Study of Various Treatments in Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD) Patients Who Have Aspects of Non-alcoholic Steatohepatitis (NASH) (NEXSCOT)

NASH EXploratory Single and COmbination Treatment (NEXSCOT): An Open Label, Multicenter, Platform Study to Evaluate the Safety, Tolerability, Pharmacokinetics and Efficacy of Various Single and Combination Treatments in Patients With Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD) Who Manifest a Non-alcoholic Steatohepatitis (NASH)-Like Biomarker Phenotype

This clinical study was designed to evaluate the safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetics and efficacy of various single and combination treatments in adult patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) who manifest a non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH)-like biomarker phenotype.

Study Overview

• Status: Terminated
• Conditions: Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease; Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis
• Intervention / Treatment: Drug: LYS006; Drug: Tropifexor

Detailed Description

This was a Phase II, non-confirmatory, multicenter, open label, platform study in NAFLD participants with a NASH-like biomarker phenotype to examine the effects of single and combination therapies over 12 weeks of treatment. The study consisted of four distinct study periods:

• Screening Period (Day -60 to -28): Lasted up to a maximum of 33 days where participants were assessed for inclusion and exclusion criteria prior the baseline assessments.
• Baseline Period (Day -27 to -1): Lasted up to a maximum of 27 days and comprised baseline assessments and randomization.
• Treatment Period (Day 1 to 85): Participants were randomized in a 1:1 ratio to LYS006 20 mg (twice a day) arm or to LYS006 20 mg (twice a day) and tropifexor 200ug (once a day). Participants were treated daily during 12 weeks.
• Follow-up Period (Day 85 to 113): After completion of the treatment period, participants were observed until the End Of Study (EOS) visit at Day 113.

• Study Type: Interventional
• Enrollment (Actual): 41
• Phase: Phase 2

Contacts and Locations

Study Locations

• Argentina
  • Buenos Aires, Argentina, C1012AAR
    • Novartis Investigative Site
• Germany
  • Nordrhine Westphalia
    • Essen, Nordrhine Westphalia, Germany, 45136
      • Novartis Investigative Site
• United States
  • California
    • Coronado, California, United States, 92118
      • Novartis Investigative Site
    • Los Angeles, California, United States, 90057
      • Novartis Investigative Site
  • Florida
    • Miami Lakes, Florida, United States, 33014
      • Novartis Investigative Site
  • Georgia
    • Marietta, Georgia, United States, 30060
      • Novartis Investigative Site
  • Hawaii
    • Honolulu, Hawaii, United States, 96814
      • Novartis Investigative Site
  • Indiana
    • South Bend, Indiana, United States, 46635
      • Novartis Investigative Site
  • North Carolina
    • Morehead City, North Carolina, United States, 28557
      • Novartis Investigative Site
  • Texas
    • San Antonio, Texas, United States, 78215
      • Novartis Investigative Site

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

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

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

Phenotypic diagnosis of NASH based on the presence of all of the following:

• ALT ≥ 43 IU/L (males) or ≥ 28 IU/L (females)
• BMI ≥ 27 kg/m2 (race other than Asian) or ≥ 23 kg/m2 (Asian race)
• History of type 2 diabetes mellitus with HbA1c ≤ 9%
• ELF test score ≥ 8.5 and ≤ 10.5
• Liver fat ≥ 8%
• Patients must weigh between 40 kg (88 lbs.) and 150 kg (330 lbs.)

Exclusion Criteria:

• Use of other investigational drugs within 5 half-lives of randomization or within 3 months, whichever is longer
• Use of obeticholic acid (OCA) or pharmacologically-active weight loss drugs within 1 month of randomization
• Use of strong CYP3A4/5 inhibitors or strong CYP3A4 inducers within 5 half-lives or 7 days of randomization, whichever is longer
• History or presence of other concomitant liver diseases
• History or current diagnosis of ECG abnormalities
• Patients with contraindications to MRI imaging
• Current or history of significant alcohol consumption
• Clinical evidence of hepatic decompensation or severe liver impairment
• Women of child bearing potential (unless on highly effective methods of contraception)
• Presence of liver cirrhosis
• Use of OAT3 inhibitors within 5 half-lives or 7 days of randomization, whichever is longer

