A Pilot Study of Fenofibrate to Prevent Kidney Function Loss in Type 1 Diabetes (PERL-FENO)

Diabetic kidney disease remains the leading cause of end-stage kidney disease (ESKD), rising in frequency in parallel with the epidemic of diabetes worldwide. The estimated lifetime risk of kidney disease in persons with type 1 diabetes (T1D) has been reported to be as high as 50-70%, although risk may be lower in excellent care environments. Two previous studies have suggested that a generic drug used to lower fats in blood (fenofibrate) may protect the kidney from damage due to diabetes. These data, however, were obtained among people with type 2 diabetes with clinical characteristics optimized for cardiovascular studies. Thus, a clinical trial specifically designed to evaluate the effects on the kidney is required to firmly show that this drug can prevent kidney damage in T1D. The goals of the present pilot study are to demonstrate the feasibility of such trial, gather essential information for designing and planning this study, and generate preliminary data. To this end, 40 participants with T1D and early-to-moderate diabetic kidney disease (DKD), at high risk of ESKD, will be enrolled at two clinical sites and assigned in a 1:1 ratio to treatment with fenofibrate or placebo for 18 months. Kidney function will be measured at the beginning and at the end of the study to evaluate the effect of fenofibrate.

Study Overview

• Status: Recruiting
• Conditions: Diabetic Nephropathies
• Intervention / Treatment: Drug: Fenofibrate; Other: Placebo

Detailed Description

Despite improvements in the past 20 years in glycemic and blood pressure control, and the introduction of "reno-protective" drugs such as renin-angiotensin system blockers (RASB), the overall incidence of end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) in type 1 diabetes (T1D) remains high. To seek new treatments to prevent diabetic kidney disease (DKD) and/or slow its progression to ESKD in T1D, the investigators have established a unique consortium of high-quality academic centers, which has been named PERL (Preventing Early Renal Function Loss in Diabetes) to emphasize the focus on intervening relatively early in the course of DKD in T1D, when renal damage can more likely be slowed or stopped. Findings from the FIELD and ACCORD trials suggest a reno-protective effect of the PPAR-alpha agonist fenofibrate, raising the exciting possibility of using this inexpensive generic drug to prevent GFR decline in persons with T1D. These data, however, were obtained through post-hoc analyses of type 2 diabetes (T2D) populations with clinical characteristics optimized for CVD studies. Thus, a clinical trial specifically designed to evaluate effects on GFR decline is required to firmly establish a DKD indication for fenofibrate in T1D. As a first step, the investigators are conducting a pilot study including 40 participants with T1D and early-to-moderate DKD, at high risk of ESKD, who will be enrolled at two of the PERL sites and randomized in a 1:1 ratio to treatment with fenofibrate or placebo for 18 months, followed by a two-month washout. The goal of this pilot study are to:

1. Define the nature of the acute effect of fenofibrate on kidney function. It remains unclear whether the eGFR reduction observed at the beginning of fenofibrate treatment is an artifact of fenofibrate-induced changes in creatinine production and/or renal tubular handling, or corresponds to an actual reduction in GFR. This controversy, which has crucial implications for the pivotal trial design, will be resolved by directly measuring GFR by plasma iohexol disappearance - a methodology in which PERL sites are experienced.
2. Generate further data on the long-term effects of fenofibrate on GFR decline in persons with T1D and DKD who are at high risk of rapid GFR decline and ESKD. The positive effects of fenofibrate in FIELD and ACCORD were observed in individuals who were not selected for having DKD and who, if untreated, had a mean GFR decline barely above the physiological decline due to aging. To make a compelling case for a pivotal trial for kidney outcomes, it is crucial to generate preliminary data on the effectiveness and safety of this drug in persons selected for having DKD and being rapidly progressing towards ESKD.
3. Determine the effects of fenofibrate on biomarkers of increased risk of fast GFR decline. A salutary effect of fenofibrate on one or more of these biomarkers will corroborate any trend of a fenofibrate benefit identified in Aim 2.

