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A Double-blind Randomised, Placebo-controlled Clinical Trial to Test Ambroxol Treatment in ALS (AMBALS)

Primary Purpose

Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis

Status
Recruiting
Phase
Phase 2
Locations
Australia
Study Type
Interventional
Intervention
Ambroxol
Placebo
Sponsored by
The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health
About
Eligibility
Locations
Arms
Outcomes
Full info

About this trial

This is an interventional treatment trial for Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis

Eligibility Criteria

18 Years - 85 Years (Adult, Older Adult)All SexesDoes not accept healthy volunteers

Inclusion Criteria: Must have given written informed consent before any study related assessments are performed and must be able to understand purpose of the study, including any possible risks and adverse events. ALS as diagnosed according to the recently proposed Gold Coast diagnostic criteria. First symptom of ALS less than or equal to 18 months prior to screening. The qualifying first symptoms of ALS are limited to manifestations of weakness in extremity, bulbar, or respiratory muscles. Cramps, fasciculations, or fatigue should not be taken in isolation as a first symptom of ALS. Forced vital capacity (FVC) greater than or equal to 60% of predicted value as adjusted for gender, height and age at the Screening Visit. Male or female patients aged 18 years or greater (inclusive) and less than 85 years at the time of ALS diagnosis. Able to swallow liquid. Able to perform reproducible pulmonary function tests Female patients must be post-menopausal or sterilized or must not be breastfeeding, have no intention to become pregnant during the study, and use acceptable methods of contraception or abstain from intercourse. Male patients who have not had a vasectomy and confirmed zero sperm count must agree after receiving the first dose of study drug either to use acceptable methods of contraception or abstain from intercourse. If on riluzole, stable dosing for 30-days prior to screening. Pre-study ALSFRS-R progression between disease onset and screening of greater than or equal to 0.5 points/month (calculated by ALSFRS-R total score decline from 48 divided by the months since onset of ALS symptoms). Exclusion Criteria: Use of non-invasive ventilation (NIV) support for ALS only or gastrostomy tube at time of screening. Exposure to investigational drug within 12-weeks prior to screening. At screening of any medically significant cardiac, pulmonary, GI, musculoskeletal, or psychiatric illness that might interfere with the patient's ability to comply with study procedures or that might confound the interpretation of clinical safety or data. Patient with a history of significant other major medical conditions based on the Investigator's judgment. Based on the investigator's judgment, patients who may have difficulty complying with the protocol and/or any study procedures. Any person who is an employee or an Investigator or Sponsor, or an immediate relative of an Investigator.

Sites / Locations

  • Brain and Mind CentreRecruiting
  • Concord Repatriation General HospitalRecruiting
  • Flinders Medical CentreRecruiting
  • Launceston General HospitalRecruiting
  • Calvary Health Care BethlehemRecruiting

Arms of the Study

Arm 1

Arm 2

Arm Type

Experimental

Placebo Comparator

Arm Label

Experimental: Active

Placebo Comparator: Control

Arm Description

Ambroxol taken 3x daily. Variation in doses as follow-up progresses. For detailed information, see Intervention Description.

Glucose Placebo, taken 3x daily. Variation in doses as follow-up progresses. For detailed information, see Intervention Description.

Outcomes

Primary Outcome Measures

Time to event
Time to event (death, need for tracheostomy, the need for gastrostomy feeding or non-invasive ventilation (NIV) support (greater than or equal to 12 hours a day in a 24-hour period), or greater than or equal to 6-point progression on the Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Functional Rating Scale (ALSFRS)) This will be measured by patient medical records, and the completion of the ALSFRS by investigators.

Secondary Outcome Measures

ALS functional rating score-revised (ALSFRS-R)
Change in ALSFRS-R Score
Motor unit number estimation (MUNIX)
Change in MUNIX values
Split Hand Index (SI)
Change in SI value
Neurophysiology Index (NPI)
Change in NPI Value
Kings staging system
Change in Kings stage
Muscle strength assessment as measured by the Medical Research Council (MRC) Scale for Muscle Strength
Change in Muscle strength, where Grade 0 is no visible contraction and Grade 5 is Normal
Respiratory function (FVC) as measure by a Spirometer
Change in FVC
Survival
Overall survival rate
Serum NFL levels
Change in Serum NFL Levels
Assessment of Quality of Life (AQoL)
Change in AQoL score

Full Information

First Posted
July 17, 2023
Last Updated
September 4, 2023
Sponsor
The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health
Collaborators
Mobius Medical Pty Ltd., The University of Queensland
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1. Study Identification

Unique Protocol Identification Number
NCT05959850
Brief Title
A Double-blind Randomised, Placebo-controlled Clinical Trial to Test Ambroxol Treatment in ALS
Acronym
AMBALS
Official Title
AMBroxol Therapy for ALS (AMBALS) Trial: a Double-blind, Randomised, Placebo-controlled Phase 2 Clinical Trial of Ambroxol for ALS
Study Type
Interventional

2. Study Status

Record Verification Date
July 2023
Overall Recruitment Status
Recruiting
Study Start Date
June 13, 2023 (Actual)
Primary Completion Date
June 2024 (Anticipated)
Study Completion Date
December 2024 (Anticipated)

