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Safinamide for Multiple System Atrophy (MSA)

12-weeks, Multicentre, Randomized, Double-blind, Placebo-controlled, Exploratory, Pilot Study to Evaluate the Safety and Efficacy of Safinamide 200 mg OD, as add-on Therapy, in Patients With Possible or Probable Parkinsonian Variant of MSA

Status
Completed
Phases
Phase 2
Study type
Interventional
Source
ClinicalTrials.gov
Registry ID
NCT03753763
Enrollment
49
Registered
2018-11-27
Start date
2019-10-29
Completion date
2021-01-05
Last updated
2021-10-13

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

Conditions

Multiple System Atrophy

Keywords

MSA, safinamide

Brief summary

The study is a placebo controlled study, with two parallel arms, in which participants will be randomly assigned in a 2:1 ratio to receive either active (200 mg safinamide) or placebo in a double blind manner. Study population is patients diagnosed, with possible or probable parkinsonian variant of Multiple System Atrophy who are on a stable treatment of levodopa

Detailed description

The overall design is a parallel group, placebo controlled, double blind study. The target population are participants diagnosed with possible or probable parkinsonian variant of Multiple System Atrophy who are on stable doses of levodopa. Trial participation will be up to a maximum duration of 14 weeks and will comprise a screening period (up to 2 weeks), a 2-week run in period during which subjects will receive 1 tablet (either 100 mg safinamide or matching placebo), followed by a 10-week period, during which study participants will take 2 tablets of study medication (200 mg safinamide or placebo) once daily, taken in the morning in addition to their morning levodopa dose. A telephone follow-up call will be performed 2 weeks after the end of treatment.

Interventions

Sponsors

Zambon SpA
Lead SponsorINDUSTRY

Study design

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

Eligibility

Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
30 Years to 80 Years
Healthy volunteers
No

Inclusion criteria

1. Participant must be 30 to 80 years of age inclusive, at the time of signing the informed consent; 2. Participants who are diagnosed (with MRI confirmation) with possible or probable parkinsonian variant of Multiple System Atrophy less than 2 years ago; 3. Participants with an anticipated survival of at least 3 years in the opinion of the investigator; 4. Female not pregnant, not breastfeeding, and at least one of the following conditions applies: * Not a woman of childbearing potential OR * A woman of childbearing potential who agrees to follow the contraceptive guidance during the treatment period and for at least 30 days after the last dose of study intervention; 5. Capable of giving signed informed consent

Exclusion criteria

1. History of neurosurgical procedure, including stereotactic surgery; 2. History of Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS); 3. History of bipolar disorder, severe depression, schizophrenia or other psychotic disorder; 4. History of drug and/or alcohol abuse within 12 months prior to screening as defined by the current edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders; 5. History of dementia (DSM-V criteria); 6. Ophthalmologic history including any of the following conditions: albinism, uveitis, retinitis pigmentosa, retinal degeneration, active retinopathy, severe progressive diabetic retinopathy, inherited retinopathy or family history of hereditary retinal disease; 7. Active hepatitis B or C; 8. History of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection; 9. Subjects not able to swallow oral medications; 10. Subjects with severe orthostatic symptoms; 11. Impaired ambulation, i.e. falling more than once per week, bedridden patients or confined to a wheelchair during the whole day; 12. Subjects with active malignant neoplasms; 13. Movement disorders other than MSA (e.g. Parkinson Disease, dementia with Lewy bodies, essential tremor, progressive supranuclear palsy, pharmacological or post-encephalic parkinsonism); 14. Any clinically significant or unstable medical or surgical condition that, in the opinion of the investigator, might preclude safe completion of the study or might affect the results of the study; 15. Not on a stable regime, for at least 4 weeks prior to the randomization (baseline visit), of 1. oral levodopa (including controlled release, immediate release or a combination of controlled release/immediate release), with or without benserazide/carbidopa, with or without addition of a catechol O-methyltransferase (COMT) inhibitor or 2. dopamine agonist, anticholinergic and/or amantadine. 16. Patients should not have received treatment with monoamine oxidase inhibitors in the 2 weeks prior to the randomization visit, nor treatment with levodopa infusion, pethidine, opiates, opioids, fluoxetine, fluvoxamine in the 4 weeks prior to the randomization visit; 17. Patients should not have received treatment with an oral or depot neuroleptic within 12 weeks prior to the randomization visit; 18. Use of any investigational drug within 30 days prior to screening or 5 half-lives, whichever is the longest; 19. Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) ≤ 20; 20. Laboratory assessments showing moderate or severe hepatic impairment (2x ULN); 21. Allergy/sensitivity or contraindications to the investigational medicinal products (IMPs) or their excipients, anticonvulsants, levodopa or other anti-parkinsonian drugs; 22. Any clinically significant condition which, in the opinion of the Investigator, would not be compatible with study participation or represent a risk for patients while in the study.

