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Pharmacokinetics, Safety, Tolerability and Efficacy of a New Artemether-lumefantrine Dispersible Tablet in Infants and Neonates <5 kg Body Weight With Acute Uncomplicated Plasmodium Falciparum Malaria

Multicenter, Open-label, Single-arm Study to Evaluate the PK, Safety, Tolerability and Efficacy of a New Artemether:Lumefantrine (2.5 mg:30 mg) Dispersible Tablet in the Treatment of Infants and Neonates <5 kg Body Weight With Acute Uncomplicated Plasmodium Falciparum Malaria

Status
Terminated
Phases
Phase 2Phase 3
Study type
Interventional
Source
ClinicalTrials.gov
Registry ID
NCT04300309
Acronym
CALINA
Enrollment
28
Registered
2020-03-09
Start date
2020-12-21
Completion date
2024-05-10
Last updated
2026-01-13

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

Conditions

Plasmodium Falciparum Malaria

Keywords

Plasmodium falciparum, malaria, artemether, lumefantrine, neonates, infants

Brief summary

The purpose of this study was to evaluate PK, safety, tolerability and efficacy of a new formulation of artemether-lumefantrine dispersible tablet in neonates and infants \<5 kg body weight with acute uncomplicated Plasmodium falciparum malaria.

Detailed description

This was a multicenter, open-label, single-arm, adaptive design with dose adaptation (deescalation or escalation) study in infants and neonates \<5 kg body weight with P. falciparum malaria. There were two sequential and age-descending cohorts of participants, all \<5 kg: Cohort 1 of infants \>28 days of age, and Cohort 2 of neonates ≤ 28 days of age.

Interventions

DRUGartemether:lumefantrine (2.5 mg:30 mg)

Two oral dispersible tablets twice daily for three consecutive days. Each tablet contained artemether-lumefantrine 2.5 mg:30 mg.

Sponsors

European and Developing Countries Clinical Trials Partnership (EDCTP)
CollaboratorOTHER_GOV
Medicines for Malaria Venture
CollaboratorOTHER
Groupe de Recherche Action en Sante
CollaboratorOTHER
Institut de Recherche en Sciences de la Sante, Burkina Faso
CollaboratorOTHER_GOV
Novartis Pharmaceuticals
Lead SponsorINDUSTRY

Study design

Allocation
NA
Intervention model
SINGLE_GROUP
Primary purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE

Eligibility

Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
No minimum to 365 Days
Healthy volunteers
No

Inclusion criteria

1. Male or female neonates/infants 2. Body weight \<5 kg but ≥ 2 kg 3. In Cohort 1, infants aged \>28 days; in Cohort 2, neonates aged 1 to ≤28 days (3 subgroups: 1-7 days; 8-14 days; 15-28 days) 4. Microscopically confirmed diagnosis of P. falciparum malaria (or mixed infections): * in Cohort 1 of ≥500 and \<100,000 parasites/µL asexual P. falciparum parasitemia * in Cohort 2 of ≥100 and \<100,000 parasites/µL asexual P. falciparum parasitemia * either congenital or neonatal * either symptomatic or asymptomatic

Exclusion criteria

1. Head circumference \< - 2 SD z-score in cm following WHO age and sex-specific reference curves (suspicion of microcephaly) 2. Presence of severe malaria (according to WHO 2015 definition) 3. HIV status : * in Cohort 1, patient's or patient's mother's current treatment with ARV * in Cohort 2, mother's known HIV positive status at patient's birth or mother's current treatment with ARV 4. Presence of the following signs of a critical condition: apnea-bradycardia, sustained bradycardia, tachycardia, desaturation, hypotension, hypothermia; or other severely deteriorated general condition (based on IMCI criteria in sick infants) (WHO 2005) 5. Presence of any clinically significant neurological condition: * any episode of convulsion during the present illness (in keeping with the IMCI list of general danger signs) * known neurological disorders (e.g. chronic seizure disorders, cerebral palsy) 6. Presence of clinically significant abnormality of the hepatic and renal systems 7. Patients unable to swallow or whose drinking is impaired 8. Known hypersensitivity of the patient or either patient's parent to artemether, lumefantrine, any of the excipients of Coartem®/Riamet® Dispersible tablet, or to drugs of similar chemical classes 9. History of malabsorption or previous gastrointestinal surgery, or history of radiation therapy that could affect drug absorption or metabolism, or any other disorder or history of a condition that could interfere with drug absorption, distribution, metabolism, or excretion 10. Known family history of congenital prolongation of the QTc interval or sudden death or with any other clinical condition known to be associated with prolongation of the QTc interval such as history of symptomatic cardiac arrhythmias, with clinically relevant bradycardia or with severe cardiac disease 11. Disturbances of electrolyte balance (e.g. hypokalaemia or hypomagnesaemia) 12. Presence of any age-adjusted clinically or hematologically relevant laboratory and blood chemistry abnormalities 13. Patients who received any antimalarial drug, including antibiotics with antimalarial activity, within 14 days of trial start, or any other prohibited drug (see Table 6-2) 14. Patients who received an investigational drug within 5 half-lives of enrollment or participated in an investigational study or within 30 days, whichever is longer

