A Phase 2 interventional study of AZD4017 and prednisolone and Placebo Oral Tablet and prednisolone in Iatrogenic Cushing's Disease, sponsored by University of Oxford. Completed at 1 site in United Kingdom. Open to male participants aged 18 Years to 60 Years, including healthy volunteers. Per ClinicalTrials.gov, last updated 2021-05-13.
Sponsored by University of Oxford · Phase 2, Interventional, and Treatment
Currently, 2-3% of the population of the United Kingdom and United States of America receive glucocorticoid therapy. Significant adverse effects are not confined to chronic use; recurrent short-course administration is associated with increased morbidity and mortality. The adverse metabolic features associated with glucocorticoid use include obesity, skeletal muscle myopathy, hypertension, insulin resistance and diabetes and are collectively termed 'iatrogenic Cushing's syndrome'. The efficacy of glucocorticoid therapy is not in doubt, but there are no interventions to reduce their metabolic consequences. Within metabolic tissues (liver, skeletal muscle, adipose), 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1 (11β-HSD1) regenerates active glucocorticoid and therefore is able to tightly control the availability of glucocorticoids to activate the glucocorticoid receptor. In preclinical studies, the investigators have shown that 11β-HSD1 is critical in regulating the development of the adverse features associated with circulating glucocorticoid excess, endorsing our observations in a patient with Cushing's disease, who was protected from a classical phenotype due to a functional deficit in 11β-HSD1.
This study is the first clinical evaluation of the impact of the selective 11β-HSD1 inhibitor, AZD4017, in healthy volunteers taking exogenous glucocorticoids (prednisolone). The investigators propose that in tissues expressing high levels of 11β-HSD1, prednisolone action will be amplified, driving adverse effects within these tissues and have hypothesized that AZD4017 in humans will reduce the adverse metabolic consequences of Prednisolone administration without compromise to its anti-inflammatory action.
Our specific research objectives are:
The investigators will perform a randomized, double-blind placebo controlled study to determine if co-administration of the selective 11β-HSD1 inhibitor, AZD4017, limits the adverse effects of short-course exogenous glucocorticoid administration. 32 healthy male volunteers will have detailed metabolic investigations including 2-step hyperinsulinaemic euglycaemic clamps (with stable isotope measurements of lipid and carbohydrate metabolism), as well as assessment of skeletal muscle forearm glucose uptake. All volunteers will then be treated with Prednisolone (20mg daily) and randomized to the co-administration of placebo or AZD4017. After 1 week of therapy, all investigations will be repeated. Our hypothesis is that the adverse metabolic effects of Prednisolone will be reduced by co-administration of AZD4017.
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This study's enrollment of 32 is below the median of 44 across 40 interventional studies indexed under Pituitary ACTH Hypersecretion.
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Go through the criteria one by one — yes, no or not sure — and take the list to your doctor or the study team. Kept in this browser only.
The following criteria apply to both arms and each volunteer who has a successful screening visit will be randomized to one of the arms defined above (see section 6): We estimate that we will need to screen 40-50 patients in order to achieve our recruitment target.
For male study subjects whose partner is pregnant, or whose partner is a woman of child-bearing potential (WOCBP) who is established on and continuing to use a highly effective method of contraception, in addition to the stipulations above, males should continue to use a condom (in addition to the highly effective method) for 1 week following the last dose of study drug (5 drug elimination half-lives rounded up to 1 week).
For male study subjects whose partner is not pregnant but is a WOCBP who is not established on and continuing to use a highly effective method of contraception, males should continue to use a condom (in addition to the highly effective method) for 3 weeks following the last dose of study drug (5 drug elimination half-lives plus 2 weeks).
Male study participants must also not donate sperm from the time of screening until 3 weeks after final dose of study drug (5 drug elimination half-lives plus 2 weeks).
Highly effective methods of contraception are defined as combined (estrogen and progestogen containing) hormonal contraception associated with inhibition of ovulation (either oral, intravaginal or transdermal), progestogen-only hormonal contraception associated with inhibition of ovulation (either oral [specifically Cerazette™], injectable or implantable), intrauterine device (IUD), intrauterine hormone-releasing system (IUS), bilateral tubal occlusion, vasectomized partner or sexual abstinence.
