Effects of Immunotherapy clinical trials

SCH708980 With and Without AmBisome for Visceral Leishmaniasis

Background: - Visceral leishmaniasis (VL) is an infection caused by parasites carried by sand flies. The parasites cause fever, weight loss, and enlargement of the spleen and liver. They can also affect the blood and immune system. One possible treatment for VL involves an experimental drug called SCH708980, which may help to prevent the immune system from becoming suppressed and worsening the VL. Researchers want to give the drug along with AmBisome(Registered Trademark), which kills the parasites, to see if it is a safe and effective treatment. Objectives: - To study the safety and effectiveness of SCH708980, alone and combined with AmBisome(Registered Trademark), as a treatment for visceral leishmaniasis. Eligibility: - Individuals 18 to 60 years of who have been diagnosed with visceral leishmaniasis in the past 4 to 5 days, are HIV-negative, and are willing to stay in the hospital for 30 days. - All participants will come from and be treated at the Kala-Azar Medical Research Center in Muzaffarpur, India. Design: - This is a two-part study. Participants will be assigned to only one part of the study. - Participants will be screened with a medical history and physical exam; blood, urine, and stool samples, spleen or bone marrow samples; spleen measurements; a chest xray; and a heart function test. - Part 1 participants will be separated into two groups: a larger group will have a selected dose of the study drug followed by AmBisome 7 days later, and a smaller group will have a placebo treatment followed by AmBisome. - Part 2 participants will have either the study drug or a placebo plus AmBisome, based on the test results from the Part 1 participants. - All participants will be monitored in the hospital for 30 days, and will have the following tests: - Regular blood samples - Urine and stool samples (day 14) - Spleen measurements (days 8, 14, 21, and 30) - Spleen or bone marrow sample (day 30 only). Participants who still have VL symptoms will give another sample on day 45. - At 6 months after the start of treatment, participants will have a follow-up visit with spleen measurements, blood and stool samples, and possible spleen or bone marrow samples