Phase III Study of Efficacy and Safety of Secukinumab Versus Placebo, in Combination With Glucocorticoid Taper Regimen, in Patients With Giant Cell Arteritis (GCA)

April 22, 2024 updated by: Novartis Pharmaceuticals

A Randomized, Parallel-group, Double-blind, Placebo-controlled, Multicenter Phase III Trial to Investigate the Efficacy and Safety of Secukinumab 300 mg and 150 mg Administered Subcutaneously Versus Placebo, in Combination With a Glucocorticoid Taper Regimen, in Patients With Giant Cell Arteritis (GCA) (GCAptAIN)

This is a phase III study of efficacy and safety of secukinumab versus placebo, in combination with glucocorticoid taper regimen, in patients with giant cell arteritis (GCA)

Study Overview

Status

Recruiting

Conditions

Intervention / Treatment

Detailed Description

Randomized, parallel-group, double-blind, placebo-controlled, multi-center, Phase III study to evaluate the efficacy of secukinumab in combination with a 26-week prednisone taper regimen compared to pllacebo in combination with a 52-week prednisone taper regimen

Study Type

Interventional

Enrollment (Estimated)

349

Phase

  • Phase 3

Contacts and Locations

This section provides the contact details for those conducting the study, and information on where this study is being conducted.

