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Clinical trial to determine the effect of Famciclovir on Epstein Barr virus levels in the saliva of patients with Multiple Sclerosis.

Clinical trial to determine the effect of Famciclovir on Epstein-Barr virus activity as measured by EBV shedding in saliva of patients with Multiple Sclerosis. - Famciclovir in Multiple Sclerosis

Status
Not yet recruiting
Phases
Phase 2
Study type
Interventional
Source
EU CTR
Registry ID
EUCTR2019-000169-19-GB
Enrollment
30
Registered
2019-06-05
Start date
2019-09-03
Completion date
Unknown
Last updated
2025-01-13

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

Epstein Barr virus infection in people with multiple sclerosis. MedDRA version: 20.1 Level: PT Classification code 10028245 Term: Multiple sclerosis System Organ Class: 10029205 - Nervous system disorders MedDRA version: 20.0 Level: LLT Classification code 10014077 Term: EBV infection System Organ Class: 100000004862

Interventions

Trade Name: Famciclovir Product Name: Famciclovir Pharmaceutical Form: Film-coated tablet INN or Proposed INN: Famciclovir CAS Number: 104227-87-4 Other descriptive name: 2-(2-(2-Amino-9H-purin-9-yl)e

Sponsors

Queen Mary University London
Lead Sponsor

Eligibility

Sex/Gender
All

Inclusion criteria

Inclusion criteria: People with MS aged over 18 who are taking Natalizumab (Tysabri) will be eligible for inclusion in this study. Participants must be able to provide informed consent to take part in this study. Are the trial subjects under 18? no Number of subjects for this age range: 0 F.1.2 Adults (18-64 years) yes F.1.2.1 Number of subjects for this age range 30 F.1.3 Elderly (>=65 years) no F.1.3.1 Number of subjects for this age range 0

Exclusion criteria

Exclusion criteria: People with MS who are taking interferon-beta preparations or teriflunomide will not be eligible for this study. People taking fingolimod, cladribine, alemtuzumab or ocrelizumab will be excluded. People with MS who are on additional immunomodulatory agents (either for MS treatment or other reasons) will not be eligible to take part in this study. Participants will be excluded if they have had a course of steroids within 3 months of study entry. People who are already taking antiviral or antiretroviral medication for any reason will be excluded from this study. People known to be allergic to penciclovir, acyclovir, valaciclovir or famciclovir will be excluded from the study. People taking probenecid will be excluded. People with significant renal (CKD 3 or 4) and/or liver impairment will not be eligible to take part in this study. People who are pregnant or breastfeeding will be excluded from this study, and those who are planning to become pregnant or unwilling to take precautions to prevent pregnancy will not be eligible to take part. People who are unable to provide informed consent for any reason will not be eligible to enter this study.

Design outcomes

Primary

MeasureTime frame
Main Objective: The primary aim of this study is to explore the effect of famciclovir (500mg twice daily) on Epstein Barr virus shedding in the saliva of people with MS. ;Secondary Objective: An exploratory aim is to explore the effect of famciclovir (500mg twice daily) on serological markers of Epstein Barr virus (EBV) infection and evidence of the virus in blood. ;Primary end point(s): The primary outcome of this study will be suppression of EBV shedding in saliva. Shedding is defined as EBV DNA levels in saliva >5.8 copies/ml. ;Timepoint(s) of evaluation of this end point: Weekly saliva samples will be taken. We have previously demonstrated that there is significant variability in EBV shedding in saliva in people with MS over time. The endpoint will therefore be determined throughout the time that the participants are taking famciclovir (12 weeks).

Secondary

MeasureTime frame
Secondary end point(s): There are no secondary endpoints for this study. All other endpoints are exploratory. ;Timepoint(s) of evaluation of this end point: N/A

Countries

United Kingdom

Outcome results

None listed

Source: EU CTR (via WHO ICTRP) · Data processed: Feb 4, 2026