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Design Details

• Primary Purpose: Treatment
• Allocation: Randomized
• Interventional Model: Parallel Assignment
• Masking: None (Open Label)

Number of Arms

2

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm	Intervention / Treatment
Experimental: LYS006; LYS006 20 mg was administered orally twice per day (b.i.d) for 12 weeks	Drug: LYS006; 5 mg LYS006 capsules orally administered 20 mg b.i.d for 12 weeks
Experimental: LYS006 + LJN452; LYS006 20 mg was administered orally twice per day (b.i.d) in addition to LJN452 200ug administered orally once daily for 12 weeks	Drug: Tropifexor; 100 ug LJN452 capsules orally administered 200ug once daily for 12 weeks; Other Names: LJN452

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Number of Participants With Adverse Events (AEs) and Serious Adverse Events (SAEs)	Number of participants with AEs and SAEs including significant changes from baseline in vital signs, electrocardiograms and laboratory parameters qualifying and reported as AEs. The number of participants in each category is reported in the table.	From the start of treatment to 28 days after end of treatment, assessed up to maximum duration of 113 Days

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Change From Baseline in Non-invasive Markers of Hepatic Fibrosis: Enhanced Liver Fibrosis Test (ELF) Score	The markers of fibrosis assessed in this test comprised hyaluronic acid (HA), tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase (TIMP1) and procollagen III N-terminal peptide (PIIINP); these are components of the extracellular matrix and basement sinusoidal membrane of the liver and are elevated during fibrogenesis as a result of activation of the hepatic stellate cell. The ELF test is a composite score: < 7.7: no to mild fibrosis; ≥ 7.7 - < 9.8: Moderate fibrosis; ≥ 9.8 - < 11.3: Severe fibrosis; ≥ 11.3: Cirrhosis. Baseline is defined as the last non-missing measurement taken at the Screening and Baseline visits (prior to the first dose of study drug administered at the Day 1). A negative change from Baseline indicates decreased fibrosis.	Baseline and Days 57, 85 and EOS (Day 113)
Change From Baseline in Cholesterol: Fasting Lipid Profile Endpoint	Fasting lipid profile (total cholesterol) was examined as a cardiometabolic risk parameter. Total cholesterol was measured on blood samples under fasted conditions and analyzed at a central laboratory. Baseline is defined as the last non-missing measurement taken at the Screening and Baseline visits (prior to the first dose of study drug administered at the Day 1). A negative change from Baseline indicates cardiovascular risk.	Baseline and Days 15, 29, 43, 57, 85 and EOS (Day 113)
Change From Baseline in Percent Liver Fat at Day 85	Percent (%) Liver fat was measured by Magnetic Resonance Imaging Proton Density Liver Fat Fraction (MRIPDFF). Participants underwent magnetic resonance imaging twice during the course of the study (baseline and end of treatment) to quantitate liver fat. Baseline is defined as the last non-missing measurement taken at the Screening and Baseline visits (prior to the first dose of study drug administered at the Day 1). A negative change from Baseline indicates a reduction in a component of NAFLD.	Baseline and Day 85
Change From Baseline in Total Body Weight	Body weight (to the nearest 0.1 kilogram [kg] was measured on a calibrated scale. The measurement was performed with the study participant in underwear and without shoes; or while wearing minimal indoor clothing. Baseline is defined as the last non-missing measurement taken at the Screening and Baseline visits (prior to the first dose of study drug administered at the Day 1). A negative change from Baseline indicates improvement in obesity.	Baseline and Days 15, 29, 43, 57, 85 and EOS (Day 113)
Change From Baseline in Homeostasis Model Assessment of Insulin Resistance (HOMA-IR) at Day 85	HOMA-IR is a test that uses a simultaneous fasting blood glucose test and fasting insulin test to accurately estimate the degree of insulin resistance (IR) and β-cell function (the cells of the pancreas that produce insulin). HOMA-IR scores are classified as follows: Insulin sensitive is considered less than 1.0, Healthy is considered 0.5-1.4, Above 1.8 is early insulin resistance and Above 2.7 is considered significant insulin resistance HOMA-IR= [Fasting glucose (mmol/L) x (fasting insulin (pmol/L)/6)] / 22.5 Baseline is defined as the last non-missing measurement taken at the Screening and Baseline visits (prior to the first dose of study drug administered at the Day 1). A negative change from Baseline indicates improvement in insulin sensitivity.	Baseline and Day 85
