CMV Modulation of the Immune System in ANCA-associated Vasculitis (CANVAS)

This study is not yet open for participant recruitment.
Verified June 2012 by University of Birmingham
Sponsor:
Collaborator:
Wellcome Trust
Information provided by (Responsible Party):
Professor Lorraine Harper, University of Birmingham
ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier:
NCT01633476
First received: June 29, 2012
Last updated: July 3, 2012
Last verified: June 2012
  Purpose

The purpose of this study is to determine whether Cytomegalovirus (CMV) reactivation in ANCA-associated vasculitis (AAV) patients can be effectively and safely reduced using an antiviral agent (valaciclovir) and whether this in turn improves the function of the immune system thereby also improving the body's ability to fight other infections.

The primary hypothesis is that repeated episodes of CMV reactivation in AAV patients drive the expansion and functional impairment of CMV-specific T-cells, with increased susceptibility to infection. Inhibition of CMV replication with valaciclovir will block further stimulation of CMV specific T-cells and increase the functional capacity of the immune system.


Condition Intervention Phase
ANCA Associated Vasculitis
CMV Infection
Drug: Valaciclovir
Phase 2

Study Type: Interventional
Study Design: Allocation: Randomized
Endpoint Classification: Efficacy Study
Intervention Model: Parallel Assignment
Masking: Open Label
Primary Purpose: Basic Science
Official Title: Does CMV Reactivation Cause Functional Impairment of CMV Specific CD4+ T-cells? The Potential for Valaciclovir to Prevent CMV-mediated Adverse Modulation of the Immune System in Patients With ANCA-associated Vasculitis

Resource links provided by NLM:


Further study details as provided by University of Birmingham:

Primary Outcome Measures:
  • Proportion of patients with CMV reactivation [ Time Frame: 6 months ] [ Designated as safety issue: No ]
    As assessed by measurable viral load on quantitative blood or urine CMV PCR.


Secondary Outcome Measures:
  • Proportion of patients experiencing adverse events sufficient to stop treatment [ Time Frame: 6 months ] [ Designated as safety issue: Yes ]
    Safety as defined by adverse events sufficient to stop treatment with trial drugs or serious adverse events and suspected unexpected serious adverse reactions (SUSARs).

  • Change in immune phenotype of the CD4+ CMV specific T cell population at 6 months [ Time Frame: 6 months ] [ Designated as safety issue: No ]
    Change in surface marker expression of CD4+ CMV specific T cells, Change in cytokine expression of CD4+CD28- CMV specific T cells, Change in inhibitory receptor expression of CD4+CD28- CMV specific T cells.

  • Change in markers of inflammation [ Time Frame: 6 months ] [ Designated as safety issue: No ]
    Change in markers of inflammation including serum concentrations of pro and anti-inflammatory cytokines (TNF, IFN, IL-2, IL-6, IL-10, IL-17), markers of systemic inflammation (highly sensitive CRP, ESR).

  • Persistence of valaciclovir effect on immune phenotype of CD4+ T cells at 6 months post treatment [ Time Frame: 12 months from start of study ] [ Designated as safety issue: No ]
    Change in surface marker expression of CD4+ CMV specific T cells, Change in cytokine expression of CD4+CD28- CMV specific T cells, Change in inhibitory receptor expression of CD4+CD28- CMV specific T cells.


Estimated Enrollment: 50
Study Start Date: August 2012
Estimated Study Completion Date: August 2015
Estimated Primary Completion Date: May 2015 (Final data collection date for primary outcome measure)
Arms Assigned Interventions
Active Comparator: Valaciclovir
Active treatment with valaciclovir
Drug: Valaciclovir
2g q.d.s. orally for 6 months (dose adjusted according to renal function)
Other Name: Brand names: Valtrex, Zelitrex
No Intervention: No additional treatment
No additional treatment

Detailed Description:

Infection is the commonest cause of death in patients with ANCA-associated vasculitis (AAV). The investigators have shown that the expansion of CD4+CD28- T-cells present in patients with AAV is driven by CMV and this expansion is associated with increased infection risk. It is suggested that these cells are driven by CMV reactivation and express markers of T-cell exhaustion with reduced cytokine production and inhibitory receptor expression. However the phenotype of CMV-specific T cells in those with extreme expansions of CD4+CD28- T-cells has not been explored.

