation).
Only patients who satisfy all Informed Consent requirements may be included in the study. The patient and/or his/her impartial witness must read, sign and date the Informed Consent document before any study-related procedures are performed. The Informed Consent form signed by patients and/or impartial witness must have been approved by the Ethics Committee (IEC) for the current study.
Patients must have the ability and willingness to comply with study procedures.

Exclusion Criteria

Patients with atypical, early onset (first decade) or syndromic forms of RP (e.g. paravenous, pericentral sector or unilateral RP, Leber's congenital amaurosis, Refsum disease, Usher syndrome, Bardet-Biedl syndrome, etc).
Patients with non-recordable 30 Hz cone ERG in either eye.
Patients with Goldman visual field less than 20º using the V4e target or residual central visual field less than -35 dB as evaluated by the 24-2 program of the Humphrey visual field in either eye.
Evidence of an active ocular infection in either eye.
History of uveitis or evidence of intraocular inflammation in either eye.
History or evidence of glaucoma or an intraocular pressure (IOP) greater than or equal 21 mmHg in either eye at the time of study enrollment.
Patients with foveal thickness ≥ 250 micrometers (as evaluated with OCT).
History of cystoid macular oedema or presence of cystoid macular oedema on OCT at the time of study enrolment.
Anterior segment abnormalities or media opacities obscuring the view of the posterior pole in either eye.
History of any ocular surgery (including laser or refractive surgical procedures) in either eye within the 120 days before study enrolment. Ocular surgery will not be allowed during the study treatment period and elective ocular surgery procedures should not be planned during the duration of the follow-up period.
Treatment with corticosteroids (systemic, periocular or intravitreal) or any other non-approved, experimental, investigational or neuroprotectant therapy (systemic, topical, intravitreal) in either eye within 90 days of study enrollment.
Use of any medication other than the study medication for the treatment of ocular diseases with the exception of artificial tears during the study period.

Study & Design

Study Type: INTERVENTIONAL

Study Design: PARALLEL

Arm && Interventions

Group	Intervention	Description
rhNGF 180 µg/ml	rhNGF 180 µg/ml eye drops solution	rhNGF 180 µg/ml eye drops solution, one drop 3 times a day for 24 weeks in both eyes.
rhNGF 60µg/ml	rhNGF 60 µg/ml eye drops solution	rhNGF 60 µg/ml eye drops solution, one drop 3 times a day for 24 weeks in both eyes
Vehicle	Placebo	Placebo eye drops solution, one drop 3 times a day for 24 weeks in both eyes.

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Number of Participants With Serious and Non-Serious Adverse Events	up to 48 weeks	Twenty-seven patients of the Safety population experienced at least one treatment-emergent adverse event, 11 patients in the rhNGF 60 μg/ml arm, 13 patients in the rhNGF 180 μg/ml arm and 3 patients in the vehicle arm.
Change in Best Corrected Distance Visual Acuity (BCDVA) (ETDRS Chart)	Weeks 1, 2, 6, 12, 24, 36, 48	Best-Corrected Distance Visual Acuity (BCDVA) was assessed for each eye at each visit using an ETDRS visual acuity chart at 4 meters.
Change in Ocular Tolerability - VAS	Weeks 1, 2, 6, 12, 24	A global ocular discomfort score was determined using a 100 mm Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) on which 0 means no symptoms and 100 means the worst possible discomfort. Specific ocular symptoms to be assessed with the VAS included: foreign body sensation, burning/stinging, itching, pain, sticky feeling, blurred vision, photophobia. For ocular tolerability analysis, mixed models for repeated measures were applied using various ocular tolerability parameters as response variable, treatment, visit and treatment by visit interaction as fixed effects, and baseline value as covariate.
Change in Intraocular Pressure (IOP)	Weeks 2,12 and 24	Intraocular Pressure was measured using either Goldmann applanation tonometry or a handheld applanation tonometer (e.g. Tonopen) after the instillation of a topical anesthetic.IOP was assessed for each eye at day 0 and at week 2, 12 and 24
Presence of Anti-NGF Antibodies	At Day 0 and at week 24	Anti-NGF antibodies tests were performed at screening and at the end of treatment
External Ocular Examination	Day 0, Weeks 1, 2, 6, 12, 24	External ocular examinations were done to assess, for each eye and at each visit, the motility of extraocular muscles, appearance and function of the eyelids.
Number of Participants With Normal or Abnormal Findings by Slit Lamp Examination	Day 0; Weeks 1, 2, 6, 12, 24, 36 and 48	Slit Lamp Examination (SLE) (Biomicroscopy) was performed before the instillation of any dilating or anesthetic eye drops or fluorescein agents. SLE was executed to assess eyelids, lashes, conjunctiva, cornea, lens, iris and anterior chamber.
Change in Ocular Tolerability - Dilated Fundus Ophthalmoscopy	Day 0, Weeks 12, 24 and 48	Dilated fundus ophthalmoscopy was assessed for each eye evaluating the retina, macula, choroid and optic nerve head.