Study Contact

Study Contact Backup

  • Name: Novartis Pharmaceuticals
  • Phone Number: +41613241111

Study Locations

  • Argentina
      • Capital Federal, Argentina, C1023AAB
        • Recruiting
        • Novartis Investigative Site
      • Cordoba, Argentina, 5000
        • Recruiting
        • Novartis Investigative Site
    • Buenos Aires
      • Ciudad Autonoma de Bs As, Buenos Aires, Argentina, C1119ACN
        • Recruiting
        • Novartis Investigative Site
      • La Plata, Buenos Aires, Argentina, B1900AWT
        • Recruiting
        • Novartis Investigative Site
      • San Miguel, Buenos Aires, Argentina, 1663
        • Recruiting
        • Novartis Investigative Site
  • Australia
      • Christchurch, Australia, 8011
        • Withdrawn
        • Novartis Investigative Site
      • Parramatta, Australia, 2150
        • Recruiting
        • Novartis Investigative Site
    • New South Wales
      • Concord, New South Wales, Australia, 2139
        • Recruiting
        • Novartis Investigative Site
      • Liverpool, New South Wales, Australia, 2170
        • Recruiting
        • Novartis Investigative Site
    • Queensland
      • Southport, Queensland, Australia, 4215
        • Recruiting
        • Novartis Investigative Site
    • Tasmania
      • Hobart, Tasmania, Australia, 7000
        • Recruiting
        • Novartis Investigative Site
    • Victoria
      • Heidelberg Heights, Victoria, Australia, 3081
        • Recruiting
        • Novartis Investigative Site
      • Malvern East, Victoria, Australia, 3145
        • Recruiting
        • Novartis Investigative Site
    • Western Australia
      • Murdoch, Western Australia, Australia, 6150
        • Recruiting
        • Novartis Investigative Site
      • Victoria Park, Western Australia, Australia, 6100
        • Withdrawn
        • Novartis Investigative Site
  • Austria
      • Graz, Austria, 8036
        • Active, not recruiting
        • Novartis Investigative Site
      • Innsbruck, Austria, 6020
        • Active, not recruiting
        • Novartis Investigative Site
      • Wien, Austria, 1090
        • Recruiting
        • Novartis Investigative Site
  • Belgium
      • Leuven, Belgium, 3000
        • Active, not recruiting
        • Novartis Investigative Site
      • Liege, Belgium, 4000
        • Active, not recruiting
        • Novartis Investigative Site
  • Brazil
    • BA
      • Salvador, BA, Brazil, 40150 150
        • Recruiting
        • Novartis Investigative Site
    • MG
      • Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil, 30130-100
        • Recruiting
        • Novartis Investigative Site
      • Juiz de Fora, MG, Brazil, 36010 570
        • Recruiting
        • Novartis Investigative Site
    • RS
      • Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil, 90035-003
        • Recruiting
        • Novartis Investigative Site
    • Rio Grande Do Sul
      • Porto Alegre, Rio Grande Do Sul, Brazil, 90480-000
        • Recruiting
        • Novartis Investigative Site
    • SP
      • Sao Jose do Rio Preto, SP, Brazil, 15090 000
        • Recruiting
        • Novartis Investigative Site
  • Bulgaria
      • Pleven, Bulgaria, 5800
        • Withdrawn
        • Novartis Investigative Site
      • Plovdiv, Bulgaria, 4002
        • Active, not recruiting
        • Novartis Investigative Site
      • Plovdiv, Bulgaria, 4000
        • Active, not recruiting
        • Novartis Investigative Site
      • Sofia, Bulgaria, 1413
        • Withdrawn
        • Novartis Investigative Site
  • Canada
    • Quebec
      • Montreal, Quebec, Canada, H1T 2M4
        • Active, not recruiting
        • Novartis Investigative Site
      • Sherbrooke, Quebec, Canada, J1G 2E8
        • Active, not recruiting
        • Novartis Investigative Site
      • Trois-Rivieres, Quebec, Canada, G8Z1Y2
        • Active, not recruiting
        • Novartis Investigative Site
  • Chile
      • Concepcion, Chile, 6740
        • Recruiting
        • Novartis Investigative Site
    • Los Rios
      • Valdivia, Los Rios, Chile, 5110683
        • Recruiting
        • Novartis Investigative Site
    • RM
      • Santiago, RM, Chile, 7500588
        • Recruiting
        • Novartis Investigative Site
  • Czechia
      • Brno Bohunice, Czechia, 625 00
        • Recruiting
        • Novartis Investigative Site
      • Praha 11, Czechia, 14900
        • Recruiting
        • Novartis Investigative Site
      • Praha 2, Czechia, 128 50
        • Recruiting
        • Novartis Investigative Site
      • Uherske Hradiste, Czechia, 686 01
        • Recruiting
        • Novartis Investigative Site
  • Denmark
      • Aarhus, Denmark, 8000
        • Active, not recruiting
        • Novartis Investigative Site
      • Esbjerg, Denmark, DK-6700
        • Active, not recruiting
        • Novartis Investigative Site
      • Vejle, Denmark, 7100
        • Active, not recruiting
        • Novartis Investigative Site
  • Estonia
      • Tallinn, Estonia, 10138
        • Recruiting
        • Novartis Investigative Site
      • Tartu, Estonia, 50708
        • Recruiting
        • Novartis Investigative Site
  • Finland
      • Helsinki, Finland, 00290
        • Active, not recruiting
        • Novartis Investigative Site
      • Kuopio, Finland, 70100
        • Active, not recruiting
        • Novartis Investigative Site
      • Lahti, Finland, FIN-15850
        • Active, not recruiting
        • Novartis Investigative Site
      • Turku, Finland, FIN-20520
        • Active, not recruiting
        • Novartis Investigative Site
  • France
      • Brest, France, 29200
        • Active, not recruiting
        • Novartis Investigative Site
      • Dijon, France, 21000
        • Active, not recruiting
        • Novartis Investigative Site
      • Le Mans, France, 72037
        • Active, not recruiting
        • Novartis Investigative Site
      • Lille, France, 59000
        • Completed
        • Novartis Investigative Site
      • Limoges cedex, France, 87042
        • Withdrawn
        • Novartis Investigative Site
      • Marseille, France, 13008
        • Active, not recruiting
        • Novartis Investigative Site
      • Nantes Cedex 1, France, 44093
        • Active, not recruiting
        • Novartis Investigative Site
      • Paris, France, 75014
        • Active, not recruiting
        • Novartis Investigative Site
