Long Term Treatment of Herpes Simplex Encephalitis (HSE) With Valacyclovir

May 10, 2012 updated by: National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID)

A Phase III Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial of Long Term Therapy of Herpes Simplex Encephalitis (HSE): An Evaluation of Valacyclovir (CASG-204)

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.

Study Overview

Status

Status

Indicates the current recruitment status or the expanded access status.
Completed

Conditions

Conditions

The disease, disorder, syndrome, illness, or injury that is being studied. On ClinicalTrials.gov, conditions may also include other health-related issues, such as lifespan, quality of life, and health risks.

Intervention / Treatment

Intervention / Treatment

A process or action that is the focus of a clinical study. Interventions include drugs, medical devices, procedures, vaccines, and other products that are either investigational or already available. Interventions can also include noninvasive approaches, such as education or modifying diet and exercise.

Detailed Description

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

Study Type

Describes the nature of a clinical study. Study types include interventional studies (also called clinical trials), observational studies (including patient registries), and expanded access.
Interventional

Enrollment (Actual)

Enrollment

The number of participants in a clinical study. The "anticipated" enrollment is the target number of participants that the researchers need for the study.
91

Phase

Phase

The stage of a clinical trial studying a drug or biological product, based on definitions developed by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The phase is based on the study's objective, the number of participants, and other characteristics. There are five phases: Early Phase 1 (formerly listed as Phase 0), Phase 1, Phase 2, Phase 3, and Phase 4. Not Applicable is used to describe trials without FDA-defined phases, including trials of devices or behavioral interventions.
  • Phase 3

Contacts and Locations

This section provides the contact details for those conducting the study, and information on where this study is being conducted.

Study Locations

  • Canada
    • Manitoba
      • Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada, R3E 0W3
        • University of Manitoba - Medical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases
    • Ontario
      • Kingston, Ontario, Canada, K7L 2V7
        • Kingston General Hospital - Internal Medicine - Neurology
  • Sweden
      • Gothenberg, Sweden
        • University of Gothenburg - Sahlgrenska Academy
      • Lund, Sweden
        • niversity of Lund - Infectious Disease
      • Stockholm, Sweden
        • Karolinska University Hospital, Huddinge
      • Umea, Sweden
        • Umea University - Infectious Diseases
      • Uppsala, Sweden
        • Uppsala University Hospital
  • United Kingdom
      • London, United Kingdom, NW3 2PF
        • University College London - Royal Free Campus - Virology
  • United States
    • Alabama
      • Birmingham, Alabama, United States, 35294-2050
        • University of Alabama at Birmingham
    • Arizona
      • Phoenix, Arizona, United States, 85013
        • St. Joseph's Hospital and Medical Center - Barrow Neurological Institute - Phoenix
    • California
      • Sacramento, California, United States, 95817
        • University of California Davis Medical Center
    • Colorado
      • Denver, Colorado, United States, 80220
        • University of Colorado
    • Illinois
      • Chicago, Illinois, United States, 60611
        • Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine
    • Kansas
      • Kansas City, Kansas, United States, 66160
        • University of Kansas Medical Center
    • Louisiana
      • New Orleans, Louisiana, United States, 70112
        • Tulane University Health Sciences Center
    • Maryland
      • Baltimore, Maryland, United States, 21287
        • Johns Hopkins University
    • Minnesota
      • Rochester, Minnesota, United States, 55905
        • Mayo Clinic
    • Missouri
      • St. Louis, Missouri, United States, 63110-0250
        • Saint Louis University Hospital - School of Medicine - Department of Neurology & Psychiatry
    • New Mexico
      • Albuquerque, New Mexico, United States, 87131
        • University of New Mexico
    • Ohio
      • Toledo, Ohio, United States, 43614
        • University of Toledo
    • Virginia
      • Charlottesville, Virginia, United States, 22908
        • University of Virginia Health System

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

Eligibility Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

The key requirements that people who want to participate in a clinical study must meet or the characteristics they must have. Eligibility criteria consist of both inclusion criteria (which are required for a person to participate in the study) and exclusion criteria (which prevent a person from participating). Types of eligibility criteria include whether a study accepts healthy volunteers, has age or age group requirements, or is limited by sex.

Ages Eligible for Study

12 years and older (Child, Adult, Older Adult)

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Genders Eligible for Study

All

Description

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].

Study Plan

This section provides details of the study plan, including how the study is designed and what the study is measuring.

How is the study designed?