We would advise that competitive elite athletes do not take part in the study as there is the possibility that the prednisolone could impact upon their athletic performance
Exclusion Criteria:
The participant may not enter the study if any of the following apply:
Underlined terms in the criteria open these too. Explained by clinicaltrials.gg, not part of the registry record. The study team decides who can take part.
A blood test of average blood sugar over the past two to three months, given as a percentage or in mmol/mol. 6.5% (48 mmol/mol) or more is the usual threshold for diabetes, normally confirmed by a second test.
Weight in kilograms divided by height in metres squared. Example: 70 kg and 1.75 m gives 70 ÷ (1.75 × 1.75) ≈ 22.9.
What counts as overweight or obesity differs between countries (some use lower cut-offs), so go by the range the study states.
A reason a treatment, test or procedure should not be given to a particular person, such as an allergy, another illness or a medicine they take.
Able to become pregnant: from the first period until menopause, unless permanently unable to through surgery (removal of the womb, or of both ovaries or both fallopian tubes).
Criteria for people of childbearing potential usually ask for a negative pregnancy test and for contraception during the study and for a time after it.
Ways of preventing pregnancy. “Highly effective” methods fail less than 1% of the time a year when used correctly — for example an IUD or an implant.
Criteria usually say which methods count and how long to keep using them after the last dose, sometimes for male participants too. Some studies accept a partner’s vasectomy if it was confirmed successful and that person is the participant’s only sexual partner.
The protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen. A low level is anaemia, which can cause tiredness and breathlessness. Measured in g/dL or g/L (9 g/dL is 90 g/L).
GFR (glomerular filtration rate) is how much blood the kidneys filter each minute. It is usually estimated from a blood test — eGFR, by formulas such as CKD-EPI or MDRD — and some studies ask for it to be measured directly instead. Usually given in mL/min/1.73 m².
Check the method, the units and the minimum the study states. A value of 90 or above is in the normal-or-high range, but kidney damage can show in other tests too.
Two enzymes measured in a routine blood test of the liver. Higher levels can mean the liver is under strain or damaged. SGPT and SGOT are older names for ALT and AST.
Criteria usually give a limit as a multiple of the upper limit of normal (ULN), often higher when cancer has spread to the liver.
A yellow substance made when red blood cells are broken down, which the liver clears. A high level can mean a problem with the liver or the bile ducts.
Criteria often allow more for people with Gilbert’s syndrome, a harmless inherited condition that raises bilirubin.
The top of the normal range for a blood test, as set by the laboratory that runs it. Each lab prints its own range next to your result.
“≤ 2.5 × ULN” means the result can be up to two and a half times that top value.
Anti-inflammatory medicines such as prednisone, prednisolone and dexamethasone — not the anabolic steroids used for muscle.
Studies differ in what they allow: check which steroid medicines, routes (tablets, injections, creams, inhalers, eye drops) and doses this study accepts.
Malignancy means cancer. Criteria about another or earlier malignancy ask whether you have had a different cancer, usually within a set number of years.
Some are commonly allowed, such as treated skin cancers other than melanoma and early cancers removed completely — check the exceptions this study lists.
A condition in which the immune system attacks the body’s own tissues, such as rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, psoriasis, type 1 diabetes or inflammatory bowel disease.
Immunotherapy studies often leave out active autoimmune disease, and some name exceptions, such as thyroid disease on replacement hormone. Check the exceptions this study lists.
An allergy, or another reaction of the immune system, to a substance. “Hypersensitivity to the study drug” means a known allergic reaction to it — not every side effect a medicine can have.
A drug or device being studied in a clinical trial.
It may be new, or already approved and being studied for another use, dose or form. Criteria often leave out people who took part in another study of one within a recent period, commonly 30 days or five half-lives.
The other ingredients in a medicine besides the active drug, such as fillers, colours or preservatives.
Before you join, the study team explains what taking part involves — its purpose, what happens, the risks and possible benefits — and answers your questions, so you can decide freely. Consent is usually recorded on a form (the informed consent form, ICF) signed by you or, where the law allows, by someone legally authorised to decide for you.
You can keep asking questions during the study, you are told of new information that matters, and you can choose to leave at any time.
HbA1c
A blood test of average blood sugar over the past two to three months, given as a percentage or in mmol/mol. 6.5% (48 mmol/mol) or more is the usual threshold for diabetes, normally confirmed by a second test.