      • Paris 13, France, 75651
        • Active, not recruiting
        • Novartis Investigative Site
      • Strasbourg, France, 67000
        • Active, not recruiting
        • Novartis Investigative Site
      • Toulouse, France, 31400
        • Active, not recruiting
        • Novartis Investigative Site
  • Germany
      • Bad Bramstedt, Germany, 24576
        • Active, not recruiting
        • Novartis Investigative Site
      • Berlin, Germany, 13125
        • Active, not recruiting
        • Novartis Investigative Site
      • Bonn, Germany, 53105
        • Active, not recruiting
        • Novartis Investigative Site
      • Dresden, Germany, 01307
        • Active, not recruiting
        • Novartis Investigative Site
      • Dresden, Germany, 01067
        • Active, not recruiting
        • Novartis Investigative Site
      • Erlangen, Germany, 91054
        • Active, not recruiting
        • Novartis Investigative Site
      • Freiburg, Germany, 79106
        • Active, not recruiting
        • Novartis Investigative Site
      • Herne, Germany, 44649
        • Active, not recruiting
        • Novartis Investigative Site
      • Ludwigshafen, Germany, 67063
        • Active, not recruiting
        • Novartis Investigative Site
      • Wuerzburg, Germany, 97080
        • Active, not recruiting
        • Novartis Investigative Site
  • Greece
      • Athens, Greece, 115 27
        • Recruiting
        • Novartis Investigative Site
  • Guatemala
      • Guatemala, Guatemala, 01010
        • Recruiting
        • Novartis Investigative Site
      • Guatemala City, Guatemala, 01010
        • Recruiting
        • Novartis Investigative Site
      • Guatemala City, Guatemala, 01011
        • Recruiting
        • Novartis Investigative Site
  • Hungary
      • Budapest, Hungary, 1085
        • Recruiting
        • Novartis Investigative Site
      • Debrecen, Hungary, 4032
        • Recruiting
        • Novartis Investigative Site
      • Pecs, Hungary, 7623
        • Recruiting
        • Novartis Investigative Site
      • Szeged, Hungary, 6720
        • Recruiting
        • Novartis Investigative Site
  • Israel
      • Kfar Saba, Israel, 4428164
        • Recruiting
        • Novartis Investigative Site
      • Ramat Gan, Israel, 52621
        • Recruiting
        • Novartis Investigative Site
      • Tel Aviv, Israel, 6423906
        • Recruiting
        • Novartis Investigative Site
  • Italy
    • BS
      • Brescia, BS, Italy, 25123
        • Active, not recruiting
        • Novartis Investigative Site
    • FE
      • Cona, FE, Italy, 44100
        • Active, not recruiting
        • Novartis Investigative Site
    • FI
      • Firenze, FI, Italy, 50139
        • Active, not recruiting
        • Novartis Investigative Site
    • MI
      • Milano, MI, Italy, 20132
        • Active, not recruiting
        • Novartis Investigative Site
    • PV
      • Pavia, PV, Italy, 27100
        • Withdrawn
        • Novartis Investigative Site
    • RM
      • Roma, RM, Italy, 00168
        • Withdrawn
        • Novartis Investigative Site
    • SI
      • Siena, SI, Italy, 53100
        • Completed
        • Novartis Investigative Site
    • VR
      • Verona, VR, Italy, 37126
        • Withdrawn
        • Novartis Investigative Site
  • Norway
      • Gjettum, Norway, 1346
        • Active, not recruiting
        • Novartis Investigative Site
      • Moss, Norway, 1538
        • Recruiting
        • Novartis Investigative Site
  • Poland
      • Bydgoszcz, Poland, 85 168
        • Recruiting
        • Novartis Investigative Site
      • Krakow, Poland, 30 002
        • Active, not recruiting
        • Novartis Investigative Site
      • Warszawa, Poland, 02 637
        • Withdrawn
        • Novartis Investigative Site
      • Warszawa, Poland, 00-909
        • Withdrawn
        • Novartis Investigative Site
      • Wolomin, Poland, 05-200
        • Withdrawn
        • Novartis Investigative Site
      • Wroclaw, Poland, 53-224
        • Withdrawn
        • Novartis Investigative Site
  • Portugal
      • Almada, Portugal, 2801 951
        • Recruiting
        • Novartis Investigative Site
      • Lisboa, Portugal, 1649-035
        • Recruiting
        • Novartis Investigative Site
      • Ponte de Lima, Portugal, 4990 041
        • Recruiting
        • Novartis Investigative Site
  • Russian Federation
      • Kemerovo, Russian Federation, 650029
        • Withdrawn
        • Novartis Investigative Site
      • Moscow, Russian Federation, 115522
        • Withdrawn
        • Novartis Investigative Site
  • South Africa
      • Stellenbosch, South Africa, 7600
        • Withdrawn
        • Novartis Investigative Site
  • Spain
      • Barcelona, Spain, 08041
        • Recruiting
        • Novartis Investigative Site
      • Madrid, Spain, 28046
        • Recruiting
        • Novartis Investigative Site
      • Madrid, Spain, 28009
        • Recruiting
        • Novartis Investigative Site
      • Valencia, Spain, 46026
        • Recruiting
        • Novartis Investigative Site
    • Barcelona
      • Sabadell, Barcelona, Spain, 08208
        • Recruiting
        • Novartis Investigative Site
    • Cantabria
      • Santander, Cantabria, Spain, 39008
        • Recruiting
        • Novartis Investigative Site
    • Catalunya
      • Badalona, Catalunya, Spain, 08916
        • Recruiting
        • Novartis Investigative Site
      • Barcelona, Catalunya, Spain, 08036
        • Recruiting
        • Novartis Investigative Site
    • Galicia
      • Santiago De Compostela, Galicia, Spain, 15706
        • Recruiting
        • Novartis Investigative Site
    • Navarra
      • Pamplona, Navarra, Spain, 31008
        • Recruiting
        • Novartis Investigative Site
    • Pais Vasco
      • Bilbao, Pais Vasco, Spain, 48013
        • Recruiting
        • Novartis Investigative Site
  • Sweden
      • Malmo, Sweden, 221 85
        • Active, not recruiting
        • Novartis Investigative Site
    • Skane
      • Kristianstad, Skane, Sweden, 291 85
        • Recruiting
        • Novartis Investigative Site
  • Switzerland
      • Basel, Switzerland, 4031
        • Active, not recruiting
        • Novartis Investigative Site
      • Geneve, Switzerland, 1205
        • Active, not recruiting
        • Novartis Investigative Site
      • St Gallen, Switzerland, CH 9007
