The investigators propose to conduct a dose-escalation trial of an FDA-approved antiepileptic drug, lacosamide, added to opioid therapy in patients with chronic abdominal pain from chronic pancreatitis (CP). This pilot trial will test the feasibility of the study design and provide reassurance regarding the tolerability and safety of lacosamide used concomitantly with opioids in this patient population to reduce the condition known clinically as opioid-induced hyperalgesia (OIH).
One rather pronounced adverse off-target effect of opioids is an increasing sensitivity to noxious stimuli, even evolving a painful response to previously non-noxious stimuli, known clinically as opioid-induced hyperalgesia (OIH). Based on pre-clinical published data, therapeutic targeting of the sodium channel NaV1.7 may address one of the mechanisms that limits opioid efficacy for controlling pain. The investigators hypothesize that lacosamide, an FDA-approved antiepileptic drug that targets NaV1.7, used concomitantly with opioids will improve the opioid efficacy for controlling pain in patients with chronic pancreatitis (CP). However, there are no preliminary data available evaluating lacosamide in this patient population. Therefore, a phase 1 trial is necessary. The investigators will employ the Bayesian optimal interval (BOIN) design to find the Maximum Tolerated Dose (MTD). The investigators will enroll and treat patients in cohorts of size 3. The initial dose will be 50mg po bid (100mg/day), followed by incremental increases of 100mg/day in two divided doses. The maximum daily dose of lacosamide will be 400mg/day. Duration of lacosamide administration will be 7 days at each dose level. Follow-up laboratory parameters (as obtained at study entry) will be obtained on day 8 (with a 3 day window) after therapy is completed. A follow-up phone visit will occur on day 21 (with a 3-day window) to assess for adverse events and medication changes. It is anticipated that lacosamide will prove to be safe and well-tolerated. The results of this pilot study will then support proceeding with a subsequent phase 2 trial assessing the efficacy of lacosamide added to opioid therapy to alleviate abdominal pain from CP. The investigators further anticipate that lacosamide combined with opiates will substantially lower the opioid dose necessary for adequate pain relief and serve to substantially improve the safety profile of opioid use for CP.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
NA
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
24
Study Visit 1: Baseline study assessments will be made and questionnaires completed in person, on day 0. Drug treatment days will then occur on days 1-7. Study Visit 2: Following completion of the 7-day drug treatment period, participants will have a face-to-face clinic visit on day 8 (with a 3 day grace period), where similar assessments and questionnaires will again be completed. Participants will return all unused drug at this visit, for disposal and to monitor compliance. A follow-up phone visit will occur on day 21 (with a 3 day window) to assess for adverse events and medication changes
Stanford University
Stanford, California, United States
COMPLETEDIndiana University
Indianapolis, Indiana, United States
RECRUITINGMayo Clinic
Rochester, Minnesota, United States
RECRUITINGOhio State University
Columbus, Ohio, United States
RECRUITINGUniversity of Pittsburgh Medical Center
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States
RECRUITINGDose-limiting toxicity of lacosamide in combination with opioids in CP patients will be measured by the number of grade 3 or4 toxicities reported via the CTCAE v5.0, between Day 1 through 21 day follow up.
Dose-limiting toxicity of combination lacosamide and opioids. Patients will be examined and graded for subjective/objective evidence of developing grade 3 or 4 toxicities according to the NCI Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (CTCAE) v5.0.
Time frame: Day 1, 21 day follow up
Tolerability of lacosamide in combination with opioids in CP patients will be evaluated by the percentage of compliance in taking lacosamide pills as directed between Day 1 and Day 7.
Tolerability will be assessed by compliance with the intervention. Subjects will be evaluated for completing the 7-day trial. The percent of subjects taking 100%, 75%, 50% and \<50% of tablets will be recorded.
Time frame: Day 1, Day 7
Feasibility of performance of a pilot study adding lacosamide to opioid therapy in CP patients based on recruitment rate: measured by the proportion of eligible patients who continue from the screening visit to the enrollment visit.
Recruitment rate (proportion of eligible patients approached who agree to participate)
Time frame: Screening visit, Enrollment visit
Feasibility of performance of a pilot study adding lacosamide to opioid therapy in CP patients based on retention rate measured by the change from the screening visit to the 21 day follow-up visit.
Dropout rate, including qualitative assessment of barriers to retention.
Time frame: Screening visit, 21 day follow-up
Efficacy of adding lacosamide to opioid therapy for the treatment of abdominal pain due to CP by a 50% decrease in the VAS score from the Screening visit to the Follow-up visit day 8..
Visual Analog Score (VAS) - a 50% decrease in score from Screening visit to Follow-up visit day 8. The visual analog scale (VAS) is a validated, subjective measure for acute and chronic pain. Scores are recorded by making a handwritten mark on a 10-cm line that represents a continuum between "no pain" and "worst pain."
Time frame: Screening visit, Day 8
Efficacy of adding lacosamide to opioid therapy for the treatment of abdominal pain due to CP by a 50% decrease in BPI-SF average pain score from the Screening visit to the Day 8 visit.
Brief Pain Inventory (BPI), short form average score - a 50% decrease in total score from Screening visit to Follow-up visit day 8 The BPI-SF is a validated self-reported tool that evaluates pain severity and pain interference with daily activities at the time of assessment. Possible scores for pain severity range from 0 to 10 (higher scores reflect more severe pain)
Time frame: Screening visit, Day 8
Efficacy of adding lacosamide to opioid therapy for the treatment of abdominal pain due to CP by a 50% decrease in total score of the Compat-SF pain severity from the Screening visit to Follow-up visit day 8.
Compat-SF total score - a 50% decrease in total score from Screening visit to Follow-up visit day 8 The COMPAT-SF is a validated self-reported tool specifically designed for patients with pancreatic disease. Scores for pain severity (average, worst, and least) range from 0 to 10 (higher corresponds to more pain); scores for pain triggers (including food, exercise, and thermal changes) are scored on a scale from never to always (never, rarely, sometimes, very often, always); scores for pain symptom characteristics (cramping, shooting, stabbing) are scored on a scale from 0 (none) to 10 (worst possible).
Time frame: Screening visit, Day 8
Efficacy of adding lacosamide to opioid therapy for the treatment of abdominal pain due to CP by a 25% decrease in morphine milligram equivalents (MME) of opioid use from the Screening visit to Follow-up visit day 8.
Opioid use will decrease by 25% from screening visit to Follow-up visit day 8. Patients will be asked to track all opioids taken on a drug diary from the screening visit through day 8 of study intervention. MME will be calculated to compare level of MME from screening visit to day 8.
Time frame: Screening visit, Day 8
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