Interferon-gamma as Adjunctive Therapy in Chronic Pulmonary Aspergillosis: a Randomised Feasibility Study (INCAS)

NHS Foundation Trust

Status and phase: Enrolling; Phase 2

Conditions: Aspergillosis; Chronic Pulmonary Aspergillosis

Treatments: Drug: Interferon Gamma-1B 0.1 MG Per 0.5 ML Injection PLUS antifungals as standard of care; Drug: Antifungals as standard of care

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT05653193

B01674

Details and patient eligibility

About

This study explores the role of treatment with interferon-gamma to improve outcomes in chronic pulmonary aspergillosis (CPA). CPA is a progressive infection caused by the fungus Aspergillus affecting patients with chronic lung disease like Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (COPD) or previously treated tuberculosis (TB). It causes gradual destruction of lung tissue by slowly enlarging cavities, frequent secondary infections and poor quality of life. Because of its indolent nature and nonspecific x-ray findings, it often remains unrecognised for years. Around 3600 people live with CPA in the United Kingdom. Mortality from CPA may be up to 40% in five years.

Treatment for CPA relies on antifungals for prolonged periods, but only around 60% of patients improve. It is often long-term or lifelong as the response is slow and some patients experience relapses. In addition, only one class of oral antifungal drugs is licensed for CPA, and they are associated with side effects and high cost. Better treatments are needed for CPA. We do not know why many patients do not respond to treatment. Maybe CPA patients have a weakened immune system and are more susceptible to Aspergillus. Our data suggest that CPA patients produce lower amounts of ΙFNγ, a substance that facilitates the immune system's response against Aspergillus. We have also shown that, when given to patients with CPA who have failed to improve on antifungal treatment, interferon-gamma leads to improvement in important patient-centred outcomes like flares of lung disease or hospital admissions. Interferon-gamma is already in use in the National Health Service of the United Kingdom for other indications. Therefore, its use in CPA should be explored. However, CPA is a rare condition and the tolerability of interferon-gamma is not fully established in these patients. To understand whether a large-scale study is feasible in CPA, we first need preliminary data in smaller numbers of patients.

We propose a randomised trial of interferon-gamma in addition to antifungals in CPA. Patients with CPA starting antifungal treatment will be eligible. Participants (25 per group) will be randomly assigned to interferon-gamma for 12 weeks (in addition to antifungals) or antifungals only. To test whether the treatment works, we will use measurements of the cavities on chest CT scan and scores on a quality-of-life questionnaire. We will assess for tolerability of treatment at intervals similar to clinical practice. Criteria for progression to the large-scale study will be set based on the proportion of patients willing to participate, and on the proportion who complete the treatment. Data collected on those parameters will allow us to determine the number needed for a definite study.

If the large-scale study confirms our observations that interferon-gamma improves outcomes in CPA, then treatment duration can be shortened and relapses avoided. In addition, interferon-gamma can then be explored in other chronic lung disease.

Enrollment: 50 estimated patients

Sex: All

Ages: 18+ years old

Volunteers: No Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• Diagnosis of CPA
• Started antifungal treatment for CPA within the last 2 weeks and received no antifungals for CPA in the eight weeks prior
• Chest CT scan available within the 6 months prior to enrolment
• Individuals of child bearing potential agree to have pregnancy test an use highly effective contraception

Exclusion criteria

• Moderate to severe liver dysfunction (Child-Pugh Class B or C)
• Renal failure (eGFR <30 mL/min)
• Clinically diagnosed active depression
• Active tuberculosis or non-tuberculous mycobacterial (NTM) lung disease
• Acute infection or other event within the preceding 4 weeks which, as assessed by the investigators, might interfere with the assessment of response to treatment
• Use of any interferon formulation within the preceding six months
• Active viral hepatitis infection
• Pregnancy or breastfeeding
• Immunosuppression (>15mg prednisolone/day for at least four weeks or equivalent) within the preceding six months
• Inability to self-administer subcutaneous medications AND lack of a carer who can administer
• Participants lacking capacity to consent

Trial design

Primary purpose: Treatment

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Parallel Assignment

Masking: None (Open label)

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50 participants in 2 patient groups

Antifungal

Active Comparator group

Description:

Any oral triazole antifungal as per routine care

Treatment:

Drug: Antifungals as standard of care

Antifungal plus inteferon gamma

Experimental group

Description:

Any oral triazole antifungal as per routine care plus interferon-gamma three times weekly subcutaneously 50 micrograms/m2 for 3 months

Treatment:

Drug: Interferon Gamma-1B 0.1 MG Per 0.5 ML Injection PLUS antifungals as standard of care