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Ephedrine as add-on therapy for patients with myasthenia gravis: protocol for a series of randomised, placebo-controlled n-of-1 trials.

ABSTRACT: INTRODUCTION:Myasthenia gravis (MG), a rare neuromuscular disease, is often initially treated using acetylcholinesterase inhibitors. Patients who do not respond adequately depend on the use of corticosteroids or other immunosuppressive medication, but these may have serious side effects. Clinical observations suggest that ephedrine can diminish, postpone or even prevent the need for immunosuppressive therapy when added to acetylcholinesterase inhibitors or low-dose prednisone. In the Netherlands, ephedrine is not licensed for MG nor is reimbursement guaranteed. MG is a rare condition, and ephedrine might be indicated only in a subset of patients. Thus, randomised controlled trials comparing large groups are difficult to conduct. We, therefore, aim to aggregate data from a small series of n-of-1 trials (also known as single patient trials) to assess the effect of ephedrine as add-on treatment for MG. METHODS AND ANALYSIS:Single-centre, placebo-controlled, double-blind, randomised, multiple crossover n-of-1 studies in 4 adult patients with generalised MG who show inadequate improvement on pyridostigmine and/or immunosuppressive drugs. Each n-of-1 trial has 3 cycles of two 5-day intervention periods. TREATMENT:25?mg ephedrine or placebo, twice daily. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE:Quantitative Myasthenia Gravis (QMG) test. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS:fixed effects linear model for QMG for all patients combined. SECONDARY OUTCOME MEASURES:Clinical: effects on MG-Composite and MG-Activities of Daily Living (MG-ADL) scales; QMG at individual level; adverse events. Acceptability of trial design: number of patients eligible and enrolled; number of treatment cycles completed; patients' and caregivers' experiences. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION:This study was approved by the Medical Ethics Committee of Leiden University Medical Center, No. P14.108. Results of the trial will be reported in a peer-reviewed publication. Regulatory stakeholders will comment on the suitability of the trial for market authorisation and reimbursement purposes. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER:This study is registered under EudraCT number 2014-001355-23, protocol no. 40960, V.1.0, registration date 27 March 2014.

SUBMITTER: Vrinten C

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4513481 | biostudies-literature | 2015 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Ephedrine as add-on therapy for patients with myasthenia gravis: protocol for a series of randomised, placebo-controlled n-of-1 trials.

Vrinten Charlotte C Lipka Alexander F AF van Zwet Erik W EW Schimmel Kirsten J M KJ Cornel Martina C MC Kuijpers Marja R MR Hekster Yechiel A YA Weinreich Stephanie S SS Verschuuren Jan J G M JJ

BMJ open 20150716 7

<h4>Introduction</h4>Myasthenia gravis (MG), a rare neuromuscular disease, is often initially treated using acetylcholinesterase inhibitors. Patients who do not respond adequately depend on the use of corticosteroids or other immunosuppressive medication, but these may have serious side effects. Clinical observations suggest that ephedrine can diminish, postpone or even prevent the need for immunosuppressive therapy when added to acetylcholinesterase inhibitors or low-dose prednisone. In the Net ...[more]

