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A Multicenter, Randomized, Double-blind, Placebo Controlled, Clinical Trial to Evaluate the Safety, Tolerability and Preliminary Effectiveness of 2 Doses of Intradiscal rhGDF-5 (Single Administration) for the Treatment of Early Stage Lumbar Disc Degeneration

Status
Completed
Phases
Phase 2
Study type
Interventional
Source
ClinicalTrials.gov
Registry ID
NCT01124006
Enrollment
24
Registered
2010-05-14
Start date
2010-01-31
Completion date
2014-09-30
Last updated
2016-02-24

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

Conditions

Degenerative Disc Disease

Brief summary

Study to show the safety and tolerability of Intradiscal rhGDF-5 in subjects with early lumbar disc degeneration

Interventions

The API is recombinant human growth and differentiation factor-5 (rhGDF-5), a recombinant version of human GDF-5. GDF-5 is a member of the transforming growth factor-b (TGF-b) superfamily and the bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) subfamily, and is known to influence the growth and differentiation of various tissues, including the intervertebral disc. In vitro experiments have shown that rhGDF-5 can stimulate gene expression and synthesis of the extracellular matrix proteins type II collagen and aggrecan. In vivo experiments in rabbit models of disc degeneration have shown that intradiscal injections of rhGDF-5 can stimulate an increase in disc height and hydration.

Sterile water for injection

Sponsors

DePuy Spine
Lead SponsorINDUSTRY

Study design

Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
DOUBLE (Subject, Investigator)

Eligibility

Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to No maximum
Healthy volunteers
No

Inclusion criteria

1. Persistent low back pain with at least 3 months of non-surgical therapy at one suspected symptomatic lumbar level (L3/L4 to L5/S1) as confirmed using a standardized provocative discography protocol. The required discography protocol will be provided by the sponsor. Subjects with multilevel disease must have a provocative discogram confirming that only 1 level is symptomatic at least 2 weeks prior to administration. Historical provocative discograms may be used for screening purposes, with an expiry of 12 calendar months from the date performed. If the study treatment is not performed within those 12 calendar months, a new discogram will be required. 2. Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) for low back pain of 30 or greater 3. Low Back Pain score greater than or equal to 4 cm as measured by Visual Analog Scale (VAS) at Visit 1 Baseline

Exclusion criteria

1. Persons unable to have a discogram, CT, or MRI 2. Abnormal neurological exam at baseline (e.g., chronic radiculopathy) 3. Active radicular pain due to anatomical compression such as stenosis or disc herniation (radicular pain is defined as pain below the knee) 4. Extravasation of contrast agent during the discogram, into the epidural space (does not include leakage of contrast agent along the needle track or leakage to the outer annular ring at the posterior longitudinal ligament vicinity) 5. Suspected symptomatic facet joints and/or severe facet joint degeneration at the index level or adjacent segments

Design outcomes

Primary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Neurological Assessment for Motor Function and Reflexes/Sensory12 monthsNeurological Assessment for Motor Function and Reflexes/Sensory- Number of patients with Clinically Significant Abnormal results at 12 months. For Motor Function, Clinically Significant Abnormal results are determined by the surgeon investigator and are further classified by grade: 0= No Movement, 1= Flicker/trace of contraction, 2=Active movement when gravity removed, 3= Active movement against gravity, 4= Active Movement against gravity and resistance. For Reflexes/Sensory, Clinically Significant Abnormal results are determined by the surgeon investigator and are based on exams of the Knee, Ankle, L3-L5 Dermatone, and S1 Dermatome. Tension signs are evaluated with a straight leg raise to determine at which point, if any, sciatic pain occurs.
Treatment Emergent Adverse Events- Relationship to Study DrugThrough a 12 month period and annual telephone contact at 24 and 36 months for subject health status follow-up.Number of patients with Treatment Emergent Adverse Events that were designated as Definitely Related to Study Drug.

Secondary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Change in Function Assessed by Oswestry Disability Index Change at 12 Months From Baseline.12-monthThe Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) is a 10-category (Pain Intensity, Personal Care, Lifting, Walking, Sitting, Standing, Sleeping, Sex Life, Social Life, Traveling) disability measurement scale with a graded response from 0 to 5, with 0 being the best score (no impairment) to 5 being the worst score (significant impairment). ODI score for a subject is calculated by adding the scores and converting the score to a 100 point scale.
Change in Pain Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) at 12 Months From Baseline.12 monthsThe Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) pain score asks the subject to place a vertical mark on a horizontal line ( that is approximately 10cm long) with 'No Pain' (score of 0=0cm) listed on the left and 'Very severe pain' (score of 10=10cm) labeled on the right. The subject is instructed to indicate the amount of pain they feel in their back.
Change in Physical Component Summary of Quality of Life Measure Assessed by Short-Form 36 at 12 Months From Baseline.12 monthsThe 36-item Short Form Health Survey (SF-36) is a patient reported outcome survey that evaluates functional health and well-being. The survey is converted into two summary measures (the Physical Component- PCS and Mental Component- MCS) that are scored from 0 to 100 (where 100 indicates the highest level of health)
Change in Mental Component Summary Quality of Life Measure Assessed by Short Form SF-36 at 12 Months From Baseline.12 monthsThe 36-item Short Form Health Survey (SF-36) is a patient reported outcome survey that evaluates functional health and well-being. The survey is converted into two summary measures (the Physical Component- PCS and Mental Component- MCS) that are scored from 0 to 100 (where 100 indicates the highest level of health)

