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Not yet recruitingNCT07668583POMREPUpdated Jun 25, 2026

EFFICACY AND SAFETY OF ZOLEDRONATE VERSUS PLACEBO ON PAIN AT WEEK 12 IN PEDIATRIC PATIENTS WITH CHRONIC RECURRENT MULTIFOCAL OSTEOMYELITIS

A Phase 2 interventional study of Zoledronic Acid / Zoledronate 4 MG/100 ML Intravenous Solution and NaCL 0.9% Intravenous Solution in Osteomyelitis Chronic, sponsored by Assistance Publique - Hôpitaux de Paris. Not yet recruiting at 1 site in France. Open to participants aged 4 Years to 17 Years. Per ClinicalTrials.gov, last updated 2026-06-25.

Sponsored by Assistance Publique - Hôpitaux de Paris · Phase 2, Interventional, and Treatment

Phase
Phase 2
Study type
Interventional
Enrollment
30
Allocation
Randomized
Ages
4 Years to 17 Years
Sex
All
01

Study summary

Chronic recurrent multifocal osteomyelitis (CRMO) is a rare auto-inflammatory bone disease that primarily affects children and/or adolescents at a median age of 10 years. Until now, there is no consensus regarding the treatment of CRMO. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are considered the first line of therapy with remission in approximately 30% of cases. If unsuccessful, several treatments are tried in addition to NSAIDs, including bisphosphonates and anti-TNFs.

The effectiveness of bisphosphonates (including zoledronate) has been reported in clinical cases and/or retrospective series. They are said to be particularly effective in multifocal forms, mandibular and/or vertebral involvement, but no controlled trials have been conducted. Bisphosphonates have even been proposed as first-line therapy in spinal involvement. The only prospective study, is a phase II trial currently underway in Denmark to study the efficacy of zoledronate (NCT02594878) versus placebo in SAPHO (acronym, standing for Synovitis - Acne - Pustulosis - Hyperostosis - Osteitis) patients considered to be a very similar form of CRMO occurring in adults.

In this context, this study proposes evaluate the efficacy of zoledronate compared to placebo in reducing pain at week 12 in children aged ≥4 and \<17 years with NSAID-resistant CRMO. Zoledronate will be administered in three escalating doses: 0.025 mg/kg at baseline (W0), 0.05 mg/kg at week 12 (W12), and 0.05 mg/kg at week 24 (W24). In addition to pain reduction, improvements in MRI findings will be observed, biological markers of inflammation, and quality of life in the zoledronate group. Although subjective, pain reduction remains the most widely used criterion in clinical practice to assess therapeutic efficacy. Zoledronate efficacy will therefore be assessed by the change in standardized pain score (0-10 scale) from baseline to week 12 as the primary endpoint, with additional pain assessments at weeks 4, 24, and 36 as secondary endpoints.

Read the detailed description

Chronic recurrent multifocal osteomyelitis (CRMO) is a rare auto-inflammatory bone disease that primarily affects children and/or adolescents at a median age of 10 years. Until now, there is no consensus regarding the treatment of CRMO. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are considered the first line of therapy with remission in approximately 30% of cases. If unsuccessful, several treatments are tried in addition to NSAIDs, including bisphosphonates and anti-TNFs.

The effectiveness of bisphosphonates (including zoledronate) has been reported in clinical cases and/or retrospective series. They are said to be particularly effective in multifocal forms, mandibular and/or vertebral involvement, but no controlled trials have been conducted. Bisphosphonates have even been proposed as first-line therapy in spinal involvement. The only prospective study, is a phase II trial currently underway in Denmark to study the efficacy of zoledronate (NCT02594878) versus placebo in SAPHO (acronym, standing for Synovitis - Acne - Pustulosis - Hyperostosis - Osteitis) patients considered to be a very similar form of CRMO occurring in adults.

In this context, this study proposes to evaluate the efficacy of zoledronate compared to placebo in reducing pain at week 12 in children aged ≥4 and \<17 years with NSAID-resistant CRMO. Zoledronate will be administered in three escalating doses: 0.025 mg/kg at baseline (W0), 0.05 mg/kg at week 12 (W12), and 0.05 mg/kg at week 24 (W24). In addition to pain reduction, improvements in MRI findings will be observed, biological markers of inflammation, and quality of life in the zoledronate group. Although subjective, pain reduction remains the most widely used criterion in clinical practice to assess therapeutic efficacy. Zoledronate efficacy will therefore be assessed by the change in standardized pain score (0-10 scale) from baseline to week 12 as the primary endpoint, with additional pain assessments at weeks 4, 24, and 36 as secondary endpoints.

Main objective: To evaluate the efficacy of zoledronate, administered at increasing doses (0.025 mg/kg at baseline, 0.05 mg/kg at week 12, and 0.05 mg/kg at week 24; maximum dose 4 mg per infusion), versus placebo on the change in standardized pain score (0-10 scale) from baseline to week 12 in children aged ≥4 and \<17 years with NSAID-resistant CRMO.

