Once-Weekly Oral Aminopterin for the Treatment of Subjects With Moderate-To-Severe Psoriasis

A Phase 2 Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial to Establish the Efficacy and Safety of Once-Weekly Oral Aminopterin for the Treatment of Subjects With Moderate-To-Severe Psoriasis

This study evaluates the treatment of psoriasis with aminopterin. Participants will be treated for 14 weeks with either aminopterin or placebo followed. The participants will not know if they are being treated with aminopterin or placebo.

Study Overview

• Status: Completed
• Conditions: Psoriasis
• Intervention / Treatment: Drug: Placebo oral capsule; Drug: LD-Aminopterin oral capsule

Detailed Description

A Phase 2, multi-center, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study enrolling subjects with moderate-to-severe psoriasis to investigate the safety and efficacy of LD-aminopterin (AMT) (3 mg (six 0.5 mg tablets). Forty-six subjects will be randomized to one of two parallel treatment arms: LD-AMT (3 mg) or placebo, in a 1:1 ratio. The endpoint analysis will include efficacy and safety. Randomized subjects will initially enter a 14-week treatment phase, followed by a 6-week post-treatment phase.

• Study Type: Interventional
• Enrollment (Actual): 19
• Phase: Phase 2

Contacts and Locations

Study Locations

• United States
  • Arizona
    • Scottsdale, Arizona, United States, 85258
      • Spectrum Dermatology
  • Washington
    • Seattle, Washington, United States, 98101
      • Dermatology Associates of Seattle
    • Spokane, Washington, United States, 99202
      • Premier Clinical Research

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

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

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

1. Be 18 years of age or older.
2. Have a diagnosis of moderate-to-severe psoriasis for at least 6 months confirmed by a dermatologist, defined here as plaque-type psoriasis affecting a body surface area of >10% and a PASI of >10.
3. Agree to avoid prolonged sun exposure and avoid use of tanning booths or other ultraviolet light sources during the study.
4. Ability to understand and sign written informed consent.

5. Heterosexually active men and women of childbearing potential must use two methods of contraception during the study (20 weeks) and for 90 days after study completion. The two methods of birth control may be used simultaneously in the same subject or simultaneously in both partners. The two birth control methods can be (a) 2 barrier methods or (b) a barrier method plus a hormonal method to prevent pregnancy.

   Barrier methods include: condom (female or male), copper intrauterine device, sponge, or spermicide.

   Hormonal Methods include: any registered and marketed contraceptive agent that contains an estrogen and/or a progestational agent, including oral, subcutaneous, intrauterine, or intramuscular agents.

6. For pre-menopausal women, a negative pregnancy test, obtained within 1 week prior to first study drug dose and at study visits Week 0, Week 6, Week10, Week 14, and Week 20. If at any visit during the Treatment Phase (see Appendix A) a positive pregnancy test is returned, the subject will be discontinued from any further study drug.
7. Negative serology for human immunodeficiency virus 1 and 2 (HIV1/2), hepatitis B and hepatitis C.
8. The following screening laboratory blood tests must have the following values, or not clinically significant as determined by the PI and Medical Monitor: white blood cells (WBC) within normal limits (WNL); absolute neutrophil count > lower limit of normal; platelet count WNL; hemoglobin >10.0 g/dL; aspartate aminotransferase (AST) < 2.5 x the upper limit of normal.
9. Adequate renal function: creatinine clearance estimated by Cockcroft-Gault formula >60 ml/min

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Known history of hepatitis, HIV infection, interstitial lung disease.
2. Greater than moderate alcohol consumption on a regular basis (moderate consumption for females is 1 drink or 1 glass of wine a day; for males is 2 drinks or 2 glasses of wine a day) and unwilling, or unable, to control consumption during the study period.
3. Prior use of aminopterin (AMT).

4. Use of these biologic treatments in the time frames specified:

   • Within 9 months of first study drug dose: ustekinumab (Stelara).
   • Within 12 weeks of first study drug dose: any experimental therapy for psoriasis or rheumatoid arthritis.
   • Within 8 weeks of first study drug dose: infliximab (Remicade), adalimumab (Humira).
   • Within 4 weeks of first study drug dose: etanercept (Enbrel).
   • Other biologic therapies will have discontinuation periods determined by 5x their half-life.
5. Within 90 days prior to Day 0 and at any time while on study, the use of MTX.
6. Within 4 weeks prior to randomization and at any time while on study, use of phototherapy (e.g., ultraviolet B (UVB), narrow band UVB, Goeckerman regimen, Ingram regimen, PUVA), systemic medications (e.g. acitretin, mycophenolate mofetil, tacrolimus/FK506, cyclosporine A, azathioprine, 6-thioguanine, sulfasalazine, hydroxyurea, calcitriol, any systemic immunosuppressants), lithium, or any treatments that could affect psoriasis or sPGA evaluations. Subjects are eligible 4 weeks after the last dose of any of the aforementioned treatments was received.

7. Within 2 weeks prior to randomization and at any time while on study, use of any topical medications or treatments that could affect psoriasis evaluations (e.g., corticosteroids, anthralin, vitamin D3/calcitriol and analogues such calcipotriene and tacalcitol, synthetic retinoids such as tazarotene, coal tar, and keratolytics such as salicylic acid, lactic acid and urea including those contained in over-the-counter medicated shampoos). Subjects are eligible 2 weeks after the last dose of any of the aforementioned treatments was received.

   Note: Over-the-counter topical steroids will be permitted for use limited to the face, axilla, and/or genitalia, as needed. These topical medications should not be used within approximately 24 hours prior to study visits Day 0 and Day 98. Over-the-counter shampoos for the treatment of psoriasis of the scalp are also permitted.

