AFQ056 for Language Learning in Children With FXS (FX-LEARN)
Fragile X Syndrome
About this trial
This is an interventional treatment trial for Fragile X Syndrome
Eligibility Criteria
Inclusion Criteria
- Age 32 months to 6 years inclusive at Screening (visit 1).
Has an FMR1 full mutation.
**Note Presence of mosaicism is allowed
- DQ<75 calculated from the Mullen Scales of Early Learning at time of screening.
Parent or legal guardian is available and able to communicate well with the investigator, comply with study requirements and provide written informed consent.
**Note**The Parent or legal guardian who will be signing consent form, should be the individual administering the language intervention
- English is the primary language spoken in the home and the subject's first language is English.
Meet criteria indicating evidence of intentional communication based on parent interview via a communication eligibility screening tool.
**Note** On the Eligibility Screening Tool - Communication, the child must have at time of screening:
Section 1: Answer of YES; the child uses at least 5 spoken words to label items on a daily basis.
OR
- Section 2: At least 3 YES answers to items 1-10 if child does not have at least 5 spoken words.
Produces 3 or more intentional acts of communication on the structured portion of the Weighted Communication play sample at time of screening.
**Note: subjects are permitted to use augmentative communication devices throughout the study if the device is the subject's primary form of communication and the device has been prescribed for the subject by an SLP.
Stable behavioral and other therapy regimen for 30 days prior to screening.
**Note: Patients will be allowed to continue their standard of care therapies throughout the trial but these will not be changed during the placebo lead in or placebo controlled portion of the trial, outside of the standard changes occurring from school schedules.
Stable dosing of all concurrent psychotropic medications except stimulants for at least 60 days prior to screening. Due to the very short half-life of stimulants (specifically methylphenidate and amphetamine variants), a stable regimen of these medications is required for 2 weeks only.
- Note** Medications impacting GABA, glutamate and/or mGluR5 pathway receptors are exclusionary and not permitted during study participation. Additionally, stimulant regimens may include combinations of short- and long-acting forms and may be taken with different timing or dosing on different days of the week (e.g. Doses may be skipped on weekends or days off school and extra doses may be given some days for therapy sessions later in the day). The intent is to keep the doses and regimen being used at the time of screening consistent during the trial even if there is some variation in how the medication is taken on different days.Use of CBD oil or hemp based substances legal for sale over the internet are allowed provided that the dosing regimen has been consistent for at least 60 days prior to screening and will remain the same throughout the trial.
Exclusion Criteria
Use of medications impacting GABA, glutamate and/or mGluR5 pathway receptors or transmission.
- Note** Treatment with acamprosate, amantadine, budipine, carbetocin, cycloserine, dextromethorphan, felbamate, ketamine, lithium, minocycline, memantine, oxytocin, remacemide, racemic baclofen, riluzole, fycampa, investigational mGluR5 medications, and/or statins are exclusionary.
- Note** Lithium taken as a dietary supplement is permitted if the dose is less than 5mg/day. A 5mg/day dose is the recommended dietary intake level, and therefore is not considered to be therapeutic. Lithium dosage must remain the same throughout the duration of the trial and documented in the concomitant medication log.
Unstable seizure disorder as defined by any seizure in the 6 months prior to the screening visit, and/or any change in anti-convulsant drug dosing in the 60 days prior to screening.
**Note** Use of levetiracetam and oxcarbazepine are among permitted anticonvulsants.
- Use of any other investigational drug at the time of enrollment or within 30 days or 5 half-lives (whichever is longer) of the investigational drug prior to screening until end of study visits (or longer if required by local regulations).
- History of hypersensitivity to AFQ056 or any mGluR antagonist.
- History or presence of any clinically significant disease of any major system organ class, within the past 2 years prior to screening including but not limited to neurological, cardiovascular, endocrine, metabolic, renal, or gastrointestinal disorders. This does not include typical features of FXS such as psychological symptoms or history of epileptic seizures.
- Significant acute illness that did not completely resolve at least four weeks prior to the Screening visit.
- Abnormal laboratory values at screening that are in the opinion of the investigator are clinically significant and may jeopardize the safety of the study subject.
- Use of (or use within at least 5 half-lives before dosing) concomitant medications that are strong/moderate inhibitors or inducers of CYP1A1/2, CYP2C9/19 or CYP3A4 (see Appendix B).
- Subjects who are, in the opinion of the investigator, unable to comply with the requirements of the study.
- Presence of immunodeficiency diseases at the time of screening, based on medical history, including a positive HIV test result.
- History of a positive Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) or Hepatitis C result at time of screening.
- History or presence of suicidal thoughts and/or suicide attempts.
Sites / Locations
- Univeristy of California - Davis
- Children's Hospital of Colorado
- Yale University
- Children's National Medical Center
- Emory University
- Rush University Medical Center
- Boston Children's Hospital
- St Louis Children's Hospital (Washington University School of Medicine)
- Columbia University - New York Presbyterian
- Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center
- Nationwide Children's Hospital
- Children's Hospital of Philadelphia
- Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh
- Vanderbilt University Medical Center
Arms of the Study
Arm 1
Arm 2
Arm 3
Experimental
Placebo Comparator
Experimental
Double-Blind AFQ056 with language intervention
Double-Blind Placebo with language intervention
Open-Label AFQ056 with language intervention
After a 4-month single-blind placebo lead-in period, subjects with FXS were randomized to receive AFQ056 suspension by mouth twice per day in an 8 month double-blind treatment period. During the double-blind treatment period, subjects in the AFQ056 treatment group began with a dose of 25 mg AFQ056 twice per day and titrated to their maximum tolerated dose over the course of 7 weeks. After 7 weeks the dose was fixed, and at the 2 month visit, the intensive language intervention was initiated. Subjects continued the language intervention while remaining on a stable dose of AFQ056 (ranging from 12.5 mg BID to 100 mg BID), for the next 6 months. Safety and efficacy assessments were performed throughout.
After a 4-month single-blind placebo lead-in period, subjects with FXS were randomized to receive a placebo suspension by mouth twice per day in an 8 month double-blind treatment period. During the double-blind treatment period, dose titration to maximum tolerated dose of matching placebo occurred over 7 weeks. After 7 weeks, the dose was fixed, and at the 2 month visit, the intensive language intervention was initiated. Subjects continued the language intervention while remaining on placebo for the next 6 months. Safety and efficacy assessments were performed throughout.
After 8 months of treatment in the placebo-controlled phase, all subjects had assessments completed and were given the opportunity to enter the open-label extension (OLE) in which all subjects received AFQ056. The OLE began with 2 months of flexible dose titration to each subject's maximum tolerated dose followed by a period of stable treatment. Subjects also continued the language intervention through the extension phase. The duration of the stable treatment depended on when the subject was enrolled into the study. Those enrolled prior to June 15-30, 2019 received a 6-month period of stable treatment. Those enrolled after June 15, 2019 had their period of stable treatment shortened on a sliding scale, such that their treatment including weaning, if necessary, ended before August 31, 2021 (study drug expiration).