Design outcomes

Primary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Artemether Cmax After First Dose1 and 2 hours after first dose (Day 1)Artemether Cmax represents the highest concentration between the concentrations at 1 hour and 2 hours after first dose. Pharmacokinetic (PK) parameters were calculated by non-compartmental analysis based on artemether plasma concentrations.

Secondary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Lumefantrine Cmax After Last Dose62, 66, 68 and 84 hours after first dose (corresponding to 2, 6, 8 and 24 hours after last dose)Lumefantrine Cmax represents the highest concentration among four sampling time points after last dose. Pharmacokinetic (PK) parameters were calculated by non-compartmental analysis based on lumefantrine plasma concentrations. Dosing times were 0, 8, 24, 36, 48 and 60 hours.
DHA Cmax After First Dose1 and 2 hours after first dose (Day 1)Dihydroartemisinin (DHA) is an active metabolite of artemether. DHA Cmax represents the highest concentration between the concentrations at 1 hour and 2 hours after first dose. Pharmacokinetic (PK) parameters were calculated by non-compartmental analysis based on DHA plasma concentrations.
Parasite Clearance Time (PCT)Up to 48 hours after first dosePCT is defined as time from the first dose until the first total and continued disappearance of asexual parasite forms which remained at least a further 48 hours. PCT is based on uncorrected parasite counts. Patients who received rescue medication before parasite clearance were censored at the first use of rescue medication. Patients without parasite clearance were censored at the time of last parasite assessment. PCT was calculated using the Kaplan-Meier method.
Fever Clearance Times (FCT)Up to 36 hours after first doseFCT is defined as time from the first dose until the first time the axillary body temperature decreased below and remained below 37.5°C axillary or 38.0°C oral/tympanic/rectal for at least a further 24 hours. Patients who received rescue medication before fever clearance were censored at the first use of rescue medication. Patients without fever clearance were censored at the time of last parasite assessment. FCT was calculated using the Kaplan-Meier method.
PCR-corrected Adequate Clinical and Parasitological Response (ACPR) - PPS AnalysisDays 15, 29 and 43PCR-corrected ACPR, defined as the absence of parasitemia, was evaluated on Days 15, 29 and 43. Microscopic species identification was confirmed and determined by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) genotyping methods to establish malaria recrudescence/reinfection. A participant was considered as PCR-corrected ACPR if the participant did not meet any of the criteria of early treatment failure, late clinical failure or late parasitological failure and had absence of parasitemia on Days 15, 29 or 43 irrespective of axillary temperature unless the presence of parasitemia after 7 days was due to reinfection based on PCR. A presence of parasitemia after 7 days of treatment initiation was considered as a reinfection only if the parasitemia was clear before Day 8 and none of the parasite strain(s) detected on Day 8 or later matched with the parasite strain at baseline based on PCR.
Lumefantrine Day 8 Concentration (C168h)168 hours after first dose (corresponding to 108 hours after last dose)Pharmacokinetic (PK) parameters were calculated by non-compartmental analysis based on lumefantrine plasma concentrations. Dosing times were 0, 8, 24, 36, 48 and 60 hours.
PCR-uncorrected Adequate Clinical and Parasitological Response (ACPR)Days 8, 15, 29 and 43PCR-uncorrected ACPR, defined as the absence of parasitemia, was evaluated on Days 8, 15, 29 and 43. A participant was considered as PCR-uncorrected ACPR if the participant did not meet any of the criteria of early treatment failure, late clinical failure or late parasitological failure and had absence of parasitemia on Days 8, 15, 29 or 43 irrespective of axillary temperature.
Number of Participants With Recrudescence EventsDays 15, 29 and 43Recrudescence is defined as appearance of asexual parasites after clearance of initial infection with a genotype identical to that of parasites present at baseline. Recrudescence had to be confirmed by PCR analysis.
Number of Participants With New Infections EventsDays 15, 29 and 43New infection is defined as appearance of asexual parasites after clearance of initial infection with a genotype different from those parasites present at baseline. New infection had to be confirmed by PCR analysis.
Number of Participants With Adverse Events (AEs)From first dose of study treatment until Day 43Number of participants with adverse events (any AEs regardless of seriousness), including changes in laboratory results qualifying and reported as adverse events.
Number of Participants With Serious Adverse Events (SAEs)From first dose of study treatment until 12 months of age (assessed up to maximum 1 year)Number of participants with serious adverse events (SAEs), including changes in laboratory results qualifying and reported as serious adverse events.
PCR-corrected Adequate Clinical and Parasitological Response (ACPR) - FAS AnalysisDays 15, 29 and 43PCR-corrected ACPR, defined as the absence of parasitemia, was evaluated on Days 15, 29 and 43. Microscopic species identification was confirmed and determined by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) genotyping methods to establish malaria recrudescence/reinfection. A participant was considered as PCR-corrected ACPR if the participant did not meet any of the criteria of early treatment failure, late clinical failure or late parasitological failure and had absence of parasitemia on Days 15, 29 or 43 irrespective of axillary temperature unless the presence of parasitemia after 7 days was due to reinfection based on PCR. A presence of parasitemia after 7 days of treatment initiation was considered as a reinfection only if the parasitemia was clear before Day 8 and none of the parasite strain(s) detected on Day 8 or later matched with the parasite strain at baseline based on PCR.