The results of this pilot will allow the investigators to seek support for a pivotal trial to establish a kidney indication for fenofibrate in T1D.

• Study Type: Interventional
• Enrollment (Estimated): 40
• Phase: Phase 2

Contacts and Locations

• Study Contact: Name: Christine Mendonca; Phone Number: 617-309-2735; Email: christine.mendonca@joslin.harvard.edu

Study Locations

• United States
  • Massachusetts
    • Boston, Massachusetts, United States, 02215
      • Recruiting
      • Joslin Diabetes Center
      • Contact: Christine Mendonca; Phone Number: 617-309-2735; Email: christine.mendonca@joslin.harvard.edu
      • Principal Investigator: Alessandro Doria, MD PhD MPH
      • Sub-Investigator: Sylvia Rosas, MD
    • Burlington, Massachusetts, United States, 01805
      • Recruiting
      • Lahey Hospital and Medical Center
      • Contact: Deborah Gannon, MS; Phone Number: 781-744-2734; Email: Deborah.J.Gannon@lahey.org
      • Principal Investigator: Jagriti Upadhyay, MD
  • Michigan
    • Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States, 48105
      • Recruiting
      • Brehm Center for Diabetes Research / University of Michigan
      • Contact: Cynthia Plunkett, RNC, CCRC; Phone Number: 734-936-8065; Email: cplunket@med.umich.edu
      • Principal Investigator: Rodica Pop-Busui, MD, PhD
  • New York
    • Syracuse, New York, United States, 13210
      • Recruiting
      • SUNY Upstate Medical University
      • Principal Investigator: Ruth Weinstock, MD
      • Contact: Jane Bulger, MS, CCRC; Phone Number: 315-464-9008; Email: BulgerJ@upstate.edu

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: 18 years to 70 years (Adult, Older Adult)
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: No

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

• 18 and 70 years of age, inclusive.
• Type 1 diabetes (T1D) continuously treated with insulin within one year from diagnosis. If the onset was after age 35, the presence of one or more of the following will also be required: a. documentation of the presence of circulating T1D-associated autoantibodies at diagnosis or at any other time; b. history of hospitalization for DKA; c. plasma C-peptide below the limit of detection with standard assay (with concurrent blood glucose >100 mg/dl)
• Duration of T1D ≥ 8 years.
• Diabetic kidney disease at high risk of progression to ESKD, defined as follows: PERL allopurinol study participants: iGFR decline ≥3 ml/min/1.73 m2/year during the trial and micro- or macro-albuminuria (urinary albumin excretion rate [AER]=30-5000 mg/24 hr or albumin creatinine ratio [ACR]=30-5000 mg/g if not on renin-angiotensin system blocker (RASB) agents, or AER=18-5000 mg/24 hr or ACR 18-5000 mg/g range, if on RASB agents) on at least two occasions during the PERL allopurinol trial. All others participants: macroalbuminuria (AER=100-5000 mg/24 hrs or ACR=100-5000 mg/g) on two occasions during the three years before screening and/or at screening;
• Estimated GFR (eGFR) based on serum creatinine between 40 and 99.9 ml/min/1.73 m2 at screening. The upper and the lower limits should be decreased by 1 ml/min/1.73 m2 for each year over age 60 (with a lower limit of 35 ml/min/1.73m2) and by 10 ml/min/1.73 m2 for strict vegans.
• Valid baseline (Visit 2) iGFR measurement.
• Current treatment with RASB, unless contraindicated;
• Willing and able to comply with schedule of events and protocol requirements, including written informed consent.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Renal transplant or dialysis;
• Non-diabetic kidney disease;
• Allergy to fibrates or iodine containing substances;
• Current therapy with fibrates or other PPAR-α agonists;
• Specific contraindications or indications for fibrates;
• History of photosensitive skin rash or myositis;
• Persistent elevated unexplained blood creatinine phosphokinase level >3 times the upper limit of normal;
• History of pancreatitis, deep vein thrombosis (DVT) or pulmonary embolism;
• History of cholelithiasis unless gallbladder has been removed;
• Cancer treatment (excluding non-melanoma skin cancer treated by excision) within two years of screening;
• Current or past history of decompensated cirrhosis (defined as variceal bleeding, ascites, or hepatic encephalopathy and/or diagnosis of cirrhosis based on liver biopsy, imaging, or elastography and/or aspartate or alanine aminotransferase (AST or ALT) >2 times the upper limit of normal at screening and/or total bilirubin >1.3 times the upper limit of normal at screening (in the case of Gilbert syndrome, direct bilirubin >1.5 times the upper limit of normal at screening);
• History of acquired immune deficiency syndrome or human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection;
• Hemoglobin concentration <11 g/dL (males), <10 g/dL (females) or platelet count <100,000/mm3 at screening;
• Alcohol or drug abuse in the past 6 months;
• Blood donation within 3 months of screening;
• Breastfeeding, pregnancy, or unwillingness to be on contraception during the trial;
• Poor mental function or any reasons to expect difficulty in complying with study requirements;
• Serious medical problems other than diabetes, e.g. congestive heart failure, pulmonary insufficiency;
• Participation in another interventional study.
• Being incarcerated.

