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Randomised Treatment of Acute Pancreatitis With Infliximab: Double-blind, Placebo-controlled, Multi-centre Trial (RAPID-I)

Phase 2
Recruiting
Conditions
Acute Pancreatitis
Interventions
Drug: Infusion of 5 mg/kg Infliximab
Drug: Infusion of 10 mg/kg Infliximab
Other: 0.9% Sodium Chloride (Placebo)
Registration Number
NCT03684278
Lead Sponsor
University of Liverpool
Brief Summary

This study evaluates the effectiveness and safety of infliximab in the treatment of acute pancreatitis in adults. A third of participants will receive one single dose of infliximab via infusion, another third will receive a higher dose of infliximab via infusion and the final third of participants will receive a placebo infusion.

Detailed Description

Acute pancreatitis (AP) is an inflammatory disorder of the pancreas causing excruciating pain, gastrointestinal dysfunction and pronounced systemic inflammatory responses with circulatory and respiratory disturbances that can lead to organ failure and death.

Tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNFα) has a major role in the pathogenesis and severity of acute pancreatitis. TNFα levels rise early and remain elevated for days in human AP, proportional to severity, presenting a suitable drug target to inhibit the amplified immune responses that further damage the pancreas and drive widespread organ dysfunction.

Infliximab is a chimeric monoclonal antibody biologic drug that blocks the actions of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) and is normally used to treat autoimmune diseases. Infliximab has been selected as it is given via intravenous infusion, which will ensure rapid bioavailability to treat AP. This is different from most other biologics, which are given subcutaneously.

This trial will determine the efficacy of early initiation of anti-TNF treatment in AP, setting new standards for trials in AP. Using a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled adaptive design, with two doses of a single intravenous infusion of infliximab at 5 mg/kg or 10 mg/kg, the trial will determine size of any effect and safety of this treatment.

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
RECRUITING
Sex
All
Target Recruitment
290
Inclusion Criteria
  • Adult patients attending Accident and Emergency (A&E) at or admitted to recruiting hospitals via a GP with a new diagnosis of AP established by two of the following three criteria: (1) typical continuous upper abdominal pain; (2) amylase and/or lipase three or more times the upper limit of normal; (3) characteristic findings on abdominal imaging (if undertaken urgently by CT or MRI)
  • Patients in whom trial treatment can be started within 36 hours of admission to hospital with a new diagnosis of acute pancreatitis allowing 120 min for preparation of trial medication
  • Patients from whom appropriate consent is obtained (from the patient or their legal representative).
Exclusion Criteria
  • Age <18 or >85
  • Patients with a bodyweight over 200 kg
  • Known previous AP within the last 30 days or chronic pancreatitis
  • Multiple sclerosis, systemic vasculitis, Guillain-Barré syndrome or other demyelinating disorder
  • Known epilepsy
  • Moderate to severe heart failure and/or coronary disease (NYHA III/IV)
  • Severe respiratory conditions including cystic fibrosis, severe asthma and severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
  • On home oxygen or home mechanical ventilation
  • Jaundice and/or known advanced liver disease
  • Known cancer for which chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy ongoing/completed in last 6 months
  • Known haematological malignancy
  • Known cancer with palliative care
  • Known established infection prior to or suspected infection, including COVID-19, at the time of AP onset
  • Known history of tuberculosis, or household contact with those with tuberculosis or opportunistic infection
  • Known history of infective hepatitis
  • Rare diseases or inborn errors of metabolism that significantly increase the risk of infections, including severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID) and homozygous sickle cell disease
  • Known live vaccine or infectious agent within one month of admission
  • Known immunosuppressive or biologic therapy within one month of admission
  • Known hypersensitivity to infliximab or to inactive components of REMICADE® or to any murine proteins
  • Known pregnancy or lactation at admission
  • Females of childbearing potential who do not agree to use adequate contraception up to 6 months after infliximab infusion
  • Known participation in investigational medicinal product study within last three months.

