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Clinical Trial Summary

The purpose of this study is to determine if diflunisal can prevent progressive lower leg nerve damage in patients with familial amyloidosis polyneuropathy.

Funding Source - FDA OOPD; NINDS


Clinical Trial Description

Familial amyloidosis polyneuropathy (FAP) is a rare, lethal, autosomal dominant, neurodegenerative disease characterized by misfolding of variant transthyretin tetramer (TTR) — a transport protein produced by the liver. The disease causes TTR to become unstable, triggering amyloid fibrils to form and leading to peripheral and autonomic nerve dysfunction.

Currently, the only treatment for FAP is a liver transplant, which is expensive and risk-filled. Medicines are needed to treat this disease. Previous in vitro (in a test tube) studies have shown that a common anti-inflammatory drug called diflunisal stabilizes TTR, preventing the formation of amyloid fibrils.

The goal of this 2-year randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled research study is to establish whether diflunisal can stop the nerve damage, or peripheral neuropathy, resulting from amyloid production in patients with FAP. Scientists already know that diflunisal prevents formation of amyloid in the test tube. This study will determine if the drug can block amyloid production in FAP patients.

Participants will be randomly chosen to receive either diflunisal or an inactive (placebo) pill twice daily for 24 months. Participants will be carefully monitored through 7 follow-up visits, either at the study center or with individual primary care physicians. Participating in the study does not preclude patients from being listed for liver transplantation. ;


Study Design

Allocation: Randomized, Endpoint Classification: Safety/Efficacy Study, Intervention Model: Parallel Assignment, Masking: Double Blind (Subject, Investigator), Primary Purpose: Treatment


Related Conditions & MeSH terms


NCT number NCT00294671
Study type Interventional
Source Boston University
Contact
Status Completed
Phase Phase 2/Phase 3
Start date February 2006
Completion date December 2012

See also
  Status Clinical Trial Phase
Completed NCT01737398 - Efficacy and Safety of Inotersen in Familial Amyloid Polyneuropathy Phase 2/Phase 3
Completed NCT02175004 - Extension Study Assessing Long Term Safety and Efficacy of IONIS-TTR Rx in Familial Amyloid Polyneuropathy (FAP) Phase 3
Completed NCT00791492 - An Extension of Study Fx-005 Evaluating Long-Term Safety And Clinical Outcomes Of Fx-1006A In Patients With Transthyretin Amyloid Polyneuropathy Phase 2/Phase 3
Completed NCT00409175 - Safety and Efficacy Study of Fx-1006A in Patients With Familial Amyloidosis Phase 2/Phase 3