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CompletedNCT00895947Updated Sep 16, 2011Results posted

Interferon Alpha Lozenges in the Prevention of Winter Colds and Flu

A Phase 2 interventional study of interferon-alpha and placebo in Upper Respiratory Tract Infections, sponsored by Ainos, Inc. (f/k/a Amarillo Biosciences Inc.. Completed at 1 site in Australia. Open to participants aged 18 Years to 75 Years, including healthy volunteers. Per ClinicalTrials.gov, last updated 2011-09-16.

Sponsored by Ainos, Inc. (f/k/a Amarillo Biosciences Inc. · Phase 2, Interventional, and Prevention

Phase
Phase 2
Study type
Interventional
Enrollment
200
Allocation
Randomized
Ages
18 Years to 75 Years
Sex
All
01

Study summary

The aim of the study is to see if lozenges containing a low dose of interferon-alpha can prevent and/or reduce the severity of colds and flu. Starting about 1 month before the expected start of the winter colds and flu season in Perth, Australia, healthy volunteers will allow a lozenge containing interferon, or a lozenge containing no medicine (a placebo), to dissolve in their mouth once a day for 16 weeks. Blood tests at the start and end of treatment will determine whether interferon was able to prevent infections with cold/flu viruses. Once a week, volunteers will complete a survey about their cold/flu symptoms, medications taken, days of work missed, etc. to see if interferon was able to make their winter colds and flu less severe.

02

Conditions studied

  • Upper Respiratory Tract Infections

Keywords

  • Prophylaxis
  • Treatment
  • Symptoms
  • Winter Colds and Flu
03

In context

Respiratory Tract Infections

1,031 studies on the registry are indexed under Respiratory Tract Infections; 144 are open to participants now.

This study's enrollment of 200 is close to the median of 199 across 698 interventional studies indexed under Respiratory Tract Infections.

Browse Respiratory Tract Infections studies →

Lead sponsor

Ainos, Inc. (f/k/a Amarillo Biosciences Inc. is the lead sponsor of 5 studies on the registry; none are open to participants now.

Counted across the registry records on this site, refreshed daily.

04

Who can participate

Ages eligible
18 Years to 75 Years
Sexes eligible
All
Accepts healthy volunteers
Yes

Inclusion criteria

  • Male or non-pregnant female
  • Females of child-bearing potential must practice a medically accepted form of birth control

Exclusion criteria

Exclusion Criteria:

  • Currently exhibiting an acute upper respiratory tract infection
  • history of chronic respiratory disease requiring regular therapy(i.e. COPD, asthma, bronchitis, etc.)
  • any condition likely to increase the risk of severe or complicated influenza (i.e. cardiac disease, chronic renal disease, endocrine diseases, including diabetes and/or immunosuppressive therapy)
  • any condition requiring regular treatment with antihistamines, analgesics or antipyretics
  • known infection with HIV, hepatitis B virus or hepatitis C virus
  • any other serious, uncontrolled disease
  • any active infections requiring use of antibiotic or antiviral drugs
  • non-ambulatory status
  • suspected drug or alcohol abuse
05

Study design

Phase
Phase 2
Primary purpose
Prevention
Allocation
Randomized
Intervention model
Parallel assignment
Masking
Quadruple (Participant, Care provider, Investigator, Outcomes assessor)
Enrollment
200 participants (actual)

Study arms

  • Experimental
    Interferon-alpha

    150 international units of interferon-alpha

    Drug: interferon-alpha

  • Placebo comparator
    placebo

    placebo lozenges

    Other: placebo

Interventions

  • Druginterferon-alpha

    a lozenge for oral dissolution containing 150 international units of human interferon-alpha taken once daily for 16 weeks

    Also known as: IFN-alpha lozenge

  • Otherplacebo

    placebo lozenges for oral dissolution taken once daily for 16 weeks

    Also known as: Maltose lozenge

06

What researchers measure

Primary outcomes

  1. Frequency of Influenza-like Illness

    Number of subjects in each group meeting the definition of influenza-like illness during treatment (i.e. those subject reporting one or more moderate to severe cold/flu symptoms during the treatment period).