Countries

Burkina Faso, Democratic Republic of the Congo

Participant flow

Recruitment details

Participants took part in 3 investigative sites in 2 countries.

Pre-assignment details

The Screening procedures began once the study informed consent had been obtained. Screening was performed within 12 hours before the first study drug administration.

Participants by arm

ArmCount
Cohort 1
Infants \>28 days of age treated with artemether-lumefantrine (5 mg:60 mg) twice daily for 3 days
22
Cohort 2
Term neonates 1-28 days of age treated with artemether-lumefantrine (5 mg:60 mg) twice daily for 3 days
6
Total28

Withdrawals & dropouts

PeriodReasonFG000FG001
Overall StudyLost to Follow-up10

Baseline characteristics

CharacteristicCohort 1Cohort 2Total
Age, Continuous96.0 days22.5 days83.0 days
Age, Customized
15-28 days
0 Participants5 Participants5 Participants
Age, Customized
1-7 days
0 Participants1 Participants1 Participants
Age, Customized
>28 days
22 Participants0 Participants22 Participants
Age, Customized
8-14 days
0 Participants0 Participants0 Participants
Plasmodium falciparum density8400 parasites/µL3660 parasites/µL7020 parasites/µL
Plasmodium species
P. falciparum asexual forms
21 Participants6 Participants27 Participants
Plasmodium species
P. falciparum gametocytes
4 Participants1 Participants5 Participants
Plasmodium species
P. knowlesi
0 Participants0 Participants0 Participants
Plasmodium species
P. malariae
1 Participants0 Participants1 Participants
Plasmodium species
P. ovale
0 Participants0 Participants0 Participants
Plasmodium species
P. vivax
0 Participants0 Participants0 Participants
Race/Ethnicity, Customized
Black or African American
22 Participants6 Participants28 Participants
Sex: Female, Male
Female
15 Participants3 Participants18 Participants
Sex: Female, Male
Male
7 Participants3 Participants10 Participants
Weight4.82 kilograms3.50 kilograms4.76 kilograms

Adverse events

Event typeEG000
affected / at risk
EG001
affected / at risk
EG002
affected / at risk
deaths
Total, all-cause mortality
0 / 220 / 60 / 28
other
Total, other adverse events
17 / 224 / 621 / 28
serious
Total, serious adverse events
0 / 220 / 60 / 28

Outcome results

Primary

Artemether Cmax After First Dose

Artemether Cmax represents the highest concentration between the concentrations at 1 hour and 2 hours after first dose. Pharmacokinetic (PK) parameters were calculated by non-compartmental analysis based on artemether plasma concentrations.