Design outcomes

Primary

MeasureTime frameDescription
TEAEs (Treatment Emergent Adverse Events) and SAEs (Serious Adverse Events)Throughout the study, from baseline (and at each interim visit) to telephone follow-up visit at 14 week.While evaluating safety and tolerability of safinamide, 200 mg od, compared with placebo, severity of TEAEs, their relationship to study drug, their seriousness and their consequences were assessed. TEAEs were defined as adverse events (AEs) that started after the first dose of study drug.

Secondary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Change From Baseline to Week 12 in the Goniometric Measurement for Lateral DisplacementFrom baseline to week 12To evaluate the potential efficacy of safinamide 200 mg od, as add-on therapy, on quality of life (change in anterior displacement). The goniometric measurement consists in the posture evaluation of the patient, measuring through a goniometer the angle of the flexion of the trunk. Goniometric measurement of lateral displacement was determined using a wall goniometer and expressing the value in degrees in the range of 0 to 90.
Change From Baseline to Week 12 in Unified Multiple System Atrophy Rating Scale (UMSARS), Part II (ITT Population)From baseline to week 12UMSARS is a validated, disease-specific scale representing the diverse signs and symptoms in MSA. Higher scores on the UMSARS scales mean poorer health. UMSARS has the following domains: Part I - Activities of Daily Living score (12 questions ranged in 0-4 \[total score 0-48\]) that evaluates motor including autonomic activities Part II - Motor Examination score (14 questions, \[total score 0-56\]) Part III - Autonomic Examination Part IV - Global disability scale ((1=completely independent; 2=not completely independent; 3=more dependent; 4=very dependent; 5=total dependent and helpless). Only UMSARS Part II total score is reported, which was obtained as the sum of the 14 items in the scale. If any of the items were missing, then the total score was considered missing. Higher scores indicate worse functional situation.
Change From Baseline to Week 12 in Unified Multiple System Atrophy Rating Scale (UMSARS), Part II (PP Population)From baseline to week 12UMSARS is a validated, disease-specific scale representing the diverse signs and symptoms in MSA. Higher scores on the UMSARS scales mean poorer health. UMSARS has the following domains: Part I - Activities of Daily Living score (12 questions ranged in 0-4 \[total score 0-48\]) that evaluates motor including autonomic activities Part II - Motor Examination score (14 questions, \[total score 0-56\]) Part III - Autonomic Examination Part IV - Global disability scale ((1=completely independent; 2=not completely independent; 3=more dependent; 4=very dependent; 5=total dependent and helpless). Only UMSARS Part II total score is reported, which was obtained as the sum of the 14 items in the scale. If any of the items were missing, then the total score was considered missing. Higher scores indicate worse functional situation.
Change From Baseline to Week 12 in the Goniometric Measurement for Anterior DisplacementFrom baseline to week 12To evaluate the potential efficacy of safinamide 200 mg od, as add-on therapy, on quality of life (change in anterior displacement). The goniometric measurement consists in the posture evaluation of the patient, measuring through a goniometer the angle of the flexion of the trunk. Goniometric measurement of anterior displacement was determined using a wall goniometer and expressing the value in degrees in the range of 0 to 90.
Change From Baseline to Week 12 in Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) ScaleFrom baseline to week 12The Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) was designed as a tool for rapid screening for mild cognitive impairment. It evaluates different cognitive domains: attention and concentration, executive functions, memory, language, visuoconstructive skills, abstraction, calculation and orientation. The administration time of the MoCa is 10 minutes. The MoCA scale ranges from 0 to 30, with higher scores indicating better cognitive functioning.
Change From Baseline to Week 12 in Unified Dystonia Rating Scale (UDRS)From baseline to week 12UDRS consists of a Historical Section, divided into questionnaires about 1) on-dyskinesia and 2) off -dystonia, and an Objective Section, divided into 3) impairment and 4) disability scales. The Historical Section is scored from 0-60, and the Objective section is scored 0-44, where higher scores reflect greater difficulty or impairment. The Unified Dystonia Rating Scale (UDRS) assesses the motor severity and duration of dystonia in 14 body areas. The total score, obtained as the sum of the severity and duration factors, ranges from 0 to 112. Higher scores indicate worse dystonia.
Change From Baseline to Week 12 in Multiple System Atrophy Health-Related Quality of Life (MSA-QoL) ScaleFrom baseline to week 12The MSA-QoL is a self-reported questionnaire focusing on MSA-specific symptoms and has a scale ranging from 0 to 160, with 0= 'no problem' and 160= extreme problem.