The investigators aim to investigate the phenotype of CMV-specific T-cells comparing those patients with extreme expansions of CD4+CD28- T-cells to those with smaller expansions and relate this to CMV reactivation. The investigators will monitor CMV reactivation in urine and blood monthly by qPCR. This will be correlated with the expansion of CD4+CD28- T-cells and the phenotype of these cells, specifically looking at cytokine production and inhibitory receptor expression. The investigators will identify CMV-specific T-cells by MHC class II tetramers or by stimulating with CMV lysate. The investigators will proceed to undertake a randomised controlled trial with valaciclovir or no treatment to investigate whether the reduction of CMV reactivation improves the phenotype of CD4+CD28- T-cells in these patients.

  Eligibility

Ages Eligible for Study:   16 Years and older
Genders Eligible for Study:   Both
Accepts Healthy Volunteers:   No
Criteria

Inclusion Criteria:

  • Documented diagnosis of Wegener's granulomatosis (now called Granulomatosis with Polyangiitis), microscopic polyangiitis or renal limited vasculitis according to Chapel Hill Consensus Conference criteria.
  • In stable remission (no documented clinical disease activity) for at least 6 months prior to entry.
  • On maintenance immunosuppression with prednisolone, mycophenolate mofetil or azathioprine alone or in combination (maximum 2 agents).
  • Documented evidence of CMV infection (CMV-specific immunoglobulin G detected in peripheral blood).
  • Documentation that female patients of child bearing potential are not pregnant and using an appropriate form of contraception.
  • Written informed consent for study participation

Exclusion Criteria:

  • Stage 5 chronic kidney disease (eGFR<15ml/minute/1.73m2).
  • Other significant chronic infection (HIV, HBV, HCV, TB).
  • B-cell or T-cell depleting therapy within 12 months.
  • Treatment with anti-CMV therapies in last month
  • Underlying medical conditions, which in the opinion of the Investigator place the patient at unacceptably high risk for participating in the study.
  • Inability to fully or appropriately participate in the study.
  Contacts and Locations
Please refer to this study by its ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT01633476

Contacts
Contact: Lorraine Harper, MRCP PhD +44 (0)121 371 3238 l.harper@bham.ac.uk
Contact: Dimitrios Chanouzas, MRCP +44 (0)79 71 402309 dgchanouzas@doctors.org.uk

Locations
United Kingdom
Wellcome Trust Clinical Research Facility
Birmingham, United Kingdom, B15 2TH
Sponsors and Collaborators
Professor Lorraine Harper
Wellcome Trust
Investigators
Principal Investigator: Lorraine Harper, MRCP PhD University of Birmingham
  More Information

Publications:
Responsible Party: Professor Lorraine Harper, Professor of Nephrology, University of Birmingham
ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT01633476     History of Changes
Other Study ID Numbers: CMV-001, 097962/Z/11/Z, 2012-001970-28
Study First Received: June 29, 2012
Last Updated: July 3, 2012
Health Authority: United Kingdom: Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency
United Kingdom: Research Ethics Committee

Keywords provided by University of Birmingham:
CMV
ANCA associated vasculitis
CD4+CD28- T-cells
Valaciclovir

Additional relevant MeSH terms:
Cytomegalovirus Infections
Vasculitis
Anti-Neutrophil Cytoplasmic Antibody-Associated Vasculitis
Herpesviridae Infections
DNA Virus Infections
Virus Diseases
Vascular Diseases
Cardiovascular Diseases
Systemic Vasculitis
Autoimmune Diseases
Immune System Diseases
Valacyclovir
Acyclovir
Antiviral Agents
Anti-Infective Agents
Therapeutic Uses
Pharmacologic Actions

ClinicalTrials.gov processed this record on June 18, 2013