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Safety and Effectiveness of 11b-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenase Type 1 Inhibitor (AZD4017) to Treat Idiopathic Intracranial Hypertension.

Lowering Intracranial Pressure in Idiopathic Intracranial Hypertension: Assessing the Therapeutic Efficacy and Safety of an 11β-hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenase Type 1 Inhibitor (AZD4017). Phase II Study.

Status
Completed
Phases
Phase 2
Study type
Interventional
Source
ClinicalTrials.gov
Registry ID
NCT02017444
Acronym
IIH:DT
Enrollment
31
Registered
2013-12-20
Start date
2014-04-25
Completion date
2016-12-19
Last updated
2021-10-27

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

Conditions

Idiopathic Intracranial Hypertension

Keywords

Pseudotumor Cerebri, Benign Intracranial Hypertension, Headaches, Tinnitus, Papilledema, Blindness, Optic Disk, Intracranial Hypertension, Clinical Trial, Phase 2, 11beta-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenase Type 1, Obesity

Brief summary

Assessing the safety and effectiveness of a 11-βhydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1 inhibitor (AZD4017), in a placebo controlled trial, in acute idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH) IIH is a condition of young, overweight women with characteristic raised intracranial pressure (pressure around the brain) leading to papilloedema (swelling of the nerve supplying the eye), visual loss and headaches. Medical literature (Cochrane review) demonstrates there is little evidence for the treatments used for IIH. Weight control appears the most effective method of improving symptoms but weight loss is difficult to maintain. 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1 (11β-HSD1) is an enzyme which regulates local steroid levels and our previous research suggests it may influence the production of brain fluid(cerebrospinal fluid or CSF). 11β-HSD1 levels fall with weight loss and this is associated with with decreased intracranial pressure. Our primary outcome is to determine whether AZD4017, an inhibitor of 11β-HSD1, will reduce the pressure in the brain and as a consequence improve IIH. Patients are eligible to enter the study if they are between 18-55 years old with acute (\<6 months) IIH, signs of active disease (papilloedema and raised CSF pressure (\>25 cmH20)), no other major illnesses and have no plans for pregnancy during the study period. This is an MRC funded single centre, phase II, double-blinded, randomised control drug trial. It will be conducted at the University Hospital Birmingham and the University of Birmingham will act as Sponsor. Eligible participants will be randomly assigned to AZD4017 or a placebo ('dummy' with no active drug) for 3 months with a follow up a month later. Investigations during the study will include bloods, urine samples, pregnancy tests, lumbar punctures, DXA scans and small fat/skin biopsies. Participants will benefit from increased monitoring and a potential improvement in their condition. We hypothesise that specific inhibition of 11β-HSD1 will decrease intracranial pressure and consequently treat patients with IIH, thus opening a new and entirely novel therapeutic avenue.

Interventions

OTHERPlacebo

Matched placebo (matched to AZD4017 arm)

Sponsors

University of Birmingham
Lead SponsorOTHER

Study design

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

Eligibility

Sex/Gender
FEMALE
Age
18 Years to 55 Years
Healthy volunteers
No

Inclusion criteria

* Provision of informed consent prior to any study specific procedures. * Female patients between 18 and 55 years * Diagnosis of IIH by the Modified Dandy criteria1 with: 1. acute (\<6 months), 2. active disease (papilloedema (Frisen grade greater than or equal to 1), 3. significantly raised ICP \> 25cmH2O) 4. normal brain imaging during previous routine diagnostic work up (evaluated by either magnetic resonance venography or computerised tomography with venography). * Patients must be willing to use one form of highly effective non-hormonal contraception. This would include: 1. a vasectomised partner (sole partner) or tubal occlusion or 2. copper containing IUD - all of which should be used in addition to a diaphragm or cervical/vault caps with barrier contraceptive (condom or spermicidal foam/gel/film/suppository) 3. true abstinence (when this is in line with the preferred and usual lifestyle of the subject. Women should have been stable on their chosen method of birth control for a minimum of 2 months before entering the trial. Patients must agree to undergo a β-hCG pregnancy test and urine dipstick test at screening and urine dipstick testing at all trial visits (including the final follow up visit 4 weeks after discontinuation of study treatment). Note: the use of contraception and pregnancy testing would not be required if the screening LH/FSH levels demonstrate the patient is post-menopausal. * Participants are able to continue other medications to treat their IIH e.g. acetazolamide, diuretics but this dose must remain fixed throughout the study. * Patients who take aspirin therapy will be asked to discontinue aspirin 3 days prior to fat and skin biopsy if clinically safe to do so. * Placebo treatment for the duration of the study must not be considered detrimental to the patient. * Must be able to understand the consent form and comply with study requirements.

