Description Module
The Description Module contains narrative descriptions of the clinical trial, including a brief summary and detailed description. These descriptions provide important information about the study's purpose, methodology, and key details in language accessible to both researchers and the general public.
Description Module path is as follows:
Study -> Protocol Section -> Description Module
Description Module
Ignite Creation Date:
2025-12-24 @ 4:41 PM
Ignite Modification Date:
2025-12-24 @ 4:41 PM
NCT ID:
NCT01016366
Brief Summary:
The primary purpose of the study is to determine whether carbamylated erythropoietin is a safe treatment for patients who suffer from Friedreich's Ataxia.
Detailed Description:
Friedreich's Ataxia (FRDA) is a hereditary, progressive neurodegenerative disorder caused by mutations in the gene encoding frataxin. The mutation results in a severe reduction in levels of the mitochondrial protein, frataxin. A decline in frataxin levels and its associated consequences is believed to be the primary cause of symptoms in FRDA patients. The clinical symptoms of FRDA include progressive gait and limb ataxia, dysarthria, diabetes mellitus and hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. First symptoms usually appear between the age of 5 and 15 years. As the disease progresses the patient becomes confined to a wheel chair and at later stages the patients become increasingly incapacitated. There is currently no effective treatment for FRDA.
The naturally occurring hormone, erythropoietin (EPO), is able to protect various neuronal tissues from ischemic injury. Recombinant human erythropoietin (EPO) increases frataxin expression in lymphocytes from patients with FRDA. Also, EPO treatment of FRDA patients resulted in a favourable outcome compared to baseline as assessed by the levels of frataxin and biomarkers of oxidative stress. In a pilot study with EPO in FRDA patients, the treatment was well tolerated apart from the expected haematological (haematopoietic) side effects. Lu AA24493 (CEPO) is a modified (carbamylated) version of EPO, which is neuroprotective but without the haematopoietic side effects. Lu AA24493 is being developed for treatment of patients with FRDA.
Although the target for the non-haematological effects of Lu AA24493 (and EPO) is currently unknown, Lu AA24493 (CEPO) can protect cells and tissue from various types of injuries. Furthermore, in vitro Lu AA24493 (CEPO) increases the frataxin levels in lymphocytes from FRDA patients as well as from control patients. This study aims to evaluate the safety of 2 weeks treatment (6 doses, 3 doses per week) of CEPO in patients with FRDA and to explore efficacy by using neurological rating scales and by exploring levels of frataxin and biomarkers of oxidative stress.
Study:
NCT01016366
Study Brief:
Protocol Section:
NCT01016366