Countries

Italy, Spain

Participant flow

Recruitment details

Approximately 56 participants were planned to be screened in order to achieve 49 participants randomly assigned (2:1) to study drug and 42 evaluable participants, resulting in a planned estimated total of 32 evaluable participants receiving safinamide and 17 evaluable participants receiving matching placebo. Only 42 completed the study while 7 discontinued it.

Pre-assignment details

Participants (males and females between 30 and 80 years) diagnosed with possible or probable parkinsonian variant of MSA \<2 years before, with MRI consistent with the diagnosis of MSA, and not suggesting an alternative explanation to the clinical diagnosis of MSA, and with an anticipated survival of at least 3 years in the opinion of the Investigator.

Participants by arm

ArmCount
Safinamide
Safinamide methanesulfonate film-coated tablets once daily. During the titration period of 2 weeks (Week 1 to Week 2) participants received 1 tablet (100 mg) safinamide, while during the treatment period (Week 3 to Week 12) they received 2 tablets (200 mg) safinamide once-a-day, taken in the morning, in addition to their daily levodopa dose.
32
Placebo
Safinamide methanesulfonate matching placebo film-coated tablets once daily. Safinamide matching placebo was administered both during the titration period of 2 weeks (Week 1 to Week 2) and during the following period (Week 3 to Week 12), once daily, taken in the morning, in addition to their daily levodopa dose.
17
Total49

Withdrawals & dropouts

PeriodReasonFG000FG001
Overall StudyAdverse Event20
Overall Studyclinical deterioration10
Overall StudyWithdrawal by Subject31

Baseline characteristics

CharacteristicSafinamidePlaceboTotal
Age, Categorical
<=18 years
0 Participants0 Participants0 Participants
Age, Categorical
>=65 years
15 Participants6 Participants21 Participants
Age, Categorical
Between 18 and 65 years
17 Participants11 Participants28 Participants
Age, Continuous65.8 years
STANDARD_DEVIATION 8.23
62.8 years
STANDARD_DEVIATION 10.27
64.7 years
STANDARD_DEVIATION 9
Race (NIH/OMB)
American Indian or Alaska Native
0 Participants0 Participants0 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
Asian
1 Participants0 Participants1 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
Black or African American
0 Participants0 Participants0 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
More than one race
0 Participants0 Participants0 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander
0 Participants0 Participants0 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
Unknown or Not Reported
0 Participants0 Participants0 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
White
31 Participants17 Participants48 Participants
Region of Enrollment
Italy
23 participants13 participants36 participants
Region of Enrollment
Spain
9 participants4 participants13 participants
Sex: Female, Male
Female
20 Participants6 Participants26 Participants
Sex: Female, Male
Male
12 Participants11 Participants23 Participants