Secondary objectives:

  1. To compare pain evolution between the two groups at weeks 4, 24 and 36 (pain at week 12 being the primary endpoint).
  2. To compare the use of NSAIDs, other analgesics and corticosteroids between the two groups during follow-up.
  3. To compare clinical signs (pain on palpation, arthritis, spinal deformity, extra-osseous manifestations, growth and puberty) between the two groups at baseline and follow-up visits.
  4. To compare biological inflammatory markers between the two groups at baseline and follow-up visits.
  5. To evaluate disease activity using the CNO Clinical Disease Activity Score (CNO CDAS) between the two groups at baseline and follow-up visits.
  6. To compare radiological disease activity on whole-body MRI between the two groups at baseline and follow-up visits using the mRINBO score.
  7. To assess treatment response using PedCNO30 and PedCNO50 score between the two groups at baseline and follow-up visits.
  8. To compare the rate of radiological remission (early remission at week 12; remission at weeks 24 and 36) between the two groups.
  9. To compare the rates of clinical and biological remission between the two groups at weeks 12, 24 and 36.
  10. To evaluate changes in health-related quality of life between the two groups at baseline and follow-up visits.
  11. To assess the impact on schooling (children) and work absenteeism (parents) between the two groups.
  12. To evaluate the safety and tolerance of zoledronate.
  13. To assess the cost-effectiveness of the strategy
02

Conditions studied

  • Osteomyelitis Chronic

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Keywords

  • Osteomyelitis
03

Who can participate

Ages eligible
4 Years to 17 Years
Sexes eligible
All
Accepts healthy volunteers
No

Inclusion criteria

  • aged ≥4 and \<17 years for whom:
  • Physician-confirmed diagnosis of CRMO according to Jansson's criteria, with compatible MRI findings. Having lesions on MRI within 12 weeks prior to inclusion and clinically active disease defined by at least one of 2 criteria: patient/parent VAS (pain) superior or equal to 30/100 and/or physician VAS superior or equal to 30/100 after failure of at least 4 weeks of NSAIDs at a stable dose
  • Written informed consent signed by the parents (the child may sign the consent if they wish, but their signature is not mandatory)
  • Having had a dental review within 3 months prior to inclusion, with completion of any necessary invasive dental work before the first dose of zoledronate.

Exclusion criteria

Exclusion Criteria:

  • History of malignancy or current tumour
  • History of seizure
  • Current infectious osteomyelitis
  • Contraindication to the study drug
  • Hypersensitivity to the active substance, to other bisphosphonates, or to any excipient (sodium hydroxide, hydrochloric acid for pH adjustment, water for injection) ;
  • Hypocalcemia ;
  • Severe renal impairment with creatinine clearance \< 35 ml/min ;
  • Prior treatment with bisphosphonates and/or biotherapy within 6 months prior to inclusion.
  • History of HIV, HBV, or HCV infection.
  • Congenital or acquired prolonged QT interval (>0.44 seconds) on ECG.
  • Clinically significant vertebral deformities, including vertebral fracture and/or angular kyphosis with risk of spinal cord compression.
  • Suspected or confirmed tuberculosis.
  • History of renal or hepatic insufficiency.
  • Already enrolled in another interventional study.
  • Pregnant or breastfeeding participants
  • Not affiliated with the French social security system.
  • Patient or legal guardians with limited understanding of the French language
  • Serum 25-hydroxy vitamin D level \<30 ng/mL at screening. Participants may be re-screened after correction of vitamin D deficiency.
04

Study design

Phase
Phase 2
Primary purpose
Treatment
Allocation
Randomized
Intervention model
Parallel assignment
Masking
Quadruple (Participant, Care provider, Investigator, Outcomes assessor)
Enrollment
30 participants (estimated)

Study arms

  • Experimental
    Zoledronate

    Zoledronic acid, perfusion IV Baseline : 0.025 mg/kg ; Week 12 : 0.05 mg/kg ; Week 24 : 0.05 mg/kg

    Drug: Zoledronic Acid / Zoledronate 4 MG/100 ML Intravenous Solution

  • Placebo comparator
    NaCL 0.9%

    NaCl 0.9%, perfusion IV Baseline Week 12 Week 24

    Other: NaCL 0.9% Intravenous Solution

Interventions

  • DrugZoledronic Acid / Zoledronate 4 MG/100 ML Intravenous Solution

    Baseline : 0.025 mg/kg ; Week 4 : 0.05 mg/kg ; Week 6 : 0.05 mg/kg

  • OtherNaCL 0.9% Intravenous Solution

    Baseline, Week 4 \& Week 6

05

What researchers measure

Primary outcomes

  1. Change in pain score from baseline to week 12

    Change in standardized pain score (0-10 scale) from baseline to week 12, using Visual Analog Scale VAS 0-10/ 0 = no pain ; 10 = worst imaginable pain

    Time frame: week 12

Secondary outcomes

  1. Compare pain score (0-10 scale) evolution between groups at Weeks 4, 24 and 36

    Change in standardized pain score (0-10 scale) from baseline to week 4,24 \&36, using Visual Analog Scale VAS 0-10/ 0 = no pain ; 10 = worst imaginable pain

    Time frame: Week 4, 24 and 36

  2. Use of NSAIDs, other analgesics and corticosteroids between the two groups during follow-up.

    compare the use of NSAIDs, other analgesics and corticosteroids between the two groups during follow-up.

