NCT04047628

Best Available Therapy Versus Autologous Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplant for Multiple Sclerosis (BEAT-MS)

A Multicenter Randomized Controlled Trial of Best Available Therapy Versus Autologous Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplant for Treatment-Resistant Relapsing Multiple Sclerosis (ITN077AI)

• Status: Recruiting
• Phase: Phase 3
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 156 (estimated)
• Sponsor: National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) · NIH
• Sex: All
• Age: 18 Years – 55 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Not accepted

Summary

This is a multi-center prospective rater-masked (blinded) randomized controlled trial of 156 participants, comparing the treatment strategy of Autologous Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation (AHSCT) to the treatment strategy of Best Available Therapy (BAT) for treatment-resistant relapsing multiple sclerosis (MS). Participants will be randomized at a 1 to 1 (1:1) ratio. All participants will be followed for 72 months after randomization (Day 0, Visit 0).

Detailed description

Participant recruitment for this six-year research study focuses on multiple sclerosis (MS) that has remained active despite treatment. This study will compare high dose immunosuppression followed by autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (AHSCT) to best available therapy (BAT) in the treatment of relapsing MS. MS is a disease caused by one's own immune cells. Normally, immune cells fight infection. In MS, immune cells called T cells, or chemical products made by immune cells, react against the covering or coat (myelin) of nerve fibers in the brain and spinal cord. This leads to stripping the coat from certain nerve fibers (demyelination), and this causes neurologic problems. MS can cause loss of vision, weakness or incoordination, loss or changes in sensation, problems with thinking or memory, problems controlling urination, and other disabilities. Most individuals with MS first have immune attacks (called relapses) followed by periods of stability. Over time, MS can have episodes of new and worsening symptoms, ranging from mild to disabling. This is called relapsing MS. Relapsing MS includes relapsing remitting MS (RRMS) and secondary progressive MS (SPMS). There are medicines (drugs) to decrease relapses, but these are neither considered to be curative nor, to induce prolonged remissions without continuing therapy. More than a dozen medicines have been approved for the treatment of relapsing forms of MS. These medicines differ in how safe they are and how well they work. Despite availability of an increasing number of effective medicines, some individuals with relapsing MS do not respond to treatment. Research is being conducted to find other treatments. High dose immunosuppression followed by autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (AHSCT) has been shown to help relapsing MS in cases where medicines did not work. AHSCT involves collecting stem cells, which are produced in the bone marrow. These stem cells are "mobilized" to leave the bone marrow and move into the blood where they can be collected and stored. Participants will then receive chemotherapy intended to kill immune cells. One's own stored (frozen) stem cells are then given back, through an infusion. This "transplant" of one's stem cells allows the body to form new immune cells in order to restore their immune system. New research suggest that MS might be better controlled with AHSCT than with medicines.

Conditions

• Relapsing Multiple Sclerosis
• Relapsing Remitting Multiple Sclerosis
• Secondary Progressive Multiple Sclerosis

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
PROCEDURE	Autologous Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation	1. PBSC mobilization \& collection regimen per protocol/ institutional standards includes: intravenous cyclophosphamide (Cytoxan®), 4 grams/m\^2); intravenous mesna (Mesnex®),a total delivery of 4 grams/m\^2); oral dexamethasone, 10 mg dose, four times daily); subcutaneous filgrastim,10 mcg/kg/day until leukapheresis goal is completed; and CD34+ peripheral blood stem cells collection by leukapheresis. 2. Conditioning per protocol\& institutional standards: * 6-day BEAM (e.g. Carmustine (BCNU), Etoposide (VP-16), Cytarbine (Ara-C), and Melphalan) chemotherapy protocol and, * rabbit anti-thymocyte globulin (rATG) 2.5 mg/kg/day x2 3. Autologous cryopreserved graft infusion: The target Cluster of Differentiation (CD)34+ cell dose for infusion is 5 x 10\^6 CD34+ cells/kg (minimum 4 x 10\^6 CD34+ cells/kg; maximum 7.5 x 10\^6 CD34+ cells/kg). For 1\&2 above: Ideal body weight (IBW) versus Actual Body Weight (ABW) are applicable.
BIOLOGICAL	Best Available Therapy (BAT)	Disease-modifying therapy (DMT) selected by the Site Investigator from the below: * cladribine * natalizumab * alemtuzumab * ocrelizumab, * rituximab, * ofatumumab, or * ublituximab

Timeline

• Start date: 2019-12-19
• Primary completion: 2026-10-01
• Completion: 2029-10-01
• First posted: 2019-08-07
• Last updated: 2026-01-06

Locations

22 sites across 1 country: United States

Regulatory

• FDA-regulated drug study