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Low- vs High-Dose Sirolimus With Prednisolone for KHE and KMP

Low-dose Versus High-dose Sirolimus Combined With Prednisolone for Kaposiform Hemangioendothelioma With Kasabach-Merritt Phenomenon: a Randomized Noninferiority Trial

Status
Recruiting
Phases
Phase 2Phase 3
Study type
Interventional
Source
ClinicalTrials.gov
Registry ID
NCT07656909
Enrollment
76
Registered
2026-06-18
Start date
2026-06-16
Completion date
2028-12-31
Last updated
2026-06-18

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

Conditions

Kaposiform Hemangioendothelioma (KHE), Kasabach Merritt Phenomenon

Brief summary

This randomized clinical trial evaluates if low-dose sirolimus (target trough 4-8 ng/mL) combined with prednisolone is noninferior in efficacy but superior in safety compared to standard high-dose sirolimus (target trough 10-15 ng/mL) combined with prednisolone in pediatric patients with kaposiform hemangioendothelioma and Kasabach-Merritt phenomenon (KHE with KMP), with participants randomized 1:1 to receive the assigned regimen, undergo routine blood and imaging monitoring, and be evaluated for clinical response and adverse events.

Detailed description

The goal of this randomized clinical trial is to evaluate if low-dose sirolimus combined with prednisolone is noninferior to high-dose sirolimus combined with prednisolone in managing kaposiform hemangioendothelioma complicated by Kasabach-Merritt phenomenon (KHE with KMP) in pediatric patients. In this study, the low-dose regimen targets a sirolimus trough concentration of 4-8 ng/mL, while the standard high-dose regimen targets a trough concentration of 10-15 ng/mL. The main questions it aims to answer are: Does the combination of low-dose sirolimus (target trough 4-8 ng/mL) and prednisolone achieve a noninferior objective response rate (including platelet count recovery and tumor volume reduction) compared to the high-dose sirolimus (target trough 10-15 ng/mL) and prednisolone combination at the primary endpoint evaluation? Does the low-dose sirolimus combination significantly reduce treatment-related toxicities and adverse events compared to the high-dose sirolimus combination? Researchers will compare a low-dose sirolimus plus prednisolone arm to a standard high-dose sirolimus plus prednisolone arm to see if lowering the sirolimus dose within this combination regimen can maintain comparable therapeutic control over KMP while minimizing dose-dependent adverse effects. Participants will: Be randomized in a 1:1 ratio to receive either oral low-dose sirolimus combined with prednisolone (targeting a trough level of 4-8 ng/mL) or standard high-dose sirolimus combined with prednisolone (targeting a trough level of 10-15 ng/mL). Undergo regular clinical evaluations, including physical examinations and serial blood tests to monitor peripheral platelet counts and sirolimus trough levels. Receive routine imaging studies (such as MRI or ultrasound) to assess changes in tumor volume. Be closely monitored throughout the study period for combination therapy-related side effects and systemic corticosteroid-associated adverse events.

Interventions

Participants will receive oral sirolimus in combination with prednisolone. Patients will be randomized in a 1:1 ratio to either a low-dose sirolimus group, with dose adjustments to maintain a target plasma trough concentration of 4-8 ng/mL, or a high-dose sirolimus group, with dose adjustments to maintain a target plasma trough concentration of 10-15 ng/mL. Prednisolone will be administered according to the study protocol and tapered based on clinical response. The total treatment duration will be 12 months.