Time frame: 1 and 2 hours after first dose (Day 1)

Population: Participants in the PK set who had an available value for the outcome measure.

ArmMeasureValue (GEOMETRIC_MEAN)
Cohort 1Artemether Cmax After First Dose68.0 ng/mL
Cohort 2Artemether Cmax After First Dose62.2 ng/mL
Secondary

DHA Cmax After First Dose

Dihydroartemisinin (DHA) is an active metabolite of artemether. DHA Cmax represents the highest concentration between the concentrations at 1 hour and 2 hours after first dose. Pharmacokinetic (PK) parameters were calculated by non-compartmental analysis based on DHA plasma concentrations.

Time frame: 1 and 2 hours after first dose (Day 1)

Population: Participants in the PK set who had an available value for the outcome measure.

ArmMeasureValue (GEOMETRIC_MEAN)
Cohort 1DHA Cmax After First Dose11.5 ng/mL
Cohort 2DHA Cmax After First Dose15.7 ng/mL
Secondary

Fever Clearance Times (FCT)

FCT is defined as time from the first dose until the first time the axillary body temperature decreased below and remained below 37.5°C axillary or 38.0°C oral/tympanic/rectal for at least a further 24 hours. Patients who received rescue medication before fever clearance were censored at the first use of rescue medication. Patients without fever clearance were censored at the time of last parasite assessment. FCT was calculated using the Kaplan-Meier method.

Time frame: Up to 36 hours after first dose

Population: Participants in the Full Analysis Set (FAS) who had fever at baseline

ArmMeasureValue (MEDIAN)
Cohort 1Fever Clearance Times (FCT)15.7 hours
Cohort 2Fever Clearance Times (FCT)7.6 hours
Secondary

Lumefantrine Cmax After Last Dose

Lumefantrine Cmax represents the highest concentration among four sampling time points after last dose. Pharmacokinetic (PK) parameters were calculated by non-compartmental analysis based on lumefantrine plasma concentrations. Dosing times were 0, 8, 24, 36, 48 and 60 hours.

Time frame: 62, 66, 68 and 84 hours after first dose (corresponding to 2, 6, 8 and 24 hours after last dose)

Population: Participants in the PK set who had an available value for the outcome measure.

ArmMeasureValue (GEOMETRIC_MEAN)
Cohort 1Lumefantrine Cmax After Last Dose3180 ng/mL
Cohort 2Lumefantrine Cmax After Last Dose3510 ng/mL
Secondary

Lumefantrine Day 8 Concentration (C168h)

Pharmacokinetic (PK) parameters were calculated by non-compartmental analysis based on lumefantrine plasma concentrations. Dosing times were 0, 8, 24, 36, 48 and 60 hours.

Time frame: 168 hours after first dose (corresponding to 108 hours after last dose)

Population: Participants in the PK set who had an available value for the outcome measure.

ArmMeasureValue (GEOMETRIC_MEAN)
Cohort 1Lumefantrine Day 8 Concentration (C168h)353 ng/mL
Cohort 2Lumefantrine Day 8 Concentration (C168h)480 ng/mL
Secondary

Number of Participants With Adverse Events (AEs)

Number of participants with adverse events (any AEs regardless of seriousness), including changes in laboratory results qualifying and reported as adverse events.

Time frame: From first dose of study treatment until Day 43

Population: Safety Set, including all patients who received at least one dose of study treatment

ArmMeasureValue (COUNT_OF_PARTICIPANTS)
Cohort 1Number of Participants With Adverse Events (AEs)17 Participants
Cohort 2Number of Participants With Adverse Events (AEs)4 Participants
Secondary

Number of Participants With New Infections Events

New infection is defined as appearance of asexual parasites after clearance of initial infection with a genotype different from those parasites present at baseline. New infection had to be confirmed by PCR analysis.

