Intravenous Brincidofovir as an Antiviral for Treatment of Progressive Multifocal Leukoencephalopathy: A Pilot Study

Trial statusRecruiting
Trial phasePhase 2
Trial typeInterventional
Biological sexAll
Age18-99
SponsorNational Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS)

About this trial

Background:

Progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML) is a rare and often fatal brain infection caused by the JC virus. The JC virus is common. More than half of adults have been exposed to it. Most people do not get sick from the JC virus, but in people with weakened immune systems, it can cause PML. Brincidofovir (BCV) is an antiviral drug approved to treat smallpox. Researchers want to know if it can help people with PML.

Objective:

To test BCV in people with PML.

Eligibility:

People aged 18 years or older with PML.

Design:

Participants will be screened. They will have a physical exam with blood tests. They will have an imaging scan of the brain with contrast dye. They will have a lumbar puncture (spinal tap): A thin needle will be inserted into their lower back to draw out a sample of the fluid around their spinal cord.

BCV will be given through a tube attached to a needle inserted into a vein. Participants will receive the drug 2 times a week for 4 weeks (this is 1 cycle). If the drug is helping them, they may have up to 3 drug cycles (12 weeks).

Imaging scans, spinal taps, and other tests will be repeated after every 4 weeks of treatment. Participants will have 6 follow-up visits in 1 year after treatment ends. The imaging scan, spinal tap, and other tests will be repeated at each visit.

Eligibility criteria

This trial does not accept healthy volunteers

Qualifiers

Able to provide informed consent or have a designated legally authorized representative (LAR) to provide consent

Stated willingness to comply with study procedures and to participate for the duration of the study including follow-up

Actively progressing, clinically definite or probable PML (2013 AAN Consensus Diagnostic Criteria)

Positive PCR for JCPyV in CSF

Disqualifiers

ALT or AST > 5 x the ULN, total bilirubin > 3 mg/dL (SI: >51 micromol/L), or spontaneous prothrombin time-international normalized ratio (PT-INR) > 2 x ULN within 7 days prior to Day 1

An estimated glomerular filtration rate of < 30 mL/min within 7 days prior to Day 1

Hypersensitivity to CDV or to BCV or its formulation excipients, or prior intolerance to these agents that, in the opinion of the investigator, would pose an unacceptable safety risk.

Active CNS disease other than PML that, in the opinion of the investigator, would confound study assessments or pose an unacceptable safety risk.

Trial design

Design model

Single group

Treatments tested in this trial

  • Brincidofovir

    Drug

    intravenous administraion of anti-viral agent

Treatment groups

24 Participants
are divided into 1 treatment group
Group A: Brincidofovir treatment armExperimental treatment 1 intervention

Trial outcomes

Primary outcomes

1

Incidence of treatment-related adverse events (AEs) of Grade 3 severity or higher as determined by Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (CTCAE)

Time frame
Over duration of trial participation

Secondary outcomes

1

Incidence of treatment-related AEs, regardless of severity

Time frame
over duration of trial
2

Change from baseline in JCPyV load in CSF upon completion of each Treatment Block

Time frame
at end of each treatment block
3

Proportion of patients with 0.25log decline or greater in JCPyV load in CSF upon completion of each Treatment Block

Time frame
at end of each treatment block
4

Time to increase in JCPyV load in CSF during monitoring phase upon treatment completion

Time frame
over duration of trial participation

Other outcomes

Sponsors and contacts

Click on the lead sponsor to view all of their trials.