Evaluation of Safety and Efficacy of rhNGF in Patients With Stage 2 and 3 Neurotrophic Keratitis. (REPARO)
Neurotrophic Keratitis, Keratitis, Corneal Ulcer
About this trial
This is an interventional treatment trial for Neurotrophic Keratitis focused on measuring Keratitis, Corneal Ulcer
Eligibility Criteria
Inclusion Criteria:
- Patients 18 years of age or older.
- Patients with stage 2 (persistent epithelial defect, PED) or stage 3 (corneal ulcer) neurotrophic keratitis involving only one eye. . Patients with Controlateral eye affected with stage 1 NK can be enrolled.
- PED or corneal ulceration of at least 2 weeks duration refractory to one or more conventional non-surgical treatments for neurotrophic keratitis (e.g., preservative-free artificial tears, gels or ointments; discontinuation of preserved topical drops and medications that can decrease corneal sensitivity; therapeutic contact lenses).
- Evidence of decreased corneal sensitivity (≤ 4 cm using the Cochet-Bonnet aesthesiometer) within the area of the PED or corneal ulcer and outside of the area of the defect in at least one corneal quadrant.
- Best corrected distance visual acuity (BCDVA) score ≤ 75 ETDRS letters, (≥ 0.2 LogMAR, ≤ 20/32 Snellen or ≤ 0.625 decimal fraction) in the affected eye.
- No objective clinical evidence of improvement in the PED or corneal ulceration within the 2 weeks prior to study enrolment.
- Only patients who satisfy all Informed Consent requirements may be included in the study. The patient and/or his/her legal representative must read, sign and date the Informed Consent document before any study-related procedures are performed. The Informed Consent form signed by patients and/or legal representative must have been approved by the IEC/IRB for the current study.
- Patients must have the ability and willingness to comply with study procedures.
- Patients must be eligible for the National Health Insurance (where applicable).
Exclusion Criteria:
- Patients with stage 2 or 3 NK affecting both eyes.
- Any active ocular infection (bacterial, viral, fungal or protozoal) or active ocular inflammation not related to NK in the affected eye.
- Any other ocular disease requiring topical ocular treatment in the affected eye during the course of the study treatment period. No topical treatments other than the study medications provided by the study sponsor or allowed by the study protocol can be administered in the affected eye during the course of the study treatment periods.
- Patients with severe vision loss in the affected eye with no potential for visual improvement in the opinion of the investigator as a result of the study treatment.
- Schirmer test without anesthesia ≤3 mm/5 minutes in the affected eye.
- Patients with severe blepharitis and/or severe meibomian gland disease in the affected eye.
- History of any ocular surgery (including laser or refractive surgical procedures) in the affected eye within the three months before study enrolment. (An exception to the preceding statement will be allowed if the ocular surgery is considered to be the cause of the stage 2 or 3 NK). Ocular surgery in the affected eye will not be allowed during the study treatment period and elective ocular surgery procedures should not be planned during the duration of the follow-up period.
- Prior surgical procedure(s) for the treatment of NK (e.g. complete tarsorraphy, conjunctival flap, etc) in the affected eye with the exception of amniotic membrane transplantation. Patients previously treated with amniotic membrane transplantation may only be enrolled two weeks after the membrane has disappeared within the area of the PED or corneal ulcer or at least six weeks after the date of the amniotic membrane transplantation procedure. Patients previously treated with Botox (botulinum toxin) injections used to induce pharmacologic blepharoptosis are eligible for enrolment only if the last injection was given at least 90 days prior to enrolment in the study.
- Use of therapeutic contact lenses or contact lens wear for refractive correction during the study treatment periods in the eye with NK.
- Anticipated need for punctual occlusion during the study treatment period. Patients with punctual occlusion or punctual plugs inserted prior to the study are eligible for enrolment provided that the punctual occlusion is maintained during the study.
- Evidence of corneal ulceration involving the posterior third of the corneal stroma, corneal melting or perforation in the affected eye.
- Presence or history of any ocular or systemic disorder or condition that might hinder the efficacy of the study treatment or its evaluation, could possibly interfere with the interpretation of study results, or could be judged by the investigator to be incompatible with the study visit schedule or conduct (e.g. progressive or degenerative corneal or retinal conditions, uveitis, optic neuritis, poorly controlled diabetes, autoimmune disease, systemic infection, neoplastic diseases).
- Any need for or anticipated change in the dose of systemic medications known to impair the function of the trigeminal nerve (e.g. neuroleptics, antipsychotic and antihistamine drugs). These treatments are allowed during the study if initiated prior to 30 days before study enrolment provided they remain stable throughout the course of the study treatment periods.