Explained by clinicaltrials.gg, not part of the registry record. The study team decides who can take part.
BMI (body mass index)
Weight in kilograms divided by height in metres squared. Example: 70 kg and 1.75 m gives 70 ÷ (1.75 × 1.75) ≈ 22.9.
What counts as overweight or obesity differs between countries (some use lower cut-offs), so go by the range the study states.
Explained by clinicaltrials.gg, not part of the registry record. The study team decides who can take part.
Contraindication
A reason a treatment, test or procedure should not be given to a particular person, such as an allergy, another illness or a medicine they take.
Explained by clinicaltrials.gg, not part of the registry record. The study team decides who can take part.
Childbearing potential
Able to become pregnant: from the first period until menopause, unless permanently unable to through surgery (removal of the womb, or of both ovaries or both fallopian tubes).
Criteria for people of childbearing potential usually ask for a negative pregnancy test and for contraception during the study and for a time after it.
Explained by clinicaltrials.gg, not part of the registry record. The study team decides who can take part.
Contraception
Ways of preventing pregnancy. “Highly effective” methods fail less than 1% of the time a year when used correctly — for example an IUD or an implant.
Criteria usually say which methods count and how long to keep using them after the last dose, sometimes for male participants too. Some studies accept a partner’s vasectomy if it was confirmed successful and that person is the participant’s only sexual partner.
Explained by clinicaltrials.gg, not part of the registry record. The study team decides who can take part.
Hemoglobin (Hb)
The protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen. A low level is anaemia, which can cause tiredness and breathlessness. Measured in g/dL or g/L (9 g/dL is 90 g/L).
Explained by clinicaltrials.gg, not part of the registry record. The study team decides who can take part.
GFR and eGFR (kidney filtering)
GFR (glomerular filtration rate) is how much blood the kidneys filter each minute. It is usually estimated from a blood test — eGFR, by formulas such as CKD-EPI or MDRD — and some studies ask for it to be measured directly instead. Usually given in mL/min/1.73 m².
Check the method, the units and the minimum the study states. A value of 90 or above is in the normal-or-high range, but kidney damage can show in other tests too.
Explained by clinicaltrials.gg, not part of the registry record. The study team decides who can take part.
ALT and AST (liver enzymes)
Two enzymes measured in a routine blood test of the liver. Higher levels can mean the liver is under strain or damaged. SGPT and SGOT are older names for ALT and AST.
Criteria usually give a limit as a multiple of the upper limit of normal (ULN), often higher when cancer has spread to the liver.
Explained by clinicaltrials.gg, not part of the registry record. The study team decides who can take part.
Bilirubin
A yellow substance made when red blood cells are broken down, which the liver clears. A high level can mean a problem with the liver or the bile ducts.
Criteria often allow more for people with Gilbert’s syndrome, a harmless inherited condition that raises bilirubin.
Explained by clinicaltrials.gg, not part of the registry record. The study team decides who can take part.
ULN (upper limit of normal)
The top of the normal range for a blood test, as set by the laboratory that runs it. Each lab prints its own range next to your result.
“≤ 2.5 × ULN” means the result can be up to two and a half times that top value.
Explained by clinicaltrials.gg, not part of the registry record. The study team decides who can take part.
Corticosteroids (steroids)
Anti-inflammatory medicines such as prednisone, prednisolone and dexamethasone — not the anabolic steroids used for muscle.
Studies differ in what they allow: check which steroid medicines, routes (tablets, injections, creams, inhalers, eye drops) and doses this study accepts.
Explained by clinicaltrials.gg, not part of the registry record. The study team decides who can take part.
Cancer (malignancy)
Malignancy means cancer. Criteria about another or earlier malignancy ask whether you have had a different cancer, usually within a set number of years.
Some are commonly allowed, such as treated skin cancers other than melanoma and early cancers removed completely — check the exceptions this study lists.
Explained by clinicaltrials.gg, not part of the registry record. The study team decides who can take part.
Autoimmune disease
A condition in which the immune system attacks the body’s own tissues, such as rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, psoriasis, type 1 diabetes or inflammatory bowel disease.
Immunotherapy studies often leave out active autoimmune disease, and some name exceptions, such as thyroid disease on replacement hormone. Check the exceptions this study lists.
Explained by clinicaltrials.gg, not part of the registry record. The study team decides who can take part.
