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Tolebrutinib, a Brain-penetrant Bruton's Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitor, for the Modulation of Chronically Inflamed White Matter Lesions in Multiple Sclerosis

A Phase 2 Clinical Trial of Tolebrutinib, a Brain-penetrant Bruton's Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitor, for the Modulation of Chronically Inflamed White Matter Lesions in Multiple Sclerosis

Status
Active, not recruiting
Phases
Phase 2
Study type
Interventional
Source
ClinicalTrials.gov
Registry ID
NCT04742400
Enrollment
12
Registered
2021-02-08
Start date
2021-04-15
Completion date
2025-12-31
Last updated
2024-08-13

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

Conditions

Multiple Sclerosis

Keywords

MS, BTK Inhibitor

Brief summary

Background: Some multiple sclerosis (MS) lesions stay inflamed for very long periods of time. This type of inflammation is not affected by any MS medications. These lesions can lead to slow worsening of MS symptoms. Researchers want to see if a new drug can help. Objective: To see if tolebrutinib can help clear inflammation in MS brain lesions. Eligibility: Adults ages 18 and older with MS who are on an anti-CD20 therapy. Design: Participants will be screened under protocol #89-N-0045. Participants will have a medical history. They will have physical and neurological exams. They will have blood and urine tests. The progression of their MS will be assessed. Participants will have MRIs of the brain. The MRI scanner is shaped like a cylinder. It uses a magnetic field and radio waves to take pictures of the body. During the MRIs, participants will lie on a table that slides in and out of the scanner. Soft padding or a coil will be placed around their head. Participants may have electrocardiograms to measure the heart s electrical activity. Participants may have lumbar punctures ( spinal taps ). A small needle will be inserted into the spinal canal in the lower back. Fluid will be collected. Some participants will take tolebrutinib pills by mouth once a day for at least 96 weeks. They will stop their anti-CD20 therapy. They will have at least 10 study visits. Some participants will not take tolebrutinib. They will stay on their anti-CD20 therapy. They will have 5 study visits. Participation will last at least 96 weeks.

Detailed description

Study Description: The primary goal of this protocol is to test whether 48 weeks of treatment with tolebrutinib, an investigational, orally available, brain-penetrant, Bruton's tyrosine kinase (BTK) inhibitor, affects an imaging marker (the paramagnetic rim) associated with chronically inflamed white matter lesions in multiple sclerosis (MS). In this rater-blinded but otherwise open- label study, 16 adults with MS who are on stable disease-modifying treatment with anti-CD20 antibody therapy and are within 6 months of their most recent dose, have at least one paramagnetic rim lesion on 7-tesla magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and have developed no new white matter lesions or clinical relapses for at least 6 months, will initiate treatment with tolebrutinib and agree to forego further anti- CD20 or other disease-modifying therapy for the duration of the trial. An initial 7 enrolled study participants started tolebrutinib at 60 mg/day (Initial Cohort). Of the Initial Cohort, participants (n=3), who had initiated tolebrutinib 60 mg will remain at 60 mg and not be escalated to 120 mg/day. The remaining participants (n=4) consented to Cohort A, who had initiated tolebrutinib 60 mg and previously escalated to 120 mg/day will remain at that dose. Radiological, clinical, and biological outcomes are measured at 24, 48, 72, 96, and 144 (Cohort A) weeks, with additional interspersed visits for safety monitoring. Participants may subsequently continue treatment until tolebrutinib is marketed or commercial development halted. A comparison group of 10 participants who meet enrollment criteria but choose to stay on anti-CD20 therapy will also be enrolled. The primary outcome measure is disappearance of one or more paramagnetic rims from white matter lesions identified at baseline. Secondary outcomes include safety and tolerability and additional radiological outcomes. Exploratory clinical, radiological, and laboratory investigations are planned to study the mechanism of action of tolebrutinib and for biomarker development, and to compare the tolebrutinib and anti-CD20 cohorts. Objectives: Primary Objective: To evaluate the effects of 48 weeks of tolebrutinib 60 mg/day treatment on the paramagnetic rim of chronically inflamed white matter lesions, as seen on 7-tesla MRI. Secondary Objectives: (1) To assess safety and tolerability of 48 weeks of treatment with tolebrutinib 60 mg and 96 weeks of treatment with tolebrutinib 120 mg (Cohort A) all following anti-CD20 antibody therapy. (2) To assess the possible repair of chronically inflamed white matter lesions in which inflammation at the lesion edge has been modulated by tolebrutinib. Endpoints: Primary Endpoint: Per-patient proportion of lesions in which the paramagnetic rim has disappeared at the end of 48 weeks of tolebrutinib 60 mg. Secondary Endpoints: (1) Adverse event tables. (2) Changes in T1 relaxation time within paramagnetic rim lesions at the end of 96 weeks of tolebrutinib 120 mg, relative to non-rim lesions. (3) Changes in size of paramagnetic rim lesions at the end of 96 weeks of tolebrutinib 120 mg, relative to non-rim lesions. Study Population: Up to 10 adults with multiple sclerosis, targeting at least 7 participants who complete 48 weeks of therapy with tolebrutinib 60 mg in Cohort A. Up to 10 adults with multiple sclerosis who meet inclusion criteria but choose to stay on anti-CD20 therapy. Phase 2: Description of Study Intervention: Oral tolebrutinib 60 mg per day for 48 weeks (Initial Cohort), and a subgroup of patients already escalated to 120 mg (Cohort A), with optional long-term extension and follow-up. Study Duration: 5 years Participant Duration: 144 weeks (Cohort A) for primary and secondary outcomes, with optional long-term extension and follow-up.

