Long Term Treatment of Herpes Simplex Encephalitis (HSE) With Valacyclovir
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| ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT00031486 |
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Recruitment Status :
Completed
First Posted : March 7, 2002
Results First Posted : June 12, 2012
Last Update Posted : June 12, 2012
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Sponsor:
National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID)
Information provided by (Responsible Party):
National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID)
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Brief Summary:
This study involves patients 12 years and older who have been diagnosed with herpes simplex encephalitis (HSE) by a specific laboratory test and have completed treatment or are being treated with intravenous (given through a needle inserted into a vein) acyclovir. The purpose of the study is to determine if treatment with 4 tablets, 500 milligrams each, of valacyclovir given 3 times daily by mouth for 90 days is both effective and safe after completing intravenous acyclovir treatment and if it can increase survival with or without mild impairment of the brain and mental functions. Participants will be assigned to either drug or placebo (inactive substance) randomly (by chance). Study procedures will include blood samples and lumbar punctures (procedure in which a needle is inserted into the lower back to collect cerebral spinal fluid). Subjects will participate for up to 24 months.
| Condition or disease | Intervention/treatment | Phase |
|---|---|---|
| Encephalitis | Drug: Valacyclovir Drug: Placebo | Phase 3 |
Herpes simplex encephalitis (HSE) remains the most common cause of sporadic fatal encephalitis in the world. This study is a phase III, double-blind, placebo controlled study of long term therapy with valacyclovir as a treatment of herpes encephalitis. The primary objective of this study is to assess the impact of valacyclovir (VACV) therapy (following standard intravenous acyclovir therapy) on neuropsychological impairment at one year post therapy, based on the cumulative scores of the Mattis Dementia Rating Scale (MDRS). The secondary objectives of the study are to: assess the effect of therapy on neuropsychological impairment at various time points; assess the effect of therapy on quality of life, based on the SF-36 Quality of Life Assessment; measure the effect of therapy on herpes simplex virus (HSV) deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) in the cerebral spinal fluid (CSF); and assess the safety and tolerability of long term VACV therapy in patients with HSE. The tertiary objective of the study is to determine the frequency of symptomatic relapse/recurrence of HSE. Study participants will include 120 males and females, 12 years of age and older, diagnosed with HSE; laboratory confirmed CSF positive for HSV DNA by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Consenting study participants will be randomized (1:1) to either valacyclovir (active drug), 500 mg tablets, four tablets three times daily for 90 days or placebo (identical to active drug in appearance), 500 mg tablets, four tablets three times daily for 90 days. The primary endpoints of the study are to assess the impact of valacyclovir therapy [following standard intravenous acyclovir (ACV) therapy] on neuropsychological impairment at one year post therapy and survival with no or mild neuropsychological impairment at 12 months after initiation of study medication, as measured by the MDRS. The secondary endpoints include: survival with no or mild neuropsychological impairment at 90 days and at 6, 12 and 24 months, as measured by the MDRS, the Mini-Mental Status Examination (MMSE), and the Glasgow Coma Scale; effect of study medication on quality of life measurements; effect of antiviral therapy on HSV DNA in CSF (measured quantitatively by PCR at Day 0 and Day 90); and safety and tolerance of VACV administered at a dose of 2.0 grams given orally three times a day for 90 days. Each study participant will participate for approximately 24 months.