Design Details

  • Primary Purpose: Treatment
  • Allocation: Randomized
  • Interventional Model: Parallel Assignment
  • Masking: Double

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm

Participant Group / Arm

A group or subgroup of participants in a clinical trial that receives a specific intervention/treatment, or no intervention, according to the trial's protocol.
Intervention / Treatment

Intervention / Treatment

A process or action that is the focus of a clinical study. Interventions include drugs, medical devices, procedures, vaccines, and other products that are either investigational or already available. Interventions can also include noninvasive approaches, such as education or modifying diet and exercise.
Placebo Comparator: Placebo
Drug: Placebo
Placebo (identical to active drug in appearance) 500 mg tablets, 4 tablets 3 times daily for 90 days.
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.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Primary Outcome Measures

In a clinical study's protocol, the planned outcome measure that is the most important for evaluating the effect of an intervention/treatment. Most clinical studies have one primary outcome measure, but some have more than one.
Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
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.
One year post therapy.

Secondary Outcome Measures

Secondary Outcome Measures

In a clinical study's protocol, a planned outcome measure that is not as important as the primary outcome measure for evaluating the effect of an intervention but is still of interest. Most clinical studies have more than one secondary outcome measure.
Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
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.
Day 0 and 90, Day 0 and Month 6 and Day 0 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)].
Day 0 and Day 90.
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.
6 months
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.
90 days, 6 and 12 months
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.
90 days, 6 and 12 months
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.
90 days, 6 and 12 months

Collaborators and Investigators

This is where you will find people and organizations involved with this study.

Sponsor

Sponsor

The organization or person who initiates the study and who has authority and control over the study.
National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID)

Publications and helpful links

The person responsible for entering information about the study voluntarily provides these publications. These may be about anything related to the study.

General Publications

Study record dates

These dates track the progress of study record and summary results submissions to ClinicalTrials.gov. Study records and reported results are reviewed by the National Library of Medicine (NLM) to make sure they meet specific quality control standards before being posted on the public website.

Study Major Dates

Study Start

Study Start

The actual date on which the first participant was enrolled in a clinical study. The "anticipated" study start date is the date that the researchers think will be the study start date.
September 1, 2000

Primary Completion (Actual)

Primary Completion

The date on which the last participant in a clinical study was examined or received an intervention to collect final data for the primary outcome measure. Whether the clinical study ended according to the protocol or was terminated does not affect this date. For clinical studies with more than one primary outcome measure with different completion dates, this term refers to the date on which data collection is completed for all the primary outcome measures. The "anticipated" primary completion date is the date that the researchers think will be the primary completion date for the study.
June 1, 2010

Study Completion (Actual)

Study Completion

The date on which the last participant in a clinical study was examined or received an intervention/treatment to collect final data for the primary outcome measures, secondary outcome measures, and adverse events (that is, the last participant's last visit). The "anticipated" study completion date is the date that the researchers think will be the study completion date.
February 1, 2011

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

First Submitted

The date on which the study sponsor or investigator first submitted a study record to ClinicalTrials.gov. There is typically a delay of a few days between the first submitted date and the record's availability on ClinicalTrials.gov (the first posted date).
March 6, 2002

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

The date on which the study sponsor or investigator first submits a study record that is consistent with National Library of Medicine (NLM) quality control (QC) review criteria. The sponsor or investigator may need to revise and submit a study record one or more times before NLM's QC review criteria are met. It is the responsibility of the sponsor or investigator to ensure that the study record is consistent with the NLM QC review criteria.
March 6, 2002

First Posted (Estimate)

First Posted

The date on which the study record was first available on ClinicalTrials.gov after National Library of Medicine (NLM) quality control (QC) review has concluded. There is typically a delay of a few days between the date the study sponsor or investigator submitted the study record and the first posted date.
March 7, 2002

Study Record Updates

Last Update Posted (Estimate)

Last Update Posted

The most recent date on which changes to a study record were made available on ClinicalTrials.gov. There may be a delay between when the changes were submitted to ClinicalTrials.gov by the study's sponsor or investigator (the last update submitted date) and the last update posted date.
June 12, 2012

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

The most recent date on which the study sponsor or investigator submitted changes to a study record that are consistent with National Library of Medicine (NLM) quality control (QC) review criteria. It is the responsibility of the sponsor or investigator to ensure that the study record is consistent with the NLM QC review criteria.
May 10, 2012

Last Verified

Last Verified

The most recent date on which the study sponsor or investigator confirmed the information about a clinical study on ClinicalTrials.gov as accurate and current. If a study with a recruitment status of recruiting; not yet recruiting; or active, not recruiting has not been confirmed within the past 2 years, the study's recruitment status is shown as unknown.
October 1, 2011

More Information

Terms related to this study

Keywords

Additional Relevant MeSH Terms

Other Study ID Numbers

Other Study ID Numbers

Identifiers or ID numbers other than the NCT number that are assigned to a clinical study by the study's sponsor, funders, or others. These numbers may include unique identifiers from other trial registries and National Institutes of Health grant numbers.
  • 98-022
  • N01AI30025C
  • CASG 204

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