Secondary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Microperimetry	Day 0, Weeks 12, 24, 36 and 48	MP1 microperimetry was analyzed to provide a more accurate measurement of retinal sensitivity in the central visual field, even in patients with unstable or extrafoveal fixation.
Change From Baseline in Humphrey Visual Field 24-2	Weeks 12, 24, 36 and 48	The Humphrey Visual Field (HVF) analyzer is a tool for measuring the human visual field by providing information regarding the location of any disease processes or lesion(s) throughout the visual pathway. In particular, Humphrey Visual Field 24-2 was used to assess static perimetry by measuring 24 degrees temporally and 30 degrees nasally and tests 54 points. The Analyser projects a series of white light stimuli of varying intensities (brightness), throughout a uniformly illuminated bowl. The higher is the number of stimuli perceived by the patient, the better is the retina's ability to detect a stimulus at specific points within the visual field.
Change in Goldmann Visual Field	Weeks 12, 24, 36 and 48	The Goldmann field exam was performed to assess kinetic perimetry on all enrolled patients.
Binocular Estermann Visual Field	Day 0, Weeks 12, 24, 36 and 48	Binocular visual field with Estermann grid testing a stimulus array of 120 points spread over an area extending approximately ±75° horizontally, 35° superiorly and 55° inferiorly while the patient looked steadily at the fixation target.
Ocular Coherence Tomography (OCT)	Day 0, Weeks 12, 24, 36 and 48	Ocular coherence tomography was performed to evaluate the cross-sectional anatomy of the macula and to document areas of retinal atrophy.
Change From Baseline in Contrast Sensitivity	Weeks 12, 24, 36 and 48	Contrast sensitivity was assessed using a Mars chart and is expressed as a log contrast sensitivity (log CS) score given by the log CS value at the lowest contrast numeral just prior to two incorrectly identified numerals, minus a scoring correction. The higher is the number of characters properly read by the patient, the higher is the contrast sensitivity.
Fundus Imaging	Day 0, Weeks 24 and 48	A recordable fundus image (photo or other electronic format) showing the central 30 degrees was captured through a dilated pupil to document the appearance of the posterior pole.
Electrorethinogram (ERG)	Day 0, Weeks 12, 24, 36 and 48	A full field and 30 Hz flicker ERG was performed according to international standards. Patients were treated with anesthetic and dilating drops prior to the ERG procedure.

Trial Locations

Locations (5): Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore - Policlinico Gemelli - Istituto di Oftalmologia
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Rome, Italy
Azienda Ospedaliero Universitaria Careggi
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Florence, Italy
A.O. Seconda Università Degli Studi di Napoli - Nuovo Policlinico - UOC Oftalmologia
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Naples, Italy
Azienda Ospedaliera San Paolo - U.O. Oculistica
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Milano, Italy
IRCCS Fondazione G.B. Bietti per lo Studio e la Ricerca in Oftalmologia
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Rome, Italy