Countries

United States

Participant flow

Participants by arm

ArmCount
Intradiscal rhGDF-5 (1.0mg)
The API is recombinant human growth and differentiation factor-5 (rhGDF-5), a recombinant version of human GDF-5. GDF-5 is a member of the transforming growth factor-b (TGF-b) superfamily and the bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) subfamily, and is known to influence the growth and differentiation of various tissues, including the intervertebral disc.
10
Placebo
Excipients in Intradiscal rhGDF-5, to include Trehalose, Glycine, HCl, and Water for Injection
10
Intradiscal rhGDF-5 (2.0mg)
The API is recombinant human growth and differentiation factor-5 (rhGDF-5), a recombinant version of human GDF-5. GDF-5 is a member of the transforming growth factor-b (TGF-b) superfamily and the bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) subfamily, and is known to influence the growth and differentiation of various tissues, including the intervertebral disc.
4
Total24

Withdrawals & dropouts

PeriodReasonFG000FG001FG002
Overall StudyLost to Follow-up101
Overall StudyOther001
Overall StudyWithdrawal by Subject220

Baseline characteristics

CharacteristicIntradiscal rhGDF-5 (1.0mg)PlaceboIntradiscal rhGDF-5 (2.0mg)Total
Age, Continuous39.7 years
STANDARD_DEVIATION 9.56
44.7 years
STANDARD_DEVIATION 7.86
42.4 years
STANDARD_DEVIATION 6.38
42.2 years
STANDARD_DEVIATION 8.4
Region of Enrollment
United States
10 participants10 participants4 participants24 participants
Sex: Female, Male
Female
4 Participants3 Participants1 Participants8 Participants
Sex: Female, Male
Male
6 Participants7 Participants3 Participants16 Participants

Adverse events

Event typeEG000
affected / at risk
EG001
affected / at risk
EG002
affected / at risk
deaths
Total, all-cause mortality
— / —— / —— / —
other
Total, other adverse events
9 / 1010 / 104 / 4
serious
Total, serious adverse events
0 / 100 / 102 / 4

Outcome results

Primary

Neurological Assessment for Motor Function and Reflexes/Sensory

Neurological Assessment for Motor Function and Reflexes/Sensory- Number of patients with Clinically Significant Abnormal results at 12 months. For Motor Function, Clinically Significant Abnormal results are determined by the surgeon investigator and are further classified by grade: 0= No Movement, 1= Flicker/trace of contraction, 2=Active movement when gravity removed, 3= Active movement against gravity, 4= Active Movement against gravity and resistance. For Reflexes/Sensory, Clinically Significant Abnormal results are determined by the surgeon investigator and are based on exams of the Knee, Ankle, L3-L5 Dermatone, and S1 Dermatome. Tension signs are evaluated with a straight leg raise to determine at which point, if any, sciatic pain occurs.

Time frame: 12 months

Population: Safety Population~For the Neurological Assessment at 12 months, only 8 subjects from the rhGDF-5 1.0mg group (out of 10 subjects total) completed the assessment, only 3 subjects from the rhGDF-5 2.0mg group (out of 4 subjects total) completed the assessment, and none of the placebo subjects (out of 10 total subjects) completed the assessment.

ArmMeasureValue (NUMBER)
Intradiscal rhGDF-5 (1.0mg)Neurological Assessment for Motor Function and Reflexes/Sensory0 participants
Intradiscal rhGDF-5 (2.0mg)Neurological Assessment for Motor Function and Reflexes/Sensory0 participants
Primary

Treatment Emergent Adverse Events- Relationship to Study Drug

Number of patients with Treatment Emergent Adverse Events that were designated as Possibly or Probably Related to Study Drug.

Time frame: 12 month period and annual telephone contact at 24 and 36 months for subject health status follow-up

Population: Safety Population

ArmMeasureValue (NUMBER)
Intradiscal rhGDF-5 (1.0mg)Treatment Emergent Adverse Events- Relationship to Study Drug4 participants
PlaceboTreatment Emergent Adverse Events- Relationship to Study Drug1 participants
Intradiscal rhGDF-5 (2.0mg)Treatment Emergent Adverse Events- Relationship to Study Drug0 participants
Primary

Treatment Emergent Adverse Events- Relationship to Study Drug

Number of patients with Treatment Emergent Adverse Events that were designated as Definitely Related to Study Drug.

Time frame: Through a 12 month period and annual telephone contact at 24 and 36 months for subject health status follow-up.

