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The Use of Trifluoperazine in Transfusion Dependent DBA

Phase I/II, Open Label Study to Determine Safety of Trifluoperazine (TFP) in Adults With Red Blood Cell Transfusion-Dependent Diamond Blackfan Anemia

Status
Terminated
Phases
Phase 1Phase 2
Study type
Interventional
Source
ClinicalTrials.gov
Registry ID
NCT03966053
Acronym
DBA
Enrollment
2
Registered
2019-05-29
Start date
2019-09-13
Completion date
2021-10-13
Last updated
2022-12-14

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

Conditions

Diamond Blackfan Anemia, Pure Red Cell Aplasia

Keywords

Diamond Blackfan Anemia

Brief summary

Diamond Blackfan anemia (DBA) is a rare inherited pure red cell aplasia. The two main non-stem cell transplant therapeutic options are corticosteroids and red blood cell (RBC) transfusions. About 80% of DBA patients initially respond to corticosteroids, however, half of the patients cannot continue due to side effects or loss of response. These patients are then typically dependent on RBC transfusions throughout life. Each of these treatments is fraught with many side effects and significant morbidity and mortality are potential consequences of hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (SCT). The majority of individuals with DBA have mutations in genes encoding structural proteins of the small or large ribosomal subunit leading to deficiency of the particular ribosomal protein (RP). Using the RP deficient zebrafish embryo model, high throughput drug screens have demonstrated a strong hematologic response to several calmodulin inhibitors. One of these chemicals is trifluoperazine (TFP). TFP treatment of a mouse model of DBA also increased the red blood cell count and the hemoglobin (Hb) levels in the mice. TFP is a FDA-approved typical antipsychotic agent that has been available since 1958 with a well-known safety profile. In the United States, TFP is approved for the short-term treatment of generalized non-psychotic anxiety; treatment or prevention of nausea and vomiting of various causes; and, management of psychotic disorders. This study aims to determine the safety/tolerability of TFP in adult subjects with DBA. TFP's expected dose-limiting toxicity is primarily neurologic (extrapyramidal) when used long-term at typical anti-psychotic doses (range 10-50 mg daily). Non-neurologic adverse effects in subjects with DBA have not been investigated. We will perform a dose escalation study to define the safety and tolerability of lower doses of this agent in subjects with DBA. To mitigate the potential risks of administering TFP to this new population, we will (1) start dosing at dose levels well below those prescribed for psychosis, (2) dose escalate to a maximum of 10 mg daily (the lowest dose typically prescribed for psychosis), and (3) perform weekly safety monitoring. Given the positive signal in DBA animal models and the 60-year clinical experience with higher doses of TFP, this drug warrants a trial in humans to assess tolerability in DBA.

Detailed description

This is a dose escalation safety/tolerability study to evaluate the presence of TFP-related adverse events in DBA subjects, and to determine the maximum tolerated dose (MTD) of TFP in DBA. If tolerated, this trial will support either a proof of concept trial of low-dose TFP in DBA, or the advancement of a chemically modified TFP-like drug (to alleviate the neurologic toxicity) for the treatment of DBA.

Interventions

Trifluoperazine (TFP)1mg, 2mg, 5mg, or 10mg will be given once daily by mouth for 21 days

Sponsors

Adrianna Vlachos, MD
Lead SponsorOTHER

Study design

Allocation
NON_RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
SEQUENTIAL
Primary purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE

Intervention model description

Dose escalation study

Eligibility

Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to 65 Years
Healthy volunteers
No

Inclusion criteria

* Men and women age: 18 years and \<65 years of age. * Weight: ≥45 kilograms. * DBA diagnosed according to the DBA criteria (Vlachos, 2008) * RBC transfusion-dependence (defined as 2 units packed RBCs per 28 days averaged over 84 days \[12 weeks\] prior to study entry) * Calculated creatinine clearance \> 30 mL/min * Karnofsky performance status scale score ≥ 70 * Female subjects of childbearing potential must have a negative serum pregnancy test and use highly effective methods of birth control during the study * Male subjects must agree to use a latex condom during any sexual contact with females of childbearing potential while participating in the study * Agreement to adhere to the study visit schedule, understand and comply with all protocol requirements.