PMID: 26185179

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Project description:BACKGROUND:Myasthenia is a condition in which neuromuscular transmission is affected by antibodies against neuromuscular junction components (autoimmune myasthenia gravis, MG; and neonatal myasthenia gravis, NMG) or by defects in genes for neuromuscular junction proteins (congenital myasthenic syndromes, CMSs). Clinically, some individuals seem to benefit from treatment with ephedrine, but its effects and adverse effects have not been systematically evaluated. OBJECTIVES:To assess the effects and adverse effects of ephedrine in people with autoimmune MG, transient neonatal MG, and the congenital myasthenic syndromes. SEARCH METHODS:On 17 November 2014, we searched the Cochrane Neuromuscular Disease Group Specialized Register, the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), MEDLINE and EMBASE. We also searched reference lists of articles, conference proceedings of relevant conferences, and prospective trial registers. In addition, we contacted manufacturers and researchers in the field. SELECTION CRITERIA:We considered randomised controlled trials (RCTs) and quasi-RCTs comparing ephedrine as a single or add-on treatment with any other active treatment, placebo, or no treatment in adults or children with autoimmune MG, NMG, or CMSs. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS:Two review authors independently assessed study design and quality, and extracted data. We contacted study authors for additional information. We collected information on adverse effects from included articles, and contacted authors. MAIN RESULTS:We found no RCTs or quasi-RCTs, and therefore could not establish the effect of ephedrine on MG, NMG and CMSs. We describe the results of 53 non-randomised studies narratively in the Discussion section, including observations of endurance, muscle strength and quality of life. Effects may differ depending on the type of myasthenia. Thirty-seven studies were in participants with CMS, five in participants with MG, and in 11 the precise form of myasthenia was unknown. We found no studies for NMG. Reported adverse effects included tachycardia, sleep disturbances, nervousness, and withdrawal symptoms. AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS:There was no evidence available from RCTs or quasi-RCTs, but some observations from non-randomised studies are available. There is a need for more evidence from suitable forms of prospective RCTs, such as series of n-of-one RCTs, that use appropriate and validated outcome measures.

Project description:BACKGROUND:Research exploring the effects of physical exercise in auto-immune myasthenia gravis (MG) is scarce. The few existing studies present methodological shortcomings limiting the conclusions and generalisability of results. It is hypothesised that exercise could have positive physical, psychological as well as immunomodulatory effects and may be a beneficial addition to current pharmacological management of this chronic disease. The aim of this study is to evaluate the benefits on perceived quality of life (QOL) and physical fitness of a home-based physical exercise program compared to usual care, for patients with stabilised, generalised auto-immune MG. METHODS:MGEX is a multi-centre, interventional, randomised, single-blind, two-arm parallel group, controlled trial. Forty-two patients will be recruited, aged 18-70 years. Following a three-month observation period, patients will be randomised into a control or experimental group. The experimental group will undertake a 40-min home-based physical exercise program using a rowing machine, three times a week for three months, as an add-on to usual care. The control group will receive usual care with no additional treatment. All patients will be followed up for a further three months. The primary outcome is the mean change in MGQOL-15-F score between three and six months (i.e. pre-intervention and immediately post-intervention periods). The MGQOL-15-F is an MG-specific patient-reported QOL questionnaire. Secondary outcomes include the evaluation of deficits and functional limitations via MG-specific clinical scores (Myasthenia Muscle Score and MG-Activities of Daily Living scale), muscle force and fatigue, respiratory function, free-living physical activity as well as evaluations of anxiety, depression, self-esteem and overall QOL with the WHO-QOL BREF questionnaire. Exercise workload will be assessed as well as multiple safety measures (ECG, biological markers, medication type and dosage and any disease exacerbation or crisis). DISCUSSION:This is the largest randomised controlled trial to date evaluating the benefits and tolerance of physical exercise in this patient population. The comprehensive evaluations using standardised outcome measures should provide much awaited information for both patients and the scientific community. This study is ongoing. TRIAL REGISTRATION:ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT02066519 . Registered on 13 January 2014.

