Safety, Pharmacokinetics and Efficacy Study of QCC374 in PAH Patients

A Randomized, Parallel-group, Placebo-controlled Subject and Investigator Blinded Study to Assess the Safety, Tolerability, Pharmacokinetics and Efficacy of QCC374 in the Treatment of Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension

This was a non-confirmatory, randomized, placebo controlled, subject and investigator blinded study of QCC374 in PAH subjects. The study was planned to have 2 Parts: Part 1, an initial safety cohort with a 0.03 mg bid starting dose, and Part 2, a larger cohort with a 0.06 mg bid starting dose. However, due to early study termination following Part 1, Part 2 was not completed. Both study parts were comprised of four phases: a screening period for up to 28 days, a titration period of 2 weeks, a stable dose period of 14 weeks and safety follow-up period for 28 days. At the end of the treatment period of 16 weeks, eligible patients were given the option to participate in a separate long-term extension study (CQCC374X2201E1 (NCT02939599)), where all patients were treated with an individual optimal dose of QCC374.

Study Overview

• Status: Terminated
• Conditions: Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension
• Intervention / Treatment: Drug: QCC374; Drug: Placebo Matching

Detailed Description

The decision for early termination was based on changes in Novartis strategy, and was not based on any safety concerns regarding QCC374. Only Part 1 of the study was completed.

• Study Type: Interventional
• Enrollment (Actual): 8
• Phase: Phase 2

Contacts and Locations

Study Locations

• Germany
  • Dresden, Germany, 01307
    • Novartis Investigative Site
  • Heidelberg, Germany, 69120
    • Novartis Investigative Site
• Korea, Republic of
  • Seoul, Korea, Republic of, 03722
    • Novartis Investigative Site
• United Kingdom
  • Cambridgeshire
    • Cambridge, Cambridgeshire, United Kingdom, CB23 3RE
      • Novartis Investigative Site
• United States
  • Pennsylvania
    • Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States, 15261
      • Novartis Investigative Site

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: 18 years and older (Adult, Older Adult)
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: No
• Genders Eligible for Study: All

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

• Male and female patients 18 years of age or older with symptomatic PAH.
• Subjects with PAH belonging to one of the following subgroups of the Updated Clinical Classification Group 1 (Nice, 2013):
• Idiopathic PAH
• familial PAH
• PAH associated with connective tissue disease, congenital heart disease (surgically repaired at least 12 months prior to screening) or drug or toxin induced (for example, anorexigen use).
• Subjects must have persistent symptoms due to PAH despite therapy with at least one of the following PAH medications: an endothelin receptor antagonist, asoluble guanylate cyclase stimulator or a phosphodiesterase inhibitor. The subjects' PAH medication regimen, with typical medications including calcium channel blockers, endothelin receptor antagonists, soluble guanylate cyclase stimulators and/or phosphodiesterase inhibitors, must have been used at a stable dose and frequency for at least 12 weeks before the screening visit and during the screening period.
• Diagnosis of PAH established according to the standard criteria before the screening visit:
• Resting mean pulmonary arterial pressure > 25 mmHg.
• PVR > 240 dynes s/cm5.
• Pulmonary capillary wedge pressure or left ventricular end diastolic pressure < 15 mmHg
• PVR > 400 dynes s/cm5 at the time of the baseline right heart catheterization (RHC) (if a RHC was completed within one month of the screening visit, that result may be used for inclusion).
• 6-minute walk distance greater than 150 meters at Screening. This distance must be confirmed by a second 6MWT prior to randomization. The value of the second 6MWD should be within ± 15% of the value obtained at Screening.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Subjects with clinically unstable right heart failure within the last three months (New York Heart Association (NYHA) Class IV).
• Subjects with PAH associated with portal hypertension, Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) infection or unrepaired congenital systemic to pulmonary shunts
• Subjects who have received or have been scheduled to receive long-term treatment with epoprostenol or any prostacyclin within the three months prior to the screening visit or during the screening period.
• Hypotensive subjects (systemic systolic blood pressure < 85 mmHg)
• Subjects with a history of left sided heart disease, chronic left sided heart failure, congenital or acquired valvular disease and/or pulmonary venous hypertension.
• Subjects with significant obstructive (forced expiratory volume in one second [FEV1]/forced vital capacity [FVC] < 70% predicted) or restrictive (total lung capacity < 70% predicted) lung disease at screening.

