Overview

CZECH-ICIT (CZECH Inflammatory Cardiomyopathy Immunosuppression Trial)

Status:
Unknown status
Trial end date:
2015-09-01
Target enrollment:
0
Participant gender:
All
Summary
The aim of this study is to compare the effect of combined immunosuppressive therapy given on the top standard medical therapy of chronic heart failure according to current guidelines with standard medical therapy of chronic heart failure alone in patients with infammatory cardiomyopathy (ICM). Suitable subjects are characterized by EMB established presence of myocardial inflammation / negative polymerase chain reaction assay (PCR) findings of cardiotropic infectious agents and with varying duration of heart failure symptoms and left ventricular (LV) systolic dysfunction (phase A). Further, to compare the effect of two regimens of combined immunosuppressive therapy in these patients with ICM (phase B).
Phase:
Phase 3
Accepts Healthy Volunteers?
No
Details
Lead Sponsor:
St. Anne's University Hospital Brno, Czech Republic
Treatments:
Azathioprine
Immunosuppressive Agents
Prednisone
Criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

1. Males and females aged 18 to 65 years at the time of signing the informed consent

2. Signing of the informed consent.

3. LV systolic dysfunction defined by ejection fraction less than/or equal 40% as
assessed by echocardiography and symptoms of heart failure (minimum NYHA class II)
lasting for at least 2 weeks at the time of randomization. This criterion also
determines the inclusion of the study subjects in one of two substudies (CZECH-ICIT 1
or CZECH-ICIT 2).

- LV systolic dysfunction (defined by ejection fraction less than/or equal 40%) and
symptoms of heart failure (minimum NYHA class II) lasting 2 weeks to 6 months,
with standard medical therapy of chronic heart failure given for at least 2 weeks
- the subject fulfills criterion for inclusion in CZECH-ICIT 1 substudy

- LV systolic dysfunction (defined by ejection fraction less than/or equal 40%) and
symptoms of heart failure (minimum NYHA class II) lasting more than 6 months,
with standard medical therapy of chronic heart failure given for at least 2 weeks
- the subject fulfills criterion for inclusion in CZECH-ICIT 2 substudy

4. Positive immunohistochemistry finding of myocardial inflammation in endomyocardial
biopsy (EMB). EMB must have been be performed no more than 6 weeks prior to the
inclusion in the study. Positive immunohistochemistry EMB finding demonstrating
myocardial inflammation is defined by the presence of at least 7/mm2 cluster of
differentiation 3 (CD3) positive lymphocytes and/or at least 14 infiltrating
leucocytes (LCA+ cells)/mm2 in the specimen.

5. The absence of infectious agent in EMB is defined by negative results of PCR testing
of EMB specimens. PCR testing will be aimed to exclude the presence of enteroviruses
(ECHO, coxsackie), adenoviruses, herpes viruses (herpes simplex virus (HSV-1),
Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), cytomegalovirus (CMV), human herpes virus (HHV-6)), Borrelia
burgdorferi and parvovirus B19. In the case of parvovirus B19, a negative PCR result
will be considered when less than 500 viral copies/ug genomic DNA are detected. EMB
must have been performed no more than 6 weeks prior to the inclusion in the study.

6. Negative blood pregnancy test in fertile females.

7. Usage of the effective method of contraception (hormonal or 2 barrier method of
contraception)

Exclusion Criteria:

1. The presence of coronary artery disease, defined by angiographic findings of one or
more coronary artery stenosis > 50%, history of previous myocardial infarction and/or
percutaneous or surgical myocardial revascularization. Coronary angiography must not
have been performed more than 2 years before randomization into the study.

2. Permanent pacemaker including cardiac resynchronization therapy.

3. The presence of uncontrolled, persistent supraventricular tachyarrhythmia, with
ventricular rate > 120/min, lasting more than 1 week before EMB.

4. The presence of uncontrolled arterial hypertension, defined by blood pressure values >
180mmHg (for systolic pressure) and/or 110mmHg (for diastolic pressure) lasting more
than 3 months.

5. The presence of at least moderately hemodynamically significant primary valvulopathy
or congenital heart disease (apart from patent foramen ovale and non-significant
atrial septal defect).

6. Previous heart valve surgery (replacement or reconstruction) or surgical correction of
congenital heart disease. adu.

7. A history of cytostatic therapy or radiotherapy.

8. Alcoholism defined as ethanol intake >90 g/day.

9. The presence of uncontrolled endocrine of metabolic disorder.

10. Gravidity and lactation.

11. Known hypersensitivity to investigational drugs.

12. All contraindications of immunosuppressive therapy according to Summary of product
characteristics (SmPC) of both investigational medicinal products: untreated systemic
infection, poorly manageable diabetes mellitus, osteoporosis, florid gastric or
duodenal ulcer, uncontrolled arterial hypertension, history of malignant disease with
oncological treatment finished less than 5 years, proven immunodeficiency, renal of
hepatic insufficiency (serum creatinine > 200 µmol/l; alanine aminotransferase (ALT)
and/or aspartate aminotransferase (AST) activity greater than three times the
standard), leukocytopenia (leucocytes less than 4 x 10 9/l), thrombocytopenia
(platelets less than 100 x 10 9/l), anemia (hemoglobin concentration less than 100
g/l).