Population: Safety Population

ArmMeasureValue (NUMBER)
Intradiscal rhGDF-5 (1.0mg)Treatment Emergent Adverse Events- Relationship to Study Drug0 participants
PlaceboTreatment Emergent Adverse Events- Relationship to Study Drug0 participants
Intradiscal rhGDF-5 (2.0mg)Treatment Emergent Adverse Events- Relationship to Study Drug0 participants
Secondary

Change in Function Assessed by Oswestry Disability Index Change at 12 Months From Baseline.

The Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) is a 10-category (Pain Intensity, Personal Care, Lifting, Walking, Sitting, Standing, Sleeping, Sex Life, Social Life, Traveling) disability measurement scale with a graded response from 0 to 5, with 0 being the best score (no impairment) to 5 being the worst score (significant impairment). ODI score for a subject is calculated by adding the scores and converting the score to a 100 point scale.

Time frame: 12-month

Population: FAS Population

ArmMeasureValue (MEAN)Dispersion
Intradiscal rhGDF-5 (1.0mg)Change in Function Assessed by Oswestry Disability Index Change at 12 Months From Baseline.-19.8 units on a scaleStandard Deviation 21.22
PlaceboChange in Function Assessed by Oswestry Disability Index Change at 12 Months From Baseline.-18.8 units on a scaleStandard Deviation 22.43
Intradiscal rhGDF-5 (2.0mg)Change in Function Assessed by Oswestry Disability Index Change at 12 Months From Baseline.-6.0 units on a scaleStandard Deviation 29.98
Secondary

Change in Mental Component Summary Quality of Life Measure Assessed by Short Form SF-36 at 12 Months From Baseline.

The 36-item Short Form Health Survey (SF-36) is a patient reported outcome survey that evaluates functional health and well-being. The survey is converted into two summary measures (the Physical Component- PCS and Mental Component- MCS) that are scored from 0 to 100 (where 100 indicates the highest level of health)

Time frame: 12 months

Population: FAS Population~One subject from the rhGDF-5 1.0mg group (out of 10 subjects total) did not complete the MCS, SF-36 at Baseline.

ArmMeasureValue (MEAN)Dispersion
Intradiscal rhGDF-5 (1.0mg)Change in Mental Component Summary Quality of Life Measure Assessed by Short Form SF-36 at 12 Months From Baseline.2.86 units on a scaleStandard Deviation 11.142
PlaceboChange in Mental Component Summary Quality of Life Measure Assessed by Short Form SF-36 at 12 Months From Baseline.-0.92 units on a scaleStandard Deviation 9.163
Intradiscal rhGDF-5 (2.0mg)Change in Mental Component Summary Quality of Life Measure Assessed by Short Form SF-36 at 12 Months From Baseline.1.31 units on a scaleStandard Deviation 20.276
Secondary

Change in Pain Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) at 12 Months From Baseline.

The Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) pain score asks the subject to place a vertical mark on a horizontal line ( that is approximately 10cm long) with 'No Pain' (score of 0=0cm) listed on the left and 'Very severe pain' (score of 10=10cm) labeled on the right. The subject is instructed to indicate the amount of pain they feel in their back.

Time frame: 12 months

Population: FAS Population

ArmMeasureValue (MEAN)Dispersion
Intradiscal rhGDF-5 (1.0mg)Change in Pain Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) at 12 Months From Baseline.-2.33 units on a scaleStandard Deviation 3.645
PlaceboChange in Pain Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) at 12 Months From Baseline.-2.78 units on a scaleStandard Deviation 3.751
Intradiscal rhGDF-5 (2.0mg)Change in Pain Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) at 12 Months From Baseline.-1.10 units on a scaleStandard Deviation 3.336
Secondary

Change in Physical Component Summary of Quality of Life Measure Assessed by Short-Form 36 at 12 Months From Baseline.

The 36-item Short Form Health Survey (SF-36) is a patient reported outcome survey that evaluates functional health and well-being. The survey is converted into two summary measures (the Physical Component- PCS and Mental Component- MCS) that are scored from 0 to 100 (where 100 indicates the highest level of health)

Time frame: 12 months

Population: FAS Population~One subject from the rhGDF-5 1.0mg group (out of 10 subjects total) did not complete the PCS, SF-36 at Baseline.

ArmMeasureValue (MEAN)Dispersion
Intradiscal rhGDF-5 (1.0mg)Change in Physical Component Summary of Quality of Life Measure Assessed by Short-Form 36 at 12 Months From Baseline.7.22 units on a scaleStandard Deviation 9.728
PlaceboChange in Physical Component Summary of Quality of Life Measure Assessed by Short-Form 36 at 12 Months From Baseline.8.61 units on a scaleStandard Deviation 14.213
Intradiscal rhGDF-5 (2.0mg)Change in Physical Component Summary of Quality of Life Measure Assessed by Short-Form 36 at 12 Months From Baseline.6.21 units on a scaleStandard Deviation 8.245

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Data processed: Feb 4, 2026