Exclusion criteria

* Optic nerve sheath fenestration. * Patients who undergo CSF shunt insertion (which is not elective or pre- planned) during the study, as a result of deterioration will be withdrawn from the study. * Abnormal neurological examination (aside from papilloedema and consequent visual loss or VI nerve palsy). * Subjects with a secondary cause of raised intracranial pressure will be excluded (venous thrombosis, anaemia, drug causes (lithium, vitamin A, tetracycline or others deems responsible for the condition). * Abnormal CSF contents (except for that compatible with a traumatic LP). * Unable to perform a visual field reliably. General

Design outcomes

Primary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Intracranial Pressure12 weeksICP measured by lumbar puncture in cmCSF as the change from week 0 and week 12 of treatment, measured at baseline and week 12

Secondary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Anthropometric Measurements (BMI)12 weeksThe temporal change in Body Mass Index (in kg/m\^2) over 12 weeks of treatment, measured at baseline and week 12
Visual Loss12 weeksThe temporal change in IIH symptoms (presence or absence of visual loss, measured at baseline and week 12
Diplopia12 weeksThe temporal change in IIH symptoms (presence or absence of diplopia, measured at baseline and week 12
Visual Obscuration12 weeksThe temporal change in IIH symptoms (presence or absence of visual obscuration, measured at baseline and week 12
Headache12 weeksThe temporal change in IIH symptoms (presence or absence of headache, measured at baseline and week 12
Visual Acuity12 weeksThe temporal change in IIH visual function in both eyes (measured by LogMAR (log of the minimum angle of resolution) chart to assess visual acuity, between the baseline to week 12, measured at baseline and week 12
Tinnitus12 weeksThe temporal change in IIH symptoms (presence or absence of tinnitus), measured at baseline and week 12
Headache-associated Disability12 weeksThe change in headache associated disability through the headache impact test-6 score (HIT 6), measured at baseline and week 12. This is scored 11-66 with higher scores indicating worse headache.
Adverse Events16 weeksThe safety and tolerability profile of AZD4017 in female patients with IIH through adverse event reporting and safety bloods.
Serious Adverse Events16 weeksThe safety and tolerability profile of AZD4017 in female patients with IIH through adverse event reporting and safety bloods.
OCT Total Average Retinal Nerve Fibre Layer Thickness (μm)12 weeksThe temporal change in OCT Total average retinal nerve fibre layer thickness (μm), measured at baseline and week 12
Visual Field Mean Deviation12 weeksThe temporal change in IIH visual function in both eyes using automated perimetry (Humphrey 24-2 central threshold) to measure the visual field mean deviation between the baseline to week 12
Log Contrast Sensitivity12 weeksThe temporal change in IIH visual function in both eyes using a Pelli-Robson chart to evaluate log contrast sensitivity between the baseline to week 12
Papilloedema12 weeksThe temporal change in papilloedema (evaluated at the end of trial follow up using stereoscopic fundus photographs by masked neuro-ophthalmologists to grade the images according to Frisen classification) measured at baseline and week 12. There are 6 grades, 0-5, 5 being the worst. The modified Frisén scale for grading papilledema using fundus photography is as follows: Grade 1 - C-Shaped halo with a temporal gap Grade 2 - The halo becomes circumferential Grade 3 - Loss of major vessels as they leave the disc Grade 4 - Loss of major vessels on the disc Grade 5 - Criteria of Grade IV + partial or total obscuration of all vessels on the disc For further details see e.g. Scott, C.J., et al., Diagnosis and grading of papilledema in patients with raised intracranial pressure using optical coherence tomography vs clinical expert assessment using a clinical staging scale. Arch. Ophthalmol, 2010. 128(6): p. 705-711.

