Mutations in bone morphogenetic protein receptor 2 (BMPR2) are present in \>80% of familial and \~20% of sporadic pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) patients. Furthermore dysfunctional BMP signaling is a general feature of pulmonary hypertension even in non-familial PAH. We therefore hypothesized that increasing BMP signaling might prevent and reverse the disease. We screened \> 3500 FDA approved drugs for their propensity to increase BMP signaling and found FK506 (Tacrolimus) to be a strong activator of BMP signaling. Tacrolimus restored normal function of pulmonary artery endothelial cells, prevented and reversed experimental PAH in mice and rats. Given that Tacrolimus is already FDA approved with a known side-effect profile, it is an ideal candidate drug to use in patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension. The aims of our trial are: 1. Establish the Safety of FK506 in patients with PAH. 2. Evaluate the Efficacy of FK506 in PAH 3. Identify ideal candidates for future FK506 phase III clinical trial.
Study Design: Randomized, placebo-controlled, four arm clinical trial. Sample Size: 10 subjects in each arm, Total enrollment = 40 patients. 1. 10 patients: FK-506 blood level: 3 - 5 ng/ml 2. 10 patients: FK-506 blood level: 2 - 3 ng/ml 3. 10 patients: FK-506 level: \< 2.0 ng/ml 4. 10 patients: Placebo Study Duration: 16 weeks Primary Endpoints: 1\) Safety of low-dose FK506 in PAH Secondary Objectives/Endpoints: 1. Combined Clinical Events/Time to Clinical Worsening @ 16 weeks: * All cause mortality * Transplantation * Atrial septostomy * Need for escalation of therapies as deemed by site investigator * Worsening of NYHA/WHO classification by at least 1 point. * Hospitalization for right heart failure. 2. Change in 6MWD at 16 weeks 3. Change in NT-Pro-BNP at 16 weeks 4. Change in Uric Acid at 16 weeks 5. Change in DLCO at 16 weeks 6. Change in novel RV parameters by transthoracic echocardiography: Change in RV size, RA size, RV function, TAPSE, RVSP
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
QUADRUPLE
Enrollment
23
placebo pill
FK506 goal trough blood level \< 2 ng/ml
FK506 goal trough blood level 2-3 ng/ml
FK506 goal trough blood level 3-5 ng/ml
Stanford University
Stanford, California, United States
Safety of Low-dose FK-506 in PAH
Total number of adverse events measured between baseline and end of study at 18 weeks as reported by study subjects such as nausea/diarrhea, URI, sinus congestion, infection, fluid retention/edema, cough, headache, bronchitis, fatigue, drug reaction/hives, flushing, anxiety, tremor, fever, shingles, SOB, insomnia, pain
Time frame: 18 weeks
Number of Combined Clinical Events
Combined Clinical Events @ 16 weeks: Number of patients who died Number of patients who got transplanted Number of patients who needed escalation of therapies Number of patients who had worsening of NYHA/WHO classification by at least 1 point Number of patients who require hospitalization for right heart failure Low numbers would suggest either efficacy of the study drug or slowly progression of disease that is studied during the 16 week study period or short observation period or small study population
Time frame: Baseline to 16 weeks
Efficacy of Low-dose FK-506 in Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension (PAH) Measured by Change in 6-min Walk Distance (6MWD)
Change in 6MWD in meter between baseline and 16 weeks A large number would indicate an increase in exercise capacity
Time frame: baseline to 16 weeks
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