Study & Design

Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Study Design
PARALLEL
Arm && Interventions
GroupInterventionDescription
Infusion of 5 mg/kg InfliximabInfusion of 5 mg/kg InfliximabInfliximab (Remicade) to be administered as a one time intravenous infusion in 250 ml (500 ml if patient weighs over 100 kg) 0.9% sodium chloride solution over a period of 2 hours. Dosage calculated at 5 mg of Infliximab, per kg of patient body weight.
Infusion of 10 mg/kg InfliximabInfusion of 10 mg/kg InfliximabInfliximab (Remicade) to be administered as a one time intravenous infusion in 250 ml (500 ml if patient weighs over 100 kg) 0.9% sodium chloride solution over a period of 2 hours. Dosage calculated at 10 mg of Infliximab, per kg of patient body weight.
0.9% Sodium Chloride (Placebo)0.9% Sodium Chloride (Placebo)250 ml (500 ml if patient weighs over 100 kg) 0.9% Sodium Chloride to be administered as a one time intravenous infusion over a period of 2 hours.
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Difference in mean serum CRP measured on days 2, 4 and 14Days 2, 4 (+/- 1 day), and 14 (+/- 2 days)

Difference in mean serum CRP measured on (summated as AUC) in the active arms (5 mg/kg or 10 mg/kg) versus the placebo arm. CRP assays will be undertaken on blood samples centrally to ensure standardised measurement, and when central measurements of CRP at specific time points are not available for any patient, CRP measures from that patient's specific recruiting centre will be sought.

Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Decline in serum albumenFirst 14 days

Albumen measured via blood samples

MortalityWithin the first 90 days

Patient death

Anti-infliximab antibody concentrationDay 14

Blood sample analysis to determine the concentration of anti-infliximab antibodies

Incremental cost per quality adjusted life years (QALY) gained by trial treatmentDays 4, 14 and 90

QALYs using data from the EQ-5D-5L questionnaire

Infliximab concentrationDay 14

Infliximab measured in blood samples

Opiate requirementsFirst 14 days

Recording of daily morphine equivalents by research team

Rise in neutrophilsFirst 14 days

Neutrophils measured in blood samples

Sequential organ failure assessment (SOFA) scoreFirst 14 days

Summed respiratory (0-4), cardiovascular (0-4) and renal (0-4) SOFA scores on each of the first 28 days after hospital admission

Local pancreatic injuryDay 14 +/- 7 days

Contrast-enhanced CT scan assessed by a central panel

Pain scoresFirst 14 Days

Patient will complete a Numerical Rating Scale.The scale is from 0-10 (0= no pain and 10 = worst pain possible)

Nutritional deficitFirst 14 days

Number of days without solid food for first 14 days

Length of hospital stayUp to 90 days

Length of time patient remains within hospital as an inpatient

Revised Atlanta Classification (RAC)90 days after admission

RAC severity classification (mild, moderate or severe)

Infective complicationsFirst 90 days

Infective complications reported

Patient reported outcomeDay 4, Day 14 and Day 90

EuroQol EQ-5D-5L

Potential safety signalsUp to 90 days

Adverse events relating to infliximab including infusion reactions and delayed serum sickness reactions

Trial Locations

Locations (13)

Queen's Medical Centre

🇬🇧

Nottingham, Nottinghamshire, United Kingdom

John Radcliffe Hospital

🇬🇧

Oxford, Oxfordshire, United Kingdom

Whiston Hospital

🇬🇧

Whiston, Merseyside, United Kingdom

Aintree University Hospital

🇬🇧

Liverpool, Merseyside, United Kingdom

University College London Hospital

🇬🇧

London, Greater London, United Kingdom

St James's University Hospital

🇬🇧

Leeds, West Yorkshire, United Kingdom

St Mary's Hospital

🇬🇧

London, Greater London, United Kingdom

Royal Cornwall Hospital

🇬🇧

Truro, Cornwall, United Kingdom

Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital

🇬🇧

Exeter, Devon, United Kingdom

Aberdeen Royal Infirmary

🇬🇧

Aberdeen, Aberdeenshire, United Kingdom

University Hospital of Wales

🇬🇧

Cardiff, United Kingdom

Charing Cross Hospital

🇬🇧

London, Greater London, United Kingdom

Royal Liverpool University Hospital

🇬🇧

Liverpool, Merseyside, United Kingdom

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