Countries

United Kingdom

Participant flow

Participants by arm

ArmCount
Placebo
Matched placebo tablet B.D for 12 weeks Placebo: Matched placebo (matched to AZD4017 arm)
14
AZD4017 (11b-HSD1 Inhibitor)
AZD4017 400mg tablet B.D. for 12 weeks AZD4017
17
Total31

Withdrawals & dropouts

PeriodReasonFG000FG001
Overall StudyPatient withdrawn day after randomisation as found to be ineligible. Did not return for follow up.10
Overall StudyPhysician Decision10

Baseline characteristics

CharacteristicTotalPlaceboAZD4017 (11b-HSD1 Inhibitor)
Age, Continuous31.2 years
STANDARD_DEVIATION 6.9
32.4 years
STANDARD_DEVIATION 8
30.1 years
STANDARD_DEVIATION 5.9
BMI (kg/m^2)39.2 kg/m^2
STANDARD_DEVIATION 12.6
41.2 kg/m^2
STANDARD_DEVIATION 16.6
37.3 kg/m^2
STANDARD_DEVIATION 7.2
Frisen grading (Worst eye)
1
6 Participants2 Participants4 Participants
Frisen grading (Worst eye)
2
14 Participants5 Participants9 Participants
Frisen grading (Worst eye)
3
3 Participants3 Participants0 Participants
Frisen grading (Worst eye)
4
3 Participants1 Participants2 Participants
Frisen grading (Worst eye)
5
1 Participants0 Participants1 Participants
Frisen grading (Worst eye)
missing
1 Participants1 Participants0 Participants
Headache Impact Test 6 (HIT-6) Score63.6 HIT-6 score (higher is worse)
STANDARD_DEVIATION 8
63.4 HIT-6 score (higher is worse)
STANDARD_DEVIATION 8.1
63.8 HIT-6 score (higher is worse)
STANDARD_DEVIATION 8.2
Opening LP pressure (cmCSF)33.3 cmCSF
STANDARD_DEVIATION 5.6
32.7 cmCSF
STANDARD_DEVIATION 4.8
33.7 cmCSF
STANDARD_DEVIATION 6.3
Presence of diplopia
Absence
19 Participants9 Participants10 Participants
Presence of diplopia
Presence
12 Participants5 Participants7 Participants
Presence of headache
Absence
1 Participants0 Participants1 Participants
Presence of headache
Presence
30 Participants14 Participants16 Participants
Presence of Pulsatile Tinnitus
Absence
6 Participants1 Participants5 Participants
Presence of Pulsatile Tinnitus
Presence
25 Participants13 Participants12 Participants
Presence of visual loss
Absence
19 Participants6 Participants13 Participants
Presence of visual loss
Presence
12 Participants8 Participants4 Participants
Presence of Visual obscuration
Absence
19 Participants8 Participants11 Participants
Presence of Visual obscuration
Presence
12 Participants6 Participants6 Participants
Race/Ethnicity, Customized
Asian/Asian British - Other Asian
1 Participants1 Participants0 Participants
Race/Ethnicity, Customized
Asian/Asian British - Pakistani
1 Participants0 Participants1 Participants
Race/Ethnicity, Customized
White British
29 Participants13 Participants16 Participants
Region of Enrollment
United Kingdom
31 participants14 participants17 participants
Sex: Female, Male
Female
31 Participants14 Participants17 Participants
Sex: Female, Male
Male
0 Participants0 Participants0 Participants
Taking acetazolamide (yes/no)
No
21 Participants10 Participants11 Participants
Taking acetazolamide (yes/no)
Yes
10 Participants4 Participants6 Participants
Weight (kg)102.6 kg
STANDARD_DEVIATION 32.3
108 kg
STANDARD_DEVIATION 42.3
97.9 kg
STANDARD_DEVIATION 21.3

Adverse events

Event typeEG000
affected / at risk
EG001
affected / at risk
deaths
Total, all-cause mortality
0 / 140 / 17
other
Total, other adverse events
11 / 1416 / 17
serious
Total, serious adverse events
1 / 140 / 17