        • Active, not recruiting
        • Novartis Investigative Site
      • Zurich, Switzerland, 8091
        • Completed
        • Novartis Investigative Site
  • Turkey
      • Ankara, Turkey, 06100
        • Withdrawn
        • Novartis Investigative Site
      • Ankara, Turkey, 06100
        • Active, not recruiting
        • Novartis Investigative Site
      • Antalya, Turkey, 07070
        • Withdrawn
        • Novartis Investigative Site
      • Sivas, Turkey, 58140
        • Withdrawn
        • Novartis Investigative Site
    • Istanbul
      • Pendik, Istanbul, Turkey, 34899
        • Active, not recruiting
        • Novartis Investigative Site
    • TUR
      • Istanbul, TUR, Turkey, 34098
        • Active, not recruiting
        • Novartis Investigative Site
  • United Kingdom
      • Dundee, United Kingdom, DD1 9SY
        • Recruiting
        • Novartis Investigative Site
      • Edinburgh, United Kingdom, EH4 2XU
        • Recruiting
        • Novartis Investigative Site
      • Newcastle Upon Tyne, United Kingdom, NE7 7DN
        • Recruiting
        • Novartis Investigative Site
    • Staffordshire
      • Stoke on Trent, Staffordshire, United Kingdom, ST6 7AG
        • Active, not recruiting
        • Novartis Investigative Site
  • United States
    • California
      • Burbank, California, United States, 91505
        • Recruiting
        • Providence Medical Center
        • Principal Investigator:
          • Sue Chung
        • Contact:
      • Fontana, California, United States, 92335
        • Recruiting
        • Kaiser Permanente Fontana
        • Principal Investigator:
          • Steve Lee
        • Contact:
      • Irvine, California, United States, 92604
        • Recruiting
        • Kaiser Permanente
        • Contact:
        • Principal Investigator:
          • Andrew Nguyen
      • Los Angeles, California, United States, 90048
        • Completed
        • Cedars Sinai Medical Center .
    • Colorado
      • Aurora, Colorado, United States, 80045
        • Recruiting
        • Barb Davis Ctr Child Diabetes
        • Principal Investigator:
          • Elena Weinstein
        • Contact:
    • Florida
      • Gainesville, Florida, United States, 32610 8068
        • Recruiting
        • University of Florida Health Rheumatology
        • Principal Investigator:
          • Roland Staud
      • Plantation, Florida, United States, 33324
        • Recruiting
        • Integral Rheumatology and Immunology Specialists IRIS
        • Principal Investigator:
          • Guillermo Valenzuela
        • Contact:
      • Sarasota, Florida, United States, 34239
        • Active, not recruiting
        • Sarasota Arthritis Research Center
      • Zephyrhills, Florida, United States, 33542
        • Recruiting
        • Florida Medical Clinic PA .
        • Contact:
          • Phone Number: 813-782-1234
        • Principal Investigator:
          • Natalie Faith
    • Illinois
      • Chicago, Illinois, United States, 60640
        • Withdrawn
        • Great Lakes Clinical Trials
    • Iowa
      • Iowa City, Iowa, United States, 52242
        • Recruiting
        • Novartis Investigative Site
    • Kentucky
      • Hopkinsville, Kentucky, United States, 42240
        • Recruiting
        • Western Kentucky Rheumatology
        • Principal Investigator:
          • Kishorkumar Desai
        • Contact:
    • Maryland
      • Hagerstown, Maryland, United States, 21740
        • Active, not recruiting
        • Osteoporosis and Clinical Trials Center
    • Massachusetts
      • Boston, Massachusetts, United States, 02114
        • Active, not recruiting
        • Massachusetts General Hospital
      • Boston, Massachusetts, United States, 02115
        • Recruiting
        • Brigham and Womens Hosp Harvard Med School .
        • Contact:
        • Principal Investigator:
          • Daniel Solomon
    • Michigan
      • Detroit, Michigan, United States, 48202
        • Recruiting
        • Henry Ford Health
        • Principal Investigator:
          • Alireza Meysami
      • Saint Clair Shores, Michigan, United States, 48081
        • Recruiting
        • Shores Rheumatology
        • Principal Investigator:
          • Andrew Sulich
        • Contact:
    • New Hampshire
      • Lebanon, New Hampshire, United States, 03756
        • Recruiting
        • Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center
        • Principal Investigator:
          • William Rigby
        • Contact:
    • New Jersey
      • Ridgewood, New Jersey, United States, 07450
        • Recruiting
        • Valley Hospital
        • Contact:
          • Phone Number: 201-447-8453
        • Principal Investigator:
          • Ashraf Raslan
    • New York
      • Brooklyn, New York, United States, 11201
      • New York, New York, United States, 10021
        • Recruiting
        • Hospital for Special Surgery
        • Principal Investigator:
          • Robert Spiera
        • Contact:
      • New York, New York, United States, 10028
        • Recruiting
        • Northwell Health Division of Rheumatology
        • Principal Investigator:
          • Lara El Khoury
        • Contact:
    • North Carolina
      • Greensboro, North Carolina, United States, 27408
        • Withdrawn
        • Medication Management LLC
    • Pennsylvania
      • Duncansville, Pennsylvania, United States, 16635
    • Tennessee
      • Jackson, Tennessee, United States, 38305
        • Recruiting
        • West Tennessee Research Institute
        • Principal Investigator:
          • Jacob A. Aelion
        • Contact:
    • Texas
      • Allen, Texas, United States, 75013
        • Recruiting
        • Stryde Research-Allen Arthritis
        • Contact:
          • Phone Number: 972-747-0709
        • Principal Investigator:
          • John Lavery
      • Grapevine, Texas, United States, 76051
        • Recruiting
        • Precision Comp Clin Research
        • Principal Investigator:
          • Uzma Syeda
        • Contact:
      • Houston, Texas, United States, 77030
        • Recruiting
        • University of Texas .
        • Contact:
        • Principal Investigator:
          • Courtney McCray
      • Spring, Texas, United States, 77382
        • Recruiting
        • Advanced Rheumatology of Houston .
        • Principal Investigator:
          • Tamar Brionez
        • Contact:

