Significant clinical improvements of ME/CFS symptoms were observed in two patients with long-standing ME/CFS who received adjuvant chemotherapy including cyclophosphamide for breast cancer, also in one ME/CFS patient who received chemotherapy including iphosphamide for Hodgkin lymphoma. Three pilot ME/CFS patients were thereafter treated with six intravenous infusions four weeks apart, in two of these with a significant clinical response. The hypothesis is that a subset of ME/CFS patients have an activated immune system, and that ME/CFS symptoms may be alleviated by treatment with cyclophosphamide as intravenous pulse infusions four weeks apart, six infusions in total. The purpose of the present study is to treat ME/CFS patients with cyclophosphamide as intravenous pulse infusions four weeks apart, six infusions in total. The effects on ME/CFS symptoms and tolerability/side effects during 12 months follow-up will be registered, and additional tests will be performed to objectively register changes in physical ability during follow-up. Studies to investigate possible large vessel endothelial dysfunction and skin microvascular dysfunction will be performed before start of intervention and during follow-up.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
NA
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
40
Cyclophosphamide intravenous infusions four weeks apart, in total six infusions. First infusion: cyclophosphamide 600mg/m2. Infusions 2 to 6: cyclophosphamide 700 mg/m2 . Follow-up for 12 months.
Dept. of Oncology, Haukeland University Hospital
Bergen, Norway
Fatigue score, selfreported
Selfreported Fatigue score is registered every second week, always compared to baseline, as the mean of the four symptoms: "Post-exertional malaise", "Fatigue", "Need for rest", Daily functioning" (scale 0-6, in which 3 is unchanged from baseline). Mean Fatigue scores for the time intervals 0-3, 3-6, 6-9 and 9-12 months are recorded for each patient. Changes in selfreported Fatigue scores from baseline to the mean values in each of the time intervals 0-3, 3-6, 6-9 and 9-12 months follow up, will constitute the primary endpoint. Responses for the primary endpoint will be recorded separately for the group of (at least) 25 ME/CFS patients not given rituximab previously, for the group with previous rituximab intervention for ME/CFS with no clinical response and for the group with previous rituximab intervention with clinical response but later relapse, and also for all 40 included patients together.
Time frame: Within 12 months follow-up
Overall response
Overall response is recorded as the effect on ME/CFS symptoms during 12 months follow-up. The overall response is not predefined to a specific time interval during follow-up, but is defined as mean Fatigue score at least 4.5 for at least 6 consecutive weeks for moderate response, and mean Fatigue score at least 5.0 for at least 6 consecutive weeks for major response. Single response periods and the sum of response periods during 12 months follow-up will be recorded. Overall response will be recorded separately for the group of (at least) 25 ME/CFS patients not given rituximab previously, for the group with previous rituximab intervention for ME/CFS with no clinical response and for the group with previous rituximab intervention with clinical response but later relapse, and also for all 40 included patients together.
Time frame: Within 12 months follow-up
Short Form-36 (SF-36)
SF-36 (ver 1.2) is completed by patients at baseline, and at 3, 6, 9, 12 months follow-up. Changes in Physical health summary score, Physical function, and "Mean of five subdimensions" (Physical function, Bodily pain, Vitality, Social function, General health) from baseline to each of the time points 3, 6, 9 and 12 months follow-up are recorded and constitute secondary endpoints. Secondary endpoints will be recorded separately for the group of (at least) 25 ME/CFS patients not given rituximab previously, for the group with previous rituximab intervention for ME/CFS with no clinical response and for the group with previous rituximab intervention with clinical response but later relapse, and also for all 40 included patients together.
Time frame: Recorded at baseline, and at 3, 6, 9 and 12 months follow-up.
Physical activity (Sensewear armband)
The patients' physical activity level, in a home setting for 7 consecutive days, is recorded using Sensewear armbands, with registration at baseline and repeated in the time interval 7-9 months follow-up, and in the interval 11-12 months. Changes from baseline to analysis during the time intervals 7-9 months and 11-12 months, for mean number of steps per 24h, maximum number of steps per 24h, mean duration per 24h with activity level at least 3.5 METs, max duration per 24h with activity level at least 3.5 METs, are recorded. Changes in Physical activity will be recorded separately for the group of (at least) 25 ME/CFS patients not given rituximab previously, for the group with previous rituximab intervention for ME/CFS with no clinical response and for the group with previous rituximab intervention with clinical response but later relapse, and also for all 40 included patients together.