Exclusion criteria

* Liver: aspartate aminotransferase (AST) \> 5 x the upper limit of normal (ULN), alanine aminotransferase (ALT) \>5 x ULN, or bilirubin \> 5 x ULN * Heart disease (New York Heart Association classification of ≥ 3) * History of angina * Uncontrolled hypertension * Subjects currently responsive to corticosteroids for treatment of DBA. * Treatment with another investigational drug or device \<56 days pre-study entry. * Pregnant or lactating females * Any history of severe allergic reaction requiring the use of epinephrine * Known hypersensitivity to the study drug or other phenothiazines * History or presence of extrapyramidal signs * History of cancer

Design outcomes

Primary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Number of Participants With Treatment-related Adverse Events as Assessed by the Simpson-Angus Scale and CTCAE v4.0The subjects will be evaluated weekly for 4 weeks after the start of the 21-day course, 3 weeks while on the study drug and one week after completion.Each subject will undergo weekly safety assessment using the Simpson-Angus Extrapyramidal Side Effects Scale to determine the safety of TFP in this new population of patients. The subjects will also undergo weekly bloodwork to evaluate for any liver or kidney abnormalities as well as a complete blood count and reticulocyte count. All dosed subjects will be followed for an additional 1 week after discontinuing study drug (post-study safety follow-up). There will be no more than 6 subjects enrolled at any particular time. Treatment will be discontinued for any subject if their Hb is \> 12 gm/dL , and not associated with RBC transfusions.

Countries

United States

Participant flow

Participants by arm

ArmCount
Cohort A
Cohort A: Three subjects will receive Trifluoperazine (TFP) 1 mg PO daily. * If there is no non-neurologic toxicity Grade 3 at the end of the 21 days, Cohort B will start. * If 1/3 subjects in Cohort A demonstrates toxicity Grade 3, an additional 3 subjects will be enrolled in Cohort A. * If 2 or more of the 6 subjects in Cohort A demonstrate toxicity Grade 3, the trial will be stopped; no MTD will be declared. * If less than 2 of the 6 subjects in Cohort A demonstrate toxicity Grade 3 within 21 days of starting therapy, Cohort B will start. Trifluoperazine: Trifluoperazine (TFP)1mg, 2mg, 5mg, or 10mg will be given once daily by mouth for 21 days
2
Total2

Withdrawals & dropouts

PeriodReasonFG000
Overall StudyWithdrawal by subject prior to starting study drug.1

Baseline characteristics

CharacteristicCohort A
Age, Categorical
<=18 years
0 Participants
Age, Categorical
>=65 years
0 Participants
Age, Categorical
Between 18 and 65 years
2 Participants
Ethnicity (NIH/OMB)
Hispanic or Latino
1 Participants
Ethnicity (NIH/OMB)
Not Hispanic or Latino
1 Participants
Ethnicity (NIH/OMB)
Unknown or Not Reported
0 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
American Indian or Alaska Native
0 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
Asian
1 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
Black or African American
0 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
More than one race
1 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander
0 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
Unknown or Not Reported
0 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
White
0 Participants
Sex: Female, Male
Female
1 Participants
Sex: Female, Male
Male
1 Participants

Adverse events

Event typeEG000
affected / at risk
deaths
Total, all-cause mortality
0 / 1
other
Total, other adverse events
0 / 1
serious
Total, serious adverse events
0 / 1

Outcome results

Primary

Number of Participants With Treatment-related Adverse Events as Assessed by the Simpson-Angus Scale and CTCAE v4.0

Each subject will undergo weekly safety assessment using the Simpson-Angus Extrapyramidal Side Effects Scale to determine the safety of TFP in this new population of patients. The subjects will also undergo weekly bloodwork to evaluate for any liver or kidney abnormalities as well as a complete blood count and reticulocyte count. All dosed subjects will be followed for an additional 1 week after discontinuing study drug (post-study safety follow-up). There will be no more than 6 subjects enrolled at any particular time. Treatment will be discontinued for any subject if their Hb is \> 12 gm/dL , and not associated with RBC transfusions.

Time frame: The subjects will be evaluated weekly for 4 weeks after the start of the 21-day course, 3 weeks while on the study drug and one week after completion.

Population: One subject received study drug. The other subject did not receive study drug.

ArmMeasureValue (COUNT_OF_PARTICIPANTS)
Cohort ANumber of Participants With Treatment-related Adverse Events as Assessed by the Simpson-Angus Scale and CTCAE v4.00 Participants

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