Randomized Study of Beta Interferon and Thalidomide in Patients With Adrenoleukodystrophy
glyceryl trierucate
+ glyceryl trioleate
+ interferon beta
Adrenal Gland Diseases+31
+ Adrenal Insufficiency
+ Brain Diseases
Treatment Study
Summary
Study start date: August 1, 1998
Actual date on which the first participant was enrolled.PROTOCOL OUTLINE: This is randomized, double blind, placebo controlled study. Patients are randomized to receive beta interferon and thalidomide placebo (arm I), thalidomide and beta interferon placebo (arm II), or placebo for both beta interferon and thalidomide (arm III). Patients receive interferon beta by subcutaneous injection and thalidomide orally. All patients are maintained on glyceryl trierucate and glyceryl trioleate (Lorenzo's oil) therapy. Patients are followed at 3, 6, and 12 months and then may be followed every 6 months thereafter.
Protocol
This section provides details of the study plan, including how the study is designed and what the study is measuring.60 patients to be enrolled
Total number of participants that the clinical trial aims to recruit.Treatment Study
Eligibility
Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria: person's general health condition or prior treatments.Male
Biological sex of participants that are eligible to enroll.Over 4 Years
Range of ages for which participants are eligible to join.Healthy volunteers not allowed
If individuals who are healthy and do not have the condition being studied can participate.Conditions
Pathology
Criteria
PROTOCOL ENTRY CRITERIA: --Disease Characteristics-- Adrenoleukodystrophy (ALD) diagnosis based on history and examination, MRI, and biochemical assay Clinical evidence of rapidly progressive phase of cerebral ALD must include 2 or more of the following during the preceding year: Significant and progressive impairment of school performance Significant loss of cognitive function leading to an IQ of 75 or less Progressive impairment of the ability to understand spoken words Progressive impairment of vision Progressive deterioration of handwriting Progressive difficulty in walking Progressive impairment in speech articulation, and vocabulary Progressive weakness of one or more limbs Must have MRI abnormalities characteristic of cerebral ALD, especially evidence of the breakdown of the blood-brain barrier using gadolinium contrast medium and magnetization transfer technique Evidence of brain white matter inflammatory response Must not meet criteria for bone marrow transplantation Not in an apparent vegetative state --Prior/Concurrent Therapy-- Concurrent glyceryl trierucate and glyceryl trioleate (Lorenzo's oil) therapy required --Patient Characteristics-- Effective contraception required of all patients