Therapeutic Approach of Repeated Transient Blood-brain Barrier Opening in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis.

Trial statusRecruiting
Trial phasePhase 1, Phase 2
Trial typeInterventional
Biological sexAll
Age18-80
SponsorAssistance Publique - Hôpitaux de Paris

About this trial

This is proof-of-concept, single-arm, single-center study to assess the safety and explore the efficacy of repeated US transient disruptions of the blood-brain barrier (BBB) in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS).

Phase 1:

The primary objective is to assess the safety of ultrasound induced BBB opening in the upper motor neuron area and adjacent supplementary motor area in adult patients with ALS, as assessed by adverse events frequency and severity during study (incidence of AE summarized by system organ class and/or preferred term and severity) based on the Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events, version 5.0 A run-in period of 12 weeks between inclusion and baseline will take place for each patient in order to evaluate precisely disease progression rate, disease severity and to collect concomitant medication. After this run-in period, the patient will be implanted with the SC4 device (baseline visit). The first sonication session will be performed two weeks after implantation. A total of 9 sonications, with no concomitant drug administration, will be performed over a period of 24 weeks.

Phase 2a:

Based on the safety outcome of the Phase 1, an expansion cohort will open to assess the first signal of efficacy of the US transient disruptions of the BBB in ALS. The primary objective will be to assess the first signal of efficacy of the procedure on disease progression over 26 weeks evaluated by the change from baseline to week 26 of neurofilament light (NfL) levels in blood.The Phase 2a will continuously include 11 additional patients. Patients will be treated according to the same schedule as in phase 1

Eligibility criteria

Qualifiers

Age 18-80 years,

Able and willing to give signed and informed consent

Confirmed diagnosis of ALS using the Gold Coast criteria with involvement of both upper and lower motor neurons in at least one body region, i.e. patients classified as "definite", "probable", "probable laboratory supported" or "possible" ALS using the El Escorial categories (patients with only lower motor neuron involvement will not be included)

Disease duration <= 36 months,

Disqualifiers

Patients with an uncontrolled intercurrent illness or any pre-existing comorbidities that in the Investigator's opinion may prevent the implantation of the device or may impair the ability of the patient to receive treatment with SonoCloud or may be cofounding for evaluation of the clinical trial

Cardiac pacemaker (contraindication to MRI)

Allergy to any drug used in the study (Gadolinium, Xylocain, Cloxacilline, EMLA, echographic contrast agent microbubbles: SonoVue®)

Severe or instable chronic or acute disease or any life-threatening condition

Trial design

Treatments tested in this trial

  • SonoCloud-4 (SC4) device

Treatment groups

23 Participants
are divided into 1 treatment group

Sponsors and collaborators

Assistance Publique - Hôpitaux de Paris

Lead sponsor

CarThera

Collaborator

MSDAVENIR Foundation

Collaborator