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

Eligibility Criteria

Ages Eligible for Study

50 years and older (Adult, Older Adult)

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

  1. Signed informed consent must be obtained prior to participation in the study.
  2. Patient must be able to understand and communicate with the investigator and comply with the requirements of the study.
  3. Male or non-pregnant, non-lactating female patients at least 50 years of age.

  4. Diagnosis of GCA based on meeting all of the following criteria:

    • Age at onset of disease ≥ 50 years.
    • Unequivocal cranial symptoms of GCA (e.g., new-onset localized headache, scalp or temporal artery tenderness, permanent or temporary ischemia-related vision loss, or otherwise unexplained mouth or jaw pain upon mastication), and/or unequivocal symptoms of polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR) (defined as shoulder and/or hip girdle pain associated with inflammatory morning stiffness) and/or symptoms of limb ischemia (claudication).
    • TAB revealing features of GCA and/or cross-sectional imaging study such as ultrasound (e.g., cranial or axillary), MRI/MRA, CTA, or PET-CT with evidence of vasculitis.

  5. Active disease as defined by meeting both of the following within 6 weeks of BSL (see Section 8.1 for details)

    • Presence of signs or symptoms attributed to active GCA and not related to prior damage (e.g., visual loss that occurred prior to 6 weeks before BSL without new findings occurring within 6 weeks of BSL)
    • Elevated ESR ≥ 30 mm/hr or CRP ≥ 10 mg/L attributed to active GCA or active GCA on TAB or on imaging study.

  6. Patients to meet definition of new-onset GCA or relapsing GCA:

    • Definition of new-onset GCA*: GCA that is diagnosed within 6 weeks of BSL visit
    • Definition relapsing GCA:
    • GCA diagnosed > 6 weeks before BSL visit and

    • Following institution of an appropriate treatment course for GCA, participant has experienced recurrence of active symptoms or signs of disease after resolution.

      • The 6-week timeframe is to be calculated from the date of suspected GCA diagnosis. Suspected diagnosis is defined as date when GC therapy was initiated.
  7. Patients' current GCA episode should be treatable with a dose of prednisone (or equivalent) designed to adequately achieve disease control in accordance with international guidelines. If this is not possible due to concerns regarding GC toxicity, the patient should not be enrolled. It must be medically appropriate for the patient to receive prednisone (or equivalent) 20 mg-60 mg daily (or equivalent) at BSL.
  8. Patients taking MTX (≤ 25 mg/week) are allowed to continue their medication provided they have taken it for at least 2 months and are on a stable dose for at least 4 weeks prior to randomization and if they are on stable folic acid treatment before randomization.

Exclusion Criteria:

  1. 1. Pregnant or nursing (lactating) women where pregnancy is defined as the state of a female after conception and until the termination of gestation, confirmed by a positive human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) laboratory test.

