Long Term Study of Avonex Therapy Following a First Attack of Multiple Sclerosis (CHAMPIONS10)

Beth Israel Lahey Health

Status and phase: Completed; Phase 4

Conditions: Acute Brainstem/Cerebellar Syndrome; Multiple Sclerosis; Transverse Myelitis; Optic Neuritis

Treatments: Drug: interferon beta 1a 30 ug IM once weekly

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other; Industry

Identifiers

NCT00179478

C-850 Extension study (Other Identifier)

2003P000086

Details and patient eligibility

About

The current study is a continuation of the 5 year extension study of the phase III CHAMPS study (see reference). This study was designed to determine if immediate initiation of therapy with Interferon Beta-1a (AVONEX) after a first attack of multiple sclerosis (MS) continues to delay the development of further attacks (CDMS) and the development of neurological disability over a 10 year period of observation. The initial 5 year extension study, called CHAMPIONS5, reported that immediate initiation of interferon Beta-1a (AVONEX) after a first attack of MS continued to delay the development of CDMS and lowered relapse rates compared to delayed initiation of disease modifying treatment (usually with AVONEX) either at the time of a second attack or at the end of the phase III study (24 months). The study was extended to 10 years to determine if these effects are sustained and result in less long term permanent disability.

Full description

The CHAMPS study determined that immediate initiation of interferon beta 1a therapy (AVONEX) immediately following a first clinical demyelinating event in high risk patients (i.e. those with at least 2 asymptomatic white matter lesions on cranial MR imaging > 3 mm in diameter or ovoid) delayed the development of clinical definite Multiple Sclerosis (CDMS)(as defined by a second, clinically verifiable attack involving another part of the central nervous system) over 2 years of observation and significantly decreased the development of new or enlarging white matter lesions on MRI over 18 months (see reference). The current study is a long term extension of a cohort of CHAMPS study site and participants. The three main aims of the study are as follows:

1. To determine the long term neurological outcome in patients treated with interferon beta 1a (AVONEX) from onset of a first clinical demyelinating event
2. To determine if immediate initiation of AVONEX therapy (the CHAMPS Avonex treatment group) confers long term benefits compared to delayed initiation of therapy (the CHAMPS placebo group) on the rate of development of CDMS, annualized relapse rates, the development of permanent disability and MR measures of disease activity and progression.
3. To determine predictors of long term disease activity and disability in patients following a first clinical demyelinating event

Enrollment: 155 patients

Sex: All

Ages: 18+ years old

Volunteers: No Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• Previous participation in CHAMPS study
• Participation in a study site willing to participate in the CHAMPIONS10 extension study
• Willingness to enroll in the CHAMPIONS 10 extension
• Willingness to sign informed consent

Exclusion criteria

• Discovery of an alternative neurological disorder other than MS as a cause of initial neurological symptoms
• A severe systemic disease with likely mortality within 3 years

Trial design

Primary purpose: Treatment

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Parallel Assignment

Masking: Single Blind

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155 participants in 2 patient groups

Immediate Treatment Group

Experimental group

Description:

Initiation of treatment with Interferon Beta 1a IM once weekly immediately after onset of a first demyelinating syndrome in high risk individuals

Treatment:

Drug: interferon beta 1a 30 ug IM once weekly

Delayed Treatment Group

Active Comparator group

Description:

Delayed initiation of of Interferon beta-1a IM once weekly at diagnosis of clinically definite MS, at conclusion of initial CHAMPS study or during long term observation

Treatment:

Drug: interferon beta 1a 30 ug IM once weekly