| Study Type : | Interventional (Clinical Trial) |
| Actual Enrollment : | 91 participants |
| Allocation: | Randomized |
| Intervention Model: | Parallel Assignment |
| Masking: | Double (Participant, Investigator) |
| Primary Purpose: | Treatment |
| Official Title: | A Phase III Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial of Long Term Therapy of Herpes Simplex Encephalitis (HSE): An Evaluation of Valacyclovir (CASG-204) |
| Study Start Date : | September 2000 |
| Actual Primary Completion Date : | June 2010 |
| Actual Study Completion Date : | February 2011 |
Resource links provided by the National Library of Medicine
| Arm | Intervention/treatment |
|---|---|
| Experimental: Valacyclovir |
Drug: Valacyclovir
Valacyclovir is a L-valyl ester of acyclovir. Valacyclovir is provided in 500 mg tablets, 4 tablets (500 mg tablets) 3 times a day (every 8 hours) for 90 days. |
| Placebo Comparator: Placebo |
Drug: Placebo
Placebo (identical to active drug in appearance) 500 mg tablets, 4 tablets 3 times daily for 90 days. |
Primary Outcome Measures :
- Survival With no or Mild Neuropsychological Impairment at 12 Months After Initiation of Study Medication as Measured by the Mattis Dementia Rating Scale (MDRS) [ Time Frame: One year post therapy. ]Number of subjects who were assessed to have no or mild neuropsychological impairment at 12 months using the Mattis Dementia Rating Scale. (A score of 121 or higher refects no or mild neuropsychological impairment.) Scale is: 139-144 normal; 121-139 mild; 114-120 moderate; 87-113 severe; and <=86 very severe.
Secondary Outcome Measures :
- Effect of Study Medication on Quality of Life Measurements. [ Time Frame: Day 0 and 90, Day 0 and Month 6 and Day 0 and Month 12 ]The SF-36 Questionnaire measures quality of life as reported by the subject. The questionnaire contains 36 questions, each questions can be assigned a maximum score of 100. For each subject, a perfect score would be 3600, hence the higher score is best. The calculated scores reported in the table below reflect the diffence between Day 0 (day study drug started) and Day 90, Day 0 (day study drug started) and Month 6, and Day 0 (day study drug started) and Month 12.
- Effect of Antiviral Therapy on Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV) Deoxyribonucleic Acid (DNA) in Cerebral Spinal Fluid (CSF) [ Time Frame: Day 0 and Day 90. ]Few CSF specimens were collected on day 90, hence unable to calculate the difference in PCR at day 0 and day 90.[measured quantitatively by polymerase chain reaction (PCR)].
- Median Number of Reported AEs Describing Safety and Tolerance of Valacyclovir (VACV), Evaluated by the Number Adverse Events, Administered at a Dose of 2.0 Grams Given Orally 3 Times a Day for 90 Days. [ Time Frame: 6 months ]The measure is the number of adverse events per subject. Adverse events were recorded from time of first dose of study drug through 6 months post start of study drug.
- Survival With no or Mild Neuropsychological Impairment at 90 Days and at 6 and 12 Months, as Measured by the Mattis Dementia Rating Scale (MDRS) [ Time Frame: 90 days, 6 and 12 months ]The assessment scoring for the Mattis Dementia Rating Scale is as follows: 139 - 144: no neuropsychological impairment; 121- 138: mild neuropsychological impairment; 114 - 120: moderate neuropsychological impairment; 87 - 113: severe neuropsychological impairment; and <=86: very severe neuropsychological impairment.
- Survival With no or Mild Neuropsychological Impairment at 90 Days, and at 6 and 12 Months, as Measured by the Mini-Mental Status Examination (MMSE). [ Time Frame: 90 days, 6 and 12 months ]The assessment score for the Mini-Mental Status Examination is as follows: 27 - 30: no neuropsychological impairment; 23 - 26: mild neuropsychological impairment; 16 - 22: moderate neuropsychological impairment; 11 - 15 severe neuropsychological impairment; and <=10: very severe neuropsychological impairment.
- Survival With no or Mild Neuropsychological Impairment at 90 Days and at 6 and 12 Months, as Measured by the Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS). [ Time Frame: 90 days, 6 and 12 months ]The assessment scoring for the Glasgow Coma Scale is as follows: 15: no neuropsychological impairment; 12 - 14: mild neuropsychological impairment; 9 - 11: moderate neuropsychological impairment; 6 to 8: severe neuropsychological impairment; and <6: very severe neuropsychological impairment.