- Known hypersensitivity to one of the components of the study or procedural medications (e.g. fluorescein).
- History of drug, medication or alcohol abuse or addiction.
- Use of any investigational agent within 4 weeks of screening visit.
- Participation in another clinical study at the same time as the present study.
- Females of childbearing potential (those who are not surgically sterilized or post-menopausal for at least 1 year) are excluded from participation in the study if they meet any one of the following conditions: are currently pregnant or have a positive result on the urine pregnancy test at the Randomization Visit or intend to become pregnant during the study treatment period or are breast-feeding or not willing to use highly effective birth control measures, such as: Hormonal contraceptives -oral, implanted, transdermal, or injected and/or Mechanical barrier methods -spermicide in conjunction with a barrier such as a condom or diaphragm or IUD during the entire course of and 30 days after the study treatment periods.
Sites / Locations
- CHU de Dijon - Service ophtalmologie
- CHU Dupuytren - Service Ophtalmologie
- Centre Hospitalier National d'Ophtalmologie - Service d'ophtalmologie
- "Fondation Ophtalmologique Adolphe de Rothschild - "Unité de Recherche Clinique
- "CHU Toulouse-Purpan - Service Ophtalmologie
- University Eye Clinic in Düsseldorf
- Universitätsklinikum Erlangen
- Universitäts-Augenklinik Freiburg
- Universität zu Köln - Zentrum für Augenheilkunde am Universitätsklinikum Köln
- Johannes-Gutenberg-Universität Augenklinik und Poliklinik - Department of Ophthalmology
- Klinikum der Universität München - Augenklinik der Ludwig-Maximilians-Universtiät München
- OSPEDALE SAN RAFFAELE di Milano
- Università G. D' Annunzio - Clinica Oftalmologica - Centro regionale di Eccellenza in Oftalmologia
- Azienda Ospedaliero Universitaria Careggi
- Dipartimento di Scienze Neurologiche Oftalmologia e Genetica - Universtità di Genova
- Azienda Ospedaliero Universitaria di Messina - Dipartimento Specialità Chirurgiche Ambulatorio Studio delle Malattie dela Superficie Oculare Unità Operativa Complessa di Oftalmologia
- Azienda Ospedaliera San Paolo - U.O. Oculistica
- Azienda ospedaliera di Padova - Clinica Oculistica Policlinico 7° Piano
- Università Campus Bio-Medico di Roma
- Policlinico Umberto I
- District Railway Hospital Katowice - Department of Ophthalmology
- "SPKSO Szpital Okulistyczny ul. - SPKSO Szpital Okulistyczny
- Vissum Corporación Oftalmológica de Alicante
- Hospital de Cruces - Oftalmología
- Barraquer Eye center
- Hospital Clinic de Barcelona - Oftalmología
- Hospital Clínico San Carlos - Oftalmología. Unidad de Superficie Ocular
- Instituto Oftalmológico Fernández-Vega - Oftalmología
- Cartuja Visión - Oftalmología
- University of Birmingham - Academic Unit of Ophthalmology, School of Immunity and Infection, College of Medical and Dental Sciences, University of Birmingham
- Moorfields Eye Hospital - Moorfields Eye Hospital
- Manchester Royal Eye Hospital - Manchester Royal Eye Hospital
- Royal Victoria Infirmary - Dept. of Ophthalmology
- University of Southampton Southampton General Hospital - MP104, Eye Unit
Arms of the Study
Arm 1
Arm 2
Arm 3
Arm 4
Arm 5
Arm 6
Experimental
Experimental
Placebo Comparator
Experimental
Experimental
Placebo Comparator
1_rhNGF10_Phase 1_treatment
2_rhNGF20_Phase 1_treatment
3_vehicle group_Phase 1_treatment
4_rhNGF10_Phase 2_treatment
5_rhNGF20_Phase 2_treatment
6_vehicle group_Phase 2_treatment
active treatment with rhNGF 10 μg/ml. One drop six times a day (one 35 μl drop equals to 0.35μg of rhNGF).
active treatment with rhNGF 20 μg/ml. One drop 6 times a day (one 35 μl drop equals to 0.70 μg of rhNGF)
vehicle control arm. Ophthalmic solution of the same composition as the test product with the exception of rhNGF. One drop six times a day for the entire period
active treatment with rhNGF 10 μg/ml. One drop six times a day (one 35 μl drop equals to 0.35 μg of rhNGF)
active treatment with rhNGF 20 μg/ml. One drop 6 times a day (one 35 μl drop equals to 0.70 μg of rhNGF)
vehicle control arm. Ophthalmic solution of the same composition as the test product with the exception of rhNGF. One drop six times a day for the entire period