Retinitis pigmentosa (RP) is a rare inherited retinal degenerative disease that causes progressive visual field loss and vision impairment, often leading to blindness. Currently, there are limited treatment options capable of slowing disease progression for the majority of patients with RP. Preclinical studies have suggested that retinal inflammation, particularly the activity of inflammatory monocytes and macrophages, may contribute to photoreceptor degeneration. ULREA-PVS-NP is a novel intravenous formulation consisting of pitavastatin encapsulated in poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) nanoparticles, developed to target inflammatory pathways associated with retinal degeneration. Preclinical studies demonstrated suppression of inflammatory monocyte/macrophage activity and preservation of photoreceptors in animal models of RP. This is a single-center, open-label, investigator-initiated Phase 1 study designed to evaluate the safety of intravenous ULREA-PVS-NP in adults with RP. The study consists of two parts. In Part 1, participants will receive a single intravenous infusion of ULREA-PVS-NP at escalating dose levels (2 mg, 4 mg, or 8 mg) to evaluate safety and tolerability. Following review of safety data, Part 2 will evaluate repeated administration of the highest dose considered safe in Part 1, given once every four weeks for a total of three administrations. The primary objective is to evaluate the safety of ULREA-PVS-NP by assessing the incidence of adverse events. Secondary objectives include characterization of pharmacokinetic profiles, evaluation of changes in clinical laboratory tests and vital signs, and exploratory assessment of ophthalmologic outcomes and inflammatory biomarkers.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
NA
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
21
ULREA-PVS-NP is a poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) nanoparticle formulation containing pitavastatin and administered intravenously. Part 1 is a single ascending-dose study in which participants receive a single intravenous administration of ULREA-PVS-NP at dose levels equivalent to 2 mg, 4 mg, or 8 mg of pitavastatin. Part 2 is a multiple-dose study in which participants receive repeated intravenous administrations at the highest dose level shown to be safe in Part 1.
Incidence of adverse events
Time frame: Part1: 28 days, Part2: 84 days
Time course of drug concentrations of pitavastatin and pitavastatin lactone in plasma.
Time frame: 47 hours after the end of administration of the investigational drug
Urinary excretion of pitavastatin, pitavastatin lactone, and pitavastatin conjugates in urine.
Time frame: 24 hours after the start of administration of the investigational drug
Changes from baseline (pre-investigational product administration) in body temperature.
Time frame: Part1: 28 days, Part2: 84 days
Changes from baseline (pre-investigational product administration) in blood pressure.
Time frame: Part1: 28 days, Part2: 84 days
Changes from baseline (pre-investigational product administration) in pulse rate.
Time frame: Part1: 28 days, Part2: 84 days
Changes from baseline (pre-investigational product administration) in transcutaneous arterial oxygen saturation.
Time frame: Part1: 28 days, Part2: 84 days
Changes from baseline (at screening) in ETDRS visual acuity letter score.
Assessed using the Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study (ETDRS) visual acuity letter score. Scores range from 0 to 100 letters, with higher scores indicating better visual acuity.
Time frame: Part1: 28 days, Part2: 84 days
Changes from baseline (at screening) in OCT Ellipsoid Zone length.
Ellipsoid zone length will be assessed by optical coherence tomography (OCT). The outcome measure is the change in ellipsoid zone length from baseline (screening) at each scheduled assessment time point. A longer ellipsoid zone length is generally considered to reflect better preservation of photoreceptor structure.
Time frame: Part1: 28 days, Part2: 84 days
Changes from baseline (at screening) in autofluorescence examination / fluorescent ring area.
Time frame: Part1: 28 days, Part2: 84 days
Changes from baseline (at screening) in Humphrey 10-2 visual field analyzer / central 4-point mean sensitivity.
Visual field sensitivity will be assessed using the Humphrey Field Analyzer 10-2 program. The outcome measure is the change from baseline (screening) in the mean sensitivity of the central 4 test points, expressed in decibels (dB), at each scheduled assessment time point. Higher values indicate greater visual field sensitivity and better visual function.
Time frame: Part1: 28 days, Part2: 84 days
Changes from baseline (at screening) in Humphrey 10-2 visual field analyzer / central 12-point mean sensitivity
Visual field sensitivity will be assessed using the Humphrey Field Analyzer 10-2 program. The outcome measure is the change from baseline (screening) in the mean sensitivity of the central 12 test points, expressed in decibels (dB), at each scheduled assessment time point. Higher values indicate greater visual field sensitivity and better visual function.
Time frame: Part1: 28 days, Part2: 84 days
Changes from baseline (at screening) in Humphrey 10-2 visual field analyzer / MD value.
Visual field sensitivity will be assessed using the Humphrey Field Analyzer 10-2 program. The outcome measure is the change from baseline (screening) in mean deviation (MD), expressed in decibels (dB), at each scheduled assessment time point. Mean deviation represents the average difference in visual field sensitivity compared with age-matched normal values. Higher (less negative) MD values indicate better visual field function.
Time frame: Part1: 28 days, Part2: 84 days
Changes from baseline (at screening) in Humphrey 10-2 visual field analyzer / functional transition points (FTP) retinal sensitivity
Visual field sensitivity will be assessed using the Humphrey Field Analyzer 10-2 program. Functional transition points (FTPs) are predefined at baseline as retinal test locations demonstrating a sensitivity gradient of at least 7 dB between adjacent points from the central visual field. FTP retinal sensitivity is calculated as the mean retinal sensitivity (dB) of qualifying FTP locations according to the prespecified algorithm. The outcome measure is the change from baseline (screening) in FTP retinal sensitivity at each scheduled assessment time point. Higher values indicate better retinal sensitivity.
Time frame: Part1: 28 days, Part2: 84 days
Changes from baseline (at screening) in anterior chamber flare value.
Anterior chamber flare will be assessed by laser flare photometry. The outcome measure is the change from baseline (screening) in anterior chamber flare value at each scheduled assessment time point. Anterior chamber flare reflects the level of protein leakage into the aqueous humor and is an indicator of intraocular inflammation and blood-aqueous barrier disruption. Lower values generally indicate less intraocular inflammation.
Time frame: Part1: 28 days, Part2: 84 days
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