Outcome results

Primary

Intracranial Pressure

ICP measured by lumbar puncture in cmCSF as the change from week 0 and week 12 of treatment, measured at baseline and week 12

Time frame: 12 weeks

ArmMeasureValue (MEAN)Dispersion
PlaceboIntracranial Pressure-0.3 cmCSFStandard Deviation 5.9
AZD4017 (11b-HSD1 Inhibitor)Intracranial Pressure-4.3 cmCSFStandard Deviation 5.7
Secondary

Adverse Events

The safety and tolerability profile of AZD4017 in female patients with IIH through adverse event reporting and safety bloods.

Time frame: 16 weeks

ArmMeasureValue (NUMBER)
PlaceboAdverse Events0 AEs related to intervention
AZD4017 (11b-HSD1 Inhibitor)Adverse Events9 AEs related to intervention
Secondary

Anthropometric Measurements (BMI)

The temporal change in Body Mass Index (in kg/m\^2) over 12 weeks of treatment, measured at baseline and week 12

Time frame: 12 weeks

ArmMeasureValue (MEAN)Dispersion
PlaceboAnthropometric Measurements (BMI)37.4 kg/m^2Standard Deviation 8.4
AZD4017 (11b-HSD1 Inhibitor)Anthropometric Measurements (BMI)37.5 kg/m^2Standard Deviation 6.9
Secondary

Diplopia

The temporal change in IIH symptoms (presence or absence of diplopia, measured at baseline and week 12

Time frame: 12 weeks

ArmMeasureGroupValue (COUNT_OF_PARTICIPANTS)
PlaceboDiplopiaPresence1 Participants
PlaceboDiplopiaAbsence11 Participants
AZD4017 (11b-HSD1 Inhibitor)DiplopiaPresence2 Participants
AZD4017 (11b-HSD1 Inhibitor)DiplopiaAbsence15 Participants
Secondary

Headache

The temporal change in IIH symptoms (presence or absence of headache, measured at baseline and week 12

Time frame: 12 weeks

ArmMeasureGroupValue (COUNT_OF_PARTICIPANTS)
PlaceboHeadachePresence10 Participants
PlaceboHeadacheAbsence2 Participants
AZD4017 (11b-HSD1 Inhibitor)HeadachePresence13 Participants
AZD4017 (11b-HSD1 Inhibitor)HeadacheAbsence4 Participants
Secondary

Headache-associated Disability

The change in headache associated disability through the headache impact test-6 score (HIT 6), measured at baseline and week 12. This is scored 11-66 with higher scores indicating worse headache.

Time frame: 12 weeks

ArmMeasureValue (MEAN)Dispersion
PlaceboHeadache-associated Disability59.8 Score on HIT-6 scaleStandard Error 7.9
AZD4017 (11b-HSD1 Inhibitor)Headache-associated Disability60.1 Score on HIT-6 scaleStandard Error 11.6
Secondary

Log Contrast Sensitivity

The temporal change in IIH visual function in both eyes using a Pelli-Robson chart to evaluate log contrast sensitivity between the baseline to week 12

Time frame: 12 weeks

Population: NB: assessment at 12 weeks not completed for 2 participants (placebo).

ArmMeasureGroupValue (MEAN)Dispersion
PlaceboLog Contrast SensitivityBaseline LCS worst eye1.63 Log contrast senstivityStandard Deviation 0.16
PlaceboLog Contrast SensitivityWeek 12 LCS worst eye1.66 Log contrast senstivityStandard Deviation 0.12
AZD4017 (11b-HSD1 Inhibitor)Log Contrast SensitivityBaseline LCS worst eye1.63 Log contrast senstivityStandard Deviation 0.22
AZD4017 (11b-HSD1 Inhibitor)Log Contrast SensitivityWeek 12 LCS worst eye1.65 Log contrast senstivityStandard Deviation 0.15
Secondary

OCT Total Average Retinal Nerve Fibre Layer Thickness (μm)

The temporal change in OCT Total average retinal nerve fibre layer thickness (μm), measured at baseline and week 12

Time frame: 12 weeks

Population: NB: assessment missed in participants of both arms due to centre capacity.

