Safety and Neuroprotective Effects of Polyphenon E in MS; Phase II (POEMS)

Louisiana State University

Status and phase

Terminated

Phase 2

Conditions

Multiple Sclerosis

Treatments

Other: Placebo

Drug: Polyphenon E

Study type

Interventional

Funder types

Other

NIH

Identifiers

NCT01451723

K23AT004433-02 (U.S. NIH Grant/Contract)

K23AT004433 (U.S. NIH Grant/Contract)

Details and patient eligibility

About

The hypothesis is that Polyphenon E can protect brain cells in patients with Multiple Sclerosis. To test this hypothesis we are going to compare the changes in n-Acetyl-Aspartate (a chemical that reflects the number of neurons and their metabolism) over one year between people with MS treated with Polyphenon E at a dose of 400mg twice a day and people with MS treated with a matching sugar pill.

Full description

This will be a double blind placebo controlled trial of Polyphenon E as a treatment for MS.

The primary outcome will be the changes in NAA levels over one year. Secondary outcomes will be changes in brain atrophy over one year. As an exploratory outcome we will correlate changes in NAA levels with free Plasma levels of EGCG 8 hours after the morning dose.

Exploratory outcomes include disability progression by EDSS, MS functional composite components and a cognitive test battery.

Enrollment

11 patients

Sex

All

Ages

18 to 60 years old

Volunteers

No Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

Diagnosis of MS by McDonald criteria
Relapsing-remitting MS or secondary progressive MS
Stable therapy with Copaxone, Rebif, Betaseron or Avonex 30 mcg for at least six months
EDSS Score less than or equal to 7.0
Ages 18-60.
Participants must have normal organ and marrow function as defined below:
1. Leukocytes ≥3,000/µL
2. Absolute neutrophil count ≥1,500/µL
3. Platelets ≥100,000/µL
4. Total bilirubin ≤local upper limit of normal
5. AST (SGOT) ≤local upper limit of normal
6. ALT (SGPT) ≤local upper limit of normal
7. Creatinine ≤local upper limit of normal

Exclusion criteria

MS relapse within the 30 days prior to enrollment
A primary progressive form of MS.
Previous treatment prior to study entry as follows: complete radiation ablation of the bone marrow or anti-CD4 antibody treatment (Campath) at any time; mitoxantrone, cyclophosphamide, Natalizumab or other immunomodulatory or immunosuppressant therapies except the DMT's included in the inclusion criteria and methylprednisone for relapses within prior nine months.
History of renal or liver disease.
Consumption of green tea or supplements containing green tea or tea extract within 30 days prior to enrollment.
Participants may not participate in any other clinical trial involving investigational agents during the study, or within six months prior to enrolling in the study.
History of allergic reactions attributed to compounds of similar chemical or biologic composition to Polyphenon E, tea, or any of the inactive ingredients present in the active or placebo capsules, including gelatin.
History of allergic reactions to gadolinium or any other condition contraindicated for MRI.
Uncontrolled, clinically-relevant active illness (aside from MS) including, but not limited to, ongoing or active infection, symptomatic congestive heart failure, unstable angina pectoris, cardiac arrhythmia, or psychiatric illness/social situations that would limit compliance with study requirements.
Any condition which would make the subject, in the opinion of the investigator, unsuitable for the study
Inability to complete the baseline MRI scan
Pregnant women
Any underlying predisposition to gastrointestinal bleeding (peptic ulcer disease, gastritis, diverticulitis, colitis, hemorrhoids)