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Safety and Efficacy of Oral Full-Spectrum Medicinal Cannabis Plant Extract in Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder.

Primary Purpose

Autism Spectrum Disorder

Status
Active
Phase
Phase 1
Locations
Australia
Study Type
Interventional
Intervention
FEN164
Sponsored by
Fenix Innovation Group
About
Eligibility
Locations
Arms
Outcomes
Full info

About this trial

This is an interventional treatment trial for Autism Spectrum Disorder

Eligibility Criteria

8 Years - 17 Years (Child)All SexesDoes not accept healthy volunteers

Inclusion Criteria:

  • Participant is aged 8 years to 17 years (inclusive)
  • Participant is at a healthy weight at the discretion of the Principal Investigator.
  • Parents or caregivers can give informed consent for participation in the trial with assent from individuals with autism.
  • Participants can comply with trial requirements.
  • According the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th Edition (DSM-5) criteria the participant has a diagnosis of Level 2 or 3 Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) confirmed by Autism Diagnostic Observational Schedule (ADOS-2) criteria
  • All treatments including medications and therapies for ASD related symptoms must have been stable for 4 weeks before enrolment and for the duration of the trial wherever possible.
  • Participants must be able to swallow liquid.
  • Consent giver must be able to understand the requirements of the study.

Exclusion Criteria:

  • Current diagnosis of bipolar disorder, psychosis, schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, or active major depression
  • Has a diagnosis other than ASD that dominates the clinical presentation (e.g., Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder [ADHD])
  • Has a degenerative condition
  • Changes in anticonvulsive therapy within the last 12 weeks
  • Taking omeprazole, lansoprazole, tolbutamide, warfarin, sirolimus, everolimus, temsirolimus, tacrolimus, clobazam, repaglinide, pioglitazone, rosiglitazone, montelukast, bupropion, or efavirenz
  • Currently using or has used recreational or medicinal cannabis, cannabinoid-based medications (including Sativex®, or Epidiolex®) within the 12 weeks prior to screening and is unwilling to abstain for the duration of the trial
  • Participant has any known or suspected hypersensitivity to cannabinoids or any of the excipients
  • Participant has moderately impaired hepatic function at screening, defined as serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) or aspartate aminotransferase (AST) > 2 × upper limit of normal (ULN) or total bilirubin (TBL) > 2 × ULN. This criterion can only be confirmed once the laboratory results are available; participants enrolled into the trial who are later found to meet this criterion must be screen-failed.
  • Participant is male and fertile (i.e., after puberty unless permanently sterile by bilateral orchidectomy) unless willing to ensure that they use male contraception (condom) or remain sexually abstinent during the trial and for 12 weeks thereafter.
  • Participant is female and with childbearing potential (i.e., following menarche and until becoming postmenopausal for ≥ 12 consecutive months unless permanently sterile by hysterectomy, bilateral salpingectomy, or bilateral oophorectomy) unless willing to ensure that they use a highly effective method of birth control (e.g., hormonal contraception, intrauterine device/hormone-releasing system, bilateral tubal occlusion, vasectomized partner, sexual abstinence) during the trial and for 12 weeks thereafter.
  • Female participant who is pregnant (positive pregnancy test), lactating or planning pregnancy during the course of the trial or within 12 weeks thereafter.
  • Participant had brain surgery or traumatic brain injury within 1 year of screening.
  • Participant has any other significant disease or disorder which, in the opinion of the investigator, may either put the participant, other participants, or site staff at risk because of participation in the trial, may influence the result of the trial, or may affect the participant's ability to take part in the trial.
  • Any abnormalities identified following a physical examination of the participant that, in the opinion of the investigator, would jeopardize the safety of the participant if they took part in the trial
  • Any history of suicidal behaviour (lifelong) or any suicidal ideation of type 4 or 5 on the Columbia-Suicide Severity Rating Scale (C-SSRS) in the last 4 weeks or at screening or randomization
  • Participant has donated blood during the past 12 weeks and is unwilling to abstain from donation of blood during the trial.
  • Participant has any known or suspected history of alcohol or substance abuse or positive drugs of abuse test at screening (not justified by a known concurrent medication).
  • Participant has previously been enrolled into this trial.
  • Participant has plans to travel outside their country of residence during the trial, unless the participant has confirmation that the product is permitted in the destination country/state