    Time frame: 16 weeks

Secondary outcomes

  1. Symptom Incidence/Severity

    Number of subjects in each group reporting 13 different cold/flu symptoms assessed weekly

    Time frame: 16 weeks

  2. Impact of Cold/Flu Symptoms

    Number of subjects in each group reporting that cold/flu symptoms impacted the following 9 measures of daily life: ability to (1) think clearly, (2) sleep well, (3) breathe easily, (4) walk, climb stairs and exercise, (5) perform daily tasks, (6) work outside the home, (7) work inside the home, (8) interact with others, and (9) live personal life.

    Time frame: 16 weeks

  3. Negative Events Related to Cold/Flu Symptoms

    Number of subjects in each group reporting one or days of occurrence of the following 6 negative events: (1) felt sick, (2) missed work, (3) went to the doctor, (4) went to the pharmacy, (5) took cold/flu medication, and (6) skipped a planned activity

    Time frame: 16 weeks

  4. Incidence/Severity of Viral Respiratory Infections

    Number of subjects in each group with a confirmed viral respiratory infection and the proportion of subjects reporting a mild vs. moderate to severe infection

    Time frame: 16 weeks

07

Results

Posted Jan 13, 2011

Participant flow

A total of 200 healthy volunteers were enrolled at the University of Western Australia in Perth between April 17 and July 31, 2009.

Participant flow — Overall Study
MilestoneInterferon-alphaPlacebo
Started100100
Completed8890
Not completed1210
Withdrew: Adverse event34
Withdrew: Lost to follow-up34
Withdrew: Protocol violation42
Withdrew: Withdrawal by subject20

Outcome measures

PrimaryFrequency of Influenza-like Illness

Number of subjects in each group meeting the definition of influenza-like illness during treatment (i.e. those subject reporting one or more moderate to severe cold/flu symptoms during the treatment period).

Time frame:
16 weeks
Reported as:
Number · participants
Frequency of Influenza-like Illness
participantsInterferon-alphaPlacebo
Overall5462
Age 50 and over1628
Age under 503834
Seasonal flu vaccine, yes1636
Seasonal flu vaccine, no3826
Gender, Male1122
Gender, Female4340
Statistical analysis
  • Interferon-alpha vs Placebo · Chi-squared · p = 0.25 (Overall comparison of treatment groups for incidence of ILI)
  • Interferon-alpha vs Placebo · Chi-squared · p = 0.01 (Comparision of ILI incidence in subjects age 50 and older at baseline.)
  • Interferon-alpha vs Placebo · Chi-squared · p = 0.32 (Comparison of ILI in subjects age \< 50 at baseline)
  • Interferon-alpha vs Placebo · Chi-squared · p = 0.01 (Comparison of ILI incidence in subjects vaccinated against seasonal influenza prior to enrollment.)
  • Interferon-alpha vs Placebo · Chi-squared · p = 0.45 (Comparison of ILI incidence in subjects not vaccinated against seasonal influenza prior to enrollment)
  • Interferon-alpha vs Placebo · Chi-squared · p = 0.03 (Comparison of ILI incidence in male subjects)
  • Interferon-alpha vs Placebo · Chi-squared · p = 0.99 (Comparison of ILI incidence in female subjects)
SecondarySymptom Incidence/Severity

Number of subjects in each group reporting 13 different cold/flu symptoms assessed weekly

Time frame:
16 weeks
Reported as:
Number · participants
Symptom Incidence/Severity
participantsInterferon-alphaPlacebo
any cold/flu symptoms8692
moderate to severe feverishness1224
moderate to severe head congestion2336
moderate to severe sore throat2739
Statistical analysis
  • Interferon-alpha vs Placebo · Chi-squared · p = 0.16 (Proportion of subjects reporting any cold/flu symptoms during treatment)
  • Interferon-alpha vs Placebo · Chi-squared · p = 0.03 (Proportion of subjects reporting moderate to severe feverishness)
  • Interferon-alpha vs Placebo · Chi-squared · p = 0.04 (Proportion of subjects reporting moderate to severe head congestion)
  • Interferon-alpha vs Placebo · Chi-squared · p = 0.07 (Proportion of subjects reporting moderate to severe sore throat)
SecondaryImpact of Cold/Flu Symptoms

Number of subjects in each group reporting that cold/flu symptoms impacted the following 9 measures of daily life: ability to (1) think clearly, (2) sleep well, (3) breathe easily, (4) walk, climb stairs and exercise, (5) perform daily tasks, (6) work outside the home, (7) work inside the home, (8) interact with others, and (9) live personal life.

