First-in-Human Study for the Safety and Evaluation of Two 4R Tau Ligands as Potential PET Radioligands for Imaging Tau Protein in the Brain
Status and phase
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About
This clinical study is being conducted to learn more about two new imaging drugs, called [18F]ABBV-964i and [18F]ABBV-965i, which are designed to help doctors see changes in the brain related to a condition called Progressive Supranuclear Palsy (PSP). PSP is a rare disease that affects movement, balance, and thinking. These drugs are used with a type of scan called PET (Positron Emission Tomography) to show areas of the brain where a protein called tau builds up. Tau buildup is linked to PSP and other brain diseases.
The main goal of this study is to find out if these imaging drugs are safe for people and if they work well to show tau in the brain. The study will also look at how the drugs move through the body and how much radiation they give off. Researchers hope this information will help develop better tools for diagnosing PSP and tracking how it changes over time.
Who can join? Adults who are healthy or who have PSP may be able to take part. Participants will have screening tests to make sure they qualify.
What does participation involve? People in the study will have PET scans, blood tests, and other safety checks. Some participants will also have an MRI scan. The study is divided into three parts: Part A checks radiation levels in healthy volunteers, Part B looks at how the drugs work in the brain of PSP patients and healthy volunteers, and Part C (optional) repeats scans to see if results are consistent.
Why is this important? There is currently no cure for PSP, and better imaging tools could help researchers develop new treatments. By joining this study, participants will help advance research that may improve care for people with PSP and similar conditions in the future.
Full description
This Phase 1, first-in-human study is designed to evaluate the safety, pharmacokinetics, biodistribution, and test-retest variability of two investigational PET radioligands, [18F]ABBV-964i and [18F]ABBV-965i, for imaging 4R Tau pathology in individuals with Progressive Supranuclear Palsy (PSP) and healthy volunteers (HV). The study is structured into three parts: Part A (Dosimetry), Part B (Proof-of-Concept), and Part C (Optional Test-Retest).
Part A involves low-dose whole-body PET imaging in HVs to determine radiation dosimetry using both tracers. Participants will receive intravenous injections of [18F]ABBV-964i and [18F]ABBV-965i in separate imaging sessions, followed by dynamic PET acquisitions and urine collection for dosimetry analysis. Dosimetry calculations will employ MIRD methodology and OLINDA software to estimate absorbed organ doses and effective whole-body dose.
Part B evaluates tracer kinetics and brain uptake in PSP and HV participants using dynamic brain PET imaging over approximately 120 minutes post-injection. Arterial and/or venous blood sampling will be performed for kinetic modeling, including radiometabolite analysis via HPLC and plasma free fraction determination. Quantitative modeling will include compartmental approaches and graphical methods, as well as simplified reference tissue models. Key metrics such as SUV, SUVR, VT, and DVR will be derived to characterize tracer binding and distribution. MRI co-registration will support VOI definition for regional analysis.
Part C, if conducted, will assess test-retest reproducibility of the selected tracer in PSP participants using repeated brain PET scans under similar conditions. Variability will be expressed as percentage difference between test and retest values for primary imaging endpoints.
Radiotracer administration will follow strict safety protocols, including dose limits (≤ 10 mCi per injection) and radiation exposure monitoring to ensure compliance with applicable guidelines. PET imaging will be performed on PET/CT systems with attenuation correction. Image reconstruction will utilize OSEM algorithms with scatter and random corrections applied.
Safety assessments include continuous AE monitoring, vital signs, ECGs, and laboratory evaluations at predefined timepoints. Participants will undergo screening procedures including MRI (for PSP), MMSE, PSPRS, and p-Tau217 plasma testing where applicable. Concomitant medications and procedural details (arterial line placement, Allen's test, infusion protocols) are specified to minimize risk and ensure scientific integrity.
The investigational tracers are formulated as sterile solutions for IV injection. Manufacturing and quality control will adhere to GMP standards. The study rationale emphasizes the need for selective 4R Tau imaging agents to advance diagnostic and therapeutic strategies for PSP and related tauopathies.
Enrollment
Sex
Ages
Volunteers
Inclusion criteria
- Males or females: PSP 40-80 years; HV 18-80 years
- Body weight: 43-120 kg (95-265 lb)
- Women of childbearing potential: abstinent or use 2 contraception methods (one barrier) during study and 30 days post last injection
- Men: use 2 contraception methods and refrain from sperm donation during study and 90 days post last injection
- Adequate circulation and normal clotting for arterial cannulation
- Sufficient mobility and ability to lie still for imaging
- Healthy Volunteers: informed consent, no clinically relevant findings, no cognitive impairment
- PSP Participants: informed consent or assent with LAR consent, clinical diagnosis per NINDS-SPSP criteria, MRI consistent with PSP, able to ambulate, tolerate MRI, comply with study procedures, caregiver available if needed
Exclusion criteria
- History of drug or alcohol abuse in past 12 months
- Clinically significant lab abnormalities or unstable illness
- Investigational drug/device use within 30 days
- Pregnant, lactating, or breastfeeding
- Significant comorbid conditions (GI, CV, hepatic, renal, etc.)
- Abnormal clotting parameters (if arterial sampling)
- MRI contraindications (implants, claustrophobia) for PSP participants
- Use of OTC meds or supplements within 2 weeks (healthy volunteers)
- Use of anti-hemostasis meds within 2 weeks of arterial line placement for PSP participants
- Unable to lie still for 90 minutes
- Major surgery or significant blood loss within 4 weeks
- Positive for Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C, or HIV
- Deemed unsuitable by Investigator
Trial design
Primary purpose
Allocation
Interventional model
Masking
24 participants in 3 patient groups
Trial contacts and locations
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Central trial contact
David Russell, MD, PhD
Data sourced from clinicaltrials.gov
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