Published in:
Open Access
01-12-2019 | Study protocol
Evaluation of long-term effectiveness of the use of carglumic acid in patients with propionic acidemia (PA) or methylmalonic acidemia (MMA): study protocol for a randomized controlled trial
Authors:
Marwan Nashabat, Abdulrahman Obaid, Fuad Al Mutairi, Mohammed Saleh, Mohammed Elamin, Hind Ahmed, Faroug Ababneh, Wafaa Eyaid, Abdulrahman Alswaid, Lina Alohali, Eissa Faqeih, Majed Aljeraisy, Mohamed A. Hussein, Ali Alasmari, Majid Alfadhel
Published in:
BMC Pediatrics
|
Issue 1/2019
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Abstract
Introduction
Propionic acidemia (PA) and methylmalonic acidemia (MMA) are rare autosomal recessive inborn errors of metabolism characterized by hyperammonemia due to N-acetylglutamate synthase (NAGS) dysfunction. Carglumic acid (Carbaglu®; Orphan Europe Ltd.) is approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (USFDA) for the treatment of hyperammonemia due hepatic NAGS deficiency. Here we report the rationale and design of a phase IIIb trial that is aimed at determining the long-term efficacy and safety of carglumic acid in the management of PA and MMA.
Methods
This prospective, multicenter, open-label, randomized, parallel group phase IIIb study will be conducted in Saudi Arabia. Patients with PA or MMA (≤15 years of age) will be randomized 1:1 to receive twice daily carglumic acid (50 mg/kg/day) plus standard therapy (protein-restricted diet, L-carnitine, and metronidazole) or standard therapy alone for a 2-year treatment period. The primary efficacy outcome is the number of emergency room visits due to hyperammonemia. Safety will be assessed throughout the study and during the 1 month follow-up period after the study.
Discussion
Current guidelines recommend conservative medical treatment as the main strategy for the management of PA and MMA. Although retrospective studies have suggested that long-term carglumic acid may be beneficial in the management of PA and MMA, current literature lacks evidence for this indication. This clinical trial will determine the long-term safety and efficacy of carglumic acid in the management of PA and MMA.
Trial registration
King Abdullah International Medical Research Center (
KAIMRC): (RC13/116) 09/1/2014.
Saudi Food and Drug Authority (SFDA) (33066) 08/14/2014.