A Study of Encapsulated Cell Technology (ECT) Implant for Patients With Late Stage Retinitis Pigmentosa

Retinitis Pigmentosa Clinical Trial

Official title:

A Phase II/III Study of Encapsulated Human NTC-201 Cell Implants Releasing Ciliary Neurotrophic Factor (CNTF) for Participants With Retinitis Pigmentosa Using Visual Acuity as the Primary Outcome

Clinical Trial Details — Status: Completed

Administrative data

• NCT number: NCT00447993
• Other study ID #: CNTF 3
• Status: Completed
• Phase: Phase 2
• First received: March 9, 2007
• Last updated: November 15, 2016
• Start date: January 2007
• Est. completion date: October 2009

Study information

• Verified date: November 2016
• Source: Neurotech Pharmaceuticals
• 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 look at the safety and effectiveness of CNTF implants on vision in persons with retinitis pigmentosa, Usher type II & III, and Choroideremia. This research is being done because there are no effective therapies for people with these retinal degenerations. They are genetic disorders that affect our ability to see at night, and later cause tunnel vision and loss of central vision. Retinal degenerations affect the retina, a light sensitive layer of cells in the back of the eye. Slowly over time, these cells die and cause permanent loss of vision.

The implant is a small capsule that contains human retinal pigment epithelium cells. These cells have been given the ability to make CNTF and release it through the capsule membrane into the surrounding fluid. This study will look at the effect of the implant on vision loss by retinitis pigmentosa, Usher type II & III, and Choroideremia. In this study, two different CNTF dose levels will be used: a high dose and a low dose in one eye, as well as a sham (or placebo) surgery in the other eye.

Description:

This study will involve about 16 visits over 1½ years for specific tests of the participant's vision and health. These visits may include visual exams, blood draw for laboratory testing, brief medical history and exam, and occasionally a questionnaire (survey), in addition to the visit for the surgical procedures. The primary effectiveness outcome for this study will be a visual acuity score one year after the implant surgery. There will be about 13 centers participating in this study, and up to 60 people enrolled across the US. Each participant joining the study who has completed initial screening will then be scheduled to have a brief surgical procedure performed on each eye, one of which will include a very small cell-filled implant. Follow-up visits for repeat assessments will be required regularly to determine if the implant being tested is safe and effective for use to treat RP.

Recruitment information / eligibility

• Status: Completed
• Enrollment: 65
• Est. completion date: October 2009
• Est. primary completion date: October 2009
• Accepts healthy volunteers: No
• Gender: Both
• Age group: 18 Years to 68 Years

Eligibility

Inclusion Criteria:

Criteria for patients to qualify for the study include, but are not limited to:

• Over 18 years of age, and less than 68 years of age

• Diagnosis of retinitis pigmentosa, Usher Syndrome Type 2 or 3 or Choroideremia

• Visual acuity no better than 20/63 and no worse than 20/320

• Reduced electrical responses from the retina (ERG) and loss of peripheral vision

Exclusion Criteria:

The following criteria will exclude patients from the study:

• Pregnant or lactating females, or females planning to become pregnant during the study or not using an acceptable method of contraception.

• Retinitis pigmentosa caused by a classic syndrome, including Usher Type I

• Other eye diseases including advanced cataract.

• Chronic systemic disease requiring continuous treatment with systemic steroids, immunosuppressive medications or insulin.

Study Design

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

Related Conditions & MeSH terms

• Retinitis
• Retinitis Pigmentosa

Intervention

Drug:
• NT-501
High Dose
• NT-501
Low Dose

Locations

Country	Name	City	State
United States	Kellogg Eye Center	Ann Arbor	Michigan
United States	Retina-Vitreous Associates Medical Group	Beverly Hills	California
United States	Ophthalmic Consultants of Boston	Boston	Massachusetts
United States	Retina Foundation of Southwest	Dallas	Texas
United States	Retina Group of Florida	Hollywood	Florida
United States	University of Florida	Jacksonville	Florida
United States	The Hamilton Eye Institute	Memphis	Tennessee
United States	University of Minnesota	Minneapolis	Minnesota
United States	NY University Medical Center	New York	New York
United States	Casey Eye Institue	Portland	Oregon
United States	University of Califoria, Davis	Sacramento	California
United States	University of Utah	Salt Lake City	Utah
United States	University of California, San Francisco	San Francisco	California

Sponsors (1)

Lead Sponsor	Collaborator
Neurotech Pharmaceuticals

Country where clinical trial is conducted

United States, 

Outcome

Type	Measure	Description	Time frame	Safety issue
Primary	The primary outcome is the change in best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) using the Electronic Visual Acuity (EVA) technology at month 12.		12 months	No
Secondary	Longer-term observations of change in visual acuity, disease modification, BCVA, ERG, optical coherence tomography, inflammation, and vision-related quality of life(NEI-VFQ25).		18 months	No