Sponsors

Yi Ji
Lead SponsorOTHER

Study design

Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
SINGLE (Outcomes Assessor)

Eligibility

Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
1 Days to 18 Years
Healthy volunteers
No

Inclusion criteria

* Presenting a KHE with the following characteristics: 1. Clinical features and histological findings consistent with progressive, non-resectable KHE associated with KMP. 2. Patients must be 0 - 18 years of age at the time of study entry. 3. Without functional impairment requiring treatment of corticosteroid. * Organ function requirements: 1 Adequate liver function: 1. Total bilirubin less than or equal to 1.5 x upper limit of normal (ULN)for age, and 2. ALT and AST less than or equal to 2.5 x upper limit normal (ULN) for age. 2 Adequate renal function: 1. 0-5 years of age maximum serum creatinine (mg/dL) of 0.8 2. 6-10 years of age maximum serum creatinine (mg/dL) of 1.0 3. 11-15 years of age maximum serum creatinine (mg/dL) of 1.2 4. 16-18 years of age maximum serum creatinine (mg/dL) of 1.5 * Adequate bone marrow function: Absolute Neutrophil Count (ANC) greater than or equal to 1 x 10 to the ninth/Liter. * Consent of parents (or the person having parental authority in families): Signed and dated written informed consent.

Exclusion criteria

* Allergy to sirolimus or other rapamycin analogues. * Any known evidence of significant local or systemic uncontrolled infection, defined as receiving intravenous antibiotics at the time of randomization. * Patients must not be known to be Human Immunodeficiency Virus positive or known immunodeficiency. Testing is not required unless a condition is suspected. * Other concurrent severe and/or uncontrolled medical disease which could compromise participation in the study (e.g. uncontrolled diabetes, uncontrolled hypertension, severe malnutrition, chronic liver or renal disease, active upper gastrointestinal tract ulceration). * Impairment of gastrointestinal function or chronic gastrointestinal disease that may significantly alter the absorption of sirolimus. * Patients who have a history of malignancy. * Patients with an inability to participate or to follow the study treatment and assessment plan.

Design outcomes

Primary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Proportion of Participants Achieving Platelet Count Recovery2 monthsThe proportion of participants who achieve platelet count recovery, defined as a platelet count ≥100 × 10⁹/L without platelet transfusion support, during the study period.

Secondary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Proportion of Participants Achieving Fibrinogen Recovery2 monthsThe proportion of participants who achieve fibrinogen recovery, defined as a plasma fibrinogen level ≥1.6 g/L without replacement therapy, during the study period.
Change in D-Dimer Level From Baseline2 monthsChange in plasma D-dimer level from baseline to the specified study assessment time point.
Change in KHE Tumor Volume From Baseline6 and 12 monthsResponse to therapy was measured by volumetric magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) analyses were performed at baseline and 6 and 12 months after treatment and were independently assessed by 2 radiologists. Changes in KHE size were classified as further growth (increase of ≥10%), no change (\<10% increase and \<10% decrease), partial involution (decrease of ≥10% and \<75%), nearly complete involution (decrease of ≥75% and \<100%), or complete involution (100%). Photographs of the mixed KHE were taken at months 0, 6 and 12 by a medical photographer.
The changes in the patient's symptoms and/or complications.6 and 12 monthsImprovement in the range of motion.
Frequency of adverse events12 monthsFrequency of adverse events (e.g. gastrointestinal disorders, blood and lymphatic system disorders, metabolic disorders or other abnormal laboratory results, skin disorders and general disorders, etc.) collected by investigator and reported by parents. All adverse events were collected and graded according to Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events, version 4.0 (CTCAE v4.0). The causality of the adverse event was determined by the multidisciplinary staff and was classified as definitively not related, probably not related, possibly related, probably related, or definitively related. Any dose reductions, interruptions, or cessations enacted at the discretion of the investigators were recorded.
Quality of life (QOL) in patients.12 monthsPediatric Quality of Life Inventory (PedsQLTM) 4.0 Genetic Core Infant Scales (\<2 years) or Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory (PedsQLTM) 4.0 Genetic Core Scales (2-18 years) were used.

Countries

China

Contacts

CONTACTYi Ji, PhD
jijiyuanyuan@163.com02885423453
CONTACTJiangyuan Zhou, MD
13668491160@163.com
STUDY_CHAIRYi Ji

West China Hospital

PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATORJiangyuan Zhou, MD

West China Hospital

Outcome results

None listed

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Data processed: Jun 19, 2026