Change From Baseline in Fasting Glucose	Fasting Glucose was examined as a cardiometabolic risk parameter. Total fasting glucose was measured on blood samples under fasted conditions and analyzed at a central laboratory. Baseline is defined as the last non-missing measurement taken at the Screening and Baseline visits (prior to the first dose of study drug administered at the Day 1). A negative change from Baseline indicates improvement in glycemic control.	Baseline and Days 15, 29, 43, 57, 85 and EOS (Day 113)
Change From Baseline in Fasting Insulin at Day 85	Fasting insulin was examined as a cardiometabolic risk parameter. Total fasting insulin was measured on blood samples under fasted conditions and analyzed at a central laboratory. Baseline is defined as the last non-missing measurement taken at the Screening and Baseline visits (prior to the first dose of study drug administered at the Day 1). A negative change from Baseline indicates improvement in insulin sensitivity.	Baseline and Day 85
Change From Baseline in Hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c)	HbA1c was examined as a cardiometabolic risk parameter. HbA1c was measured on blood samples under fasted conditions and analyzed at a central laboratory. Baseline is defined as the last non-missing measurement taken at the Screening and Baseline visits (prior to the first dose of study drug administered at the Day 1). A negative change from Baseline indicates improvement in glycemic control.	Baseline and Days 15, 29, 43, 57, 85 and EOS (Day 113)
Change From Baseline in Alanine Aminotransferase (ALT)	Alanine aminotransferase (ALT) is an enzyme found primarily in the liver. ALT is increased with liver damage. In this study, the blood levels of ALT was used to detect liver inflammation. Baseline is defined as the mean of the last 2 non-missing measurements taken at the Screening and Baseline visits (prior to the first dose of study drug administered at the Day 1). A negative change from Baseline indicates a reduction in liver inflammation.	Baseline and days 15, 29, 43, 57, 85 and EOS (Day 113)
Change From Baseline in High-sensitivity C-reactive Protein (hsCRP)	High-sensitivity C-reactive protein is a blood test marker for inflammation in the body. HsCRP was measured from a blood sample and analyzed at a central laboratory. Baseline is defined as the last non-missing measurement taken at the Screening and Baseline visits (prior to the first dose of study drug administered at the Day 1). A negative change from Baseline indicates a reduction in liver inflammation.	Baseline and Days 57, 85 and EOS (Day 113)
LYS006 Plasma Concentration	LYS006 plasma concentrations were determined by a validated liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) method. No methods for imputation of missing data were used.	pre-dose at Days 1, 29, 57 and 85 and post-dose (1, 2, 3 and 4 hours) at Days 29 and 57
Maximum Observed Plasma Concentration (Cmax) of LYS006	LYS006 plasma concentrations were determined by a validated liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) method. Cmax of LYS006 was determined with Phoenix WinNonlin (Version 8.0 or higher). No methods for imputation of missing data were used.	pre-dose and post-dose (1, 2, 3 and 4 hours) at Days 29 and 57

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: Novartis Pharmaceuticals
• Investigators: Study Director: Novartis Pharmaceuticals, Novartis Pharmaceuticals

Publications and helpful links

Helpful Links

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

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start (Actual): June 4, 2020
• Primary Completion (Actual): January 6, 2022
• Study Completion (Actual): January 6, 2022

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: October 22, 2019
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: October 29, 2019
• First Posted (Actual): November 1, 2019

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Actual): August 21, 2023
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: August 16, 2023
• Last Verified: August 1, 2023

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Keywords: Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease; NAFLD; NASH; Non-alcoholic steatohepatitis; Tropifexor; LJN452; Platform design; LYS006
• Additional Relevant MeSH Terms: Digestive System Diseases; Liver Diseases; Fatty Liver; Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease
• Other Study ID Numbers: CADPT02A12001; 2018-002692-17 (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