Autism
Conditions
Keywords
autistic spectrum disorder, lenalidomide
Brief summary
The purpose of this study is to determine if lenalidomide (Revlimid®)reduces proinflammatory cytokines including TNF-alpha and may actually alter the clinical course of autism for some children.
Detailed description
Autism currently affects 1:142 births and has no definite cause. Recent research has shown possible identifying markers in neuroglial inflammation with elevated cytokines IL-1, Il-6, and MCP-1 and elevated ratios of CSF/serum levels of TNF-alpha in patients with regressive autism. Lenalidomide (Revlimid®) is an analogue of thalidomide. Based on the improved clinical efficacy predicted for Revlimid® in its effects on TNF-alpha and other immunomodulatory cytokines, this oral compound may prove efficacious with less toxicity compared with thalidomide. The study will evaluate the efficacy of lenalidomide by measurement of changes in EEG, clinical global impression, Childhood Autism Rating Scale, and serum and CSF (if available) TNF-alpha at the end of the study compared with the same measurements at baseline.
Interventions
DRUGlenalidomide
2.5 mgs per day orally for 12 weeks
Sponsors
Sutter Medical Foundation
Study design
Allocation
NA
Intervention model
SINGLE_GROUP
Primary purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
MALE
Age
6 Years to 16 Years
Healthy volunteers
No
Inclusion criteria
* Diagnosis of autistic spectrum disorder as defined by DSM-IV criteria. * Inflammatory CSF and serum markers with elevated level of TNF-Alfa (\> 50pg/ml) or other Cytokine markers such as IL-1, IL-6 or MECP-1, or serum levels of such cytokines greater than 2X normal levels even in absence of CSF markers. or * Patients with interictal epiliptiform EEG changes in the absences of clinical seizures, if CSF inflammatory markers are identified. * Patients will maintain any other baseline medications for autistic problems or EEG treatment as long as on these for prior 6-8 weeks with no dosage changes. Mentally impaired minors require a parent or legal guardian to sign the informed consent.
Exclusion criteria
* -Diagnosis of PPD-NOS and other autism spectrum disorders. * Any serious medical condition, laboratory abnormality, genetic, brain, structural, or psychiatric illness that would prevent the subject from participating. * History of neutropenia, thrombocytopenia or other types of myelosuppression or risk factors for myelosuppression. * History or risk factors for thromboembolic events. * Any condition, including the presence of laboratory abnormalities, which places the subject at unacceptable risk if he/she were to participate in the study or confounds the ability to interpret data from the study. * Use of any other experimental drug or therapy within 28 days of baseline. * Current use of steroids (e.g. dexamethasone, prednisone), anthracyclines (Doxil, Adriamycin). * Known hypersensitivity to thalidomide. * The development of erythema nodosum if characterized by a desquamating rash while taking thalidomide or similar drugs. * Any prior use of lenalidomide. * Known positive for HIV or infectious hepatitis, type A, B or C or tuberculosis.
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Change in TNF-alpha Levels | Baseline and 12 weeks | Change in CSF-TNF-α from baseline to 12 weeks. |
Secondary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Change in Childhood Autism Rating Scale (CARS)Value From Baseline to 6 Weeks | Baseline and 6 weeks | Change in CARS value from baseline to 6 weeks. Total CARS scores range from a fifteen to 60, with a minimum score of thirty serving as the cutoff for a diagnosis of autism on the mild end of the autism spectrum. |
Participant flow
Participants by arm
| Arm | Count |
|---|---|
| Lenalidomide Six patients will receive 2.5 mg oral daily for 12 weeks | 6 |
| Total | 6 |
Baseline characteristics
| Characteristic | Lenalidomide |
|---|---|
| Age, Categorical <=18 years | 6 Participants |
| Age, Categorical >=65 years | 0 Participants |
| Age, Categorical Between 18 and 65 years | 0 Participants |
| Region of Enrollment United States | 6 participants |
| Sex: Female, Male Female | 0 Participants |
| Sex: Female, Male Male | 6 Participants |
Adverse events
| Event type | EG000 affected / at risk |
|---|---|
| deaths Total, all-cause mortality | — / — |
| other Total, other adverse events | 0 / 6 |
| serious Total, serious adverse events | 0 / 6 |
Outcome results
Primary
Change in TNF-alpha Levels
Change in CSF-TNF-α from baseline to 12 weeks.
Time frame: Baseline and 12 weeks
Population: Intention to treat
| Arm | Measure | Value (MEAN) | Dispersion |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lenalidomide | Change in TNF-alpha Levels | 57 mean % change | Standard Deviation 25 |
Secondary
Change in Childhood Autism Rating Scale (CARS)Value From Baseline to 6 Weeks
Change in CARS value from baseline to 6 weeks. Total CARS scores range from a fifteen to 60, with a minimum score of thirty serving as the cutoff for a diagnosis of autism on the mild end of the autism spectrum.
Time frame: Baseline and 6 weeks
Population: Intention to treat
| Arm | Measure | Value (MEAN) | Dispersion |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lenalidomide | Change in Childhood Autism Rating Scale (CARS)Value From Baseline to 6 Weeks | -2.08 mean change in units on scale | Standard Deviation 1.94 |