Sites / Locations

  • Monash Children's Hospital

Arms of the Study

Arm 1

Arm Type

Experimental

Arm Label

FEN164

Arm Description

Full-Spectrum Medicinal Cannabis Plant Extract with less than 0.08% THC (FEN164) Stage 1: 5mg/kg, 10mg/kg, 15mg/kg, 20mg/kg (1 week each) Stage 2: 20mg/kg (8 weeks), 15mg/kg, 10mg/kg, 5mg/kg (1 week each)

Outcomes

Primary Outcome Measures

Clinical Global Impression Scale - Improvement (CGI-I)
This is a 7-point scale measuring symptom change from baseline. Where a score of 1 is very much improved and a score of 7 is very much worse.

Secondary Outcome Measures

Vineland Adaptive Behaviour Scales, Third Edition
Used to measure adaptive functioning across three core domains (Communication, Daily Living Skills, and Socialization), and two optional domains (Motor Skills and Maladaptive Behaviour); items are rated on a 3-point scale (0=never; 1=sometimes; 2=usually or often). The core domains sum to a total Adaptive Behaviour Composite.
Social Responsiveness Scale, 2nd Editions (SRS-2)
Five domains are assessed including: Social Awareness, Social Cognition, Social Communication, Social Motivation, and Restricted Interests and Repetitive Behaviour. Items are scored on a 4-point scale (ranging from 1=not true to 4=almost always true).
Anxiety, Depression and Mood Scale (ADAMS)
28 symptom items that resolve into five subscales labelled: Manic/Hyperactive Behaviour, Depressed Mood, Social Avoidance, General Anxiety, and Compulsive Behaviour. Items are rated on 4-point scale ranging from 0=not a problem to 3=severe problem.
Sleep Disturbance Scale for Children (SDSC)
Six subscales including Disorders of Initiating and Maintaining Sleep, Sleep Breathing Disorders, Disorders of Arousal, Sleep Wake Transition Disorders, Disorders of Excessive Somnolence, and Sleep Hyperhydrosis. Items are rated on 5-point scale where 1=never and 5=always (daily). Subscale scores sum to equal a total score.
Clinical Global Impression-Severity (CGI-S)
Reflects clinician's impression of severity of illness on a 7-point scale ranging from 1=not at all to 7=among the most extremely ill.
Autism Family Experience Questionnaire (AFEQ)
Parent/Caregiver form used to measure impact of autism interventions on family experience and quality of life. Items are rated on a 5-point scale where 1=always and 5=never.
Anxiety Scale for Children - Autism Spectrum Disorder - Parent Version (ASC-ASD-P)
Parent/Caregiver form developed to detect symptoms of anxiety in youth with ASD. Composed of four subscales (Performance Anxiety, Uncertainty, Anxious Arousal, and Separation Anxiety), items are rated on a 4-point scale (0=never and 3=always). Subscales sum to equal a total score.
Anxiety Scale for Children - Autism Spectrum Disorder - Child Version (ASC-ASD-C)
Child form developed to detect symptoms of anxiety in youth with ASD. Composed of four subscales (Performance Anxiety, Uncertainty, Anxious Arousal, and Separation Anxiety), items are rated on a 4-point scale (0=never and 3=always). Subscales sum to equal a total score.
The Child Behaviour Checklist for Ages 6 - 18 (CBCL)
A parent/carer measure to assess patterns of behaviour. The measure is a Likert scale rated over 3 or 4 points.
Caregiver Global Impression of Change in Attention (CGI-CA)
Reflects clinician's impression of change in attention on a 7-point scale ranging from 1=not at all to 7=very severe problem. Provided as Baseline and Post-Baseline questionnaires.
Caregiver Global Impression of Change (CGI-C) Target Behaviour
Reflects clinician's impression of change of behaviour on a 7-point scale ranging from 1=not at all to 7=very severe problem. Provided as Baseline and Post-Baseline questionnaires.