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: Fenofibrate; 145 mg oral fenofibrate daily for 76 weeks. Dosage is decreased to 48 mg daily if iGFR is or is estimated to be below 30 ml/min/1.73 m2.	Drug: Fenofibrate; 145 mg oral fenofibrate daily for 76 weeks. Dosage is decreased to 48 mg daily if iGFR is or is estimated to be below 30 ml/min/1.73 m2.
Placebo Comparator: Placebo; Inactive tablets identical to fenofibrate	Other: Placebo; Inactive tablets identical to fenofibrate

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Baseline-adjusted iGFR at 8 weeks after randomization	GFR measured by iohexol plasma disappearance (ml/min/1.73 m2), adjusted by its baseline value	8 weeks after randomization
Baseline-adjusted iGFR at the end of the drug wash-out period	GFR measured by iohexol plasma disappearance (ml/min/1.73 m2), adjusted by its baseline value	84 weeks after randomization
Baseline-adjusted levels of serum biomarkers of increased ESKD risk at the end of the drug wash-out period	Levels of the following 21 serum biomarkers, adjusted by their baseline values: CD160, CD27, DLL1, EDA2R, EFNA4, EPHA2, GFRA1, IL1RT1, KIM1, LAYN, LTBR, PI3, PVRL4, RELT, SYND1, TNFR1, TNFR2, TNFRSF10A, TNFRSF4, TNFRSF6B, WFDC2	84 weeks after randomization

