NCT01785979

Prednisone Plus Chloroquine for the Treatment of Hyper-reactive Malarial Splenomegaly

Prednisone Plus Chloroquine Versus Chloroquine for the Treatment of Hyper-reactive Malarial Splenomegaly in Papua New Guinea: a Randomized Open-label Trial

• Status: Withdrawn
• Phase: Phase 3
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 0 (actual)
• Sponsor: Lihir Medical Centre · Academic / Other
• Sex: All
• Age: 18 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Not accepted

Summary

This randomized clinical trial will address a complication related to recurrent episodes of malaria in endemic areas - hyper-reactive malarial splenomegaly. We aim to assess the efficacy of chloroquine after prednisone-induction therapy compared to standard treatment of chloroquine alone in the treatment of adult patients with newly diagnosed hyper-reactive malarial splenomegaly.

Detailed description

Hyper-reactive malarious splenomegaly (HMS) is a known chronic autoimmune complication in areas where malaria is endemic. Patients with HMS complain most commonly of abdominal swelling or pain from the enlarged spleen and the condition is defined using clear clinical and laboratory criteria. HMS appears benign in most patients when seen first but if untreated, it leads to severe anaemia and also acute bacterial infections. There is familiar and ethnic clustering suggesting genetic basis. High prevalence rates have been reported in certain areas of Papua New Guinea, and Venezuela, and HMS is also common in parts of sub-Saharan Africa, including Sudan and Ghana. The treatment of HMS is still empirical since no randomized trials have been done so far. Long term anti-malarial chemoprophylaxis is deemed the mainstay of therapy, but the optimal drug-regimen and duration are unknown. Three to six months may pass before a response is observed, and relapses may occur when therapy is discontinued. On the basis of the observed benefit in experimental studies, glucocorticoids have been used for severe hyper-reactive malarial splenomegaly in various case reports. Because these cases had a favourable outcome and the drug tolerability was good, prednisone has become an attractive therapeutic option for this disease. Central to the pathophysiology of HMS is the overproduction of Immunoglobulin M due to a functional CD8 T-cell defect and the consequent expansion and activation of B lymphocytes. Glucocorticoids may have an immediate effect due to inhibition of the sequestration of immunoglobulin coated red blood cells by the mononuclear phagocyte system and a later effect due to glucocorticoid-induced inhibition of antibody synthesis. We aim to assess the efficacy of chloroquine after prednisone-induction therapy compared to chloroquine alone in the treatment of adult patients with newly diagnosed hyper-reactive malarial splenomegaly.

Conditions

• Hyper-reactive Malarial Splenomegaly
• Malaria
• Anaemia

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
DRUG	prednisone induction - chloroquine	At study entry, the patients will undergo physical examination and laboratory tests, including blood cell count, malaria microscopy, immune-chromatographic test for malaria antigen, malaria serology titers, and serum protein studies with immunoglobulin M quantification, immune-fixation and immunoglobulin free light chains measurement. We will assess all participants at 1, 3, 6 and 12 months after enrollment. Clinical examination and routine laboratory tests are done every 3 months during the follow-up period. Immunoglobulin M quantification and malaria serology are done at baseline, and at month 12 visit.
DRUG	Chloroquine	At study entry, the patients will undergo physical examination and laboratory tests, including blood cell count, malaria microscopy, immune-chromatographic test for malaria antigen, malaria serology titers, and serum protein studies with immunoglobulin M quantification, immune-fixation and immunoglobulin free light chains measurement. We will assess all participants at 1, 3, 6 and 12 months after enrollment. Clinical examination and routine laboratory tests are done every 3 months during the follow-up period. Immunoglobulin M quantification and malaria serology are done at baseline, and at month 12 visit.

Timeline

• Start date: 2016-01-01
• Primary completion: 2017-02-01
• Completion: 2017-02-01
• First posted: 2013-02-07
• Last updated: 2015-11-13

Locations

1 site across 1 country: Papua New Guinea