Supplementation of VigantOL® Oil Versus Placebo as Add-on in Patients With Relapsing Remitting Multiple Sclerosis Receiving Rebif® Treatment (SOLAR)

Merck KGaA (EMD Serono)

Status and phase: Completed; Phase 2

Conditions: Relapsing-Remitting Multiple Sclerosis

Treatments: Drug: Placebo plus interferon beta-1a (Rebif); Biological: Interferon beta-1a (Rebif®) alone; Drug: VigantOL oil plus interferon beta-1a (Rebif)

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Industry

Identifiers

NCT01285401

2010-020328-23 (EudraCT Number)

EMR 200136-532

Details and patient eligibility

About

The drug being tested is called VigantOL® oil - a very effective form of Vitamin D hormone supplement (cholecalciferol). Low levels of Vitamin D have been described to be associated with a higher risk of developing Multiple Sclerosis (MS), and it is known that up to 90% of patients with Multiple Sclerosis have Vitamin D deficiency.

Rebif® is known to be an effective treatment for slowing down the progression of MS. The purpose of this research trial is to evaluate if VigantOL® oil on top of Rebif® has any benefit on the progression of MS compared to Rebif® and placebo.

Disease activity will be assessed by clinical examination and Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI). The planned study treatment duration for each study participant is 48 weeks, and the study consists of a total of 8 visits. Study participants who are already passed Week 48 at the time of approval of Protocol Amendment 5 will have a study duration of 96 weeks and a total of 12 visits.

During the study, the participant will undergo physical examination, neurological assessments, safety assessments, blood tests and urinalysis (including pregnancy tests).

Enrollment: 260 patients

Sex: All

Ages: 18 to 55 years old

Volunteers: No Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• Diagnosis of a relapsing-remitting form of MS
• Brain and/or spinal MRI with findings typical of MS
• A first clinical event prior to Screening.
• Disease activity
• Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) score of less than, or equal to 4.0 at Screening.
• Currently treated with interferon-beta-1a 44mg (tiw) sc
• Willingness and ability to comply with the protocol
• Written informed consent

Exclusion criteria

• Pregnancy and lactation period
• Any disease other than MS that could better explain signs and symptoms.
• Complete transverse myelitis or bilateral optic neuritis.
• Currently receiving or use at any time of monoclonal antibodies, mitoxantrone, cytotoxic or immunosuppressive therapy (excluding systemic steroids and adrenocorticotrophic hormone [ACTH]), B cell modulating therapies (e.g. RituxiMab or BelimuMab), total lymphoid irradiation or bone marrow transplantation.
• Use of any cytokine other than interferon or anti-cytokine therapy, intravenous immunoglobulin, plasmapheresis, or any investigational drug or experimental procedure
• Use of oral or systemic corticosteroids or ACTH
• Have abnormalities of Vitamin D related hormonal system other than low dietary intake or decreased sun exposure, i.e. primary hyperparathyroidism or granulomatous disorders.
• Have an urine calcium/creatinine (mmol/mmol) ratio greater than 1.0 or hypercalcaemia
• Are taking medications that influence Vitamin D metabolism other than corticosteroids, e.g., phenytoin, barbiturates, thiazide diuretics and cardiac glycosides.
• Are taking more than 1000 IU (25 µg) of Vitamin D supplement daily.
• Have conditions with increased susceptibility to hypercalcaemia, e.g., known arrhythmia or heart disease, treatment with Digitalis, or Hydrochlorothiazide and those who suffer from nephrolithiasis.
• Have inadequate liver function
• Moderate to severe renal impairment
• Inadequate bone marrow reserve
• History or presence of serious or acute heart disease such as uncontrolled cardiac dysrhythmia or arrhythmia, uncontrolled angina pectoris, cardiomyopathy, or uncontrolled congestive heart failure (NYHA class 3 or 4).
• History or presence of severe depression, history of suicide attempt, or current suicidal ideation.
• Epilepsy or seizures not adequately controlled by treatment.
• Current or past alcohol or drug abuse.
• Any major medical or psychiatric illness (such as psychosis, bipolar disorder) that in the opinion of the Investigator could create undue risk to the subject or could affect adherence with the trial protocol.
• Known contra-indication to treatment with vitamin D
• Known hypersensitivity to interferon or its excipient(s)
• Known hypersensitivity to gadolinium.
• Any other condition that would prevent the subject from undergoing an MRI scan.
• Signs and symptoms suggestive of transmissible spongiform encephalopathy, or family members who suffer(ed) from such.
• Positive HIV, hepatitis C, or hepatitis B (HBsAg and HBc antibody) serology (test performed at screening).
• Legal incapacity or limited legal capacity.
• Another current autoimmune disease, except diabetes.
• Have experienced a relapse within 30 days.

Trial design

Primary purpose: Treatment

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Parallel Assignment

Masking: Double Blind

---

260 participants in 3 patient groups, including a placebo group

VigantOL® oil

Experimental group

Description:

VigantOL oil plus Rebif in subjects with 25-hydroxy-vitamin D plasma levels below 150 nmol/L

Treatment:

Drug: VigantOL oil plus interferon beta-1a (Rebif)

Placebo

Placebo Comparator group

Description:

Placebo daily plus Rebif in subjects with 25-hydroxy-vitamin D plasma levels below 150 nmol/L

Treatment:

Drug: Placebo plus interferon beta-1a (Rebif)

Rebif

Experimental group

Description:

Rebif alone in subjects with 25-hydroxy-vitamin D plasma levels equal or higher than 150 nmol/L

Treatment:

Biological: Interferon beta-1a (Rebif®) alone