Investigation of the Anti-Cancer Activity of Artichoke Extract in an Asbestos-Exposed Population (ABOCA1)

Investigation of the Anti-Cancer Activity of Artichoke Extract in an Asbestos-Exposed Population (The ABOCA Phase II Trial)

This is a single-arm phase II trial to assess the biological activity (in a sub-cohort using a Simon two-stage Phase II design) and toxicity of Artichoke Whole Phytocomplex Concentrate (WPC). The objective of the study is to explore the potential for a non-toxic phytocomplex extract from the artichoke plant as a chemoprevention agent.

Study Overview

• Status: Completed
• Conditions: Asbestos Exposure
• Intervention / Treatment: Drug: Artichoke WPC

Detailed Description

In individuals exposed to asbestos and affected with asbestosis or asbestos-related benign pleural disease, and therefore at increased risk of mesothelioma, the investigators will evaluate whether the treatment with the commercially-available Artichoke Whole Phytocomplex Concentrate (Artichoke WPC) for 90 days will decrease mesothelin serum levels.

Although the investigators have general information on toxicity in humans, the investigators will monitor and assess the potential toxicity of Artichoke WPC in this patient population.

In addition to mesothelin, the investigators plan to evaluate the effects of Artichoke WPC on serum microRNAs (miRNAs). The use of miRNAs as minimally-invasive biomarkers has opened new opportunities for the diagnosis of cancer. A number of studies have addressed the potential association of disregulated miRNA profiling and benign asbestos-related disease and mesothelioma. Thus, the investigators will evaluate serum miRNA profiling before and after treatment with Artichoke WPC.

• Study Type: Interventional
• Enrollment (Actual): 3
• Phase: Phase 2

Contacts and Locations

Study Locations

• Canada
  • Ontario
    • Hamilton, Ontario, Canada, L8N 4A6
      • St. Joseph's Hospital, Firestone Institute

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: 16 years to 78 years (Adult, Older Adult)
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: No
• Genders Eligible for Study: All

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

1. Asbestosis (defined as diffuse lung scarring based on increased profusion of interstitial fibrosis)
2. Benign pleural disease (defined as thickening or fibrotic plaques on pleural surfaces of the lung bilaterally)

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Prior systemic chemotherapy, radiation therapy or both.
2. A current or previous history of primary malignancy.
3. Known allergy to artichoke.
4. Known bile duct obstruction.
5. Known pregnancy or lactating women.
6. Known psychiatric illness/social situations that would limit study compliance.
7. Receiving any other investigational agents.
8. Inability to understand or unable to provide written informed consent.

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Design Details

• Primary Purpose: Prevention
• Allocation: N/A
• Interventional Model: Single Group Assignment
• Masking: None (Open Label)

Number of Arms

1

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm	Intervention / Treatment
Experimental: Artichoke WPC; Artichoke WPC 500 mg capsules. Dose = 1000 mg (2 - 500 mg capsules) just before breakfast and 1000 mg (2 - 500 mg capsules) before dinner. Duration: daily for a period of 90 days.	Drug: Artichoke WPC; Artichoke WPC 500 mg capsules. Dose = 1000 mg (2 - 500 mg capsules) just before breakfast and 1000 mg (2 - 500 mg capsules) before dinner. Duration: daily for a period of 90 days.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Efficacy outcome	The primary efficacy outcome is based on the reduction in serum concentration levels of mesothelin, measured at baseline and at the end of the intervention for subjects in the efficacy sub-cohort (i.e. for subjects who had elevated mesothelin levels at baseline). A positive outcome will be declared if the biomarker shows a reduction of 25% or more of its baseline value over the 90-day treatment period. For each study subject, mesothelin serum levels for both the baseline and final blood draws will be determined at the same time and in the same batch. This will assist in minimizing the technical variability of the assessments.	90 days post last subject recruitment

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Safety outcome	At the Day 45 and Day 90 visits, adverse reactions will be reported and graded according to the NCI CTCAE Version 4.03.	Day 45 and Day 90

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: Ontario Clinical Oncology Group (OCOG)
• Collaborators: Aboca Spa Societa' Agricola
• Investigators: Principal Investigator: Paola Muti, McMaster University

Publications and helpful links

General Publications

• Muti P, Sacconi A, Pulito C, Orlandi G, Donzelli S, Morrone A, Jiulian J, Cox GP, Kolb M, Pond G, Kavsak P, Levine MN, Blandino G, Strano S. Artichoke phytocomplex modulates serum microRNAs in patients exposed to asbestos: a first step of a phase II clinical trial. J Exp Clin Cancer Res. 2022 Aug 20;41(1):255. doi: 10.1186/s13046-022-02455-6.

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start (Actual): November 5, 2019
• Primary Completion (Actual): April 28, 2020
• Study Completion (Actual): April 28, 2020

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: February 24, 2014
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: February 26, 2014
• First Posted (Estimate): March 3, 2014

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Actual): July 13, 2021
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: July 12, 2021
• Last Verified: July 1, 2021

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Keywords: prevention; non-malignant asbestos-related disease; benign pleural disease; asbestosis
• Other Study ID Numbers: OCOG-2013-ABOCA1

Drug and device information, study documents

• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product: No
• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product: No