Time frame: Days 15, 29 and 43

Population: Full Analysis Set (FAS)

ArmMeasureGroupValue (COUNT_OF_PARTICIPANTS)
Cohort 1Number of Participants With New Infections EventsDay 150 Participants
Cohort 1Number of Participants With New Infections EventsDay 294 Participants
Cohort 1Number of Participants With New Infections EventsDay 432 Participants
Cohort 2Number of Participants With New Infections EventsDay 150 Participants
Cohort 2Number of Participants With New Infections EventsDay 290 Participants
Cohort 2Number of Participants With New Infections EventsDay 430 Participants
Secondary

Number of Participants With Recrudescence Events

Recrudescence is defined as appearance of asexual parasites after clearance of initial infection with a genotype identical to that of parasites present at baseline. Recrudescence had to be confirmed by PCR analysis.

Time frame: Days 15, 29 and 43

Population: Full Analysis Set (FAS)

ArmMeasureGroupValue (COUNT_OF_PARTICIPANTS)
Cohort 1Number of Participants With Recrudescence EventsDay 150 Participants
Cohort 1Number of Participants With Recrudescence EventsDay 291 Participants
Cohort 1Number of Participants With Recrudescence EventsDay 431 Participants
Cohort 2Number of Participants With Recrudescence EventsDay 150 Participants
Cohort 2Number of Participants With Recrudescence EventsDay 290 Participants
Cohort 2Number of Participants With Recrudescence EventsDay 430 Participants
Secondary

Number of Participants With Serious Adverse Events (SAEs)

Number of participants with serious adverse events (SAEs), including changes in laboratory results qualifying and reported as serious adverse events.

Time frame: From first dose of study treatment until 12 months of age (assessed up to maximum 1 year)

Population: Safety Set, including all patients who received at least one dose of study treatment

ArmMeasureValue (COUNT_OF_PARTICIPANTS)
Cohort 1Number of Participants With Serious Adverse Events (SAEs)0 Participants
Cohort 2Number of Participants With Serious Adverse Events (SAEs)0 Participants
Secondary

Parasite Clearance Time (PCT)

PCT is defined as time from the first dose until the first total and continued disappearance of asexual parasite forms which remained at least a further 48 hours. PCT is based on uncorrected parasite counts. Patients who received rescue medication before parasite clearance were censored at the first use of rescue medication. Patients without parasite clearance were censored at the time of last parasite assessment. PCT was calculated using the Kaplan-Meier method.

Time frame: Up to 48 hours after first dose

Population: Full Analysis Set (FAS)

ArmMeasureValue (MEDIAN)
Cohort 1Parasite Clearance Time (PCT)35.0 hours
Cohort 2Parasite Clearance Time (PCT)30.6 hours
Secondary

PCR-corrected Adequate Clinical and Parasitological Response (ACPR) - FAS Analysis

PCR-corrected ACPR, defined as the absence of parasitemia, was evaluated on Days 15, 29 and 43. Microscopic species identification was confirmed and determined by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) genotyping methods to establish malaria recrudescence/reinfection. A participant was considered as PCR-corrected ACPR if the participant did not meet any of the criteria of early treatment failure, late clinical failure or late parasitological failure and had absence of parasitemia on Days 15, 29 or 43 irrespective of axillary temperature unless the presence of parasitemia after 7 days was due to reinfection based on PCR. A presence of parasitemia after 7 days of treatment initiation was considered as a reinfection only if the parasitemia was clear before Day 8 and none of the parasite strain(s) detected on Day 8 or later matched with the parasite strain at baseline based on PCR.

