This research study is being done to learn what effect 12 months of treatment with oral hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) will have on the retina in people with retinitis pigmentosa (RP). The hypothesis is that treatment with HCQ is safe and tolerable in patients with autosomal dominant retinitis pigmentosa (adRP) caused by P23H-RHO, and may arrest progression of retinal degeneration by altering the autophagy pathway in photoreceptors. Participants that meet eligibility and agree to the study will be asked to take the study medication (HCQ) for 12 months and have evaluations for up to approximately 18 months from the baseline visit. There will be a total of 6 visits (1 is a phone visit) and will include general examinations, blood work, electrocardiograms, along with special testing of the retina.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
NON_RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
SINGLE
Enrollment
8
The participants weight will be measured and converted to kilograms. The participants will receive 4 mg/kg/day. At the first follow-up visit (4 months) weight will be re-measured and the study drug dosing will be adjusted accordingly if the dosing has changed. Participants receiving 100 mg daily will be instructed to ingest one 200 mg tablet every other day. Participants receiving 200 mg daily will be instructed to ingest one 200 mg tablet daily. Participants receiving 300 mg daily will be instructed to alternate days ingesting two 200 mg tablets and one 200 mg tablet. Participants receiving 400 mg daily will be instructed to ingest two 200 mg tablets daily.
The start of intervention for treatment arm 2 of the study will be delayed until preliminary safety of the drug is established with the 6 patients in treatment arm 1 at the first follow-up visit (4 months). The participants in this group will receive 5 mg/kg/day. At the first follow-up visit (4 months) weight will be re-measured and the study drug dosing will be adjusted accordingly if the dosing has changed. Participants receiving 100 mg daily will be instructed to ingest one 200 mg tablet every other day. Participants receiving 200 mg daily will be instructed to ingest one 200 mg tablet daily. Participants receiving 300 mg daily will be instructed to alternate days ingesting two 200 mg tablets and one 200 mg tablet. Participants receiving 400 mg daily will be instructed to ingest two 200 mg tablets daily.
University of Michigan
Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States
Change in Ellipsoid zone area measured by Spectral-Domain Optical Coherence Tomography (SD-OCT)
These will be performed at: screening, baseline, 4 months, 12 months, and 18 months
Time frame: screening up to 18 months
Change in Retinal sensitivity (decibels) measured by scotopic and mesopic microperimetry
These will be performed at: screening, baseline, 4 months, 12 months, and 18 months
Time frame: screening up to 18 months
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