ArmMeasureGroupValue (MEAN)Dispersion
PlaceboOCT Total Average Retinal Nerve Fibre Layer Thickness (μm)Total average retinal nerve fibre layer baseline worst ete158.4 μmStandard Deviation 83
PlaceboOCT Total Average Retinal Nerve Fibre Layer Thickness (μm)Total average retinal nerve fibre layer week 12 worst eye143.2 μmStandard Deviation 78.7
AZD4017 (11b-HSD1 Inhibitor)OCT Total Average Retinal Nerve Fibre Layer Thickness (μm)Total average retinal nerve fibre layer baseline worst ete152 μmStandard Deviation 68.7
AZD4017 (11b-HSD1 Inhibitor)OCT Total Average Retinal Nerve Fibre Layer Thickness (μm)Total average retinal nerve fibre layer week 12 worst eye139.7 μmStandard Deviation 56.3
Secondary

Papilloedema

The temporal change in papilloedema (evaluated at the end of trial follow up using stereoscopic fundus photographs by masked neuro-ophthalmologists to grade the images according to Frisen classification) measured at baseline and week 12. There are 6 grades, 0-5, 5 being the worst. The modified Frisén scale for grading papilledema using fundus photography is as follows: Grade 1 - C-Shaped halo with a temporal gap Grade 2 - The halo becomes circumferential Grade 3 - Loss of major vessels as they leave the disc Grade 4 - Loss of major vessels on the disc Grade 5 - Criteria of Grade IV + partial or total obscuration of all vessels on the disc For further details see e.g. Scott, C.J., et al., Diagnosis and grading of papilledema in patients with raised intracranial pressure using optical coherence tomography vs clinical expert assessment using a clinical staging scale. Arch. Ophthalmol, 2010. 128(6): p. 705-711.

Time frame: 12 weeks

Population: NB: assessment missed for one participant at baseline

ArmMeasureGroupValue (COUNT_OF_PARTICIPANTS)
PlaceboPapilloedemaFrisen grade 0 baseline0 Participants
PlaceboPapilloedemaFrisen grade 0 week 120 Participants
PlaceboPapilloedemaFrisen grade 1 baseline2 Participants
PlaceboPapilloedemaFrisen grade 1 week 122 Participants
PlaceboPapilloedemaFrisen grade 2 baseline5 Participants
PlaceboPapilloedemaFrisen grade 2 week 126 Participants
PlaceboPapilloedemaFrisen grade 3 baseline3 Participants
PlaceboPapilloedemaFrisen grade 3 week 123 Participants
PlaceboPapilloedemaFrisen grade 4 baseline1 Participants
PlaceboPapilloedemaFrisen grade 4 week 121 Participants
PlaceboPapilloedemaFrisen grade 5 baseline0 Participants
PlaceboPapilloedemaFrisen grade 5 week 120 Participants
AZD4017 (11b-HSD1 Inhibitor)PapilloedemaFrisen grade 5 baseline1 Participants
AZD4017 (11b-HSD1 Inhibitor)PapilloedemaFrisen grade 0 baseline0 Participants
AZD4017 (11b-HSD1 Inhibitor)PapilloedemaFrisen grade 3 baseline0 Participants
AZD4017 (11b-HSD1 Inhibitor)PapilloedemaFrisen grade 0 week 122 Participants
AZD4017 (11b-HSD1 Inhibitor)PapilloedemaFrisen grade 4 week 121 Participants
AZD4017 (11b-HSD1 Inhibitor)PapilloedemaFrisen grade 1 baseline4 Participants
AZD4017 (11b-HSD1 Inhibitor)PapilloedemaFrisen grade 3 week 120 Participants
AZD4017 (11b-HSD1 Inhibitor)PapilloedemaFrisen grade 1 week 125 Participants
AZD4017 (11b-HSD1 Inhibitor)PapilloedemaFrisen grade 5 week 120 Participants
AZD4017 (11b-HSD1 Inhibitor)PapilloedemaFrisen grade 2 baseline9 Participants
AZD4017 (11b-HSD1 Inhibitor)PapilloedemaFrisen grade 4 baseline2 Participants
AZD4017 (11b-HSD1 Inhibitor)PapilloedemaFrisen grade 2 week 128 Participants
Secondary

Serious Adverse Events

The safety and tolerability profile of AZD4017 in female patients with IIH through adverse event reporting and safety bloods.

