Thalidomide fOr the Prevention of Restenosis After Coronary ArtERy Stent Implantation (TOP RACER)

Percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) with the use of bare metal stents is associated with restenosis in approximately 10% to 50% of cases.

Stenting may induce endothelial damage/dysfunction and inflammatory reactions, which in turn delay healing and endothelialization and may lead to restenosis and atherosclerosis within the stented segments.

The sedative and antinausea drug thalidomide has been shown to have both anti-inflammatory and antioncogenic properties that could be of benefit in case of PCI with stenting.

Percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) with the use of bare metal stents is associated with restenosis in approximately 10% to 50% of cases.

Stenting may induce endothelial damage/dysfunction and inflammatory reactions, which in turn delay healing and endothelialization and may lead to restenosis and atherosclerosis within the stented segments.

Indeed, experimental studies indicate a marked activation of inflammatory cells at the site of stent struts, which is likely to play a key role in the process of neointimal proliferation and restenosis. Indeed, tumor necrosis factor and interleukins 1 and 6 are powerful stimuli for smooth muscle cell proliferation.

The sedative and antinausea drug thalidomide has been shown to have both anti-inflammatory and antioncogenic properties that could be of benefit in case of PCI with stenting.

The primary objective of this study is to carry out a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study to assess the effects of oral thalidomide on restenosis rate after successful stent implantation.

• Drug: Thalidomide
  Thalidomide, pill, 50 mg, once p.d., 6 weeks
  Other Name: Thalidomide Celgene
• Drug: Placebo
  Placebo, pill, once p.d., 6 weeks
  Other Name: Placebo

• Active Comparator: Thalidomide
  Thalidomide
  Intervention: Drug: Thalidomide
• Placebo Comparator: Placebo
  Placebo
  Intervention: Drug: Placebo

Inclusion Criteria:

• A de novo native coronary artery lesions (reference vessel diameter:2.5-3.75 mm)
• Class I indication to elective percutaneous coronary intervention
• Stable conditions and no recent acute coronary syndromes
• Normal baseline values of markers of myocardial damage (creatine kinase, creatine kinase-MB, myoglobin, and troponin I)
• Able to understand and willing to sign the informed CF
• Contraindications to DES Use (Clinical history difficult to obtain, Expected poor compliance with DAPT, Non-elective surgery required, Increased risk of bleeding
• Allergy to ASA or clopidogrel/prasugrel/ticagrelor, Indication for long-term anticoagulation, Large Vessels, Focal Lesions)

Exclusion Criteria:

• Women of child bearing potential patients must demonstrate a negative pregnancy test performed within 24 hours before CT
• Indications to DES Use (Small Vessels, Long Lesions Diabetes, In-Stent Restenosis, Complex lesions)