8. Use of emollients on the morning of the first (Week 0) study visit.
9. Within 2 weeks prior to Study Day 0, or on Study Day 0, or at any time during the study, use of any of the following medications that may result in drug/drug interactions with AMT: trimethoprim with or without sulfamethoxazole; sulfonamides; sulfonylureas; pyrimethamine; tromethamine; salicylates; non-steroidal anti-inflammatory (NSAID) drugs including ibuprofen; dipyridamole; colchicine; probenecid; aminoglycosides; theophylline; phenytoin; and folinic acid (i.e., leucovorin).
10. Known concurrent malignancy except basal or squamous cell skin carcinoma, or cervical carcinoma in situ.
11. Concurrent participation in another clinical trial involving experimental treatment within 30 days of Study Day 0.
12. Current and uncontrolled infection, cardiovascular, renal, pulmonary, hepatic or GI conditions that will interfere with the conduct of the trial or pose a morbid risk.
13. Investigator's opinion that a concurrent disease or condition impairs the subject's ability to complete the trial: includes psychological, familial, sociological, geographical or medical conditions.
14. Breast-feeding.

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Design Details

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

Number of Arms

2

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm	Intervention / Treatment
Experimental: LD-Aminopterin oral capsule; LD-Aminopterin tablets (0.5 mg tablet) over-encapsulated, 3.0 mg (6 tablets) once orally each week for 14 weeks (14 doses).	Drug: LD-Aminopterin oral capsule; anti-folate treatment; Other Names: racemic 4-Aminopteroylglutamic acid; racemic 4-Aminofolic acid
Placebo Comparator: Placebo oral capsule; Placebo capsules containing microcrystalline once orally each week for 14 weeks (14 doses).	Drug: Placebo oral capsule; Microcrystalline filled capsule to mimic capsule containing aminopterin tablets; Other Names: Placebo (for aminopterin)

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Subjects With >=75% Reduction in Baseline Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI) (Efficacy)	As follows: Area of Involvement. Determine a score, from 0 to 6, for each body section (head, trunk, upper limbs, lower limbs) based on the percent of psoriasis skin involvement: 0=0%, 1=<10%, 2=10% to <30%, 3=30% to <50%, 4=50% to <70%, 5=70% to <90%, 6=90% to 100%.; Severity of Involvement. Determine a score, from 0 to 4, for each body section (head, trunk, upper limbs, lower limbs), for the psoriatic skin severity of each of erythema, thickness, and scaling: 0=none, 1=slight, 2=moderate, 3=severe, 4=very severe. For each body section the three severity scores are summed.; For each body section the product of the Area and Severity is determined.; For each body section the product of line 3 is multiplied by an Area Factor (head=0.1, trunk=0.3, upper limbs=0.2, lower limbs=0.4).; A PASI score is determined by summing the 4 body section products (line 4). The highest possible score=72; the lowest possible score=0. The higher the scores, the worse the psoriasis.	98 days.
Success (Score of 0 or 1) in Static Physician Global Assessment (sPGA) (Efficacy)	As follows: Induration. A score, from 0 to 5, based on: 0=No plaque elevation; 1= Minimal plaque elevation=0.25 mm; 2=Mild plaque elevation=0.5 mm; 3=Moderate plaque elevation=0.75 mm; 4=Marked plaque elevation=1.0 mm; 5=Severe plaque elevation>1.25 mm.; Erythema. A score, from 0 to 5, based on: 0=No erythema, hyperpigmentation may be present; 1=Faint erythema; 2=Light red coloration; 3=Moderate red coloration; 4=Bright red coloration; 5=Dusky to deep red coloration.; Scaling. A score, from 0 to 5, based on: 0= No scaling; 1=Minimal; occasional fine scale on<5% of the lesion; 2=Mild; fine scale predominates; 3=Moderate; coarse scale predominates; 4=Marked; thick, non-tenacious scale predominates; 5=Severe; very thick, tenacious scale predominates.; The sPGA: Induration, Erythema, and Scaling scores are rounded to the nearest whole number and averaged. 0=Cleared; 1=Minimal; 2=Mild; 3=Moderate; 4=Marked; 5=Severe. Higher score indicates worse psoriasis.	98 days.

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: Syntrix Biosystems, Inc.
• Collaborators: National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID)

Publications and helpful links

General Publications

• Menter A, Thrash B, Cherian C, Matherly LH, Wang L, Gangjee A, Morgan JR, Maeda DY, Schuler AD, Kahn SJ, Zebala JA. Intestinal transport of aminopterin enantiomers in dogs and humans with psoriasis is stereoselective: evidence for a mechanism involving the proton-coupled folate transporter. J Pharmacol Exp Ther. 2012 Sep;342(3):696-708. doi: 10.1124/jpet.112.195479. Epub 2012 May 31.

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start (Actual): November 1, 2018
• Primary Completion (Actual): January 11, 2021
• Study Completion (Actual): January 11, 2021

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: February 1, 2018
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: February 6, 2018
• First Posted (Actual): February 13, 2018

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Actual): April 14, 2023
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: March 18, 2023
• Last Verified: March 1, 2023

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Keywords: Anti-folate
• Additional Relevant MeSH Terms: Skin Diseases; Skin Diseases, Papulosquamous; Psoriasis; Molecular Mechanisms of Pharmacological Action; Enzyme Inhibitors; Folic Acid Antagonists; Aminopterin
• Other Study ID Numbers: AMT-PSO-201; 5U44AI114473 (U.S. NIH Grant/Contract)

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

• Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?: NO

Drug and device information, study documents

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