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| Ages Eligible for Study: | 12 Years and older (Child, Adult, Older Adult) |
| Sexes Eligible for Study: | All |
| Accepts Healthy Volunteers: | No |
Criteria
Inclusion Criteria:
- Informed consent and/or assent must be obtained from the patient or legal guardian.
- Patients with encephalopathy consistent with herpes simplex encephalitis (HSE) whose cerebral spinal fluid (or brain biopsy sample) is positive for herpes simplex virus (HSV) deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) by polymerase chain reaction (PCR).
- Patients who are receiving and will have completed intravenous (IV) acyclovir (ACV) therapy for a minimum duration of 14 days to a maximum of 21 days and a minimum dose of 30 mg/kg/day to a maximum of 60 mg/kg/day, or equivalent dose as adjusted for renal dysfunction.
- Patient is expected to be available for follow-up visits of study drug administration and through the 24 month study visit.
- Patients who are 12 years of age or older.
- Patients who weigh greater than or equal to 45.5kg (100 pounds).
- All female patients with childbearing potential must have a negative pregnancy test within 72 hours prior to initiation of study drug. If the pregnancy test is positive, the patient is ineligible for the study.
- Women must be post-menopausal, surgically sterile or willing to use adequate contraception (barrier method with spermicide, intrauterine device (IUD), oral contraceptives, implant or other licensed hormone method) from time of study enrollment through 1 month after the last dose of study treatment.
- Men must be surgically sterile or willing to use contraception (barrier method with spermicide) from time of study enrollment through 1 month after the last dose of study treatment.
Exclusion Criteria:
- Patients with herpes simplex virus (HSV) meningitis only, without evidence of HSV encephalitis.
- Patients with an anticipated life expectancy < 90 days.
- Patients with creatinine clearance of less than or equal to 50ml/min./1.73 m^2.
- Pregnant or breastfeeding females.
- Patients who have received any anti-herpesvirus medication (e.g. ganciclovir) other than intravenous acyclovir (ACV) for acute therapy of the current episode of herpes simplex encephalitis (HSE).
- Patients who are unable to swallow oral medications at the time of study drug randomization (Day 0).
- Patients who are > 3 days beyond completion of treatment course with intravenous (IV) ACV.
- Patients who are expected to receive long-term (> 30 days/year) therapy with antiviral medications active against HSV [e.g. ACV, valacyclovir (VACV), famciclovir].
Information from the National Library of Medicine
To learn more about this study, you or your doctor may contact the study research staff using the contact information provided by the sponsor.
Please refer to this study by its ClinicalTrials.gov identifier (NCT number): NCT00031486
Locations
Show 21 study locations
Sponsors and Collaborators
National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID)
Publications automatically indexed to this study by ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier (NCT Number):
| Responsible Party: | National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) |
| ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: | NCT00031486 |
| Obsolete Identifiers: | NCT00001124 |
| Other Study ID Numbers: |
98-022 CASG 204 N01AI30025C |
| First Posted: | March 7, 2002 Key Record Dates |
| Results First Posted: | June 12, 2012 |
| Last Update Posted: | June 12, 2012 |
| Last Verified: | October 2011 |
Keywords provided by National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID):
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encephalitis, herpes simplex, valacyclovir |
Additional relevant MeSH terms:
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Herpes Simplex Encephalitis, Herpes Simplex Encephalitis Brain Diseases Central Nervous System Diseases Nervous System Diseases Neuroinflammatory Diseases Herpesviridae Infections DNA Virus Infections Virus Diseases Infections |
Skin Diseases, Viral Skin Diseases, Infectious Skin Diseases Encephalitis, Viral Central Nervous System Viral Diseases Central Nervous System Infections Infectious Encephalitis Valacyclovir Antiviral Agents Anti-Infective Agents |