ClinicalTrials.gov
 Home    Search    Study Topics    Glossary  
 

  Full Text View  
  Tabular View  
  Contacts and Locations  
  No Study Results Posted  
  Related Studies  
Cysteamine Eye Drops to Treat Corneal Crystals in Cystinosis

This study is currently recruiting participants.
Study NCT00001213.   Last updated on October 29, 2008.   Information provided by National Institutes of Health Clinical Center (CC)

This Tabular View shows the required WHO registration data elements as marked by

Descriptive Information Fields
Brief Title  Cysteamine Eye Drops to Treat Corneal Crystals in Cystinosis
Official Title  Trial of Topical Cysteamine in the Treatment of Corneal Cystine Crystal Accumulation in Cystinosis
Brief Summary

This study will continue to evaluate the long term safety and effectiveness of cysteamine eye drops for treating cystine crystals in the corneas of patients with cystinosis. These drops are not sold commercially and are available only through this study. New patients may enroll in the study to obtain them.

Cystinosis is an inherited disease that results in poor growth and kidney disease, among other things. The damage to the kidneys and other organs is thought to be due to accumulation of cystine inside the cells of various body tissues. This chemical also accumulates in the cornea-the covering of the eye over the pupil and iris. After 10 to 20 years, the corneas of some patients become so packed with crystals that the surfaces may become irregular, occasionally causing small, painful breaks.

Patients enrolled in a NIH study on cystinosis are receiving the drug cysteamine. Taken by mouth, this drug reduces cystine in some tissues, but not in the cornea, perhaps because it does not reach the corneal cells. The current study was begun to test whether cysteamine eye drops could prevent or reduce corneal cystine crystals in these patients. The drops have been very effective in removing crystals and reducing pain in patients who take the medication as directed. Patients who do not take the medication as prescribed do not benefit.

New patients in this study will undergo an eye examination that includes tests of retinal function and evaluation of visual acuity, night vision and color vision, age permitting. They will take cysteamine eye drops in both eyes every hour during waking hours. For the first week of treatment, patients will be followed daily for possible side effects. Thereafter, eye examinations will be done every 12 months, and photographs will be taken of the eyes to assess the effects of treatment.

Detailed Description

OBJECTIVE: The free thiol cysteamine depletes cystinotic leukocytes and other cells of cystine, whose accumulation is considered the cause of organ damage in cystinosis. This organ damage involves most tissues of the body. Cysteamine therapy improved growth and stabilized renal function in pre-renal transplant cystinotics, without substantial toxicity but there was no noticeable effect on cystine crystal accumulation in the cornea, most likely because of inadequate local cysteamine concentration in the cornea. Previous studies have shown the safety of cysteamine 0.5% topical solution in benzalkonium chloride and its efficacy in resolving the cystine corneal crystals. The main purpose of this protocol is to maintain topical cysteamine treatment in patients with nephropathic cystinosis until the drops are approved by the FDA. When the NDA for the Sigma-Tau standard formulation is granted, the present protocol (86-EI-0062) will be terminated.

STUDY POPULATION: Up to 300 adults and children over two years, who have confirmed diagnosis of cystinosis will be enrolled.

DESIGN: This is an open label treatment protocol. Eligible subjects will receive drops of cysteamine 0.5% topical solution in benzalkonium chloride hourly while awake in both eyes. The patients will be examined once a year for safety and efficacy considerations.

OUTCOME MEASURES: The main outcome measure will be the reduction of cystine corneal crystals.

Study Phase Phase II
Study Type  Interventional
Study Design  Treatment
Primary Outcome Measure  Reduction of cystine corneal crystals. [ Time Frame: 1-year ] [ Designated as safety issue: No ]
Secondary Outcome Measure 
Condition  Cystinosis
Intervention  Drug: Cysteamine
MEDLINE PMIDs 3821824,   2185723,   3541536
Links NIH Clinical Center Detailed Web Page This link exits the ClinicalTrials.gov site
Recruitment Information Fields
Recruitment Status  Recruiting
Enrollment  300
Start Date  April 1986
Completion Date
Eligibility Criteria 
  • INCLUSION CRITERIA:

Cystinosis should have been confirmed by elevated leukocyte or fibroblast cystine content.

Patients should be 2 years old or older.

EXCLUSION CRITERIA

  1. Inability to travel to NIH for a baseline examination and yearly thereafter for follow-up.
  2. Inability to cooperate for slit-lamp cornea photographs.
Gender Both
Ages 2 Years and older
Accepts Healthy Volunteers No
Contacts ††
Contact: Patient Recruitment and Public Liaison Office     (800) 411-1222     prpl@mail.cc.nih.gov    
Contact: TTY     1-866-411-1010        
Location Countries  United States
Administrative Information Fields
NCT ID  NCT00001213
Organization ID 860062
Secondary IDs †† 86-EI-0062
Study Sponsor  National Eye Institute (NEI)
Collaborators ††
Investigators 
Information Provided By National Institutes of Health Clinical Center (CC)
Verification Date March 2008
First Received Date  November 3, 1999
Last Updated Date October 29, 2008

 †    Required WHO trial registration data element.
††   WHO trial registration data element that is required only if it exists.




Links to all studies - primarily for crawlers