Time frame: Recorded at baseline, at 7-9 months, and at 11-12 months
Cardiopulmonary exercise tests for two following days
For patients who can tolerate exercise, cardiopulmonary exercise tests will be performed for two consecutive days, at baseline, and repeated in the time intervals 7-9 months, and 11-12 months. A programmed ramp-protocol is used. Oxygen-uptake and work load (Watt) day 2, at maximum effort and at anaerobic threshold, will be recorded and used for comparison to oxygen-uptake and work load with repeated tests after 7-9 and 11-12 months. Changes from baseline to repeated exercise tests after 7-9 and 11-12 months will be analyzed.
Time frame: At baseline, and repeated at 7-9 months, and 11-12 months
Self-recorded Function level
Self-recorded "Function level" (scale 0-100, compared to healthy state, according to a set of examples) are registered every second week. Mean "Function level" for the time intervals 0-3, 3-6, 6-9, 9-12 months are calculated. The changes in selfreported "Function level", from baseline to the mean value during each of the the time intervals 0-3, 3-6, 6-9, 9-12 months constitute secondary endpoints. Changes in Self-reported Function level will be recorded separately for the group of (at least) 25 ME/CFS patients not given rituximab previously, for the group with previous rituximab intervention for ME/CFS with no clinical response and for the group with previous rituximab intervention with clinical response but later relapse, and also for all 40 included patients together.
Time frame: At baseline, and at 3, 6, 9 and 12 months follow-up
Fatigue Severity Scale
Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS) is completed by patients at baseline and at 3, 6, 9, 12 months. The changes in FSS from baseline to 3, 6, 9 and 12 months constitute secondary endpoints. Changes in Fatigue severity scale will be recorded separately for the group of (at least) 25 ME/CFS patients not given rituximab previously, for the group with previous rituximab intervention for ME/CFS with no clinical response and for the group with previous rituximab intervention with clinical response but later relapse, and also for all 40 included patients together.
Time frame: Baseline, 3, 6, 9 and 12 months
Longest continuous response duration
The longest duration of continuous self-reported Fatigue score ≥ 4,5 (for at least 6 consecutive weeks) within 12 months follow-up. The longest response duration will be recorded separately for the group of (at least) 25 ME/CFS patients not given rituximab previously, for the group with previous rituximab intervention for ME/CFS with no clinical response and for the group with previous rituximab intervention with clinical response but later relapse, and also for all 40 included patients together.
Time frame: Within 12 months follow-up
Sustained clinical response at 12 months
The fraction of patients with sustained clinical response (defined as Fatigue score of at least 4.5) at 12 months, constitute a secondary endpoint. Sustained clinical response at 12 months will be recorded separately for the group of (at least) 25 ME/CFS patients not given rituximab previously, for the group with previous rituximab intervention for ME/CFS with no clinical response, and for the group with previous rituximab intervention with clinical response but later relapse, and for all included patients together.
Time frame: Assessment at end of follow-up (12 months)
Safety and tolerability
Safety will be assessed by interim history, physical examination, and laboratory assessments every four weeks the first six months, thereafter at 6, 9 and 12 months follow-up. Adverse events will be graded according to the Common Toxicity Criteria for Adverse Effects (NCI-CTCAE, version 4.0). Number of patients with any grade, or severe (≥ grade 3 NCI-CTCAE version 4.0) toxicity will be reported, as a measure of tolerability and safety. Adverse Events may include include hair loss, vomiting, diarrhea, jaundice, leukopenia, anemia, thrombocytopenia, infections, allergic reactions and hemorrhagic cystitis, disturbed ovarian function. The investigators will also collect information on possible toxicity after the formal 12 months study period.
Time frame: Continuously within the study period of 12 months
This platform is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional.