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Neuroprotection With Statin Therapy for Acute Recovery Trial Phase 2

A Phase 2 Safety Study in Which Ischemic Stroke Patients Will be Randomized Within 24 Hours of Symptom Onset to Placebo or Oral Lovastatin 640 mg Per Day for 3 Days.

Status
Completed
Phases
Phase 2
Study type
Interventional
Source
ClinicalTrials.gov
Registry ID
NCT01976936
Acronym
NeuSTART2
Enrollment
162
Registered
2013-11-06
Start date
2009-02-28
Completion date
2015-11-30
Last updated
2025-12-01

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

Conditions

Jaundice, Rhabdomyolysis, Stroke

Keywords

Stroke, Rhabdomyolysis, Jaundice

Brief summary

This trial will be a phase 2 randomized safety study in which ischemic stroke patients will be randomly assigned within 24 hours of symptom onset to placebo or standard dose lovastatin versus short-term high-dose lovastatin 640 mg per day for 3 days. The primary outcome of this Phase 2 study will be musculoskeletal and hepatic toxicity, defined by clinical and laboratory criteria, with a 3-month follow-up period (± 1 week). Secondary outcomes will include neurological outcome (National Institute of Health (NIH) Stroke Scale), functional outcomes (Barthel Index), and handicap (modified Rankin scores). Effects on inflammatory markers and lipid levels will also be assessed.

Detailed description

This is a phase 2 randomized, blinded and controlled safety study in patients with ischemic stroke. The time window for enrollment will be within 0-24 hours of symptom onset. For patients who are found with the stroke on awakening, it will be assumed that the stroke occurred the last time that the patient was known to be normal. All patients will be identified by the stroke acute care team in the emergency room of the participating centers, or in some cases, on the floor services of the hospital (i.e., for patients with stroke occurring in hospital). If preliminary data indicate that the patient meets eligibility criteria the patient (or legally authorized representative) will be approached about participation in the study, and consent obtained. Surrogate consent will be allowed at centers at which this is permitted according to regulations. Patients who are consented through a surrogate and subsequently regain capacity, will be approached and reconsented to continue in the study. The intervention chosen for this trial is either (1) placebo for patients not taking a statin at the time of admission OR lovastatin 80 mg in place of their regular statin for patients taking a statin (atorvastatin, simvastatin, rosuvastatin, pravastatin, fluvastatin, lovastatin) at time of enrolment VERSUS (2) oral lovastatin at dosage of 640 mg daily for 3 days. The time of first dose will be considered time 0. Patients will be administered the total daily dose in four daily divided doses (i.e., QID schedule). After the initial 3 days of acute dosage, all patients will receive statin therapy at the discretion of their treating physician.

Interventions

DRUGLow Dose Lovastatin

80 mg daily for 3 days

OTHERPlacebo

Placebo for 3 days

DRUGHigh Dose Lovastatin

640 mg daily for 3 days

Sponsors

National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS)
CollaboratorNIH
Columbia University
Lead SponsorOTHER

Study design

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

Eligibility

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

Inclusion criteria

1. Age \>18 2. Satisfies the criteria for ischemic stroke: acute focal neurological deficit of likely ischemic vascular origin. 3. Patient or legally authorized representative has provided written informed consent prior to study entry. Patient who regains capacity provides his/her written consent to remain in the study. 4. Patient can receive the first treatment dose within 0-24 hours of stroke onset. For patients found with stroke on awakening, it will be assumed that the stroke occurred the last time that the patient was known to be normal. 5. Patient has pretreatment brain CT scan compatible with ischemic stroke and excludes hemorrhagic and non-vascular etiologies of symptoms. 6. Patients taking statins at time of stroke may be included. 7. Patients receiving standard dose intravenous tPA or mechanical interventional procedures may be enrolled.

Exclusion criteria

1. Brain imaging study shows a lesion other than ischemic stroke that could explain patient's symptoms (intracranial or subarachnoid hemorrhage, arteriovenous malformation, aneurysm, multiple sclerosis, tumor, abscess or other). Asymptomatic meningiomas are allowed. 2. Mild stroke, defined as NIH Stroke Scale \<2. 3. Weight \< 50 kg. 4. Patient is comatose, regardless of etiology (\> 4 points on the first three items of the NIHSS). 5. History of intolerance or allergic reaction to any statins (myotoxicity, hepatic dysfunction, rash, etc.) 6. Use of drugs within past 30 days that utilize the cytochrome CYP3A pathway (cyclosporine, itraconazole, ketoconazole, erythromycin, clarithromycin, nefazodone, posaconazole, voriconazole, dronedarone, diltiazem, colchicine and ranolazine). 7. Use of drugs within past 30 days that increase risk of myotoxicity with statins (gemfibrozil, other fibrates, niacin, amiodarone, verapamil). 8. Baseline major electrolyte disturbances (sodium \<125 or \>150, potassium \<3.0 or \>5.5). 9. Recent major trauma (\<3 months). 10. Hypothermia (body temperature \< 96F). 11. Baseline hypoxia (defined as oxygen saturation \<92% on room air). 12. History of likely or proven systemic viral infection within 30 days. 13. Known HIV infection or use of protease inhibitors. 14. Endocarditis likely as cause of stroke. 15. Mitochondrial disorder likely as cause of stroke. 16. Pregnancy or lactation. 17. History of rhabdomyolysis, myopathy, or other severe muscle disease. 18. History of hepatitis, decompensated liver disease (ascites, bleeding varices or encephalopathy), or liver failure. 19. Liver function tests (ALT, AST) \> 2 X upper limit of normal. 20. Unstable cardiovascular (includes uncontrolled hypertension), pulmonary, gastrointestinal, hepatic or musculoskeletal disease. 21. Patient has evidence of severe congestive heart failure or has history of end-stage cardiovascular disease (e.g. CHF NYHA Class III or IV or unstable angina). 22. Abnormal ECG showing: Hemodynamically significant arrhythmia or frequent PVCs (\>5/minute) (controlled atrial arrhythmia will not be an exclusion); evidence of acute myocardial infarction; Mobitz Type II 2nd degree AV block or 3rd degree AV block; ventricular tachycardia or ventricular fibrillation. 23. Significant renal insufficiency, indicated by serum creatinine \>2.0 mg/dl. 24. Hypoglycemia (glucose \< 60 mg/dl) or diabetic ketoacidosis unresponsive to therapy. 25. Any of these hematologic abnormalities: WBC \<3.0 x 103/mm3; Platelet count \<50,000/mm3 26. Received an investigational drug within 30 days. 27. Severe behavioral or social problems that may interfere with the conduct of clinical study procedures. 28. Patient unlikely, in the investigator's opinion, to complete the study and return for follow-up visits for any reason.

Design outcomes

Primary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Total Number of Participants With an Increase in Liver Function Tests (LFTs)7 DaysThe development of clinical or laboratory evidence of major hepatic toxicity within 7 days of treatment onset or the development of clinical or laboratory evidence of rhabdomyolysis within 7 days of treatment onset. The primary safety outcome will be defined as: Liver toxicity: LFT increase at any time point \> 3X upper limit of normal or development of jaundice, otherwise unexplained coagulopathy, or other clinical evidence of hepatitis or liver failure; or Muscle toxicity: An increase in CK (Creatine Kinase) at any time point \> 10 X upper limit of normal, or clinical evidence of muscle pain or weakness not related to the stroke and associated with CK \> 5 X upper limit of normal.

Secondary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Mean Score on NIH Stroke Scale (NIHSS)90 daysThe National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) is a tool used by healthcare providers to objectively quantify the impairment caused by a stroke and to measure neurological outcomes. The NIHSS is composed of 11 items, with a score range of 0-42. Higher scores indicate greater impairment caused by a stroke.
Total Number of Participants With a Barthel Index Score > 9590 daysThe Barthel Index will be used to measure functional outcomes by counting the total number of individuals with a Barthel index score greater than or equal to 95. Numerical scores based on whether an individual requires physical assistance to perform the task or can complete it independently. An individual scoring 0 points would be dependent in all assessed activities of daily living, whereas a score of 100 would reflect independence in these activities, indicative of a better outcome.
Total Number of Participants With a Modified Rankin Score of 0-190 daysThe modified Rankin Scale (mRS) is a commonly used scale for measuring the degree of disability or dependence in the daily activities of people who have suffered a stroke or other causes of neurological disability. It will be used as a measure of handicap by looking at the total number of individuals with a score of 0-1. The scale runs from 0-6, running from perfect health without symptoms (score of 0) to death (score of 6). A score of 0 indicates a better outcome.