Interventions

DRUGtolebrutinib 60mg

60 mg orally

DRUGtolebrutinib 120mg

120 mg orally

Sponsors

National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS)
Lead SponsorNIH

Study design

Allocation
NON_RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE

Eligibility

Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to 120 Years
Healthy volunteers
No

Inclusion criteria

* INCLUSION CRITERIA: In order to be eligible to participate in this study, an individual must meet all of the following criteria: Tolebrutinib Cohorts Inclusion Criteria 1. Able to provide informed consent 2. Willingness to comply with all study procedures and availability for the duration of the study 3. Male or female, aged greater than or equal to 18 4. Diagnosed with multiple sclerosis according to the 2017 revision of the McDonald diagnostic criteria, with no new lesion formation by comparison of baseline MRI scan with a historical MRI scan at least 6 months prior 5. On anti-CD20 antibody treatment for at least 6 months, with the most recent dose at most 6 months prior to enrollment. 6. Willing to forego further anti-CD20 antibody treatment for the duration of the study 7. Fully vaccinated against SARS-CoV-2 by Day 0. At the time of this writing, Fully vaccinated is defined as: * Two weeks out from the second dose of a two-dose vaccine series (Moderna, Pfizer-BioNTech); or * Two weeks out from a single-dose vaccine (Johnson & Johnson/Janssen) * Note: Should guidelines change, we will amend these inclusion criteria accordingly 8. Has a prior 7-tesla MRI scan, no more than 1 year prior to enrollment, demonstrating at least one white matter lesion with a paramagnetic rim 9. For females of reproductive potential: agrees to use highly effective contraception for at least 1 month prior to dosing and to use such a method during study participation and for an additional 12 weeks after the end of tolebrutinib administration 10. For males of reproductive potential: agrees to use condoms or other methods to ensure effective contraception with partner; agrees not to donate sperm from the inclusion up to 12 weeks after the last dose 11. QuantiFERON-TB Gold negative; skin testing (e.g., tuberculin skin test) will be allowed if blood testing is not available or the blood test result is indeterminate 12. Agrees to adhere to Lifestyle Considerations throughout study duration 13. Agrees not to participate in any other interventional study while participating in this protocol Control Cohort Inclusion Criteria: 1. Able to provide informed consent 2. Willingness to comply with all study procedures and availability for the duration of the study 3. Male or female, aged greater than or equal to 18 4. Diagnosed with multiple sclerosis according to the 2017 revision of the McDonald diagnostic criteria, with no new lesion formation by comparison of baseline MRI scan with a historical MRI scan at least 6 months prior 5. On anti-CD20 antibody treatment for at least 6 months, with the most recent dose at most 6 months prior to enrollment. (Participants in this cohort should remain on their baseline anti-CD20 treatment at least through week 48.) 6. Has a prior 7-tesla MRI scan, no more than 1 year prior to enrollment, demonstrating at least one white matter lesion with a paramagnetic rim 7. For females of reproductive potential: agrees to use highly effective contraception during study participation 8. Agrees not to participate in any other interventional study while participating in this protocol

Exclusion criteria

An individual who meets any of the following criteria will be excluded from participation in this study: Tolebrutinib Cohorts

Design outcomes

Primary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Disappearance of Paramagnetic Rim Lesions at 48 Weeks of 60 mg of Tolebrutinib.48 weeksParamagnetic rims indicate the presence of inflammation and ongoing demyelination and axonal transection at the lesion edge. The lesions under study were present for at least 6 months. The results represent the number of participants in whom at least the paramagnetic rim has disappeared in at least 1 lesion at the end of 48 weeks of tolebrutinib 60 mg.