Time frame: 16 weeks

ArmMeasureValue (NUMBER)
PlaceboSerious Adverse Events1 Serious adverse events
AZD4017 (11b-HSD1 Inhibitor)Serious Adverse Events0 Serious adverse events
Secondary

Tinnitus

The temporal change in IIH symptoms (presence or absence of tinnitus), measured at baseline and week 12

Time frame: 12 weeks

ArmMeasureGroupValue (COUNT_OF_PARTICIPANTS)
PlaceboTinnitusPresence7 Participants
PlaceboTinnitusAbsence5 Participants
AZD4017 (11b-HSD1 Inhibitor)TinnitusPresence9 Participants
AZD4017 (11b-HSD1 Inhibitor)TinnitusAbsence8 Participants
Secondary

Visual Acuity

The temporal change in IIH visual function in both eyes (measured by LogMAR (log of the minimum angle of resolution) chart to assess visual acuity, between the baseline to week 12, measured at baseline and week 12

Time frame: 12 weeks

ArmMeasureGroupValue (MEAN)Dispersion
PlaceboVisual AcuityBaseline LVA worst eye0.13 LogMAR (log of the minimum angle of resoStandard Deviation 0.22
PlaceboVisual AcuityWeek 12 LVA worst eye0.09 LogMAR (log of the minimum angle of resoStandard Deviation 0.18
AZD4017 (11b-HSD1 Inhibitor)Visual AcuityBaseline LVA worst eye0.08 LogMAR (log of the minimum angle of resoStandard Deviation 0.23
AZD4017 (11b-HSD1 Inhibitor)Visual AcuityWeek 12 LVA worst eye0.06 LogMAR (log of the minimum angle of resoStandard Deviation 0.15
Secondary

Visual Field Mean Deviation

The temporal change in IIH visual function in both eyes using automated perimetry (Humphrey 24-2 central threshold) to measure the visual field mean deviation between the baseline to week 12

Time frame: 12 weeks

Population: NB: assessment at 12 weeks not completed for 2 participants.

ArmMeasureGroupValue (MEAN)Dispersion
PlaceboVisual Field Mean DeviationBaseline MD worst eye-3.4 Visual field mean deviationStandard Deviation 6.8
PlaceboVisual Field Mean DeviationWeek 12 MD worst eye-2.2 Visual field mean deviationStandard Deviation 3.1
AZD4017 (11b-HSD1 Inhibitor)Visual Field Mean DeviationBaseline MD worst eye-6.1 Visual field mean deviationStandard Deviation 5.4
AZD4017 (11b-HSD1 Inhibitor)Visual Field Mean DeviationWeek 12 MD worst eye-3.4 Visual field mean deviationStandard Deviation 3.2
Secondary

Visual Loss

The temporal change in IIH symptoms (presence or absence of visual loss, measured at baseline and week 12

Time frame: 12 weeks

ArmMeasureGroupValue (COUNT_OF_PARTICIPANTS)
PlaceboVisual LossPresence7 Participants
PlaceboVisual LossAbsence4 Participants
AZD4017 (11b-HSD1 Inhibitor)Visual LossPresence6 Participants
AZD4017 (11b-HSD1 Inhibitor)Visual LossAbsence11 Participants
Secondary

Visual Obscuration

The temporal change in IIH symptoms (presence or absence of visual obscuration, measured at baseline and week 12

Time frame: 12 weeks

ArmMeasureGroupValue (COUNT_OF_PARTICIPANTS)
PlaceboVisual ObscurationPresence2 Participants
PlaceboVisual ObscurationAbsence9 Participants
AZD4017 (11b-HSD1 Inhibitor)Visual ObscurationPresence2 Participants
AZD4017 (11b-HSD1 Inhibitor)Visual ObscurationAbsence15 Participants

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Data processed: Feb 26, 2026