Adverse events

Event typeEG000
affected / at risk
EG001
affected / at risk
deaths
Total, all-cause mortality
1 / 320 / 17
other
Total, other adverse events
21 / 3211 / 17
serious
Total, serious adverse events
2 / 320 / 17

Outcome results

Primary

TEAEs (Treatment Emergent Adverse Events) and SAEs (Serious Adverse Events)

While evaluating safety and tolerability of safinamide, 200 mg od, compared with placebo, severity of TEAEs, their relationship to study drug, their seriousness and their consequences were assessed. TEAEs were defined as adverse events (AEs) that started after the first dose of study drug.

Time frame: Throughout the study, from baseline (and at each interim visit) to telephone follow-up visit at 14 week.

Population: The Safety Population included all randomized participants who took at least 1 dose of study drug. This population was used to summarize all safety data.

ArmMeasureGroupValue (NUMBER)
SafinamideTEAEs (Treatment Emergent Adverse Events) and SAEs (Serious Adverse Events)Moderate TEAEs4 events
SafinamideTEAEs (Treatment Emergent Adverse Events) and SAEs (Serious Adverse Events)AEs leading to death1 events
SafinamideTEAEs (Treatment Emergent Adverse Events) and SAEs (Serious Adverse Events)Severe TEAEs3 events
SafinamideTEAEs (Treatment Emergent Adverse Events) and SAEs (Serious Adverse Events)TEAEs leading to study drug withdrawal1 events
SafinamideTEAEs (Treatment Emergent Adverse Events) and SAEs (Serious Adverse Events)Serious TEAEs2 events
SafinamideTEAEs (Treatment Emergent Adverse Events) and SAEs (Serious Adverse Events)Any TEAEs52 events
SafinamideTEAEs (Treatment Emergent Adverse Events) and SAEs (Serious Adverse Events)Study drug-related TEAEs15 events
SafinamideTEAEs (Treatment Emergent Adverse Events) and SAEs (Serious Adverse Events)Mild TEAEs49 events
PlaceboTEAEs (Treatment Emergent Adverse Events) and SAEs (Serious Adverse Events)Study drug-related TEAEs11 events
PlaceboTEAEs (Treatment Emergent Adverse Events) and SAEs (Serious Adverse Events)Mild TEAEs21 events
PlaceboTEAEs (Treatment Emergent Adverse Events) and SAEs (Serious Adverse Events)TEAEs leading to study drug withdrawal0 events
PlaceboTEAEs (Treatment Emergent Adverse Events) and SAEs (Serious Adverse Events)AEs leading to death0 events
PlaceboTEAEs (Treatment Emergent Adverse Events) and SAEs (Serious Adverse Events)Any TEAEs28 events
PlaceboTEAEs (Treatment Emergent Adverse Events) and SAEs (Serious Adverse Events)Moderate TEAEs5 events
PlaceboTEAEs (Treatment Emergent Adverse Events) and SAEs (Serious Adverse Events)Severe TEAEs4 events
PlaceboTEAEs (Treatment Emergent Adverse Events) and SAEs (Serious Adverse Events)Serious TEAEs0 events
Secondary

Change From Baseline to Week 12 in Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) Scale

The Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) was designed as a tool for rapid screening for mild cognitive impairment. It evaluates different cognitive domains: attention and concentration, executive functions, memory, language, visuoconstructive skills, abstraction, calculation and orientation. The administration time of the MoCa is 10 minutes. The MoCA scale ranges from 0 to 30, with higher scores indicating better cognitive functioning.

Time frame: From baseline to week 12

Population: The ITT Population included all randomized participants. This population was used for all efficacy variables.