  2. Women of childbearing potential, defined as all women physiologically capable of becoming pregnant, unless they are using effective methods of contraception during study treatment or longer if required by locally approved prescribing information (e.g., in European Union (EU) 20 weeks after treatment discontinuation). Also, contraception should be used in accordance with locally approved prescribing information of concomitant medications administered (e.g., rescue treatment). Effective contraception methods include:

    • Total abstinence (when this is in line with the preferred and usual lifestyle of the patient). Periodic abstinence (e.g., calendar, ovulation, symptothermal, post-ovulation methods) and withdrawal are not acceptable methods of contraception.
    • Female sterilization (have had surgical bilateral oophorectomy with or without hysterectomy), total hysterectomy or bilateral tubal ligation at least 6 weeks before taking investigational drug. In case of oophorectomy alone, only when the reproductive status of the woman has been confirmed by follow-up hormone level assessment.
    • Male sterilization (at least 6 months prior to screening). For female patients on the study, the vasectomized male partner should be the sole partner for that patient
    • Barrier methods of contraception: Condom or Occlusive cap (diaphragm or cervical/vault caps). NOTE: for United Kingdom: with spermicidal foam/gel/film/cream/vaginal suppository.
    • Use of oral, (estrogen and progesterone), injected or implanted hormonal methods of contraception or other forms of hormonal contraception that have comparable efficacy. In case of use of oral contraception women should have been stable on the same pill for a minimum of 3 months before taking study treatment.
    • Women are considered post-menopausal if they have had 12 months of natural (spontaneous) amenorrhea with an appropriate clinical profile (e.g., age-appropriate history of vasomotor symptoms). Women are considered not of child-bearing potential if they are post-menopausal or have had surgical bilateral oophorectomy (with or without hysterectomy), total hysterectomy or bilateral tubal ligation at least six weeks prior to enrollment on study. In the case of oophorectomy alone, only when the reproductive status of the woman has been confirmed by follow-up hormone level assessment is she considered to be not of child-bearing potential.

    If local regulations are more stringent than the contraception methods listed above to prevent pregnancy, local regulations apply and will be described in the Informed Consent Form (ICF).

  3. Previous exposure to secukinumab or other biologic drug directly targeting IL-17 or IL-17 receptor.
  4. Patients treated with any cell-depleting therapies.
  5. Previous participation in a clinical trial where the outcome of treatment with the GCA drug is unknown. This does not include trials where the treatment for GCA was GCs, MTX, leflunomide or azathioprine
  6. Patients who have been treated with inhibitors directly targeting IL-1, or IL-1 receptor, IL-12 and IL-23, or abatacept within 4 weeks or within 5 half-lives of the drug (whichever is longer) prior to BSL.
  7. Treatment with tocilizumab, other IL-6/IL6-R inhibitor or JAK inhibitor within 12 weeks or within 5 half-lives of the drug (whichever is longer) prior to BSL, or if the patient did not respond to or experienced a relapse during treatment any time before BSL.
  8. Any treatment received for GCA in which patient did not respond to treatment or experienced a relapse while on that treatment any time before BSL. This also includes patients who were treated in a clinical trial for GCA. Patients who failed on treatment with GCs, MTX, leflunomide and/or azathioprine may be included.
  9. Patients treated with i.v. immunoglobulins or plasmapheresis within 8 weeks prior to BSL.
  10. Patients treated with cyclophosphamide or hydroxychloroquine within 6 months prior to BSL, or tacrolimus, everolimus, cyclosporine A, azathioprine, sulfasalazine, mycophenolate mofetil within 4 weeks prior to BSL.
  11. Patients treated with leflunomide within 8 weeks of BSL unless a cholestyramine washout has been performed in which case the patient must be treated within 4 weeks of BSL.
  12. Patients treated with an alkylating agent within 5 years prior to BSL, unless specified in other exclusion criteria.
  13. Patients requiring or anticipated to require systemic chronic glucocorticoid therapy or pulses of glucocorticoids for reasons other than GCA (e.g., COPD, asthma, planned surgery) at screening or randomization.
  14. Criterion removed in protocol V01.
  15. Patients requiring chronic (i.e., not occasional "prn") high potency opioid analgesics for pain management.
  16. Use of other investigational drugs within 5 half-lives of enrollment or within 30 days (e.g. small molecules) or until the expected pharmacodynamic effect has returned to BSL (e.g., biologics), whichever is longer; or longer if required by local regulations.
  17. History of hypersensitivity or contraindication to any of the study treatments or its excipients or to drugs of similar chemical classes.
  18. Active IBD or other ongoing inflammatory diseases other than GCA that might confound the evaluation of the benefit of secukinumab therapy, including uveitis at screening or randomization.
  19. Major ischemic event (e.g., myocardial infarction, stroke, etc.) or transient ischemic attack (TIA) (except ischemia-related vision loss), related or unrelated to GCA, within 12 weeks of screening.
  20. Confirmed diagnosis of any primary form of systemic vasculitis, other than GCA.
  21. Any other biologics (e.g., denosumab, TNFα inhibitors) within 4 weeks or within 5 half-lives of the drug (whichever is longer) prior to BSL, or anticipated use of a biologic prior to EOS.
  22. Active ongoing diseases which in the opinion of the investigator immunocompromises the patient and/or places the patient at unacceptable risk for treatment with immunomodulatory therapy.
  23. Significant medical problems or diseases, including but not limited to the following: uncontrolled hypertension (≥ 160/95 mmHg), congestive heart failure (New York Heart Association (NYHA) status of class III or IV) and uncontrolled diabetes mellitus.