Project description:Background and objectivesMyasthenia gravis (MG) is an autoimmune disease characterized by dysfunction at the neuromuscular junction. Treatment frequently includes corticosteroids (CSs) and IV immunoglobulin (IVIG). This study was conducted to determine whether immune globulin (human), 10% caprylate/chromatography purified (IGIV-C) could facilitate CS dose reduction in CS-dependent patients with MG.MethodsIn this randomized double-blind placebo-controlled trial, CS-dependent patients with MG (Myasthenia Gravis Foundation of America Class II-Iva; AChR+) received a loading dose of 2 g/kg IGIV-C over 2 days (maximum 80 g/d) or placebo at week 0 (baseline). Maintenance doses (1 g/kg IGIV-C or placebo) were administered every 3 weeks through week 36. Tapering of CS was initiated at week 9 and continued through week 36 unless the patient worsened (quantitative MG score ≥4 points from baseline). CS doses were increased (based on the current CS dose) in patients who worsened. Patients were withdrawn if worsening failed to improve within 6 weeks or if a second CS increase was required. The primary efficacy end point (at week 39) was a ≥50% reduction in CS dose. Secondary and safety end points were assessed throughout the study and follow-up (weeks 42 and 45). The study results and full protocol are available at clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02473965.ResultsThe primary end point (≥50% reduction in CS dose) showed no significant difference between the IGIV-C treatment (60.0% of patients) and placebo (63.3%). There were no significant differences for secondary end points. Safety data indicated that IGIV-C was well tolerated.DiscussionIn this study, IGIV-C was not more effective than placebo in reducing daily CS dose. These results suggest that the effects of IGIV-C and CS are not synergistic and may be mechanistically different.Trial registration informationThe trial was registered on clinicaltrialsregister.eu (EudraCT #: 2013-005099-17) and clinicaltrials.gov (identifier NCT02473965).Classification of evidenceThis study provides Class II evidence that IVIG infusions in adult patients with MG do not increase the percentage of patients achieving a ≥50% reduction in corticosteroid dose compared with placebo.

Project description:Myasthenia gravis (MG) is an autoimmune disease affecting the neuromuscular junction, whose clinical hallmark is muscle weakness and early fatigability. Azathioprine (AZA) is commonly used in Myasthenia Gravis therapy. AZA is a purine antagonist, which inhibits the cell cycle in the resting and DNA synthesis phases. It is usually used as an immunosuppressant to block T- and B-cell proliferation. AZA, bioconverted to 6-mercaptopurine by glutathione S-transferase (GST), can be metabolized either through the hypoxanthine phosphoribosyl transferase pathway to active 6-thioguanine nucleotides (6-TGN) or through the thiopurine S-methyltransferase (TPMT) pathway to inactive methyl-thiopurine metabolites. The incorporation of active 6-TGNs into DNA, causing breaks in DNA strands resulting in interference with RNA production and thereby protein synthesis, is responsible for the drug effect. The response to AZA is determined by which metabolic pathway is being favored. While balanced use of both HPRT and TPMT pathways results in responsiveness to AZA, hyperactivity of TPMT skews the balance towards the TPMT pathway and results in unresponsiveness to AZA with no pharmacological effect. In contrast, low TPMT activity skews the balance towards the HPRT pathway, resulting in increasing side-effects due to the accumulation of 6-TGNs. Current treatments for MG therapy are often inadequate because less than 40% of patients achieve complete remission with available drugs. This reflects the lack of drugs acting on target sites for which there is strong evidence of pathogenicity and the inability to identify responder patients. No criteria for responsiveness are available, exposing patients to unpredictable failures and unpredictable side effects. These individuals are at particular risk for adverse drug reaction (ADRs) or therapeutic failure. Genetic profiling with the Affymetrix drug metabolizing enzymes and transports genotyping array offers the ability to determine 1,931 variants and 225 genes involved in drug metabolism and disposition. Accordingly, the study of well-known drug-metabolizing genes can be involved in the specific metabolic pathway of a drug, which is more likely to define genotype-phenotype association and thereby genotype profiles relevant to drug response that can be applied as predictive biomarkers for pharmacological treatment.

Dataset Information

Ephedrine as add-on therapy for patients with myasthenia gravis: protocol for a series of randomised, placebo-controlled n-of-1 trials.

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Ephedrine as add-on therapy for patients with myasthenia gravis: protocol for a series of randomised, placebo-controlled n-of-1 trials.

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