Full Information

First Posted
April 4, 2022
Last Updated
August 23, 2022
Sponsor
Fenix Innovation Group
Collaborators
Neurotech International, Monash Health
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1. Study Identification

Unique Protocol Identification Number
NCT05516407
Brief Title
Safety and Efficacy of Oral Full-Spectrum Medicinal Cannabis Plant Extract in Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder.
Official Title
A Phase I/II Open-Label Study to Evaluate the Safety and Efficacy of Orally Administered Full-Spectrum Medicinal Cannabis Plant Extract 0.08% THC (FEN164) in Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder.
Study Type
Interventional

2. Study Status

Record Verification Date
August 2022
Overall Recruitment Status
Active, not recruiting
Study Start Date
April 1, 2021 (Actual)
Primary Completion Date
September 1, 2022 (Anticipated)
Study Completion Date
September 2, 2022 (Anticipated)

3. Sponsor/Collaborators

Responsible Party, by Official Title
Sponsor
Name of the Sponsor
Fenix Innovation Group
Collaborators
Neurotech International, Monash Health

4. Oversight

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated Drug Product
No
Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated Device Product
No

5. Study Description

Brief Summary
This is a 20-week open-label study to evaluate the safety and efficacy of full-spectrum medicinal cannabis plant extract < 0.08% THC (FEN164) in children with Autism Spectrum Disorder.
Detailed Description
The study population will include twenty (20) boys and girls aged eight (8) years through to seventeen (17) years that have a medical diagnosis of Level 2 and 3 Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) as confirmed by the Autism Diagnostic Observational Schedule (ADOS-2) criteria. Participants will commence treatment with a daily dose of 5mg/kg of FEN164. This will gradually increase over a four-week period until the maximum tolerated daily dose or 20mg/kg per day is achieved (Up-titration phase/Stage 1). Participants will continue to receive their respective maximum dose for eight (8) weeks (Treatment phase/Stage 2) which will be gradually decreased by 5 mg/kg for a period of 4 weeks until the end of the study (Down-titration phase).

6. Conditions and Keywords

Primary Disease or Condition Being Studied in the Trial, or the Focus of the Study
Autism Spectrum Disorder

7. Study Design

Primary Purpose
Treatment
Study Phase
Phase 1, Phase 2
Interventional Study Model
Single Group Assignment
Masking
None (Open Label)
Allocation
N/A
Enrollment
18 (Actual)

