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Famciclovir in Multiple Sclerosis

Phase 2
Conditions
Multiple Sclerosis
Interventions
Registration Number
NCT05283551
Lead Sponsor
Queen Mary University of London
Brief Summary

This is a proof-of-concept study in 30 patients with established Relapsing Remitting Multiple Sclerosis (RRMS). IMP is Famciclovir. It is a phase II type A open label study. Each individuals participation in the study will last 36 weeks and will be divided into three phases: pre-treatment (12 weeks), treatment with famciclovir (12 weeks), and post-treatment (12 weeks). During the first 12 week phase patients will remain on their usual treatment alone; this will be followed by three months of co-treatment with famciclovir and then followed by a final three months post-famciclovir treatment where participants will continue to take their usual treatment for RRMS. The primary aim is to explore the effect of famciclovir (500mg BD) on Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) shedding in the saliva of patients with MS

Detailed Description

Not available

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
UNKNOWN
Sex
All
Target Recruitment
30
Inclusion Criteria
  • Diagnosed with MS
  • Males and females aged over 18
  • Taking Natalizumab (Tysabri) for the treatment of MS,
  • Be able to provide informed consent to take part in this study.
  • Female patients of childbearing potential (defined in section 13.4) must be willing to follow protocol contraceptive requirements.
Exclusion Criteria
  • Taking MS disease modifying treatment other than natalizumab (Tysabri)
  • On no treatment for MS
  • Taking additional immunomodulatory agents (either for MS treatment or other reasons)
  • Has received a course of high dose oral or intravenous steroids within 3 months of study entry. The use of low dose (total daily dose <10mg) and/or the use of topical steroids will not act as an exclusion criteria.
  • Taking antiviral or antiretroviral medication for any reason
  • Known allergy to penciclovir, acyclovir, valaciclovir or famciclovir
  • Taking probenecid
  • Significant renal (CKD 3 or 4) and/or liver (ALT>3x ULN) impairment
  • Pregnant, or unwilling to take measures to prevent pregnancy
  • Breastfeeding

Study & Design

Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Study Design
SINGLE_GROUP
Arm && Interventions
GroupInterventionDescription
Single armFamciclovir-
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Effect of famciclovir on Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) sheddingBaseline to 36 Weeks

The primary outcome of this study is quantification of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) shedding in saliva in the IMP treatment phase (famciclovir 500mg BD) and post treatment phase of the Study compared with Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) shedding in saliva in the pre-treatment phase of the Study Shedding is defined as EBV DNA levels in saliva \>5.8 copies/ml.

Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

Royal London Hospital, Barts Health NHS Trust

🇬🇧

London, United Kingdom

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