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Weemering DN, Beelen A, Kliest T, van Leeuwen LAG, van den Berg LH, van Eijk RPA. Trial Participation in Neurodegenerative Diseases: Barriers and Facilitators: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Neurology 2024; 103:e209503. [PMID: 38830181 DOI: 10.1212/wnl.0000000000209503] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/05/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES Clinical trials in neurodegenerative diseases often encounter selective enrollment and under-representation of certain patient populations. This delays drug development and substantially limits the generalizability of clinical trial results. To inform recruitment and retention strategies, and to better understand the generalizability of clinical trial populations, we investigated which factors drive participation. METHODS We reviewed the literature systematically to identify barriers to and facilitators of trial participation in 4 major neurodegenerative disease areas: Alzheimer disease, Parkinson disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, and Huntington disease. Inclusion criteria included original research articles published in a peer-reviewed journal and evaluating barriers to and/or facilitators of participation in a clinical trial with a drug therapy (either symptomatic or disease-modifying). The Critical Appraisal Skills Program checklist for qualitative studies was used to assess and ensure the quality of the studies. Qualitative thematic analyses were employed to identify key enablers of trial participation. Subsequently, we pooled quantitative data of each enabler using meta-analytical models. RESULTS Overall, we identified 36 studies, enrolling a cumulative sample size of 5,269 patients, caregivers, and health care professionals. In total, the thematic analysis resulted in 31 unique enablers of trial participation; the key factors were patient-related (own health benefit and altruism), study-related (treatment and study burden), and health care professional-related (information availability and patient-physician relationship). When meta-analyzed across studies, responders reported that the reason to participate was mainly driven by (1) the relationship with clinical staff (70% of the respondents; 95% CI 53%-83%), (2) the availability of study information (67%, 95% CI 38%-87%), and (3) the use or absence of a placebo or sham-control arm (53% 95% CI 32%-72%). There was, however, significant heterogeneity between studies (all p < 0.001). DISCUSSION We have provided a comprehensive list of reasons why patients participate in clinical trials for neurodegenerative diseases. These results may help to increase participation rates, better inform patients, and facilitate patient-centric approaches, thereby potentially reducing selection mechanisms and improving generalizability of trial results.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daphne N Weemering
- From the Department of Neurology (D.N.W., T.K., L.A.G.v.L., L.H.v.d.B., R.P.A.v.E.), Department of Rehabilitation, Physical Therapy Science & Sports (A.B.), and Center of Excellence for Rehabilitation Medicine (A.B.), UMC Utrecht Brain Center, University Medical Center Utrecht; De Hoogstraat Rehabilitation (A.B.), Utrecht; and Biostatistics & Research Support (R.P.A.v.E.), Julius Center for Health Sciences and Primary Care, University Medical Center Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Anita Beelen
- From the Department of Neurology (D.N.W., T.K., L.A.G.v.L., L.H.v.d.B., R.P.A.v.E.), Department of Rehabilitation, Physical Therapy Science & Sports (A.B.), and Center of Excellence for Rehabilitation Medicine (A.B.), UMC Utrecht Brain Center, University Medical Center Utrecht; De Hoogstraat Rehabilitation (A.B.), Utrecht; and Biostatistics & Research Support (R.P.A.v.E.), Julius Center for Health Sciences and Primary Care, University Medical Center Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Tessa Kliest
- From the Department of Neurology (D.N.W., T.K., L.A.G.v.L., L.H.v.d.B., R.P.A.v.E.), Department of Rehabilitation, Physical Therapy Science & Sports (A.B.), and Center of Excellence for Rehabilitation Medicine (A.B.), UMC Utrecht Brain Center, University Medical Center Utrecht; De Hoogstraat Rehabilitation (A.B.), Utrecht; and Biostatistics & Research Support (R.P.A.v.E.), Julius Center for Health Sciences and Primary Care, University Medical Center Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Lucie A G van Leeuwen
- From the Department of Neurology (D.N.W., T.K., L.A.G.v.L., L.H.v.d.B., R.P.A.v.E.), Department of Rehabilitation, Physical Therapy Science & Sports (A.B.), and Center of Excellence for Rehabilitation Medicine (A.B.), UMC Utrecht Brain Center, University Medical Center Utrecht; De Hoogstraat Rehabilitation (A.B.), Utrecht; and Biostatistics & Research Support (R.P.A.v.E.), Julius Center for Health Sciences and Primary Care, University Medical Center Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Leonard H van den Berg
- From the Department of Neurology (D.N.W., T.K., L.A.G.v.L., L.H.v.d.B., R.P.A.v.E.), Department of Rehabilitation, Physical Therapy Science & Sports (A.B.), and Center of Excellence for Rehabilitation Medicine (A.B.), UMC Utrecht Brain Center, University Medical Center Utrecht; De Hoogstraat Rehabilitation (A.B.), Utrecht; and Biostatistics & Research Support (R.P.A.v.E.), Julius Center for Health Sciences and Primary Care, University Medical Center Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Ruben P A van Eijk
- From the Department of Neurology (D.N.W., T.K., L.A.G.v.L., L.H.v.d.B., R.P.A.v.E.), Department of Rehabilitation, Physical Therapy Science & Sports (A.B.), and Center of Excellence for Rehabilitation Medicine (A.B.), UMC Utrecht Brain Center, University Medical Center Utrecht; De Hoogstraat Rehabilitation (A.B.), Utrecht; and Biostatistics & Research Support (R.P.A.v.E.), Julius Center for Health Sciences and Primary Care, University Medical Center Utrecht, the Netherlands