8. Arms, Groups, and Interventions

Arm Title
FEN164
Arm Type
Experimental
Arm Description
Full-Spectrum Medicinal Cannabis Plant Extract with less than 0.08% THC (FEN164) Stage 1: 5mg/kg, 10mg/kg, 15mg/kg, 20mg/kg (1 week each) Stage 2: 20mg/kg (8 weeks), 15mg/kg, 10mg/kg, 5mg/kg (1 week each)
Intervention Type
Drug
Intervention Name(s)
FEN164
Intervention Description
Oil based. Full-spectrum medicinal cannabis plant extract with less than 0.08% THC.
Primary Outcome Measure Information:
Title
Clinical Global Impression Scale - Improvement (CGI-I)
Description
This is a 7-point scale measuring symptom change from baseline. Where a score of 1 is very much improved and a score of 7 is very much worse.
Time Frame
Baseline, Weeks 5, 9, 13 & 17
Secondary Outcome Measure Information:
Title
Vineland Adaptive Behaviour Scales, Third Edition
Description
Used to measure adaptive functioning across three core domains (Communication, Daily Living Skills, and Socialization), and two optional domains (Motor Skills and Maladaptive Behaviour); items are rated on a 3-point scale (0=never; 1=sometimes; 2=usually or often). The core domains sum to a total Adaptive Behaviour Composite.
Time Frame
Baseline, Week 17
Title
Social Responsiveness Scale, 2nd Editions (SRS-2)
Description
Five domains are assessed including: Social Awareness, Social Cognition, Social Communication, Social Motivation, and Restricted Interests and Repetitive Behaviour. Items are scored on a 4-point scale (ranging from 1=not true to 4=almost always true).
Time Frame
Baseline, Week 17
Title
Anxiety, Depression and Mood Scale (ADAMS)
Description
28 symptom items that resolve into five subscales labelled: Manic/Hyperactive Behaviour, Depressed Mood, Social Avoidance, General Anxiety, and Compulsive Behaviour. Items are rated on 4-point scale ranging from 0=not a problem to 3=severe problem.
Time Frame
Baseline, Week 17
Title
Sleep Disturbance Scale for Children (SDSC)
Description
Six subscales including Disorders of Initiating and Maintaining Sleep, Sleep Breathing Disorders, Disorders of Arousal, Sleep Wake Transition Disorders, Disorders of Excessive Somnolence, and Sleep Hyperhydrosis. Items are rated on 5-point scale where 1=never and 5=always (daily). Subscale scores sum to equal a total score.
Time Frame
Baseline, Weeks 5, 9, 13 & 17
Title
Clinical Global Impression-Severity (CGI-S)
Description
Reflects clinician's impression of severity of illness on a 7-point scale ranging from 1=not at all to 7=among the most extremely ill.
Time Frame
Baseline, Weeks 5, 9, 13 & 17
Title
Autism Family Experience Questionnaire (AFEQ)
Description
Parent/Caregiver form used to measure impact of autism interventions on family experience and quality of life. Items are rated on a 5-point scale where 1=always and 5=never.
Time Frame
Baseline, Week 17
Title
Anxiety Scale for Children - Autism Spectrum Disorder - Parent Version (ASC-ASD-P)
Description
Parent/Caregiver form developed to detect symptoms of anxiety in youth with ASD. Composed of four subscales (Performance Anxiety, Uncertainty, Anxious Arousal, and Separation Anxiety), items are rated on a 4-point scale (0=never and 3=always). Subscales sum to equal a total score.
Time Frame
Baseline, Weeks 5, 9, 13 & 17
Title
Anxiety Scale for Children - Autism Spectrum Disorder - Child Version (ASC-ASD-C)
Description
Child form developed to detect symptoms of anxiety in youth with ASD. Composed of four subscales (Performance Anxiety, Uncertainty, Anxious Arousal, and Separation Anxiety), items are rated on a 4-point scale (0=never and 3=always). Subscales sum to equal a total score.
Time Frame
Baseline, Weeks 5, 9, 13 & 17
Title
The Child Behaviour Checklist for Ages 6 - 18 (CBCL)
Description
A parent/carer measure to assess patterns of behaviour. The measure is a Likert scale rated over 3 or 4 points.
Time Frame
Baseline, Week 17
Title
Caregiver Global Impression of Change in Attention (CGI-CA)
Description
Reflects clinician's impression of change in attention on a 7-point scale ranging from 1=not at all to 7=very severe problem. Provided as Baseline and Post-Baseline questionnaires.
Time Frame
Baseline, Weeks 5, 9, 13 & 17
Title
Caregiver Global Impression of Change (CGI-C) Target Behaviour
Description
Reflects clinician's impression of change of behaviour on a 7-point scale ranging from 1=not at all to 7=very severe problem. Provided as Baseline and Post-Baseline questionnaires.
Time Frame
Baseline, Weeks 5, 9, 13 & 17