Time frame:
16 weeks
Reported as:
Number · participants
Impact of Cold/Flu Symptoms
participantsInterferon-alphaPlacebo
think clearly5359
sleep well5464
breathe easily5861
walk, climb stairs and exercise4449
perform daily activities4654
work outside the home4351
work inside the home4251
interact with others4150
live personal life4451
Statistical analysis
  • Interferon-alpha vs Placebo · Chi-squared · p = 0.39 (Proportion of subjects reporting one of more days that cold/flu symptoms impacted ability to think clearly)
  • Interferon-alpha vs Placebo · Chi-squared · p = 0.15 (Proportion of subjects reporting one of more days that cold/flu symptoms impacted ability to sleep well)
  • Interferon-alpha vs Placebo · Chi-squared · p = 0.66 (Proportion of subjects reporting one of more days that cold/flu symptoms impacted ability to breathe easily)
  • Interferon-alpha vs Placebo · Chi-squared · p = 0.48 (Proportion of subjects reporting one of more days that cold/flu symptoms impacted ability to walk, climb stairs and exercise)
  • Interferon-alpha vs Placebo · Chi-squared · p = 0.26 (Proportion of subjects reporting one of more days that cold/flu symptoms impacted ability to perform daily activities)
  • Interferon-alpha vs Placebo · Chi-squared · p = 0.25 (Proportion of subjects reporting one of more days that cold/flu symptoms impacted ability to work outside the home)
  • Interferon-alpha vs Placebo · Chi-squared · p = 0.20 (Proportion of subjects reporting one of more days that cold/flu symptoms impacted ability to work inside the home)
  • Interferon-alpha vs Placebo · Chi-squared · p = 0.20 (Proportion of subjects reporting one of more days that cold/flu symptoms impacted ability to interact with others)
  • Interferon-alpha vs Placebo · Chi-squared · p = 0.32 (Proportion of subjects reporting one of more days that cold/flu symptoms impacted ability to live personal life)
SecondaryNegative Events Related to Cold/Flu Symptoms

Number of subjects in each group reporting one or days of occurrence of the following 6 negative events: (1) felt sick, (2) missed work, (3) went to the doctor, (4) went to the pharmacy, (5) took cold/flu medication, and (6) skipped a planned activity

Time frame:
16 weeks
Reported as:
Number · participants
Negative Events Related to Cold/Flu Symptoms
participantsInterferon-alphaPlacebo
felt sick6265
missed work3233
visited the doctor1616
visited the pharmacy3430
took cold/flu medication5765
skipped a planned activity4645
Statistical analysis
  • Interferon-alpha vs Placebo · Chi-squared · p = 0.66 (Proportion of subjects in each group reporting one or more days they felt sick)
  • Interferon-alpha vs Placebo · Chi-squared · p = 0.88 (Proportion of subjects in each group reporting one or more days they missed work)
  • Interferon-alpha vs Placebo · Chi-squared · p = 1.0 (Proportion of subjects in each group reporting one or more days they visited the doctor)
  • Interferon-alpha vs Placebo · Chi-squared · p = 0.54 (Proportion of subjects in each group reporting one or more days they visited the pharmacy)
  • Interferon-alpha vs Placebo · Chi-squared · p = 0.24 (Proportion of subjects in each group reporting one or more days they took cold/flu medication)
  • Interferon-alpha vs Placebo · Chi-squared · p = 0.89 (Proportion of subjects in each group reporting one or more days they skipped a planned activity)
SecondaryIncidence/Severity of Viral Respiratory Infections

Number of subjects in each group with a confirmed viral respiratory infection and the proportion of subjects reporting a mild vs. moderate to severe infection

