The Effects of Naltrexone on Active Crohn's Disease

Milton S. Hershey Medical Center40 enrolled

Overview

It is hypothesized that the opioid antagonist naltrexone will improve inflammation of the bowel and quality of life in subjects with active Crohn's disease compared to placebo. In order to test this hypothesis the following specific aims are proposed: 1. Evaluate the effects of low dose naltrexone compared to placebo on the activity of Crohn's disease by the following end points: Crohn's Disease Activity Index (CDAI), pain assessment, laboratory values (CRP and ESR), endoscopic appearance, histology, and quality of life surveys; 2. Examine the effects of naltrexone given over 3 months compared to 6 months for durability of response; 3. Determine the safety and toxicity of low dose naltrexone in subjects with active Crohn's disease, and 4. Study the mechanism by which naltrexone exerts its effect by measuring plasma enkephalin levels of subjects on therapy. Purpose statement: The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effects of low dose naltrexone in a blinded placebo controlled study to determine the safety and efficacy of this compound in those with active Crohn's disease.

Study design : The study is designed as a double-blind placebo controlled study for 3 months followed by a pseudo cross-over such that all subjects receiving placebo the first 3 months will receive active drug the second 3 months and all receiving naltrexone the first 3 months remain on the drug the last 3 months of this 6 month study.

Study Type

INTERVENTIONAL

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

TREATMENT

Masking

QUADRUPLE

Enrollment

Conditions

Inflammation

Eligibility

Sex: ALLMin age: 18 YearsMax age: 75 Years

Medical Language ↔ Plain English

Inclusion Criteria: * All subjects must give written informed consent * Male or female subjects, \> 18 years * Patients must have endoscopic, histologic, or radiographic confirmed Crohn's Disease. * Patients must have a Crohn's Disease Activity Index (CDAI) of at least 220 at Baseline * Stable doses of medications for Crohn's disease over proceeding 4 weeks (for aminosalicylates and steroids: prednisone of 10mg or less daily and Entocort 3 mg/ day are allowed), and 12 weeks for azathioprine or 6-mercaptopurine.) Exclusion Criteria: * Subjects with ostomies or ileorectal anastomosis from prior surgical colectomy. * Subjects who received infliximab (Remicade) within 8 weeks of study screening or humira for 4 weeks. * Subjects requiring steroids either intravenously or prednisone \>10mg /day or Entocort \> 3 mg daily. * Subjects with short-bowel syndrome. * Abnormal liver enzymes at screening visit or known hepatitis or cirrhosis * Hemoglobin less than 10. * Subjects with cancer (other than skin cancer) in past 5 years. * Women of childbearing potential unless surgically sterile or using adequate contraception (either IUD, oral or deport contraceptive, or barrier plus spermicide), and willing and able to continue contraception for 3 months after the completion of the study. * Women who are pregnant or breastfeeding

Outcomes

Primary Outcomes

Percentage of Subjects Achieving a 70-point Decline in CDAI Scores (Crohn's Disease Activity Index) Scores;

The CDAI score is a number which consists of information collected from a 7-day diary from the patient regarding symptoms. It also includes objective information from the physical exam, weight and hemotocrit. Remission is considered a score of 150 or less. Active disease is considered 220 or greater. A response to therapy is considered a decline in the CDAI score of 70-points from baseline.

Time frame: 3 months

Secondary Outcomes

Percentage Change From Baseline of Quality of Life IBDQ (Inflammatory Bowel Disease Quality of Life Survey)

IBDQ (Inflammatory bowel Disease questionnaire) contains questions about health ranging from a score of poor (i.e., 32) to excellent (i.e., 224) an increase from baseline indicates improvement in quality of life.

Time frame: Between baseline and 3 months

Percentage of Patients With a 5 Point Drop in CDEIS Score by Endoscopy

A secondary outcome was the appearance of the colonic mucosa on endoscopy using the Crohn's Disease Endoscopic Index of Severity (CDEIS) score described by Mary et al. Gut 1989;30:983-989.This score ranges from 0-44 based upon the extent and severity of inflammation and ulcers seen during endoscopy of the colon. A response is a drop of \> 5 points from baseline. Endoscopic remission is a score of \< 6 and Complete endoscopic remission is a score of \> 3.

Time frame: 12 weeks

Histology Inflammatory Score by Colon Biopsies

Histology scores to assess microscopic inflammation and structural architecture were determined at baseline and after 12 weeks of either naltrexone therapy or placebo by mucosal biopsy samples obtained during colonoscopies.The pathology specimens were reviewed and scored by a Pathologist blinded to the treatment. The mean scores at baseline were the same between both groups.Differences between naltrexone and placebo treated subjects was assessed.The range in scores could be 0-25, with 0 representing no inflammation and 25 being maximum or severe inflammation..