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Castelli L, Vasta R, Allen SP, Waller R, Chiò A, Traynor BJ, Kirby J. From use of omics to systems biology: Identifying therapeutic targets for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. INTERNATIONAL REVIEW OF NEUROBIOLOGY 2024; 176:209-268. [PMID: 38802176 DOI: 10.1016/bs.irn.2024.02.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/29/2024]
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a heterogeneous progressive neurodegenerative disorder with available treatments such as riluzole and edaravone extending survival by an average of 3-6 months. The lack of highly effective, widely available therapies reflects the complexity of ALS. Omics technologies, including genomics, transcriptomic and proteomics have contributed to the identification of biological pathways dysregulated and targeted by therapeutic strategies in preclinical and clinical trials. Integrating clinical, environmental and neuroimaging information with omics data and applying a systems biology approach can further improve our understanding of the disease with the potential to stratify patients and provide more personalised medicine. This chapter will review the omics technologies that contribute to a systems biology approach and how these components have assisted in identifying therapeutic targets. Current strategies, including the use of genetic screening and biosampling in clinical trials, as well as the future application of additional technological advances, will also be discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lydia Castelli
- Sheffield Institute for Translational Neuroscience, School of Medicine and Population Health, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom; Neuroscience Institute, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom
| | - Rosario Vasta
- ALS Expert Center,'Rita Levi Montalcini' Department of Neuroscience, University of Turin, Turin, Italy; Neuromuscular Diseases Research Section, National Institute on Aging, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - Scott P Allen
- Sheffield Institute for Translational Neuroscience, School of Medicine and Population Health, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom; Neuroscience Institute, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom
| | - Rachel Waller
- Sheffield Institute for Translational Neuroscience, School of Medicine and Population Health, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom; Neuroscience Institute, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom
| | - Adriano Chiò
- ALS Expert Center,'Rita Levi Montalcini' Department of Neuroscience, University of Turin, Turin, Italy; Neurology 1, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Città della Salute e della Scienza of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - Bryan J Traynor
- Neuromuscular Diseases Research Section, National Institute on Aging, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, United States; RNA Therapeutics Laboratory, National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences, NIH, Rockville, MD, United States; National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, Bethesda, MD, United States; Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University Medical Center, Baltimore, MD, United States; Reta Lila Weston Institute, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology,University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Janine Kirby
- Sheffield Institute for Translational Neuroscience, School of Medicine and Population Health, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom; Neuroscience Institute, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom.
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Evans LJ, O'Brien D, Shaw PJ. Current neuroprotective therapies and future prospects for motor neuron disease. INTERNATIONAL REVIEW OF NEUROBIOLOGY 2024; 176:327-384. [PMID: 38802178 DOI: 10.1016/bs.irn.2024.04.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/29/2024]
Abstract
Four medications with neuroprotective disease-modifying effects are now in use for motor neuron disease (MND). With FDA approvals for tofersen, relyvrio and edaravone in just the past year, 2022 ended a quarter of a century when riluzole was the sole such drug to offer to patients. The acceleration of approvals may mean we are witnessing the beginning of a step-change in how MND can be treated. Improvements in understanding underlying disease biology has led to more therapies being developed to target specific and multiple disease mechanisms. Consideration for how the pipeline of new therapeutic agents coming through in clinical and preclinical development can be more effectively evaluated with biomarkers, advances in patient stratification and clinical trial design pave the way for more successful translation for this archetypal complex neurodegenerative disease. While it must be cautioned that only slowed rates of progression have so far been demonstrated, pre-empting rapid neurodegeneration by using neurofilament biomarkers to signal when to treat, as is currently being trialled with tofersen, may be more effective for patients with known genetic predisposition to MND. Early intervention with personalized medicines could mean that for some patients at least, in future we may be able to substantially treat what is considered by many to be one of the most distressing diseases in medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura J Evans
- The Sheffield Institute for Translational Neuroscience, and the NIHR Sheffield Biomedical Research Centre, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom
| | - David O'Brien
- The Sheffield Institute for Translational Neuroscience, and the NIHR Sheffield Biomedical Research Centre, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom
| | - Pamela J Shaw
- The Sheffield Institute for Translational Neuroscience, and the NIHR Sheffield Biomedical Research Centre, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom.
