A Randomized, Double-blind, Placebo Controlled Trial of Certolizumab Pegol in Women with Refractory Interstitial Cystitis/Bladder Pain Syndrome
Interstitial cystitis (IC) is a chronic disabling bladder syndrome characterized by urinary frequency, nocturia, urinary urgency, and pain or discomfort with bladder filling. There is no cure for IC and the treatment options are suboptimal. Patients with IC report significant negative effects on their physical and mental quality of life. The etiology of IC is unknown. Certain aspects of IC suggest that autoimmunity may play a role in initiating or sustaining the chronic inflammatory response. Bladder biopsies of patients with IC demonstrate an increase number of mast cells. Mast cell activation with the release of tumor necrosis factor (TNF) may mediate this bladder inflammation. Cimzia (certolizumab pegol) is a medication that blocks the effect of TNF. Cimzia (certolizumab pegol) is FDA approved for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, and Crohn's disease. These diseases are similar to IC. In this study, the hypothesis being tested is that Cimzia (certolizumab pegol) will show efficacy in improving the symptoms of patients with IC.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
QUADRUPLE
Enrollment
42
400 mg
Normal saline
Philip C. Bosch, MD
Escondido, California, United States
IC/BPS Symptoms Change With Overall Global Response Assessment (GRA)
Patient-reported global response assessment (GRA) such as "Compared to when you began this trial, how would you rate your IC symptoms now?" Study subjects reported their response to treatment of their pain, urgency, and overall status compared to their condition at trial start with a symmetric scale global response assessment (GRA) 28 at weeks 2, 4, 10, and 18. Possible responses were markedly worse (100% worse), moderately worse (50% worse), slightly worse (25% worse), no change (0% improvement), slightly improved (25% improvement), moderately improved (50% improvement), and markedly improved (100% improved). Treatment responders were defined by rating the GRA as moderately improved or markedly improved.
Time frame: Week 2
IC/BPS Symptoms Change With Overall Global Response Assessment (GRA)
Patient-reported global response assessment (GRA) such as "Compared to when you began this trial, how would you rate your IC symptoms now?" Study subjects reported their response to treatment of their pain, urgency, and overall status compared to their condition at trial start with a symmetric scale global response assessment (GRA) 28 at weeks 2, 4, 10, and 18. Possible responses were markedly worse (100% worse), moderately worse (50% worse), slightly worse (25% worse), no change (0% improvement), slightly improved (25% improvement), moderately improved (50% improvement), and markedly improved (100% improved). Treatment responders were defined by rating the GRA as moderately improved or markedly improved.
Time frame: Week 4, 10, 18
IC/BPS Symptoms Assessment With the Interstitial Cystitis Symptom Index
The Interstitial Cystitis Symptom Index is one of the two O'Leary-Sant Interstitial Cystitis Symptom and Problem Indexes. This scale has a 0 if the patient has no symptoms and a maximum of 19 with severe symptoms. Lubeck et al. validated ICSI as a valid measure of change in treatment outcome studies. A change of -4.03 in the ICSI score was the same as a 2 point improvement in GRA. Propert et al. validated the ICSI as responsive to change in IC/BPS symptoms and was recommended as secondary endpoints in clinical trials. A change of -2.4 in the ICSI score was the same as a 2 point improvement in GRA.
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Time frame: Value at Weeks 2, 4, 10 and 18 minus Baseline
IC/BPS Symptoms Assessment With the Interstitial Cystitis Problem Index (ICPI)
The Interstitial Cystitis Symptom Index (ICPI) is one of the two O'Leary-Sant Interstitial Cystitis Symptom and Problem Indexes. This scale has a 0 if the patient has no symptoms and a maximum of 16 with severe symptoms.
Time frame: Value of Weeks 2, 4, 10, and 18 minus baseline
Pain Scale
an 11-point pain intensity numerical rating scale. Subjects rated their average pain, pressure, or discomfort associated with their bladder using an 11-point pain intensity numerical rating scale of 0-no pain to 10-worse ever pain at baseline, and at weeks 2, 4, 10, and 18. Meaningful, clinically important pain relief is a reduction in pain of approximately 30% from baseline.
Time frame: Value at Weeks 2, 4, 10, and 18 minus baseline
Urgency Scale
Subjects rated their average urinary urgency or need to urinate using an 11-point numerical rating scale of 0-no urgency to 10-worse ever urgency
Time frame: Value of Weeks 2, 4, 10, and 18 minus baseline