ArmMeasureValue (MEAN)Dispersion
SafinamideChange From Baseline to Week 12 in Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) Scale0.0 score on a scaleStandard Deviation 2.01
PlaceboChange From Baseline to Week 12 in Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) Scale-0.3 score on a scaleStandard Deviation 2.09
Comparison: The ANCOVA included change from baseline as the response variable, treatment group as a factor, and baseline score as a covariatep-value: 0.757495% CI: [-1.1, 1.5]ANCOVA
Secondary

Change From Baseline to Week 12 in Multiple System Atrophy Health-Related Quality of Life (MSA-QoL) Scale

The MSA-QoL is a self-reported questionnaire focusing on MSA-specific symptoms and has a scale ranging from 0 to 160, with 0= 'no problem' and 160= extreme problem.

Time frame: From baseline to week 12

Population: The ITT Population included all randomized participants. This population was used for all efficacy variables

ArmMeasureValue (MEAN)Dispersion
SafinamideChange From Baseline to Week 12 in Multiple System Atrophy Health-Related Quality of Life (MSA-QoL) Scale5.6 units on a scaleStandard Deviation 25.57
PlaceboChange From Baseline to Week 12 in Multiple System Atrophy Health-Related Quality of Life (MSA-QoL) Scale-2.9 units on a scaleStandard Deviation 14.37
Comparison: The model included treatment, week of visit, and treatment-by-visit interaction as fixed effects and baseline score as a covariate.p-value: 0.336495% CI: [-6.5, 18.6]Mixed Models Analysis
Secondary

Change From Baseline to Week 12 in the Goniometric Measurement for Anterior Displacement

To evaluate the potential efficacy of safinamide 200 mg od, as add-on therapy, on quality of life (change in anterior displacement). The goniometric measurement consists in the posture evaluation of the patient, measuring through a goniometer the angle of the flexion of the trunk. Goniometric measurement of anterior displacement was determined using a wall goniometer and expressing the value in degrees in the range of 0 to 90.

Time frame: From baseline to week 12

Population: The ITT Population included all randomized participants. This population was used for all efficacy variables.

ArmMeasureValue (MEAN)Dispersion
SafinamideChange From Baseline to Week 12 in the Goniometric Measurement for Anterior Displacement1.3 degreesStandard Deviation 9.46
PlaceboChange From Baseline to Week 12 in the Goniometric Measurement for Anterior Displacement0.9 degreesStandard Deviation 8.01
Comparison: The model included treatment, week of visit, and treatment-by-visit interaction as fixed effects and baseline score as a covariate.p-value: 0.969795% CI: [-6.3, 6.5]Mixed Models Analysis
Secondary

Change From Baseline to Week 12 in the Goniometric Measurement for Lateral Displacement

To evaluate the potential efficacy of safinamide 200 mg od, as add-on therapy, on quality of life (change in anterior displacement). The goniometric measurement consists in the posture evaluation of the patient, measuring through a goniometer the angle of the flexion of the trunk. Goniometric measurement of lateral displacement was determined using a wall goniometer and expressing the value in degrees in the range of 0 to 90.

Time frame: From baseline to week 12

Population: The ITT Population included all randomized participants. This population was used for all efficacy variables.

ArmMeasureValue (MEAN)Dispersion
SafinamideChange From Baseline to Week 12 in the Goniometric Measurement for Lateral Displacement1.3 degreesStandard Deviation 5.08
PlaceboChange From Baseline to Week 12 in the Goniometric Measurement for Lateral Displacement-0.2 degreesStandard Deviation 4.47
Comparison: The model included treatment, week of visit, and treatment-by-visit interaction as fixed effects and baseline score as a covariatep-value: 0.775195% CI: [-3.1, 4.1]Mixed Models Analysis
Secondary

Change From Baseline to Week 12 in Unified Dystonia Rating Scale (UDRS)

UDRS consists of a Historical Section, divided into questionnaires about 1) on-dyskinesia and 2) off -dystonia, and an Objective Section, divided into 3) impairment and 4) disability scales. The Historical Section is scored from 0-60, and the Objective section is scored 0-44, where higher scores reflect greater difficulty or impairment. The Unified Dystonia Rating Scale (UDRS) assesses the motor severity and duration of dystonia in 14 body areas. The total score, obtained as the sum of the severity and duration factors, ranges from 0 to 112. Higher scores indicate worse dystonia.