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Theme 09 - Clinical Trials and Trial Design. Amyotroph Lateral Scler Frontotemporal Degener 2023; 24:209-229. [PMID: 37966326 DOI: 10.1080/21678421.2023.2260201] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2023]
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Sri S, Greenstein A, Granata A, Collcutt A, Jochems ACC, McColl BW, Castro BD, Webber C, Reyes CA, Hall C, Lawrence CB, Hawkes C, Pegasiou-Davies CM, Gibson C, Crawford CL, Smith C, Vivien D, McLean FH, Wiseman F, Brezzo G, Lalli G, Pritchard HAT, Markus HS, Bravo-Ferrer I, Taylor J, Leiper J, Berwick J, Gan J, Gallacher J, Moss J, Goense J, McMullan L, Work L, Evans L, Stringer MS, Ashford MLJ, Abulfadl M, Conlon N, Malhotra P, Bath P, Canter R, Brown R, Ince S, Anderle S, Young S, Quick S, Szymkowiak S, Hill S, Allan S, Wang T, Quinn T, Procter T, Farr TD, Zhao X, Yang Z, Hainsworth AH, Wardlaw JM. A multi-disciplinary commentary on preclinical research to investigate vascular contributions to dementia. CEREBRAL CIRCULATION - COGNITION AND BEHAVIOR 2023; 5:100189. [PMID: 37941765 PMCID: PMC10628644 DOI: 10.1016/j.cccb.2023.100189] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2023] [Revised: 09/27/2023] [Accepted: 10/05/2023] [Indexed: 11/10/2023]
Abstract
Although dementia research has been dominated by Alzheimer's disease (AD), most dementia in older people is now recognised to be due to mixed pathologies, usually combining vascular and AD brain pathology. Vascular cognitive impairment (VCI), which encompasses vascular dementia (VaD) is the second most common type of dementia. Models of VCI have been delayed by limited understanding of the underlying aetiology and pathogenesis. This review by a multidisciplinary, diverse (in terms of sex, geography and career stage), cross-institute team provides a perspective on limitations to current VCI models and recommendations for improving translation and reproducibility. We discuss reproducibility, clinical features of VCI and corresponding assessments in models, human pathology, bioinformatics approaches, and data sharing. We offer recommendations for future research, particularly focusing on small vessel disease as a main underpinning disorder.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarmi Sri
- UK Dementia Research Institute Headquarters, 6th Floor Maple House, London W1T 7NF, UK
| | - Adam Greenstein
- Division of Cardiovascular Sciences, The University of Manchester, Manchester M13 9PL, UK
- Geoffrey Jefferson Brain Research Centre, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
| | - Alessandra Granata
- Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Victor Phillip Dahdaleh Heart & Lung Research Institute, University of Cambridge, Papworth Road, Cambridge Biomedical Campus, Cambridge CB2 0BB, UK
| | - Alex Collcutt
- UK Dementia Research Institute Headquarters, 6th Floor Maple House, London W1T 7NF, UK
| | - Angela C C Jochems
- Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
- UK Dementia Research Institute Edinburgh, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Barry W McColl
- UK Dementia Research Institute Edinburgh, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
- Centre for Discovery Brain Sciences, Chancellor's Building, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Blanca Díaz Castro
- UK Dementia Research Institute Edinburgh, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
- Centre for Discovery Brain Sciences, Chancellor's Building, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Caleb Webber
- UK Dementia Research Institute Cardiff, Cardiff University, Cardiff CF24 4HQ, UK
| | - Carmen Arteaga Reyes
- Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
- UK Dementia Research Institute Edinburgh, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Catherine Hall
- School of Psychology and Sussex Neuroscience, University of Sussex, Falmer, Brighton, East Sussex, UK
| | - Catherine B Lawrence
- Geoffrey Jefferson Brain Research Centre, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
- Division of Neuroscience, School of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
| | - Cheryl Hawkes
- Biomedical and Life Sciences, Lancaster University, Lancaster, UK
| | | | - Claire Gibson
- School of Psychology, University of Nottingham, Nottingham NG7 2UH, UK
| | - Colin L Crawford
- UK Dementia Research Institute Edinburgh, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
- Centre for Discovery Brain Sciences, Chancellor's Building, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Colin Smith
- Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Denis Vivien
- Physiopathology and Imaging of Neurological Disorders (PhIND), Normandie University, UNICAEN, INSERM UMR-S U1237, , GIP Cyceron, Institute Blood and Brain @ Caen-Normandie (BB@C), Caen, France
- Department of clinical research, Caen-Normandie University Hospital, Caen, France
| | - Fiona H McLean
- Division of Systems Medicine, School of Medicine, Ninewells Hospital & Medical School, University of Dundee, Dundee DD1 9SY, UK
| | - Frances Wiseman
- UK Dementia Research Institute, University College London, London WC1N 3BG, UK
| | - Gaia Brezzo
- UK Dementia Research Institute Edinburgh, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
- Centre for Discovery Brain Sciences, Chancellor's Building, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Giovanna Lalli
- UK Dementia Research Institute Headquarters, 6th Floor Maple House, London W1T 7NF, UK
| | - Harry A T Pritchard
- Division of Cardiovascular Sciences, The University of Manchester, Manchester M13 9PL, UK
- Geoffrey Jefferson Brain Research Centre, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
| | - Hugh S Markus
- Stroke Research Group, Clinical Neurosciences, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 0QQ, UK
| | - Isabel Bravo-Ferrer
- UK Dementia Research Institute Edinburgh, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
- Centre for Discovery Brain Sciences, Chancellor's Building, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Jade Taylor
- Division of Cardiovascular Sciences, The University of Manchester, Manchester M13 9PL, UK
- Geoffrey Jefferson Brain Research Centre, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
| | - James Leiper
- BHF Glasgow Cardiovascular Research Centre, Institute of Cardiovascular and Medical Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
| | - Jason Berwick
- Department of Psychology, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
- Neuroscience Institute, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
- Healthy Lifespan Institute, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
| | - Jian Gan
- UK Dementia Research Institute Edinburgh, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
- Centre for Discovery Brain Sciences, Chancellor's Building, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - John Gallacher