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Design Details

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

Number of Arms

2

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm	Intervention / Treatment
Experimental: QCC374; Adult patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) on QCC374. All patients were initiated at 0.03 mg BID (Day 1-3), and were up-titrated to next higher dose 0.06 mg BID (Day 4) and increased to 0.12 mg BID (Day 7-14).	Drug: QCC374; 0.03 mg (2 capsules of 0.015 mg) BID 0.06 mg (1 capsule of 0.06 mg) BID 0.12 mg (2 capsules of 0.06 mg) BID
Placebo Comparator: Placebo; Adult patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) on placebo matching to QCC374 doses (0.03 mg BID (Day 1-3), 0.06 mg BID (Day 4) and 0.12 mg BID (Day 7-14)).	Drug: Placebo Matching; Placebo matching to QCC374: 0.03 mg BID, 0.06 mg BID and 0.12 mg BID

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Change From Baseline in Pulmonary Vascular Resistance (PVR) at Week 16 (Day 111)	The efficacy of 16 weeks of QCC374 administration in subjects with Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension (PAH) was assessed by measuring changes from baseline in Pulmonary Vascular Resistance (PVR). PVR is derived from the CO measurement in dyn·s/cm5 and can be calculated as 80 multiplied by (Mean Arterial Pressure - Mean Pulmonary Artery Wedge Pressure) divided by Cardiac Output. A higher negative number in Pulmonary Vascular Resistance indicates improvement. Only descriptive analysis performed.	Baseline, Week 16 (Day 111)

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Change From Baseline in Six Minute Walk Distance (6MWD) Over Time	The Six Minute Walk Test measures the distance an individual is able to walk over a total of six minutes on a hard, flat surface. The goal is for the individual to walk as far as possible in six minutes. The individual is able to self-pace and rest as needed as they traverse back and forth along a marked walkway. Only descriptive analysis performed.	Baseline, Day 28, Day 56, Day 84 and Day 111
Change From Baseline in Cardiac Output (CO) at Week 16 (Day 111)	The Right Heart Catheterization (RHC) assessment was performed to assess several hemodynamic variables in pulmonary hypertension, including Cardiac Output (CO). All hemodynamic parameters were assessed when the patient was in a stable hemodynamic rest state (as demonstrated by three consecutive CO measurements within 10% of each other) while the patient was breathing ambient air or oxygen. CO was measured in triplicate using the thermodilution technique. Direct Fick could be used only after discussion and approval by the Sponsor. In all cases, the same technique was to be used at baseline and week 16. . A higher positive number in Cardiac Output indicates improvement. Only descriptive analysis performed.	Baseline, Week 16 (Day 111)
Change From Baseline in Cardiac Index at Week 16 (Day 111)	The Right Heart Catheterization (RHC) assessment was performed to assess several hemodynamic variables in pulmonary hypertension, including Cardiac Index. All hemodynamic parameters were assessed when the patient was in a stable hemodynamic rest state (as demonstrated by three consecutive CO measurements within 10% of each other) while the patient was breathing ambient air or oxygen. A higher negative number in Cardiac Index indicates improvement. Only descriptive analysis performed.	Baseline, Week 16 (Day 111)
Change From Baseline in Pulmonary Capillary Wedge Pressure (PCWP) at Week 16 (Day 111)	The Right Heart Catheterization (RHC) assessment was performed to assess several hemodynamic variables in pulmonary hypertension, including mean Pulmonary Capillary Wedge Pressure (PCWP). All hemodynamic parameters were assessed when the patient was in a stable hemodynamic rest state (as demonstrated by three consecutive CO measurements within 10% of each other) while the patient was breathing ambient air or oxygen. Pressure measurements were made in the PA, PA wedge, right ventricle (RV) and right atrium (RA) and determined at the end of normal expiration. The PCWP was recorded as the mean of three measurements. Only descriptive analysis performed.	Baseline, Week 16 (Day 111)
Change From Baseline in Systemic Vascular Resistance (SVR) at Week 16 (Day 111)	The Right Heart Catheterization (RHC) assessment was performed to assess several hemodynamic variables in pulmonary hypertension, including Systemic Vascular Resistance (SVR). All hemodynamic parameters were assessed when the patient was in a stable hemodynamic rest state (as demonstrated by three consecutive CO measurements within 10% of each other) while the patient was breathing ambient air or oxygen. SVR is derived from the CO measurement in dyn·s/cm5 and can be calculated as 80 multiplied by (Mean Arterial Pressure - Mean Venous Pressure or CVP)) divided by Cardiac Output. A higher negative number in Mean Systemic Vascular Resistance indicates improvement. Only descriptive analysis performed.	Baseline, Week 16 (Day 111)
Change From Baseline in RV Fractional Area Change and RV Free Wall Average Peak Long Strain at Week 16 (Day 111) Using Echocardiography	Key Right Ventricular (RV) function endpoints such as RV fractional area change (RV FAC) and RV Free Wall Average Peak Long Strain (RV FWPLS) were assessed with echocardiography. A higher number in RV FAC and a lower number in RV FWPLS indicate an improvement. Only descriptive analysis performed.	Baseline, Week 16 (Day 111)
Change From Baseline in RV Tei Index at Week 16 (Day 111) Using Echocardiography	Key Right Ventricular (RV) function endpoints such as Tei Index were assessed with echocardiography. The RV Tei index is using both systolic and diastolic time intervals to evaluate the overall global dysfunction of the right ventricle in PAH patients. A lower number in RV Tei Index indicates an improvement. Only descriptive analysis performed.	Baseline, Week 16 (Day 111)
Change From Baseline in Tricuspid Annular Peak Systolic Velocity (TA S') at Week 16 (Day 111) Using Echocardiography	Key Right Ventricular (RV) function endpoints such as Tricuspid Annular Peak Systolic Velocity (TA S') were assessed with echocardiography. Only descriptive analysis performed.	Baseline, Week 16 (Day 111)
Change From Baseline in Tricuspid Annular Plane Sys Excursion (TAPSE) at Week 16 (Day 111) Using Echocardiography	Key Right Ventricular (RV) function endpoints such as Tricuspid Annular Plane Sys Excursion (TAPSE) were assessed with echocardiography. A higher number in TAPSE indicates an improvement. Only descriptive analysis performed.	Baseline, Week 16 (Day 111)
Maximum Observed Plasma Concentration (Cmax) for QCC374 and Its Metabolite QCM441	Cmax is the maximum (peak) observed plasma drug concentration after single dose administration. PK parameters were calculated from plasma concentration-time data using non-compartmental methods. Only descriptive analysis performed.	Day 1 and 112 (0.00, 0.05, 0.15, 0.30, 1.00, 2.00, 4.00, 8.00 and 12.00 hours post-dose))
Time to Reach the Maximum Plasma Concentration (Tmax) for QCC374 and Its Metabolite QCM441	Tmax is the time to reach maximum plasma concentration after single dose administration. PK parameters were calculated from plasma concentration-time data using non-compartmental methods. Only descriptive analysis performed.	Day 1 and 112 (0.00, 0.05, 0.15, 0.30, 1.00, 2.00, 4.00, 8.00 and 12.00 hours post-dose))
Area Under the Plasma Concentration-time Curve From 0 to the Last Measurable Concentration (AUClast) for QCC374 and Its Metabolite QCM441	AUClast is the area under the plasma concentration-time curve from time zero to the last measurable concentration sampling time. PK parameters were calculated from plasma concentration-time data using non-compartmental methods. Only descriptive analysis performed.	Day 1 and 112 (0.00, 0.05, 0.15, 0.30, 1.00, 2.00, 4.00, 8.00 and 12.00 hours post-dose))
Area Under the Plasma Concentration Time Curve From 0 to the End of a Dosing Interval (AUCtau) for QCC374 and Its Metabolite QCM441	AUCtau is the area under the plasma concentration-time curve from time zero to the end of the dosing interval. PK parameters were calculated from plasma concentration-time data using non-compartmental methods. Only descriptive analysis performed.	Day 1 and 112 (0.00, 0.05, 0.15, 0.30, 1.00, 2.00, 4.00, 8.00 and 12.00 hours post-dose))