Time frame: Days 15, 29 and 43

Population: Full Analysis Set (FAS)

ArmMeasureGroupValue (NUMBER)
Cohort 1PCR-corrected Adequate Clinical and Parasitological Response (ACPR) - FAS AnalysisDay 15100 percentage of participants
Cohort 1PCR-corrected Adequate Clinical and Parasitological Response (ACPR) - FAS AnalysisDay 2995.5 percentage of participants
Cohort 1PCR-corrected Adequate Clinical and Parasitological Response (ACPR) - FAS AnalysisDay 4390.9 percentage of participants
Cohort 2PCR-corrected Adequate Clinical and Parasitological Response (ACPR) - FAS AnalysisDay 15100 percentage of participants
Cohort 2PCR-corrected Adequate Clinical and Parasitological Response (ACPR) - FAS AnalysisDay 29100 percentage of participants
Cohort 2PCR-corrected Adequate Clinical and Parasitological Response (ACPR) - FAS AnalysisDay 43100 percentage of participants
Secondary

PCR-corrected Adequate Clinical and Parasitological Response (ACPR) - PPS Analysis

PCR-corrected ACPR, defined as the absence of parasitemia, was evaluated on Days 15, 29 and 43. Microscopic species identification was confirmed and determined by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) genotyping methods to establish malaria recrudescence/reinfection. A participant was considered as PCR-corrected ACPR if the participant did not meet any of the criteria of early treatment failure, late clinical failure or late parasitological failure and had absence of parasitemia on Days 15, 29 or 43 irrespective of axillary temperature unless the presence of parasitemia after 7 days was due to reinfection based on PCR. A presence of parasitemia after 7 days of treatment initiation was considered as a reinfection only if the parasitemia was clear before Day 8 and none of the parasite strain(s) detected on Day 8 or later matched with the parasite strain at baseline based on PCR.

Time frame: Days 15, 29 and 43

Population: Per-Protocol Set (PPS). Five patients in Cohort 1 were excluded from the PPS due to the use of prohibited concomitant medication, i.e. erythromycin.

ArmMeasureGroupValue (NUMBER)
Cohort 1PCR-corrected Adequate Clinical and Parasitological Response (ACPR) - PPS AnalysisDay 15100 percentage of participants
Cohort 1PCR-corrected Adequate Clinical and Parasitological Response (ACPR) - PPS AnalysisDay 29100 percentage of participants
Cohort 1PCR-corrected Adequate Clinical and Parasitological Response (ACPR) - PPS AnalysisDay 4394.1 percentage of participants
Cohort 2PCR-corrected Adequate Clinical and Parasitological Response (ACPR) - PPS AnalysisDay 15100 percentage of participants
Cohort 2PCR-corrected Adequate Clinical and Parasitological Response (ACPR) - PPS AnalysisDay 29100 percentage of participants
Cohort 2PCR-corrected Adequate Clinical and Parasitological Response (ACPR) - PPS AnalysisDay 43100 percentage of participants
Secondary

PCR-uncorrected Adequate Clinical and Parasitological Response (ACPR)

PCR-uncorrected ACPR, defined as the absence of parasitemia, was evaluated on Days 8, 15, 29 and 43. A participant was considered as PCR-uncorrected ACPR if the participant did not meet any of the criteria of early treatment failure, late clinical failure or late parasitological failure and had absence of parasitemia on Days 8, 15, 29 or 43 irrespective of axillary temperature.

Time frame: Days 8, 15, 29 and 43

Population: Full Analysis Set (FAS)

ArmMeasureGroupValue (NUMBER)
Cohort 1PCR-uncorrected Adequate Clinical and Parasitological Response (ACPR)Day 8100 percentage of participants
Cohort 1PCR-uncorrected Adequate Clinical and Parasitological Response (ACPR)Day 15100 percentage of participants
Cohort 1PCR-uncorrected Adequate Clinical and Parasitological Response (ACPR)Day 2977.3 percentage of participants
Cohort 1PCR-uncorrected Adequate Clinical and Parasitological Response (ACPR)Day 4363.6 percentage of participants
Cohort 2PCR-uncorrected Adequate Clinical and Parasitological Response (ACPR)Day 43100 percentage of participants
Cohort 2PCR-uncorrected Adequate Clinical and Parasitological Response (ACPR)Day 8100 percentage of participants
Cohort 2PCR-uncorrected Adequate Clinical and Parasitological Response (ACPR)Day 29100 percentage of participants
Cohort 2PCR-uncorrected Adequate Clinical and Parasitological Response (ACPR)Day 15100 percentage of participants

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