- Department of Psychiatry, Warneford Hospital, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Jonathan Moss
- UK Dementia Research Institute Edinburgh, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
- Centre for Regenerative Medicine, Institute for Regeneration and Repair, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
- The Roslin Institute, Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, The University of Edinburgh, UK
| | - Jozien Goense
- Neuroscience Program, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA
- Department of Psychology, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, Champaign, IL, USA
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA
- Beckman Institute for Advanced Science and Technology, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA
- School of Psychology and Neuroscience, University of Glasgow, UK
| | - Letitia McMullan
- School of Psychology and Sussex Neuroscience, University of Sussex, Falmer, Brighton, East Sussex, UK
| | - Lorraine Work
- School of Cardiovascular & Metabolic Health, College of Medical, Veterinary & Life Sciences, University of Glasgow; Glasgow; UK
| | - Lowri Evans
- Division of Cardiovascular Sciences, The University of Manchester, Manchester M13 9PL, UK
- Geoffrey Jefferson Brain Research Centre, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
| | - Michael S Stringer
- Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
- UK Dementia Research Institute Edinburgh, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - MLJ Ashford
- Division of Systems Medicine, School of Medicine, Ninewells Hospital & Medical School, University of Dundee, Dundee DD1 9SY, UK
| | - Mohamed Abulfadl
- Dementia Research Group, Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Bristol BS10 5NB, UK
| | - Nina Conlon
- Division of Cardiovascular Sciences, The University of Manchester, Manchester M13 9PL, UK
- Geoffrey Jefferson Brain Research Centre, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
| | - Paresh Malhotra
- Department of Brain Sciences, Imperial College London, London, UK
- Department of Neurology, Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust, London, UK
- UK Dementia Research Institute Care Research and Technology Centre, Imperial College London and the University of Surrey, UK
| | - Philip Bath
- Stroke Trials Unit, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK; Stroke, Medicine Division, Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust, Nottingham, UK
| | - Rebecca Canter
- Dementia Discovery Fund, SV Health Managers LLP, London, UK
| | - Rosalind Brown
- UK Dementia Research Institute Edinburgh, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
- Centre for Discovery Brain Sciences, Chancellor's Building, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Selvi Ince
- Dementia Research Group, Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Bristol BS10 5NB, UK
| | - Silvia Anderle
- School of Psychology and Sussex Neuroscience, University of Sussex, Falmer, Brighton, East Sussex, UK
- Department of Neuroscience, Physiology and Pharmacology, University College London, UK
| | - Simon Young
- Dementias Platform UK, Department of Psychiatry, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 7JX, UK
| | - Sophie Quick
- UK Dementia Research Institute Edinburgh, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
- Centre for Regenerative Medicine, Institute for Regeneration and Repair, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Stefan Szymkowiak
- Centre for Discovery Brain Sciences, Chancellor's Building, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
- UK Dementia Research Institute Cardiff, Cardiff University, Cardiff CF24 4HQ, UK
| | - Steve Hill
- Centre for Discovery Brain Sciences, Chancellor's Building, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
- UK Dementia Research Institute Cardiff, Cardiff University, Cardiff CF24 4HQ, UK
| | - Stuart Allan
- Geoffrey Jefferson Brain Research Centre, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
- Division of Neuroscience, School of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
| | - Tao Wang
- Geoffrey Jefferson Brain Research Centre, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
- Division of Evolution, Infection and Genomic Sciences, Faculty of Biology Medicine and Health, School of Biological Sciences, The University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
- Manchester Centre for Genomic Medicine, Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester, UK
| | - Terry Quinn
- College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Scotland, UK
| | - Tessa Procter
- UK Dementia Research Institute Edinburgh, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
- Centre for Regenerative Medicine, Institute for Regeneration and Repair, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
- Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, The University of Edinburgh, UK
| | - Tracy D Farr
- School of Life Sciences, Physiology, Pharmacology, and Neuroscience Division, Medical School, University of Nottingham, Nottingham NG7 2UH, UK
| | - Xiangjun Zhao
- Division of Evolution, Infection and Genomic Sciences, Faculty of Biology Medicine and Health, School of Biological Sciences, The University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
| | - Zhiyuan Yang
- Department of Neuroinflammation, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, London, UK
| | - Atticus H Hainsworth
- Molecular and Clinical Sciences Research Institute, St George's University of London SW17 0RE, UK
- Department of Neurology, St George's University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
| | - Joanna M Wardlaw
- Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
- UK Dementia Research Institute Edinburgh, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
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Parker RA, Cook JA. The importance of clinical importance when determining the target difference in sample size calculations. Trials 2023; 24:495. [PMID: 37542276 PMCID: PMC10401796 DOI: 10.1186/s13063-023-07532-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2023] [Accepted: 07/20/2023] [Indexed: 08/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Recently, it was argued that clinically important differences should play no role in sample size calculations. Instead, it was proposed that sample size calculations should focus on setting realistic estimates of treatment benefit. We disagree, and argue in this article that considering the importance of a target difference is necessary in the context of randomised controlled trials of effectiveness, particularly definitive phase III trials. Ignoring clinical importance could have serious ethical and practical consequences.
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Affiliation(s)
- Richard A Parker
- Edinburgh Clinical Trials Unit, Usher Institute, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK.