Countries

United States

Participant flow

Participants by arm

ArmCount
Standard
Includes individuals on placebo or 80mg of Lovastatin
81
High Dose
Includes individuals on 640mg of Lovastatin
81
Total162

Withdrawals & dropouts

PeriodReasonFG000FG001
Overall StudyDid not receive at least 9 doses94

Baseline characteristics

CharacteristicStandardHigh DoseTotal
Age, Customized
≥ 18 years
81 Participants81 Participants162 Participants
Sex: Female, Male
Female
39 Participants36 Participants75 Participants
Sex: Female, Male
Male
42 Participants45 Participants87 Participants

Adverse events

Event typeEG000
affected / at risk
deaths
Total, all-cause mortality
2 / 162
other
Total, other adverse events
8 / 162
serious
Total, serious adverse events
62 / 162

Outcome results

Primary

Total Number of Participants With an Increase in Liver Function Tests (LFTs)

The development of clinical or laboratory evidence of major hepatic toxicity within 7 days of treatment onset or the development of clinical or laboratory evidence of rhabdomyolysis within 7 days of treatment onset. The primary safety outcome will be defined as: Liver toxicity: LFT increase at any time point \> 3X upper limit of normal or development of jaundice, otherwise unexplained coagulopathy, or other clinical evidence of hepatitis or liver failure; or Muscle toxicity: An increase in CK (Creatine Kinase) at any time point \> 10 X upper limit of normal, or clinical evidence of muscle pain or weakness not related to the stroke and associated with CK \> 5 X upper limit of normal.

Time frame: 7 Days

ArmMeasureValue (COUNT_OF_PARTICIPANTS)
StandardTotal Number of Participants With an Increase in Liver Function Tests (LFTs)1 Participants
High DoseTotal Number of Participants With an Increase in Liver Function Tests (LFTs)2 Participants
Secondary

Mean Score on NIH Stroke Scale (NIHSS)

The National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) is a tool used by healthcare providers to objectively quantify the impairment caused by a stroke and to measure neurological outcomes. The NIHSS is composed of 11 items, with a score range of 0-42. Higher scores indicate greater impairment caused by a stroke.

Time frame: 90 days

Population: Only includes individuals who completed the NIHSS.

ArmMeasureValue (MEAN)Dispersion
StandardMean Score on NIH Stroke Scale (NIHSS)2.5 score on a scaleStandard Deviation 3.3
High DoseMean Score on NIH Stroke Scale (NIHSS)3.3 score on a scaleStandard Deviation 4.2
Secondary

Total Number of Participants With a Barthel Index Score > 95

The Barthel Index will be used to measure functional outcomes by counting the total number of individuals with a Barthel index score greater than or equal to 95. Numerical scores based on whether an individual requires physical assistance to perform the task or can complete it independently. An individual scoring 0 points would be dependent in all assessed activities of daily living, whereas a score of 100 would reflect independence in these activities, indicative of a better outcome.

Time frame: 90 days

Population: Only includes individuals who completed Barthel Index.

ArmMeasureValue (COUNT_OF_PARTICIPANTS)
StandardTotal Number of Participants With a Barthel Index Score > 9546 Participants
High DoseTotal Number of Participants With a Barthel Index Score > 9538 Participants
Secondary

Total Number of Participants With a Modified Rankin Score of 0-1

The modified Rankin Scale (mRS) is a commonly used scale for measuring the degree of disability or dependence in the daily activities of people who have suffered a stroke or other causes of neurological disability. It will be used as a measure of handicap by looking at the total number of individuals with a score of 0-1. The scale runs from 0-6, running from perfect health without symptoms (score of 0) to death (score of 6). A score of 0 indicates a better outcome.

Time frame: 90 days

Population: Only analyzed from individuals with modified rankin scale data at Day 90.

ArmMeasureValue (COUNT_OF_PARTICIPANTS)
StandardTotal Number of Participants With a Modified Rankin Score of 0-129 Participants
High DoseTotal Number of Participants With a Modified Rankin Score of 0-131 Participants

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