Human Heterologous Liver Cells for Infusion in Children With Urea Cycle Disorders

Cytonet

Status and phase

Completed

Phase 2

Conditions

Urea Cycle Disorders

Ornithine Transcarbamylase Deficiency

Carbamoylphosphate Synthetase I Deficiency

Citrullinemia

Treatments

Biological: Human Heterologous Liver Cells

Study type

Interventional

Funder types

Industry

Identifiers

NCT00718627

CCD02 (Other Identifier)

2006-000136-27 (EudraCT Number)

Details and patient eligibility

About

Urea cycle disorders are rare inherited diseases that generally have a poor outcome. In this study, neonates and infants with UCD will be included within the first 3 months of life and will be treated by repetitive application of human liver cells to reduce the risk of neurological deterioration while awaiting OLT.

Full description

Urea cycle disorders are rare inherited diseases that generally have a poor outcome, especially with onset of the disease in the neonatal period. UCDs are caused by a deficiency of one of six enzymes responsible for removing ammonia from the bloodstream. Instead of being converted into urea which is removed from the body with the urine, ammonia accumulates in UCD patients leading to brain damage or death. In the light of a mortality rate of > 50% at the age of 10 years the current pharmacological and dietary therapy is of modest success. Furthermore, mental retardation, cerebral palsy and other neurological sequelae are common among surviving patients.

In the last years, orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT) has become the best therapeutic option for UCD with long-term survival rates of about 90%. However, in the first weeks of life OLT still is technically demanding and prone to complications. With larger size of the recipient, the technical problems with OLT decrease considerably. The increased body weight usually achieved at the age of more than 8 weeks is related to a major reduction in transplantation related morbidity. Stabilization of metabolism until the patient can undergo OLT is essential.

In this study, neonates and infants with UCD will be included within the first 3 months of life and will be treated by repetitive application of human liver cells. In the last consequence, the aim of this new therapy option is to supply a sufficient amount of healthy liver cells to compensate for the metabolic defect and to reduce the risk of neurological deterioration while awaiting OLT.

Enrollment

12 patients

Sex

All

Ages

1 day to 5 years old

Volunteers

No Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion and exclusion criteria

Inclusion Criteria

Neonates and infants up to the age of ≤ 3 months with prenatally or postnatally confirmed urea cycle disorder and
Children aged > 3 months up to ≤ 5 years of age with unstable metabolism and confirmed urea cycle disorder of either:
- Carbamylphosphate synthetase I [CPSD] or
- Ornithine transcarbamylase [OTCD] or
- Argininosuccinate synthetase [Citrullinaemia]
A DNA analysis will further confirm diagnosis prior to or after inclusion according to the protocol.
- Accessibility of the portal vein
- Plasma ammonia level ≤ 250 μmol/l
- Written informed consent

Exclusion Criteria

Structural liver disease (cirrhosis, portal hypertension), or venoocclusive diseases
Portal vein thrombosis
Body Weight ≤3.5 kg
Carrier of the human immuno-deficiency virus (HIV)
Any other contraindication for immunosuppression
Presence of acute infection at the time of inclusion
Participation in other clinical trials or received experimental medication within the last 30 days
Live vaccination planned during the course of the study
Live vaccination within 4 weeks prior to beginning of study
Allergic disposition against contrast medium used in study and/or antibiotics used in the manufacturing process
Required valproate therapy
Severe coagulopathy or thrombocytopenia
Known diagnosis of hereditary thrombophilia (e.g. Factor V Leiden, Prothrombin 20210A variant) or parental history of hereditary thrombophilia and absense of thrombophilia testing in subject
Cancer, severe systemic or chronic disease other than study indication (urea cycle deficiency)