| | - Jonathan A Cook
- Centre for Statistics in Medicine, Nuffield Department of Orthopaedics, Rheumatology and Musculoskeletal Sciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
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Tzeplaeff L, Wilfling S, Requardt MV, Herdick M. Current State and Future Directions in the Therapy of ALS. Cells 2023; 12:1523. [PMID: 37296644 PMCID: PMC10252394 DOI: 10.3390/cells12111523] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2023] [Revised: 05/19/2023] [Accepted: 05/25/2023] [Indexed: 06/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a rapidly progressive neurodegenerative disorder affecting upper and lower motor neurons, with death resulting mainly from respiratory failure three to five years after symptom onset. As the exact underlying causative pathological pathway is unclear and potentially diverse, finding a suitable therapy to slow down or possibly stop disease progression remains challenging. Varying by country Riluzole, Edaravone, and Sodium phenylbutyrate/Taurursodiol are the only drugs currently approved in ALS treatment for their moderate effect on disease progression. Even though curative treatment options, able to prevent or stop disease progression, are still unknown, recent breakthroughs, especially in the field of targeting genetic disease forms, raise hope for improved care and therapy for ALS patients. In this review, we aim to summarize the current state of ALS therapy, including medication as well as supportive therapy, and discuss the ongoing developments and prospects in the field. Furthermore, we highlight the rationale behind the intense research on biomarkers and genetic testing as a feasible way to improve the classification of ALS patients towards personalized medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Tzeplaeff
- Department of Neurology, Rechts der Isar Hospital, Technical University of Munich, 81675 München, Germany
| | - Sibylle Wilfling
- Department of Neurology, University of Regensburg, 93053 Regensburg, Germany;
- Center for Human Genetics Regensburg, 93059 Regensburg, Germany
| | - Maria Viktoria Requardt
- Formerly: Department of Neurology with Institute of Translational Neurology, Münster University Hospital (UKM), 48149 Münster, Germany;
| | - Meret Herdick
- Precision Neurology, University of Lübeck, 23562 Luebeck, Germany
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Fisher EM, Greensmith L, Malaspina A, Fratta P, Hanna MG, Schiavo G, Isaacs AM, Orrell RW, Cunningham TJ, Arozena AA. Opinion: more mouse models and more translation needed for ALS. Mol Neurodegener 2023; 18:30. [PMID: 37143081 PMCID: PMC10161557 DOI: 10.1186/s13024-023-00619-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2022] [Accepted: 04/11/2023] [Indexed: 05/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis is a complex disorder most of which is 'sporadic' of unknown origin but approximately 10% is familial, arising from single mutations in any of more than 30 genes. Thus, there are more than 30 familial ALS subtypes, with different, often unknown, molecular pathologies leading to a complex constellation of clinical phenotypes. We have mouse models for many genetic forms of the disorder, but these do not, on their own, necessarily show us the key pathological pathways at work in human patients. To date, we have no models for the 90% of ALS that is 'sporadic'. Potential therapies have been developed mainly using a limited set of mouse models, and through lack of alternatives, in the past these have been tested on patients regardless of aetiology. Cancer researchers have undertaken therapy development with similar challenges; they have responded by producing complex mouse models that have transformed understanding of pathological processes, and they have implemented patient stratification in multi-centre trials, leading to the effective translation of basic research findings to the clinic. ALS researchers have successfully adopted this combined approach, and now to increase our understanding of key disease pathologies, and our rate of progress for moving from mouse models to mechanism to ALS therapies we need more, innovative, complex mouse models to address specific questions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth M.C. Fisher
- UCL Queen Square Motor Neuron Disease Centre, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, University College London, Queen Square, London, WC1N 3BG UK
- Department of Neuromuscular Diseases, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, University College London, Queen Square, London, WC1N 3BG UK
| | - Linda Greensmith
- UCL Queen Square Motor Neuron Disease Centre, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, University College London, Queen Square, London, WC1N 3BG UK
- Department of Neuromuscular Diseases, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, University College London, Queen Square, London, WC1N 3BG UK
| | - Andrea Malaspina
- UCL Queen Square Motor Neuron Disease Centre, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, University College London, Queen Square, London, WC1N 3BG UK
- Department of Neuromuscular Diseases, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, University College London, Queen Square, London, WC1N 3BG UK
| | - Pietro Fratta
- UCL Queen Square Motor Neuron Disease Centre, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, University College London, Queen Square, London, WC1N 3BG UK
- Department of Neuromuscular Diseases, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, University College London, Queen Square, London, WC1N 3BG UK
| | - Michael G. Hanna
- UCL Queen Square Motor Neuron Disease Centre, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, University College London, Queen Square, London, WC1N 3BG UK
- Department of Neuromuscular Diseases, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, University College London, Queen Square, London, WC1N 3BG UK
| | - Giampietro Schiavo
- UCL Queen Square Motor Neuron Disease Centre, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, University College London, Queen Square, London, WC1N 3BG UK
- Department of Neuromuscular Diseases, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, University College London, Queen Square, London, WC1N 3BG UK
- UK Dementia Research Institute at UCL, London, WC1E 6BT UK
| | - Adrian M. Isaacs
- UCL Queen Square Motor Neuron Disease Centre, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, University College London, Queen Square, London, WC1N 3BG UK
- UK Dementia Research Institute at UCL, London, WC1E 6BT UK
- Department of Neurodegenerative Disease, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, University College London, Queen Square, London, WC1N 3BG UK
| | - Richard W. Orrell
- UCL Queen Square Motor Neuron Disease Centre, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, University College London, Queen Square, London, WC1N 3BG UK
- Department of Clinical and Movement Neurosciences, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, University College London, Queen Square, London, WC1N 3BG UK
| | - Thomas J. Cunningham
- MRC Prion Unit at UCL, Courtauld Building, 33 Cleveland Street, London, W1W 7FF UK
| | - Abraham Acevedo Arozena
- Research Unit, Hospital Universitario de Canarias, ITB-ULL and CIBERNED, La Laguna, 38320 Spain
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9