10. Eligibility

Sex
All
Minimum Age & Unit of Time
8 Years
Maximum Age & Unit of Time
17 Years
Accepts Healthy Volunteers
No
Eligibility Criteria
Inclusion Criteria: Participant is aged 8 years to 17 years (inclusive) Participant is at a healthy weight at the discretion of the Principal Investigator. Parents or caregivers can give informed consent for participation in the trial with assent from individuals with autism. Participants can comply with trial requirements. According the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th Edition (DSM-5) criteria the participant has a diagnosis of Level 2 or 3 Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) confirmed by Autism Diagnostic Observational Schedule (ADOS-2) criteria All treatments including medications and therapies for ASD related symptoms must have been stable for 4 weeks before enrolment and for the duration of the trial wherever possible. Participants must be able to swallow liquid. Consent giver must be able to understand the requirements of the study. Exclusion Criteria: Current diagnosis of bipolar disorder, psychosis, schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, or active major depression Has a diagnosis other than ASD that dominates the clinical presentation (e.g., Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder [ADHD]) Has a degenerative condition Changes in anticonvulsive therapy within the last 12 weeks Taking omeprazole, lansoprazole, tolbutamide, warfarin, sirolimus, everolimus, temsirolimus, tacrolimus, clobazam, repaglinide, pioglitazone, rosiglitazone, montelukast, bupropion, or efavirenz Currently using or has used recreational or medicinal cannabis, cannabinoid-based medications (including Sativex®, or Epidiolex®) within the 12 weeks prior to screening and is unwilling to abstain for the duration of the trial Participant has any known or suspected hypersensitivity to cannabinoids or any of the excipients Participant has moderately impaired hepatic function at screening, defined as serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) or aspartate aminotransferase (AST) > 2 × upper limit of normal (ULN) or total bilirubin (TBL) > 2 × ULN. This criterion can only be confirmed once the laboratory results are available; participants enrolled into the trial who are later found to meet this criterion must be screen-failed. Participant is male and fertile (i.e., after puberty unless permanently sterile by bilateral orchidectomy) unless willing to ensure that they use male contraception (condom) or remain sexually abstinent during the trial and for 12 weeks thereafter. Participant is female and with childbearing potential (i.e., following menarche and until becoming postmenopausal for ≥ 12 consecutive months unless permanently sterile by hysterectomy, bilateral salpingectomy, or bilateral oophorectomy) unless willing to ensure that they use a highly effective method of birth control (e.g., hormonal contraception, intrauterine device/hormone-releasing system, bilateral tubal occlusion, vasectomized partner, sexual abstinence) during the trial and for 12 weeks thereafter. Female participant who is pregnant (positive pregnancy test), lactating or planning pregnancy during the course of the trial or within 12 weeks thereafter. Participant had brain surgery or traumatic brain injury within 1 year of screening. Participant has any other significant disease or disorder which, in the opinion of the investigator, may either put the participant, other participants, or site staff at risk because of participation in the trial, may influence the result of the trial, or may affect the participant's ability to take part in the trial. Any abnormalities identified following a physical examination of the participant that, in the opinion of the investigator, would jeopardize the safety of the participant if they took part in the trial Any history of suicidal behaviour (lifelong) or any suicidal ideation of type 4 or 5 on the Columbia-Suicide Severity Rating Scale (C-SSRS) in the last 4 weeks or at screening or randomization Participant has donated blood during the past 12 weeks and is unwilling to abstain from donation of blood during the trial. Participant has any known or suspected history of alcohol or substance abuse or positive drugs of abuse test at screening (not justified by a known concurrent medication). Participant has previously been enrolled into this trial. Participant has plans to travel outside their country of residence during the trial, unless the participant has confirmation that the product is permitted in the destination country/state
Overall Study Officials:
First Name & Middle Initial & Last Name & Degree
Michael Fahey
Organizational Affiliation
Head of Paediatric Neurology
Official's Role
Principal Investigator
Facility Information:
Facility Name
Monash Children's Hospital
City
Clayton
State/Province
Victoria
ZIP/Postal Code
3168
Country
Australia

12. IPD Sharing Statement

Plan to Share IPD
No

Learn more about this trial

Safety and Efficacy of Oral Full-Spectrum Medicinal Cannabis Plant Extract in Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder.

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