  24. History of clinically significant liver disease or liver injury as indicated by abnormal liver function tests (LFTs) such as Aspartate Aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP) or serum bilirubin. The investigator should be guided by the following criteria:

    • SGOT (AST) and SGPT (ALT) may not exceed 3 × the upper limit of normal (ULN). A single parameter elevated up to and including 3 × ULN should be re-checked once more as soon as possible, and in all cases, at least prior to randomization, to rule-out laboratory error.
    • Alkaline phosphatase may not exceed 2 × ULN. An elevation up to and including 2 × ULN should be re-checked once more as soon as possible, and in all cases, at least prior to randomization, to rule-out laboratory error.
    • Total bilirubin may not exceed 2 × ULN. If the total bilirubin concentration is increased above 2 × ULN, total bilirubin should be differentiated into the direct and indirect reacting bilirubin.
  25. Criterion removed in protocol V01
  26. Screening total WBC count < 3,000/μL, or platelets < 100,000/μL or neutrophils < 1,500/μL or Hgb < 8.3 g/dL (83 g/L).
  27. Active infections during the last 2 weeks prior to randomization.
  28. History of ongoing, chronic or recurrent infectious disease or evidence of tuberculosis infection as defined by a positive QuantiFERON TB-Gold Plus test. Patients with a positive test may participate in the study if further work up (according to local practice/guidelines) establishes conclusively that the patient has no evidence of active TB. If the test result is indeterminate, the investigator may repeat the test once or may proceed directly to perform the work-up for TB as per local procedures. If presence of latent TB is established then treatment according to local country guidelines must be initiated prior to randomization.
  29. Known infection with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), hepatitis B or hepatitis C at screening or randomization (if not treated and cured).
  30. History of lymphoproliferative disease or any known malignancy or history of malignancy of any organ system within the past 5 years (except for basal cell carcinoma or actinic keratosis that have been treated with no evidence of recurrence in the past 3 months, carcinoma in situ of the cervix or non-invasive malignant colon polyps that have been removed).
  31. Live vaccinations (e.g., monkey pox vaccine, oral polio vaccine, varicella/zoster vaccines) within 6 weeks prior to BSL, or planned or anticipated potential need for live vaccination during study participation until 12 weeks after last study treatment administration.
  32. Current severe progressive or uncontrolled disease, which in the judgment of the clinical investigator renders the patient unsuitable for the trial.
  33. Any medical or psychiatric condition, which, in the investigator's opinion, would preclude the patient from adhering to the protocol or completing the study per protocol.
  34. Donation or loss of 400 mL or more of blood within 8 weeks before randomization.
  35. History or evidence of ongoing alcohol or drug abuse, within the last 6 months before randomization.
  36. Specific for MRI/MRA imaging sub-study: absolute contraindications to MRI/MRA (e.g., metallic implants, metallic foreign bodies, pacemaker, defibrillator) and to the use of gadolinium-based agents (e.g., people with severe kidney failure, patients with previous severe allergic/anaphylactoid reaction to a gadolinium-based contrast agent); patients with severe renal disease [eGFR <30 mL/min/1.73 m2 by Chronic Kidney Disease Epidemiology Collaboration (CKD-EPI)], or acutely deteriorating renal function, who would be at risk of nephrogenic systemic fibrosis. Subjects with renal impairment of a lesser severity may be excluded from the imaging substudy in accordance with local practice.

Study Plan

This section provides details of the study plan, including how the study is designed and what the study is measuring.

How is the study designed?

Design Details

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

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm
Intervention / Treatment
Experimental: Secukinumab 300 mg
Secukinumab 300 mg s.c. at BSL, Weeks 1, 2, 3, followed by administration every four weeks starting at Week 4. Secukinumab will be given in combination with a specified 26-week prednisone taper regimen. After the 26-week prednisone taper, participants will continue to receive placebo to prednisone until Week 52.
Biological: Secukinumab 300 mg
Secukinumab 300 mg
Other Names:
  • AIN457
Placebo Comparator: Placebo
Placebo to secukinumab s.c. at BSL, Weeks 1, 2, 3, followed by administration every four weeks starting at Week 4. Placebo will be given in combination with a specified 52-week prednisone taper regimen.
Other: Placebo
Placebo
Other Names:
  • Placebo Comparator
Experimental: Secukinumab 150 mg
Secukinumab 150 mg s.c. at BSL, Weeks 1, 2, 3, followed by administration every four weeks starting at Week 4. Secukinumab will be given in combination with a specified 26-week prednisone taper regimen. After the 26-week prednisone taper, participants will continue to receive placebo to prednisone until Week 52.
Biological: Secukinumab 150 mg
Secukinumab
Other Names:
  • AIN457