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Baseline-adjusted iGFR at the end of treatment	GFR measured by iohexol plasma disappearance (ml/min/1.73 m2), adjusted by its baseline value	76 weeks after randomization
iGFR at the end of treatment	GFR measured by iohexol plasma disappearance (ml/min/1.73 m2), adjusted by its value at week 8	76 weeks after randomization
Baseline-adjusted eGFR-SCr at 8 weeks after randomization	GFR estimated from serum creatinine (ml/min/1.73 m2) using the CKD-EPI equation, adjusted by its baseline value	8 weeks after randomization
Baseline-adjusted eGFR-SCr at the end of treatment	GFR estimated from serum creatinine (ml/min/1.73 m2) using the CKD-EPI equation, adjusted by its baseline value	76 weeks after randomization
eGFR-SCr at the end of treatment	GFR estimated from serum creatinine (ml/min/1.73 m2) using the CKD-EPI equation, adjusted by its value at week 8	76 weeks after randomization
Baseline-adjusted eGFR-SCr at the end of the wash-out period	GFR estimated from serum creatinine (ml/min/1.73 m2) using the CKD-EPI equation, adjusted by its baseline value	84 weeks after randomization
Baseline-adjusted eGFR-CysC at 8 weeks after randomization	GFR estimated from serum cystatin C (ml/min/1.73 m2) using the CKD-EPI equation, adjusted by its baseline value	8 weeks after randomization
Baseline-adjusted eGFR-CysC at the end of treatment	GFR estimated from serum cystatin C (ml/min/1.73 m2) using the CKD-EPI equation, adjusted by its baseline value	76 weeks after randomization
eGFR-CysC at the end of treatment	GFR estimated from serum cystatin C (ml/min/1.73 m2) using the CKD-EPI equation, adjusted by its value at week 8	76 weeks after randomization
Baseline-adjusted eGFR-CysC at the end of the wash-out period	GFR estimated from serum cystatin C (ml/min/1.73 m2) using the CKD-EPI equation, adjusted by its baseline value	84 weeks after randomization
Baseline-adjusted uAER at 8 weeks after randomization	Urinary Albumin excretion rate (uAER, mg/24/hr) based on overnight urine collection, adjusted by its baseline value	8 weeks after randomization
Baseline-adjusted uAER at the end of treatment	Urinary albumin excretion rate (uAER, mg/24 hr) based on overnight urine collection, adjusted by its baseline value	76 weeks after randomization
uAER at the end of treatment	Urinary Albumin excretion rate (uAER, mg/24 hr) based on overnight urine collection, adjusted by its value at week 8	76 weeks after randomization
Baseline-adjusted uAER at the end of the wash-out period	Urinary albumin excretion rate (uAER, mg/24 hr) based on overnight urine collection, adjusted by its baseline value	84 weeks after randomization
Baseline-adjusted creatinine clearance at 8 weeks after randomization	Creatinine clearance (ml/min) based on overnight urine collection, adjusted by its baseline value	8 weeks after randomization
Baseline-adjusted ERPF at 8 weeks after randomization	Effective renal plasma flow (ml/min) measured by means of para-aminohippurate infusion, adjusted by its baseline value	8 weeks after randomization
Baseline-adjusted afferent renal arteriolar resistance at 8 weeks after randomization	Afferent renal arteriolar resistance (dyne/s/cm5) measured by means of para-aminohippurate infusion, adjusted by its baseline value	8 weeks after randomization
Baseline-adjusted efferent renal arteriolar resistance at 8 weeks after randomization	Efferent renal arteriolar resistance (dyne/s/cm5) measured by means of para-aminohippurate infusion, adjusted by its baseline value	8 weeks after randomization
Baseline-adjusted glomerular hydrostatic pressure at 8 weeks after randomization	Glomerular hydrostatic pressure (mmHg) measured by means of para-aminohippurate infusion, adjusted by its baseline value	8 weeks after randomization
Baseline-adjusted glomerular filtration pressure at 8 weeks after randomization	Glomerular filtration pressure (mmHg) measured by means of para-aminohippurate infusion, adjusted by its baseline value	8 weeks after randomization
Baseline-adjusted glomerular oncotic pressure at 8 weeks after randomization	Glomerular oncotic pressure (mmHg) measured by means of para-aminohippurate infusion, adjusted by its baseline value	8 weeks after randomization
eGFR-SCr trajectory	Trajectory of GFR estimated from serum creatinine (ml/min/year/1.73 m2) using the CKD-EPI equation	8 to 76 weeks from randomization
eGFR-SCys trajectory	Trajectory of GFR estimated from serum cystatin C (ml/min/year/1.73 m2) using the CKD-EPI equation	8 to 76 weeks from randomization
Baseline-adjusted levels of serum biomarkers of increased ESKD risk at the end of treatment	Levels of the following 21 serum biomarkers, adjusted by their baseline values: CD160, CD27, DLL1, EDA2R, EFNA4, EPHA2, GFRA1, IL1RT1, KIM1, LAYN, LTBR, PI3, PVRL4, RELT, SYND1, TNFR1, TNFR2, TNFRSF10A, TNFRSF4, TNFRSF6B, WFDC2	76 weeks after randomization
Levels of serum biomarkers of increased ESKD risk at the end of treatment	Levels of the following 21 serum biomarkers, adjusted by their values at week 8: CD160, CD27, DLL1, EDA2R, EFNA4, EPHA2, GFRA1, IL1RT1, KIM1, LAYN, LTBR, PI3, PVRL4, RELT, SYND1, TNFR1, TNFR2, TNFRSF10A, TNFRSF4, TNFRSF6B, WFDC2	76 weeks after randomization