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Martinez-Gonzalez L, Martinez A. Emerging clinical investigational drugs for the treatment of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Expert Opin Investig Drugs 2023; 32:141-160. [PMID: 36762798 DOI: 10.1080/13543784.2023.2178416] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/11/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a neurodegenerative disorder caused by motoneuron death with a median survival time of 3-5 years since disease onset. There are no effective treatments to date. However, a variety of innovative investigational drugs and biological-based therapies are under clinical development. AREAS COVERED This review provides an overview of the clinical investigational small molecules as well as a brief summary of the biological-based therapies that are currently undergoing clinical trials for the treatment of ALS. All the data were obtained from ClinicalTrials.gov (registered through November 1). EXPERT OPINION Drug discovery for ALS is an active and evolving field, where many investigational clinical drugs are in different trials. There are several mechanisms of action supporting all these new therapies, although proteostasis is gaining stage. Probably, small orally bioavailable molecules able to recover functional TDP-43 homeostasis may have solid chances to modify ALS progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Loreto Martinez-Gonzalez
- Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas "Margarita Salas"-CSIC, Madrid, Spain.,Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red en enfermedades Neurodegenerativas (CIBERNED), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - Ana Martinez
- Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas "Margarita Salas"-CSIC, Madrid, Spain.,Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red en enfermedades Neurodegenerativas (CIBERNED), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
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10
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Wong C, Gregory JM, Liao J, Egan K, Vesterinen HM, Ahmad Khan A, Anwar M, Beagan C, Brown FS, Cafferkey J, Cardinali A, Chiam JY, Chiang C, Collins V, Dormido J, Elliott E, Foley P, Foo YC, Fulton-Humble L, Gane AB, Glasmacher SA, Heffernan Á, Jayaprakash K, Jayasuriya N, Kaddouri A, Kiernan J, Langlands G, Leighton D, Liu J, Lyon J, Mehta AR, Meng A, Nguyen V, Park NH, Quigley S, Rashid Y, Salzinger A, Shiell B, Singh A, Soane T, Thompson A, Tomala O, Waldron FM, Selvaraj BT, Chataway J, Swingler R, Connick P, Pal S, Chandran S, Macleod M. Systematic, comprehensive, evidence-based approach to identify neuroprotective interventions for motor neuron disease: using systematic reviews to inform expert consensus. BMJ Open 2023; 13:e064169. [PMID: 36725099 PMCID: PMC9896226 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2022-064169] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2022] [Accepted: 01/10/2023] [Indexed: 02/03/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Motor neuron disease (MND) is an incurable progressive neurodegenerative disease with limited treatment options. There is a pressing need for innovation in identifying therapies to take to clinical trial. Here, we detail a systematic and structured evidence-based approach to inform consensus decision making to select the first two drugs for evaluation in Motor Neuron Disease-Systematic Multi-arm Adaptive Randomised Trial (MND-SMART: NCT04302870), an adaptive platform trial. We aim to identify and prioritise candidate drugs which have the best available evidence for efficacy, acceptable safety profiles and are feasible for evaluation within the trial protocol. METHODS We conducted a two-stage systematic review to identify potential neuroprotective interventions. First, we reviewed clinical studies in MND, Alzheimer's disease, Huntington's disease, Parkinson's disease and multiple sclerosis, identifying drugs described in at least one MND publication or publications in two or more other diseases. We scored and ranked drugs using a metric evaluating safety, efficacy, study size and study quality. In stage two, we reviewed efficacy of drugs in MND animal models, multicellular eukaryotic models and human induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) studies. An expert panel reviewed candidate drugs over two shortlisting rounds and a final selection round, considering the systematic review findings, late breaking evidence, mechanistic plausibility, safety, tolerability and feasibility of evaluation in MND-SMART. RESULTS From the clinical review, we identified 595 interventions. 66 drugs met our drug/disease logic. Of these, 22 drugs with supportive clinical and preclinical evidence were shortlisted at round 1. Seven drugs proceeded to round 2. The panel reached a consensus to evaluate memantine and trazodone as the first two arms of MND-SMART. DISCUSSION For future drug selection, we will incorporate automation tools, text-mining and machine learning techniques to the systematic reviews and consider data generated from other domains, including high-throughput phenotypic screening of human iPSCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charis Wong
- Anne Rowling Regenerative Neurology Clinic, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
- Euan MacDonald Centre for Motor Neuron Disease Research, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
- Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
- Medical Research Council Clinical Trials Unit at UCL, Institute of Clinical Trials and Methodology, University College London, London, UK
| | - Jenna M Gregory
- Euan MacDonald Centre for Motor Neuron Disease Research, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
- Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
- Institute of Medical Sciences, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, UK
| | - Jing Liao
- Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Kieren Egan
- Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
- Computer and Information Science, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, UK
| | - Hanna M Vesterinen
- Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Aimal Ahmad Khan
- Edinburgh Medical School, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Maarij Anwar
- Edinburgh Medical School, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Caitlin Beagan
- Edinburgh Medical School, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Fraser S Brown
- Anne Rowling Regenerative Neurology Clinic, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
- Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - John Cafferkey
- Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh, NHS Lothian, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Alessandra Cardinali
- Euan MacDonald Centre for Motor Neuron Disease Research, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
- Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
- UK Dementia Research Institute, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Jane Yi Chiam
- Edinburgh Medical School, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Claire Chiang
- Edinburgh Medical School, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Victoria Collins
- Edinburgh Medical School, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | | | - Elizabeth Elliott
- Anne Rowling Regenerative Neurology Clinic, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
- Euan MacDonald Centre for Motor Neuron Disease Research, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
- Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Peter Foley
- Anne Rowling Regenerative Neurology Clinic, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
- Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Yu Cheng Foo
- Edinburgh Medical School, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | | | - Angus B Gane
- College of Medicine and Veterinary Medicine, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Stella A Glasmacher
- Anne Rowling Regenerative Neurology Clinic, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
- Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Áine Heffernan
- UK Dementia Research Institute, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Kiran Jayaprakash
- Anne Rowling Regenerative Neurology Clinic, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
- Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Nimesh Jayasuriya
- Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh, NHS Lothian, Edinburgh, UK
- College of Medicine and Veterinary Medicine, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Amina Kaddouri
- Edinburgh Medical School, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Jamie Kiernan
- Edinburgh Medical School, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Gavin Langlands
- Institute of Neurological Sciences, NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, Glasgow, UK
| | - D Leighton
- Euan MacDonald Centre for Motor Neuron Disease Research, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
- Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
- School of Psychology and Neuroscience, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
| | - Jiaming Liu
- Edinburgh Medical School, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - James Lyon
- Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh, NHS Lothian, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Arpan R Mehta
- Anne Rowling Regenerative Neurology Clinic, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
- Euan MacDonald Centre for Motor Neuron Disease Research, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
- Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
- UK Dementia Research Institute, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Alyssa Meng
- Centre for Discovery Brain Sciences, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Vivienne Nguyen
- Edinburgh Medical School, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Na Hyun Park
- Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh, NHS Lothian, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Suzanne Quigley
- Anne Rowling Regenerative Neurology Clinic, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
- Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Yousuf Rashid
- Edinburgh Medical School, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Andrea Salzinger
- Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
- UK Dementia Research Institute, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Bethany Shiell
- College of Medicine and Veterinary Medicine, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Ankur Singh
- College of Medicine and Veterinary Medicine, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Tim Soane
- Neurology Department, NHS Forth Valley, Stirling, UK
| | - Alexandra Thompson
- College of Medicine and Veterinary Medicine, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Olaf Tomala
- Edinburgh Medical School, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Fergal M Waldron
- Institute of Medical Sciences, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, UK
- Institute of Evolutionary Biology, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Bhuvaneish T Selvaraj
- Anne Rowling Regenerative Neurology Clinic, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
- Euan MacDonald Centre for Motor Neuron Disease Research, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
- Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
- UK Dementia Research Institute, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Jeremy Chataway
- Medical Research Council Clinical Trials Unit at UCL, Institute of Clinical Trials and Methodology, University College London, London, UK
- Queen Square Multiple Sclerosis Centre, Department of Neuroinflammation, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, London, UK
- University College London Hospitals, Biomedical Research Centre, National Institute for Health Research, London, UK
| | - Robert Swingler
- Euan MacDonald Centre for Motor Neuron Disease Research, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Peter Connick
- Anne Rowling Regenerative Neurology Clinic, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
- Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Suvankar Pal
- Anne Rowling Regenerative Neurology Clinic, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
- Euan MacDonald Centre for Motor Neuron Disease Research, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
- Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Siddharthan Chandran
- Anne Rowling Regenerative Neurology Clinic, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
- Euan MacDonald Centre for Motor Neuron Disease Research, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
- Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
- UK Dementia Research Institute, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Malcolm Macleod
- Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
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11
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Parker RA, Weir CJ, Pham TM, White IR, Stallard N, Parmar MKB, Swingler RJ, Dakin RS, Pal S, Chandran S. Statistical analysis plan for the motor neuron disease systematic multi-arm adaptive randomised trial (MND-SMART). Trials 2023; 24:29. [PMID: 36647114 PMCID: PMC9843918 DOI: 10.1186/s13063-022-07007-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2022] [Accepted: 12/12/2022] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND MND-SMART is a platform, multi-arm, multi-stage, multi-centre, randomised controlled trial recruiting people with motor neuron disease. Initially, the treatments memantine and trazodone will each be compared against placebo, but other investigational treatments will be introduced into the trial later. The co-primary outcomes are the Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Functional Rating Scale Revised (ALS-FRS-R) functional outcome, which is assessed longitudinally, and overall survival. METHODS Initially in MND-SMART, participants are randomised 1:1:1 via a minimisation algorithm to receive placebo or one of the two investigational treatments with up to 531 to be randomised in total. The comparisons between each research arm and placebo will be conducted in four stages, with the opportunity to cease further randomisations to poorly performing research arms at the end of stages 1 or 2. The final ALS-FRS-R analysis will be at the end of stage 3 and final survival analysis at the end of stage 4. The estimands for the co-primary outcomes are described in detail. The primary analysis of ALS-FRS-R at the end of stages 1 to 3 will involve fitting a normal linear mixed model to the data to calculate a mean difference in rate of ALS-FRS-R change between each research treatment and placebo. The pairwise type 1 error rate will be controlled, because each treatment comparison will generate its own distinct and separate interpretation. This publication is based on a formal statistical analysis plan document that was finalised and signed on 18 May 2022. DISCUSSION In developing the statistical analysis plan, we had to carefully consider several issues such as multiple testing, estimand specification, interim analyses, and statistical analysis of the repeated measurements of ALS-FRS-R. This analysis plan attempts to balance multiple factors, including minimisation of bias, maximising power and precision, and deriving clinically interpretable summaries of treatment effects. TRIAL REGISTRATION EudraCT Number, 2019-000099-41. Registered 2 October 2019, https://www.clinicaltrialsregister.eu/ctr-search/search?query=mnd-smart ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT04302870 . Registered 10 March 2020.
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Affiliation(s)
- Richard A Parker
- Edinburgh Clinical Trials Unit, Usher Institute, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK.
| | - Christopher J Weir
- Edinburgh Clinical Trials Unit, Usher Institute, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Tra My Pham
- Medical Research Council Clinical Trials Unit at UCL, Institute of Clinical Trials and Methodology, University College London, London, UK
| | - Ian R White
- Medical Research Council Clinical Trials Unit at UCL, Institute of Clinical Trials and Methodology, University College London, London, UK
| | - Nigel Stallard
- Statistics and Epidemiology, Division of Health Sciences, Warwick Medical School, University of Warwick, Coventry, UK
| | - Mahesh K B Parmar
- Medical Research Council Clinical Trials Unit at UCL, Institute of Clinical Trials and Methodology, University College London, London, UK
| | - Robert J Swingler
- Euan Macdonald Centre for Motor Neuron Disease Research, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, EH16 4SB, UK
| | - Rachel S Dakin
- Euan Macdonald Centre for Motor Neuron Disease Research, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, EH16 4SB, UK
- Centre of Clinical Brain Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, EH16 4SB, UK
- Anne Rowling Regenerative Neurology Clinic, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, EH16 4SB, UK
| | - Suvankar Pal
- Euan Macdonald Centre for Motor Neuron Disease Research, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, EH16 4SB, UK
- Centre of Clinical Brain Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, EH16 4SB, UK
- Anne Rowling Regenerative Neurology Clinic, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, EH16 4SB, UK
| | - Siddharthan Chandran
- Euan Macdonald Centre for Motor Neuron Disease Research, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, EH16 4SB, UK
- Centre of Clinical Brain Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, EH16 4SB, UK
- Anne Rowling Regenerative Neurology Clinic, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, EH16 4SB, UK
- UK Dementia Research Institute Edinburgh, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, EH16 4SB, UK
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12
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Jiang J, Wang Y, Deng M. New developments and opportunities in drugs being trialed for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis from 2020 to 2022. Front Pharmacol 2022; 13:1054006. [PMID: 36518658 PMCID: PMC9742490 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2022.1054006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2022] [Accepted: 11/14/2022] [Indexed: 08/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder that primarily affects motor neurons in the brain and spinal cord. In the recent past, there have been just two drugs approved for treatment, riluzole and edaravone, which only prolong survival by a few months. However, there are many novel experimental drugs in development. In this review, we summarize 53 new drugs that have been evaluated in clinical trials from 2020 to 2022, which we have classified into eight mechanistic groups (anti-apoptotic, anti-inflammatory, anti-excitotoxicity, regulated integrated stress response, neurotrophic factors and neuroprotection, anti-aggregation, gene therapy and other). Six were tested in phase 1 studies, 31 were in phase 2 studies, three failed in phase 3 studies and stopped further development, and the remaining 13 drugs were being tested in phase 3 studies, including methylcobalamin, masitinib, MN-166, verdiperstat, memantine, AMX0035, trazodone, CNM-Au8, pridopidine, SLS-005, IONN363, tofersen, and reldesemtiv. Among them, five drugs, including methylcobalamin, masitinib, AMX0035, CNM-Au8, and tofersen, have shown potent therapeutic effects in clinical trials. Recently, AMX0035 has been the third medicine approved by the FDA for the treatment of ALS after riluzole and edaravone.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Min Deng
- Institute of Medical Innovation and Research, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China
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13
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Johnson SA, Fang T, De Marchi F, Neel D, Van Weehaeghe D, Berry JD, Paganoni S. Pharmacotherapy for Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis: A Review of Approved and Upcoming Agents. Drugs 2022; 82:1367-1388. [PMID: 36121612 DOI: 10.1007/s40265-022-01769-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 08/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a rapidly progressive neurodegenerative disorder involving loss of upper and lower motor neurons, with most cases ending in death within 3-5 years of onset. Several molecular and cellular pathways have been identified to cause ALS; however, treatments to stop or reverse disease progression are yet to be found. Riluzole, a neuroprotective agent offering only a modest survival benefit, has long been the sole disease-modifying therapy for ALS. Edaravone, which demonstrated statistically significant slowing of ALS disease progression, is gaining approval in an increasing number of countries since its first approval in 2015. Sodium phenylbutyrate and taurursodiol (PB-TURSO) was conditionally approved in Canada in 2022, having shown significant slowing of disease progression and prolonged survival. Most clinical trials have focused on testing small molecules affecting common cellular pathways in ALS: targeting glutamatergic, apoptotic, inflammatory, and oxidative stress mechanisms among others. More recently, clinical trials utilizing stem cell transplantation and other biologics have emerged. This rich and ever-growing pipeline of investigational products, along with innovative clinical trial designs, collaborative trial networks, and an engaged ALS community', provide renewed hope to finding a cure for ALS. This article reviews existing ALS therapies and the current clinical drug development pipeline.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephen A Johnson
- Neurological Clinical Research Institute (NCRI), Healey & AMG Center for ALS, Massachusetts General Hospital, 165 Cambridge St, Suite 600, Boston, MA, 02114, USA
| | - Ton Fang
- University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA
| | - Fabiola De Marchi
- Department of Neurology, ALS Centre, Maggiore della Carità Hospital, Novara, Italy
- Department of Translational Medicine, University of Piemonte Orientale, 28100, Novara, Italy
| | | | - Donatienne Van Weehaeghe
- Nuclear Medicine Subdivision, Department of Imaging and Pathology, University Hospital Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - James D Berry
- Neurological Clinical Research Institute (NCRI), Healey & AMG Center for ALS, Massachusetts General Hospital, 165 Cambridge St, Suite 600, Boston, MA, 02114, USA
| | - Sabrina Paganoni
- Neurological Clinical Research Institute (NCRI), Healey & AMG Center for ALS, Massachusetts General Hospital, 165 Cambridge St, Suite 600, Boston, MA, 02114, USA.
- Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital, Boston, MA, USA.
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