Time frame: From baseline to week 12

Population: The ITT Population included all randomized participants. This population was used for all efficacy variables.

ArmMeasureValue (MEAN)Dispersion
SafinamideChange From Baseline to Week 12 in Unified Dystonia Rating Scale (UDRS)1.0 units on a scaleStandard Deviation 4.82
PlaceboChange From Baseline to Week 12 in Unified Dystonia Rating Scale (UDRS)0.3 units on a scaleStandard Deviation 5.6
Comparison: The model included treatment, week of visit, and treatment-by-visit interaction as fixed effects and baseline score as a covariate.p-value: 0.639395% CI: [-2.5, 4]Mixed Models Analysis
Secondary

Change From Baseline to Week 12 in Unified Multiple System Atrophy Rating Scale (UMSARS), Part II (ITT Population)

UMSARS is a validated, disease-specific scale representing the diverse signs and symptoms in MSA. Higher scores on the UMSARS scales mean poorer health. UMSARS has the following domains: Part I - Activities of Daily Living score (12 questions ranged in 0-4 \[total score 0-48\]) that evaluates motor including autonomic activities Part II - Motor Examination score (14 questions, \[total score 0-56\]) Part III - Autonomic Examination Part IV - Global disability scale ((1=completely independent; 2=not completely independent; 3=more dependent; 4=very dependent; 5=total dependent and helpless). Only UMSARS Part II total score is reported, which was obtained as the sum of the 14 items in the scale. If any of the items were missing, then the total score was considered missing. Higher scores indicate worse functional situation.

Time frame: From baseline to week 12

Population: The ITT Population included all randomized participants. This population was used for all efficacy variables.

ArmMeasureValue (MEAN)Dispersion
SafinamideChange From Baseline to Week 12 in Unified Multiple System Atrophy Rating Scale (UMSARS), Part II (ITT Population)-0.1 score on a scaleStandard Deviation 5.4
PlaceboChange From Baseline to Week 12 in Unified Multiple System Atrophy Rating Scale (UMSARS), Part II (ITT Population)-0.4 score on a scaleStandard Deviation 5.85
Comparison: The model included treatment, week of visit, and treatment-by-visit interaction as fixed effects and baseline score as a covariate.p-value: 0.907695% CI: [-3.3, 3.7]Mixed Models Analysis
Secondary

Change From Baseline to Week 12 in Unified Multiple System Atrophy Rating Scale (UMSARS), Part II (PP Population)

UMSARS is a validated, disease-specific scale representing the diverse signs and symptoms in MSA. Higher scores on the UMSARS scales mean poorer health. UMSARS has the following domains: Part I - Activities of Daily Living score (12 questions ranged in 0-4 \[total score 0-48\]) that evaluates motor including autonomic activities Part II - Motor Examination score (14 questions, \[total score 0-56\]) Part III - Autonomic Examination Part IV - Global disability scale ((1=completely independent; 2=not completely independent; 3=more dependent; 4=very dependent; 5=total dependent and helpless). Only UMSARS Part II total score is reported, which was obtained as the sum of the 14 items in the scale. If any of the items were missing, then the total score was considered missing. Higher scores indicate worse functional situation.

Time frame: From baseline to week 12

Population: The Per Protocol Population will include all randomized participants who do not have any entry criteria violations or protocol deviations that could significantly impact the assessment or interpretation of efficacy data.

ArmMeasureValue (MEAN)Dispersion
SafinamideChange From Baseline to Week 12 in Unified Multiple System Atrophy Rating Scale (UMSARS), Part II (PP Population)-1.1 score on a scaleStandard Deviation 4.66
PlaceboChange From Baseline to Week 12 in Unified Multiple System Atrophy Rating Scale (UMSARS), Part II (PP Population)-0.6 score on a scaleStandard Deviation 6.17
Comparison: The model included treatment, week of visit, and treatment-by-visit interaction as fixed effects and baseline score as a covariate.p-value: 0.538695% CI: [-4.8, 2.6]Mixed Models Analysis

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