    Time frame: Week 12, 24 and 36

  3. Clinical signs (Number of participants presenting clinical manifestations of CRMO (pain on palpation, arthritis, spinal deformity, extra-osseous manifestations, growth impairment and pubertal delay) between the two groups at baseline and follow-up visits

    Clinical manifestations will be assessed by physical examination at baseline and at weeks 12, 24 and 36. The proportion of participants presenting each manifestation (pain on palpation, arthritis, spinal deformity, dermatological manifestations, inflammatory bowel disease, growth impairment and pubertal delay) will be compared between groups.

    Time frame: Week 12, 24 and 36

  4. Biological inflammatory markers between the two groups at baseline and follow-up visits.

    compare biological inflammatory markers between the two groups at baseline and follow-up visits.

    Time frame: Week 12, 24 and 36

  5. CNO Clinical Disease Activity Score (CNO CDAS)

    The Chronic Nonbacterial Osteomyelitis Clinical Disease Activity Score (CNO CDAS) is a composite disease activity score consisting of three components: (1) patient/parent pain assessment (0-10 visual analog scale), (2) patient/parent global assessment of disease activity (0-10 visual analog scale), and (3) physician assessment of the number of clinically active CNO lesions (0-10). Total scores range from 0 to 30, with higher scores indicating greater disease activity and a worse clinical condition. The CNO CDAS will be assessed at baseline and at weeks 12, 24, and 36.

    Time frame: Week 12, 24 and 36

  6. Whole-body MRI disease activity assessed by the modified Radiological Index for Non-Bacterial Osteitis (mRINBO)

    The mRINBO score will be assessed on whole-body MRI at baseline and follow-up visits. The score incorporates the number of radiologically active lesions, the maximum lesion size (RALmax), extramedullary inflammatory changes, and chronic radiological changes. Higher scores indicate greater radiological disease activity. Whole-body MRI assessments will be performed at baseline and at weeks 12, 24, and 36.

    Time frame: Week 12, 24 and 36

  7. Proportion of participants achieving PedCNO30 response at week 36

    PedCNO30 is defined as at least 30% improvement in at least three of five core variables, with no more than one variable worsening by \>30%.

    Time frame: week 36

  8. Radiological remission

    Compare the rate of radiological remission (early remission at week 12; remission at weeks 24 and 36) between the two groups.

    Time frame: Week 12, 24 and 36

  9. Clinical and biological remission

    compare the rates of clinical and biological remission between the two groups at weeks 12, 24 and 36.

    Time frame: Week 12, 24 and 36

  10. Health-related quality of life assessed by the Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory (PedsQL)

    PedsQL total score ranges from 0 to 100. Higher scores indicate better health-related quality of life.

    Time frame: week 36

  11. Number of days of school absenteeism (children) and work absenteeism (parents) recorded using the electronic patient-reported outcome (ePRO) diary, during each 12-week period

    School and parental absenteeism will be assessed as the number of days missed from school by the child and the number of days missed from work by the parent during the previous 12 weeks. Data will be collected using the electronic patient-reported outcome (ePRO) diary and compared between treatment groups.

    Time frame: week 36

  12. Safety and tolerability of zoledronate, assessed by the incidence of adverse events and serious adverse events during the 36-week follow-up period

    Time frame: week 36

  13. Incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) of zoledronate versus placebo at week 36

    Cost-effectiveness will be assessed by estimating the incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER), expressed as cost per quality-adjusted life year (QALY) gained.

    Time frame: week 36

  14. Proportion of participants achieving PedCNO50 response at week 36

    PedCNO50 is defined as at least 50% improvement in at least three of five core variables, with no more than one variable worsening by \>50%.

    Time frame: week 36

06

Study locations

1 site
  • Kremlin-Bicêtre Hospital
    Le Kremlin-Bicêtre, Val De Marne 94270, France
07

Registry details

Key details

Study ID
NCT07668583
Lead sponsor
Assistance Publique - Hôpitaux de Paris
Responsible party
Sponsor
First posted
Jun 25, 2026
Start date
Sep 15, 2026 (estimated)
Primary completion
Mar 15, 2029 (estimated)
Completion
Dec 31, 2029 (estimated)
Last update
Jun 25, 2026

Study contacts

Perrine DUSSER, MD, PhD
Contact
perrine.dusser@aphp.fr
+33145213254
Perrine DUSSER, MD, PhD
principal investigator · Assistance Publique - Hôpitaux de Paris

Oversight

Data monitoring committee
Yes
FDA-regulated drug
No
FDA-regulated device
No
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