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: Alessandro Doria
• Collaborators: University of Michigan; University of Minnesota
• Investigators: Principal Investigator: Alessandro Doria, MD PhD MPH, Joslin Diabetes Center; Principal Investigator: Michael Mauer, MD, University of Minnesota

Publications and helpful links

General Publications

• Davis TM, Ting R, Best JD, Donoghoe MW, Drury PL, Sullivan DR, Jenkins AJ, O'Connell RL, Whiting MJ, Glasziou PP, Simes RJ, Kesaniemi YA, Gebski VJ, Scott RS, Keech AC; Fenofibrate Intervention and Event Lowering in Diabetes Study investigators. Effects of fenofibrate on renal function in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus: the Fenofibrate Intervention and Event Lowering in Diabetes (FIELD) Study. Diabetologia. 2011 Feb;54(2):280-90. doi: 10.1007/s00125-010-1951-1. Epub 2010 Nov 4.
• Frazier R, Mehta R, Cai X, Lee J, Napoli S, Craven T, Tuazon J, Safdi A, Scialla J, Susztak K, Isakova T. Associations of Fenofibrate Therapy With Incidence and Progression of CKD in Patients With Type 2 Diabetes. Kidney Int Rep. 2018 Sep 18;4(1):94-102. doi: 10.1016/j.ekir.2018.09.006. eCollection 2019 Jan.

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start (Actual): January 4, 2022
• Primary Completion (Estimated): May 1, 2025
• Study Completion (Estimated): August 1, 2025

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: June 3, 2021
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: June 14, 2021
• First Posted (Actual): June 18, 2021

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Actual): August 1, 2023
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: July 29, 2023
• Last Verified: July 1, 2023

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Keywords: type 1 diabetes; diabetic kidney disease; fibrates
• Additional Relevant MeSH Terms: Glucose Metabolism Disorders; Metabolic Diseases; Immune System Diseases; Autoimmune Diseases; Kidney Diseases; Urologic Diseases; Endocrine System Diseases; Diabetes Complications; Diabetes Mellitus; Female Urogenital Diseases; Female Urogenital Diseases and Pregnancy Complications; Urogenital Diseases; Male Urogenital Diseases; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1; Diabetic Nephropathies; Molecular Mechanisms of Pharmacological Action; Antimetabolites; Hypolipidemic Agents; Lipid Regulating Agents; Fenofibrate
• Other Study ID Numbers: STUDY00000156

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

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

IPD Plan Description

Final research data will be formatted as a computerized dataset at the Joslin Diabetes Center. The final dataset will include both raw data and derived variables, which will be described in documents associated with the dataset. We will maintain the primary dataset for a minimum of 3 years following closeout of the grant as stipulated under the NIH Grants Policy Statement.

In agreement with NIH's policy on the sharing of data from large, NIH-sponsored studies, the data collected in the course of the study will be archived in de-identified form in an NIH Central Repository for future distribution to the scientific community.

• IPD Sharing Time Frame: Data will be made available two years after completion of the study
• IPD Sharing Access Criteria: Access will be governed by the NIDDK repository.
• IPD Sharing Supporting Information Type: STUDY_PROTOCOL; SAP; ICF; ANALYTIC_CODE; CSR

Drug and device information, study documents

• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product: Yes
• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product: No
• product manufactured in and exported from the U.S.: No