This is a multicenter, randomized, controlled, double-blind, and non-inferiority clinical trial to compare the efficacy of sequential to initial combination therapy in patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). Ambrisentan and Tadalafil will be used in the study. Our research hypothesis is that the efficacy of sequential combination therapy in PAH patients is not inferior to the initial combination therapy as the primary efficacy endpoint is the change in 6MWD at month 12 from baseline.
This is a multicenter, randomized, controlled, double-blind, and non-inferiority clinical trial to compare the efficacy of sequential to initial combination therapy in symptomatic patients with PAH (WHO functional class I-III) and assessed as low-risk or moderate-risk based on 2022 ESC/ERS risk stratification. Subjects must not have previously received chronic PAH therapy (i.e., prostanoids, ERAs, or PDE-5 inhibitors) within 4 weeks prior to Screening. Treatment Escalation 1\. The investigators will conduct a risk stratification assessment based on COMPERA 2.0 every 4 months, i.e. at month 4, 8, and 12. 2\. If the patient meets the low-risk criteria, their current treatment regimen will be maintained, and both the patient and the investigator will be unaware of the specific regimen. 3\. If the patient does not meet the low-risk criteria: 1. No clinical failure events have occurred: The first step is to escalate to blinded dual therapy. 1. The investigator initiates a request for blinded dual therapy, and the pharmacist informs the investigator that the treatment plan has been upgraded as requested. 2. If the patient is currently on mono therapy, the pharmacist will escalate the regimen to dual therapy. 3. If the patient is currently in the initial combination therapy group or has already escalated to blinded dual therapy, the pharmacist will maintain the current dual therapy regimen. 2. If any clinical failure event occurs at any time, as determined by the Clinical Event Evaluation Committee: 1. Escalate to blinded dual therapy as described above 2. Or add prostacyclin analogue 3. Or add IP receptor agonist 4. Or transition of Tadalafil to Riociguat 5. Or add Sotatercept Primary efficacy endpoint is exercise capacity, as the change in 6MWD at month 12 from baseline. Secondary efficacy endpoints will include time to clinical failure events during the 12-month treatment period, and others detailed in outcome measures. Study duration will be approximately 4 years. A non-inferiority test will be conducted based on the mean difference and 95% CI of the change in 6MWD between groups after 12 months of treatment following randomization. An unblinded, external, independent DSMB will monitor participants' data and safety throughout the course of the study.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
QUADRUPLE
Enrollment
376
Target dose 40 mg OD
Target dose 10 mg OD
Ambrisentan mimic will switch to Ambrisentan if low risk status was not achived at month 4, or 8, or 12.
Tadalafil mimic will switch to Tadalafil if low risk status was not achived at month 4, or 8, or 12.
The Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine
Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
RECRUITINGThe change of 6MWD at month 12 from baseline
The 6MWD was the distance walked in 6 minutes as a measure of functional capacity. This was assessed using the 6-minute walk test (6MWT).
Time frame: Baseline and Month 12
Time to clinical failure events during the 12-month treatment period.
Definition of Clinical Failure Events: 1. Death (all-cause) 2. Hospitalization due to worsening PAH (adjudicated) 1. Any hospitalization for worsening 2. PAH Lung or heart/lung transplantation 3. Atrial septostomy 4. Initiation of parenteral prostanoid therapy 5. Need to initiate rescue therapy <!-- --> 1. Switch Tadalafil to Macitentan 2. Add Selexipag 3. Add Sotatercept 3. Disease progression (adjudicated) 1. Decrease in 6MWD of more than 15% from baseline 2. Concurrent presence of WHO functional class III or IV symptoms (continuously observed in follow-up after baseline with at least 14 days apart) 4. Unsatisfactory long-term clinical response (Adjudicated, all criteria must be met) 1. Receiving at least one dose of randomized treatment and being in the study for at least 6 months 2. A decrease in 6MWD from baseline in two assessments separated by at least 14 days 3. WHO functional class III symptoms assessed at two visits separated by \> 6 months
Time frame: During the 12-month treatment period
Low-risk status achievement rates.
Risk stratification will be assess according to COMPERA 2.0, which includes WHO functional class, 6MWD, and BNP or NT-proBNP.
Time frame: Month 4, 8 and 12
The change of NT-proBNP at month 12 from baseline
NT-proBNP is a circulating biomarker that reflects cardiac afterload, this will be measured by central lab.
Time frame: Baseline and Month 12
The change of WHO functional class at month 12 from baseline
WHO functional classification for PAH ranges from Class I (no limitation in physical activity, no dyspnea with normal activity), Class II (slight limitation of physical activity), Class III (marked limitation of physical activity) and Class IV (cannot perform a physical activity without any symptoms, dyspnea at rest).
Time frame: Baseline and Month 12
The change of pulmonary vascular resistance at month 12 from baseline
Pulmonary vascular resistance is a hemodynamic variable of pulmonary circulation and was measured by right heart catheterization.
Time frame: Baseline and Month 12
Percentage of subjects receiving mono, dual or triple therapy
Time frame: Month 4, 8, and 12
Percentage of subjects with satisfactory clinical response
1. An increase of 10% in 6MWD compared to baseline. 2. Improvement or maintenance of WHO class I or II symptoms. 3. No clinical failure events occurring during the study.
Time frame: Month 8, and 12
The change of EmPHasis-10 score from baseline
The EmPHasis-10 questionnaire is used during clinical assessments to estimate how pulmonary hypertension affects patients' life (range: 0=no impact to 5=severe impact). A higher score indicated more severe impact.
Time frame: Baseline, Month 4, 8, and 12
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