Collaboration with multiple sclerosis (MS) specialty colleagues led us to formulate the central hypothesis that Siponimod could lower the rate of brain atrophy in Alzheimer's disease (AD) subjects. To test our central hypothesis, we will carry out an 18-month Phase II, double-blind, randomized, twoarmed, placebo controlled, proof-of-concept clinical study in early AD subjects (i.e. mild AD) who will be receiving an escalating dose of Siponimod or placebo in the ratio 2:1 for 12 months, followed by a 6-month washout period. The primary outcome measures are safety and tolerability of Siponimod in mild AD subjects. The secondary outcome measures are the rates of brain atrophy derived from volumetric MRI (vMRI) as a proxy for neurodegeneration conducted at baseline, 6, 12, and 18 months. The tertiary outcome measures are the changes in cognition and the levels of AD-associated (e.g., Aβ and tau) and inflammatory biomarkers in CSF after Siponimod exposure. In an exploratory effort, we will also measure plasma inflammatory markers during the entire duration of the study to investigate whether one or more of these markers can be used as dynamic surrogate markers of treatment response. Using our unique experience with the repurposing of immunomodulatory drugs for AD (and NCT #04032626), in the present project we are using elements of clinical trial design that we believe were successful and made some adjustments to fit the pharmacologic and toxic properties of Siponimod.
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disorder with several complex neuropathologies suspected to develop sequentially but that overlap over time as symptoms progress to dementia. Thus, to be effective, future intervention strategies will likely require combination therapies or pleiotropic agents to tackle several AD molecular pathogenic pathways simultaneously. For more than a decade, our group has been exploring the repurposing of immunomodulators for AD. Recent discussions with collaborators who specialize in multiple sclerosis suggest that sphingosine-1-phosphate receptor (S1PR) modulators are strong candidates for repurposing in AD. Indeed, S1PR modulators are blood brain barrier (BBB) penetrant and display pleiotropic actions, including immunomodulation and neuroprotective properties. S1P is a versatile endogenous molecule that regulates several signaling pathways by binding to five G-protein-coupled receptors, which are expressed in high levels in cardiac, vascular, immune, and brain cells. This widespread localization of S1PR was the historical basis for Novartis Pharmaceuticals, Inc, to develop oral formulations of S1PR modulators for multiple sclerosis (MS), which proved successful and resulted in two marketed oral compounds (i.e., fingolimod and Siponimod). In the present project, we intend to collaborate with Novartis to use the most recently FDA-approved S1PR modulator, Siponimod. Based on MS and animal experimentation literature, we hypothesize that Siponimod could alter the rate of neurodegeneration as measured by lowering the rate of brain atrophy in mild AD dementia subjects. In this Phase II, proof-of-concept, translational clinical study, mild AD dementia subjects will be randomized 2:1 and will receive gradual titration regimen of Siponimod starting at 0.25mg/day and increasing up to final dosage of 1 mg/day (N=70) or placebo (N=35) for 12 months. This will be followed by a 6-month washout period. Siponimod has demonstrated positive immunomodulatory and neuroprotective actions in MS patients, and because its toxicity profile is favorable for use in older individuals, Siponimod has a strong potential to alter markers of mild AD dementia pathology and disease trajectory.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
QUADRUPLE
Enrollment
105
Siponimod (formerly known as BAF312 and completed trial NCT #01665144) has been FDA approved since 2019 (IND #076122) for the treatment of multiple sclerosis. Siponimod is an immunomodulator that prevents the egression of T lymphocytes from peripheral lymphoid organs.
A placebo that resembles siponimod will be given once daily to participants randomly assigned into the placebo arm.
St. Joseph's Hospital and Medical Center
Phoenix, Arizona, United States
Monitoring and recording of all adverse events (AEs) and serious adverse events (SAEs)
To evaluate the safety and tolerability of Siponimod titrated for up to 12 months and washed out for 6 months in mild AD subjects. (Subjects will receive gradual titration regimen of Siponimod starting at 0.25mg/day and increasing every two weeks by 0.25 mg, up to final dosage of 1 mg/day.) Safety will be assessed at each study visit through completion of comprehensive tests and procedures aimed at monitoring for potentials adverse events (AEs). Study staff will also gather direct reports from subjects regarding any adverse events.
Time frame: 18 months
Rates of brain atrophy
The secondary outcome measures are the rates of brain atrophy derived from volumetric MRI (vMRI) as a proxy for neurodegeneration conducted at baseline. The aim is to assess the medical benefits of the drug in mild AD dementia subjects by assessing whether brain atrophy slows with Siponimod treatment 1 mg/day titrated for up to 12 months. (Subjects will receive gradual titration regimen of Siponimod starting at 0.25mg/day and increasing every two weeks by 0.25 mg, up to final dosage of 1 mg/day.) Subjects will undergo volumetric MRI (vMRI) measurements of the hippocampus, cortical thickness, and global thickness as indicators of neurodegeneration.
Time frame: 12 months
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