Study to Investigate the Therapeutic Role of RNA Fragments in Platelet Production During Chemotherapy

Cancer Clinical Trial

Official title:

Phase II Dose of Escalation Design to Investigate the Therapeutic Role of RNA Fragments in the Protection of Platelet Production During Chemotherapy

Clinical Trial Details — Status: Completed

Administrative data

• NCT number: NCT01163110
• Other study ID #: CTCA04-04
• Status: Completed
• Phase: Phase 1
• First received: July 13, 2010
• Last updated: November 14, 2013
• Start date: March 2004
• Est. completion date: June 2007

Study information

• Verified date: November 2013
• Source: Midwestern Regional Medical Center
• Contact: n/a
• Is FDA regulated: No
• Health authority: United States: Food and Drug Administration
• Study type: Interventional

Clinical Trial Summary

The purpose of this study is to measure the therapeutic potential of Escherichia coli (E. coli) and yeast ribosomal Ribonucleic acid (RNA) fragments to maintain the production of platelets in patients undergoing cytotoxic therapy for cancer.

Description:

Myelosuppressive chemotherapy has the potential to produce life threatening neutropenia, anemia, and thrombocytopenia. All of these conditions compromise therapeutic dosing which impacts survival as well as quality of life. The introduction of recombinant growth factors has enabled oncologists to minimize or prevent the development of treatment-induced anemia and neutropenia, but the management of chemotherapy-induced thrombocytopenia (CIT) remains a major challenge. American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) guidelines recommend dose reduction in chemotherapy following onset of thrombocytopenia despite data showing full dose, on time, chemotherapy leads to reduced tumor burden and better overall survival [1-3]. Patients with CIT experience potentially life threatening complications, delay in treatment, poorer outcomes, and consume inordinate amounts of health care resources for supportive care [4]. Development of an agent that ameliorates CIT would represent a major breakthrough in cancer treatment.

Platelets are anuclear cell particles that are released into the bloodstream by megakaryocytes located in the bone marrow. The differentiation of megakaryocytes is regulated by an intricate interaction of specific cytokines and growth factors [5]. Bone marrow stromal elements are also critical to the differentiation and release of platelets. Cancer chemotherapy often depletes the stem and progenitor cells involved in platelet proliferation, which leads to a diminution of platelets and temporary interruption of platelet production lasting until stromal elements and megakaryocytes regenerate.

There are several experimental agents targeted to prevent thrombocytopenia. These investigational agents are cytokines involved in the differentiation and production of platelets [6]. Currently, the only agent commercially available for prevention of thrombocytopenia is Neumega, a derivative of IL-11. Data on Neumega (Oprelekin) indicates a shorter duration of chemotherapy-induced thrombocytopenia, but the toxicity profile has prevented its widespread introduction into the clinical setting. Overall, the absence of agents that minimize or reverse CIT continues to severely limit many patients' ability to complete the full schedule of chemotherapy at the doses originally prescribed by treating oncologists [1].

This study is a dose escalation trial investigating the anti-thrombocytopenic benefits and safety of single stranded RNA fragments. The short chain RNA fragments are obtained by controlled degradation of prokaryotic RNA with ribonuclease. Beljanski showed that these RNA fragments act as primers for DNA synthesis in vitro and found that variations in the method of degradation yielded different preparations that prime deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) synthesis with distinct tissue specificity. The RNA fragments used in this study, when administered orally, localize in the bone marrow where they appear to prime DNA replication in stem cells resulting in proliferation of white blood cells and platelets. Beljanski et al. reported that these specific RNA fragments were effective in restoring normal levels of circulating platelets following drug induced thrombocytopenia [7;8]. Demonstrating the utility of these specific RNA fragments for prevention and treatment of thrombocytopenia among cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy is especially attractive given the absence of the side effects associated with growth factors and hormones.

This trial investigated the efficacy of two RNA preparations—extracted, purified and fragmented according Beljanski's procedure—to ameliorate CIT: one derived from E. coli and the second from yeast (a eukaryote). RNA molecules are present in any diet and can be considered conditional essential nutrients under conditions of physiological stress [9]. Purified RNA prepared by various methods can be found in nutritional products for hospitalized patients and infant formula [9-11]. This clinical trial evaluated the biologic effects of various doses of these specially prepared 'primer' RNA fragments on platelet numbers in cancer patients who have already developed thrombocytopenia while undergoing chemotherapy.

Recruitment information / eligibility

• Status: Completed
• Enrollment: 32
• Est. completion date: June 2007
• Est. primary completion date: June 2007
• Accepts healthy volunteers: Accepts Healthy Volunteers
• Gender: Both
• Age group: 18 Years to 80 Years

Eligibility

Inclusion Criteria:

• between the ages of 18 and 80

• currently receiving chemotherapy with a platelet nadir of less than or equal to 80,000

• Eastern Oncology Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status of 0, 1, 2, 3, and 4

• signed informed consent

• willing to take RealBuild and magnesium supplement and undergoing chemotherapy known to induce thrombocytopenia

• willing to stop benzodiazepines

• must be at least 6 hours post therapeutic heparin dose

Exclusion Criteria:

• life expectancy less than three months

• pregnant women or women of childbearing potential who refuse to use prophylaxis against pregnancy while receiving chemotherapy regimens

• patients know hypersensitive to RNA or its metabolic products

• patients requiring therapeutic heparin or benzodiazepines

Study Design

Endpoint Classification: Safety/Efficacy Study, Intervention Model: Single Group Assignment, Masking: Open Label, Primary Purpose: Treatment

Related Conditions & MeSH terms

• Cancer
• Neoplasm
• Thrombocytopenia
• Thrombocytosis

Intervention

Dietary Supplement:
• Realbuild
Patient with chemotherapy induced thrombocytopenia takes RNA fragments orally to accelerate time to platelet recovery

Locations

Country	Name	City	State
United States	Midwestern Regional Medical Center	Zion	Illinois

Sponsors (1)

Lead Sponsor	Collaborator
Midwestern Regional Medical Center

Country where clinical trial is conducted

United States, 

Outcome

Type	Measure	Description	Time frame	Safety issue
Primary	Determine whether E. coli or yeast ribosomal ribonucleic acid (rRNA) fragments prophylactically prevent the development of thrombocytopenia during chemotherapy.		Time to Platelet recovery after nadir	No
Secondary	Determine whether E. coli or yeast rRNA fragments accelerate the recovery of platelets in patients undergoing chemotherapy.		Time to platelet transfusion 3 weeks after nadir	Yes