Hypersensitivity
An allergy, or another reaction of the immune system, to a substance. “Hypersensitivity to the study drug” means a known allergic reaction to it — not every side effect a medicine can have.
Explained by clinicaltrials.gg, not part of the registry record. The study team decides who can take part.
Investigational drug or device
A drug or device being studied in a clinical trial.
It may be new, or already approved and being studied for another use, dose or form. Criteria often leave out people who took part in another study of one within a recent period, commonly 30 days or five half-lives.
Explained by clinicaltrials.gg, not part of the registry record. The study team decides who can take part.
Excipients
The other ingredients in a medicine besides the active drug, such as fillers, colours or preservatives.
Explained by clinicaltrials.gg, not part of the registry record. The study team decides who can take part.
Informed consent
Before you join, the study team explains what taking part involves — its purpose, what happens, the risks and possible benefits — and answers your questions, so you can decide freely. Consent is usually recorded on a form (the informed consent form, ICF) signed by you or, where the law allows, by someone legally authorised to decide for you.
You can keep asking questions during the study, you are told of new information that matters, and you can choose to leave at any time.
Explained by clinicaltrials.gg, not part of the registry record. The study team decides who can take part.
Prednisolone 20mg once daily and AZD4017 400mg twice daily for 7 days.
Drug: AZD4017 and prednisolone
Prednisolone 20mg once daily and placebo twice daily for 7 days.
Drug: Placebo Oral Tablet and prednisolone
Drug pages: Azd-4017 · Prednisolone
The drug AZD4017 will be given together with prednisolone 20mg daily for 7 days to compare its effects on metabolic tissues against the placebo arm where the participants will take placebo and prednisolone 20mg daily for 7 days.
Also known as: 11 beta-Hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase inhibitor
Placebo Oral tablet will be given together with prednisolone 20mg daily for 7 days to compare the effects on metabolic tissues of AZD4017 and prednisolone 20mg daily against the placebo arm.
Also known as: Placebo
Changes in the detrimental side effects of prednisolone by AZD4017.
To evaluate whether AZD4017 can limit the detrimental effect of prednisolone (20mg) on glucose disposal. This will be achieved by measuring glucose disposal during a hyperinsulinaemic euglycaemic clamp.
Time frame: 2 years
Changes in hepatic insulin sensitivity by AZD4017 when given with prednisolone (20mg) compared to prednisolone (20mg) given alone.
Measurement of endogenous glucose production rate during a hyperinsulinaemic euglycaemic clamp.
Time frame: 2 years
Changes in blood pressure associated with prednisolone and AZD4017 administration
The participants will have 24h ambulatory blood pressure measurements taken.
Time frame: 2 years
Changes in adipose tissue gene expression profile associated with prednisolone and AZD4017 administration.
Gene expression changes will be measured from adipose tissue biopsies.
Time frame: 2 years
Change in whole body oxidation associated with prednisolone and AZD4017 administration
Measurement of incorporation of carbon-13 into breath carbon dioxide using Gas chromatography combustion isotope ratio mass spectrometry.
Time frame: 2 years
Changes in skeletal muscle gene expression profile associated with prednisolone and AZD4017 administration.
Gene expression changes measured in skeletal muscle biopsies.
Time frame: 2 years
Changes in circulating inflammatory cytokines and inflammatory response in circulating inflammatory cells associated with prednisolone and AZD4017 administration.
Measurement of inflammatory cytokines, isolation of peripheral blood mononuclear cells and defining their response to inflammatory stress.
Time frame: 2 years
Changes in bone turnover associated with prednisolone and AZD4017 administration.
Measurement of serum and urine markers of bone turnover including type I collagen cross-linked N-telopeptide and osteocalcin
Time frame: 2 years
Changes in body composition (total and regional lean and fat mass) associated with prednisolone and AZD4017 administration.
Measurement of total and regional lean and fat mass on dual energy x-ray absorptiometry scan.
Time frame: 2 years
Changes in urinary steroid metabolite profile associated with prednisolone and AZD4017 administration.
Steroid metabolites measured by gas chromatography, mass spectrometry in a timed overnight urine sample.
Time frame: 2 years
Plan to share: No
This study is completed, as verified in Mar 2021. You cannot join it, but the record below documents what was studied.
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Studies of the drugs tested here: Azd-4017 · Prednisolone
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