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Proportion of participants with sustained remission
Time Frame: 52 weeks
Primary objective is to determine whether the efficacy of secukinumab 300 mg s.c. in combination with a 26-week GC taper regimen is superior to placebo in combination with a 52-week glucocorticoids (GC) taper regimen in participants with giant cell arteritis (GCA) based on sustained remission at Week 52
52 weeks

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Time to clinical failure
Time Frame: 52 weeks
To demonstrate that the efficacy of secukinumab 300 mg s.c. in combination with a 26-week GC taper regimen is superior to placebo in combination with a 52-week GC taper regimen in participants with GCA based on time to clinical failure through Week 52
52 weeks
Cumulative GC Dose
Time Frame: 52 weeks
To demonstrate that the efficacy of secukinumab 300 mg s.c. in combination with a 26-week GC taper regimen is superior to placebo in combination with a 52-week GC taper regimen, in participants with GCA, based on cumulative GC dose through Week 52
52 weeks
Proportion of participants with sustained remission
Time Frame: 52 weeks
To demonstrate that the efficacy of secukinumab 150 mg s.c. in combination with a 26-week GC taper regimen is superior to placebo in combination with a 52-week GC taper regimen in participants with GCA based on sustained remission at Week 52
52 weeks
Time to clinical failure
Time Frame: 52 weeks
To demonstrate that the efficacy of secukinumab 150 mg s.c. in combination with a 26-week GC taper regimen is superior to placebo in combination with a 52-week GC taper regimen in participants with GCA based on time to clinical failure through Week 52
52 weeks
Cumulative GC Dose
Time Frame: 52 Weeks
To demonstrate that the efficacy of secukinumab 150 mg s.c. in combination with a 26-week GC taper regimen is superior to placebo in combination with a 52-week GC taper regimen, in participants with GCA, based on cumulative GC dose through Week 52
52 Weeks
Change in SF-36 score (PCS)
Time Frame: 52 weeks
To demonstrate that the effect on participant's QoL of secukinumab 300 mg s.c. or 150 mg s.c. in combination with a 26-week GC taper regimen is superior to placebo in combination with a 52-week GC taper regimen, in participants with GCA based on change of SF-36 score (PCS) at Week 52
52 weeks
Change in GlucocorticoidToxicity Index (GTI)
Time Frame: 52 weeks
To demonstrate that the effect of secukinumab 300 mg s.c. or 150 mg s.c. in combination with a 26-week GC taper regimen is superior to placebo in combination with a 52-week GC taper regimen, in participants with GCA based on change in Glucocorticoid Toxicity Index (GTI) at Week 52
52 weeks
Change in FACIT-Fatigue Score
Time Frame: 52 weeks
To demonstrate that the effect on participant's QoL of secukinumab 300 mg s.c. or 150 mg s.c. in combination with a 26-week GC taper regimen is superior to placebo in combination with a 52-week GC taper regimen, in participants with GCA based on change in FACIT-Fatigue score at Week 52
52 weeks
Safety and tolerability of secukinumab
Time Frame: 52 weeks
Adverse events (AEs) and serious adverse events (SAEs) (incidence, severity, and relationship to study drug)
52 weeks
Safety and tolerability of secukinumab
Time Frame: 52 weeks
Clinically significant changes in clinical laboratory measures and vital signs, as assessed by the Investigator
52 weeks

Collaborators and Investigators

This is where you will find people and organizations involved with this study.

Sponsor

Novartis Pharmaceuticals

Investigators

  • Study Director: Novartis Pharmaceuticals, Novartis Pharmaceuticals

Study record dates

These dates track the progress of study record and summary results submissions to ClinicalTrials.gov. Study records and reported results are reviewed by the National Library of Medicine (NLM) to make sure they meet specific quality control standards before being posted on the public website.

Study Major Dates

Study Start (Actual)

October 6, 2021

Primary Completion (Estimated)

April 29, 2025

Study Completion (Estimated)

July 20, 2027

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

June 15, 2021

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

June 15, 2021

First Posted (Actual)

June 18, 2021

Study Record Updates

Last Update Posted (Estimated)

April 23, 2024

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

April 22, 2024

Last Verified

April 1, 2024

More Information

Terms related to this study

Keywords

Additional Relevant MeSH Terms

Other Study ID Numbers

  • CAIN457R12301
  • 2020-004809-31 (EudraCT Number)

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?

YES

IPD Plan Description

Novartis is committed to sharing access to patient-level data and supporting clinical documents from eligible studies with qualified external researchers. Requests are reviewed and approved by an independent review panel on the basis of scientific merit. All data provided is anonymized to protect 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

This information was retrieved directly from the website clinicaltrials.gov without any changes. If you have any requests to change, remove or update your study details, please contact register@clinicaltrials.gov. As soon as a change is implemented on clinicaltrials.gov, this will be updated automatically on our website as well.

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