Time frame:
16 weeks
Reported as:
Number · participants
Incidence/Severity of Viral Respiratory Infections
participantsInterferon-alphaPlacebo
incidence of viral respiratory infection2023
moderate/severe viral respiratory infection516
moderate/severe influenza infection14
moderate/severe non-influenza infection411
Statistical analysis
  • Interferon-alpha vs Placebo · Chi-squared · p = 0.61 (Proportion of subjects in each group with a confirmed viral respiratory infection)
  • Interferon-alpha vs Placebo · Chi-squared · p = 0.003 (Proportion of subjects in each group with a moderate/severe viral respiratory infection)
  • Interferon-alpha vs Placebo · Chi-squared · p = 0.03 (Proportion of subjects in each group with a moderate/severe influenza infection)
  • Interferon-alpha vs Placebo · Chi-squared · p = 0.03 (Proportion of subjects in each group with a moderate/severe viral respiratory infection other than influenza)
Post-hocAcute Respiratory Illness

Number of subjects in each group meeting definition of acute respiratory illness (ARI), defined as 2 or more cold/flu symptoms reported in the same week. Further defined as "febrile" or "afebrile" depending on whether the subject reported the symptom of "feverishness."

Time frame:
16 weeks
Reported as:
Number · participants
Acute Respiratory Illness
participantsInterferon-alphaPlacebo
all acute respiratory illness (ARI)8386
moderate/severe ARI4154
moderate/severe febrile ARI1224
moderate/severe afebrile ARI3531
Statistical analysis
  • Interferon-alpha vs Placebo · Chi-squared · p = 0.54 (Proportion of subjects meeting the definition of acute respiratory illness during treatment)
  • Interferon-alpha vs Placebo · Chi-squared · p = 0.06 (Proportion of subjects meeting with moderate/severe acute respiratory illness during treatment)
  • Interferon-alpha vs Placebo · Chi-squared · p = 0.03 (Proportion of subjects with moderate/severe febrile acute respiratory illness during treatment)
  • Interferon-alpha vs Placebo · Chi-squared · p = 0.60 (Proportion of subjects with moderate/severe afebrile acute respiratory illness during treatment)

Adverse events

Collected over 16 weeks. Non-serious events are listed at a 5% frequency threshold.

Adverse event summary by group
GroupDeathsSeriousOther
Interferon-alpha—1/99 (1%)30/99 (30.3%)
Placebo—1/99 (1%)33/99 (33.3%)
Most frequent serious events
Most frequent serious events
EventInterferon-alphaPlacebo
appendectomySurgical and medical procedures0/991/99
hemorroidectomySurgical and medical procedures1/990/99
Most frequent other events
Most frequent other events
EventInterferon-alphaPlacebo
diarrheaGastrointestinal disorders14/999/99
hay feverRespiratory, thoracic and mediastinal disorders6/9913/99
headacheNervous system disorders11/9910/99
fatigueGeneral disorders4/998/99
back painMusculoskeletal and connective tissue disorders4/996/99
nauseaGastrointestinal disorders5/996/99
migraineNervous system disorders4/995/99

Baseline characteristics

Age, Categorical
Age, Categorical(Participants)Interferon-alphaPlaceboTotal
<=18 years000
Between 18 and 65 years9591186
>=65 years5914
Age Continuous
Age Continuous(years)Interferon-alphaPlaceboTotal
Mean45.0 ± 14.447.3 ± 13.246.2 ± 14.2
Sex: Female, Male
Sex: Female, Male(Participants)Interferon-alphaPlaceboTotal
Female7066136
Male303464
Region of Enrollment
Region of Enrollment(participants)Interferon-alphaPlaceboTotal
Australia100100200
08

Study locations

1 site
  • University of Western Australia
    Nedlands, Western Australia 6009, Australia
09

Updates

Tracking since Sep 25, 2026
No changes since tracking began. The registry record was last updated on Sep 16, 2011, before this site started recording changes on Sep 25, 2026. Its history is on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗
10

Registry details

Key details

Study ID
NCT00895947
Lead sponsor
Ainos, Inc. (f/k/a Amarillo Biosciences Inc.
Collaborators
Department of Health, Western Australia
Responsible party
Sponsor
First posted
May 8, 2009
Start date
Apr 2009
Primary completion
Jan 2010
Completion
Mar 2010
Results posted
Jan 13, 2011
Last update
Sep 16, 2011

Study contacts

David Smith, PhD
principal investigator · Path West Laboratory Medicine WA

Oversight

Data monitoring committee
Yes
View the source record on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

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