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: Novartis Pharmaceuticals

Publications and helpful links

Helpful Links

• A Plain Language Trial Summary is available on novartisclinicatrials.com

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start (Actual): September 19, 2017
• Primary Completion (Actual): June 7, 2018
• Study Completion (Actual): June 7, 2018

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: October 5, 2016
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: October 5, 2016
• First Posted (Estimate): October 7, 2016

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Actual): January 5, 2021
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: December 9, 2020
• Last Verified: February 1, 2020

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Keywords: Cough; Dizziness; Shortness of breath; Fainting; Pulmonary hypertension (PH),; Increase blood pressure in the pulmonary artery; Increased blood pressure in the pulmonary vein; Increased blood pressure in the lung vasculature; Leg swelling; QCC374
• Additional Relevant MeSH Terms: Cardiovascular Diseases; Vascular Diseases; Respiratory Tract Diseases; Lung Diseases; Hypertension, Pulmonary; Hypertension; Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension; Familial Primary Pulmonary Hypertension
• Other Study ID Numbers: CQCC374X2201; 2016-001412-38 (EudraCT Number)

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

• Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?: Yes

IPD Plan Description

Novartis is committed to sharing with qualified external researchers, access to patient-level data and supporting clinical documents from eligible studies. These requests are reviewed and approved by an independent review panel on the basis of scientific merit. All data provided is anonymized to respect the privacy of patients who have participated in the trial in line with applicable laws and regulations.

This trial data availability is according to the criteria and process described on www.clinicalstudydatarequest.com

Drug and device information, study documents

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