Secondary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Safety and Tolerability of Tolebrutinib.each patient visitTo assess safety and tolerability of 96 weeks of tolebrutinib 60 mg (initial cohort), or 48 weeks of treatment with tolebrutinib 60 mg and 96 weeks off treatment with tolebrutinib 120 mg (Cohort A), all following anti-CD20antibody.
Repair of Chronically Inflamed White Matter Lesionsbaseline vs. 96 weeksTo assess the possible repair of chronically inflamed white matter lesions in which inflammation at the lesion edge has been modulated by tolebrutinib. A reduction of the T1 relaxation time would be compatible with lesion repair. A reduction in lesion size could indicate lesion repair.

Countries

United States

Participant flow

Recruitment details

Participants with MS were recruited between April 1, 2021 and November 30, 2023. Participants were referred by both internal and external providers, and were self-referred.

Participants by arm

ArmCount
Tolebrutinib Cohort
Participants on Tolebrutinib 60 mg/day for 48 weeks.
7
Anti-CD20 Cohort
Participants on baseline Anti-CD20 continuing at least through week 48.
5
Total12

Baseline characteristics

CharacteristicTolebrutinib CohortTotalAnti-CD20 Cohort
Age, Categorical
<=18 years
0 Participants0 Participants0 Participants
Age, Categorical
>=65 years
0 Participants0 Participants0 Participants
Age, Categorical
Between 18 and 65 years
7 Participants12 Participants5 Participants
Age, Continuous47.7 Years
STANDARD_DEVIATION 7.8
45.1 Years
STANDARD_DEVIATION 7.2
42 Years
STANDARD_DEVIATION 6.11
Ethnicity (NIH/OMB)
Hispanic or Latino
1 Participants1 Participants0 Participants
Ethnicity (NIH/OMB)
Not Hispanic or Latino
6 Participants11 Participants5 Participants
Ethnicity (NIH/OMB)
Unknown or Not Reported
0 Participants0 Participants0 Participants
Paramagnetic Rim Lesions9 Number of Paramagnetic Rim Lesions8 Number of Paramagnetic Rim Lesions4.5 Number of Paramagnetic Rim Lesions
Race (NIH/OMB)
American Indian or Alaska Native
0 Participants0 Participants0 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
Asian
0 Participants0 Participants0 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
Black or African American
0 Participants2 Participants2 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
More than one race
1 Participants1 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
6 Participants9 Participants3 Participants
Region of Enrollment
United States
7 participants12 participants5 participants
Sex: Female, Male
Female
2 Participants6 Participants4 Participants
Sex: Female, Male
Male
5 Participants6 Participants1 Participants

Adverse events

Event typeEG000
affected / at risk
EG001
affected / at risk
deaths
Total, all-cause mortality
0 / 70 / 5
other
Total, other adverse events
7 / 75 / 5
serious
Total, serious adverse events
1 / 70 / 5

Outcome results

Primary

Disappearance of Paramagnetic Rim Lesions at 48 Weeks of 60 mg of Tolebrutinib.

Paramagnetic rims indicate the presence of inflammation and ongoing demyelination and axonal transection at the lesion edge. The lesions under study were present for at least 6 months. The results represent the number of participants in whom at least the paramagnetic rim has disappeared in at least 1 lesion at the end of 48 weeks of tolebrutinib 60 mg.

Time frame: 48 weeks

ArmMeasureValue (NUMBER)
Tolebrutinib CohortDisappearance of Paramagnetic Rim Lesions at 48 Weeks of 60 mg of Tolebrutinib.0 Participants
Anti-CD20 CohortDisappearance of Paramagnetic Rim Lesions at 48 Weeks of 60 mg of Tolebrutinib.0 Participants
Secondary

Repair of Chronically Inflamed White Matter Lesions

To assess the possible repair of chronically inflamed white matter lesions in which inflammation at the lesion edge has been modulated by tolebrutinib. A reduction of the T1 relaxation time would be compatible with lesion repair. A reduction in lesion size could indicate lesion repair.

Time frame: baseline vs. 96 weeks

Secondary

Safety and Tolerability of Tolebrutinib.

To assess safety and tolerability of 96 weeks of tolebrutinib 60 mg (initial cohort), or 48 weeks of treatment with tolebrutinib 60 mg and 96 weeks off treatment with tolebrutinib 120 mg (Cohort A), all following anti-CD20antibody.

Time frame: each patient visit

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