3. Sponsor/Collaborators

Responsible Party, by Official Title
Sponsor
Name of the Sponsor
The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health
Collaborators
Mobius Medical Pty Ltd., The University of Queensland

4. Oversight

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated Drug Product
No
Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated Device Product
No
Data Monitoring Committee
Yes

5. Study Description

Brief Summary
Ambroxol is a simple cough medicine that is predicted to slow ALS disease progression. This study aims to investigate if ambroxol in high doses is effective in treating ALS. This study will be carried out across 5 research sites in Australia (2 NSW, 1 VIC, 1 SA and 1 TAS), where newly diagnosed ALS patients will be asked to participate. Participation will be over a 32-week period, where they will come in for a 4-week screening, 24-week treatment, and 4-week end of study safety follow-up period. The participants will receive either the placebo or drug solution that they will take three times a day, up-dosing each week until they reach the maximum dose or highest dose they can tolerate. Throughout the study their disease progression will be assessed using tests, questionnaires, and blood biomarkers.
Detailed Description
This study is a double-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled phase 2 clinical trial, to assess the safety, tolerability and efficacy of ambroxol therapy in ALS patients by using electrophysiological and functional measures to detect preservation of motor units. The study design will have participants be randomised to either ambroxol or placebo at a 2:1 ratio (ambroxol (n=34) and placebo (n=16)). Participants randomised to the active arm will receive various doses of ambroxol in solution, taken orally, three times a day. Doses will be increased pending a safety review for each participant. The doses will be 180mg per day, 260mg per day, 540mg per day, 900mg per day, and 1260 mg per day. Each week safety bloods will be performed to assess tolerance to the dose. Participants randomised to the control arm will receive a placebo for the duration of the study. Disease progression will be assessed by the following, time to event (death, need for tracheostomy, the need for gastrostomy feeding or non-invasive ventilation support (≥12 hours a day in a 24-hour period), or ≥6-point progression (ALS functional rating score-revised).

6. Conditions and Keywords

Primary Disease or Condition Being Studied in the Trial, or the Focus of the Study
Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis

7. Study Design

Primary Purpose
Treatment
Study Phase
Phase 2
Interventional Study Model
Parallel Assignment
Model Description
Randomised controlled trial. Participants will be randomised at a 2:1 ratio to the drug solution or placebo respectively.
Masking
ParticipantCare ProviderInvestigatorOutcomes Assessor
Allocation
Randomized
Enrollment
50 (Anticipated)

8. Arms, Groups, and Interventions

Arm Title
Experimental: Active
Arm Type
Experimental
Arm Description
Ambroxol taken 3x daily. Variation in doses as follow-up progresses. For detailed information, see Intervention Description.
Arm Title
Placebo Comparator: Control
Arm Type
Placebo Comparator
Arm Description
Glucose Placebo, taken 3x daily. Variation in doses as follow-up progresses. For detailed information, see Intervention Description.
Intervention Type
Drug
Intervention Name(s)
Ambroxol
Other Intervention Name(s)
Ambroxol Hydrochloride
Intervention Description
Participants in the study will receive varying doses of ambroxol in solution, 3 times per day. Doses will be increased pending a safety review, up to a maximum of 1260mg/day. Blood tests will be conducted weekly to assess tolerance. Compliance will be monitored by returning used bottles. The study will last 32 weeks, including 24 weeks of drug administration and follow-up visits. After the final follow-up, there will be an end of study safety visit occurring 4 weeks later. The total time of participation will be 32 weeks. This includes a screening visit up to 4 weeks prior to Baseline, then a Baseline visit, followed by 24 weeks of follow-up (3x in clinic follow-up visits). These 24 weeks will be the drug administration period, meaning that the total duration of drug administration is 24 weeks. Following this drug administration and follow-up period, there will be an EoS safety-follow up visit that will occur 4 weeks after the final follow-up visit (28 weeks from baseline).
Intervention Type
Drug
Intervention Name(s)
Placebo
Intervention Description
Participants randomised to the control arm will receive a placebo for the duration of the study. The placebo will look and taste like ambroxol, but will have no active ingredient. Participants will not be told which arm they have been randomised to. The placebo will primarily be a glucose solution, however it will also have flavouring (e.g. bitters) and colouring, so as to make it look and taste like ambroxol, to maintain blinding.
Primary Outcome Measure Information:
Title
Time to event
Description
Time to event (death, need for tracheostomy, the need for gastrostomy feeding or non-invasive ventilation (NIV) support (greater than or equal to 12 hours a day in a 24-hour period), or greater than or equal to 6-point progression on the Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Functional Rating Scale (ALSFRS)) This will be measured by patient medical records, and the completion of the ALSFRS by investigators.
Time Frame
Time to event for a maximum of 24 weeks from baseline
Secondary Outcome Measure Information:
Title
ALS functional rating score-revised (ALSFRS-R)
Description
Change in ALSFRS-R Score
Time Frame
24 weeks from Baseline
Title
Motor unit number estimation (MUNIX)
Description
Change in MUNIX values
Time Frame
24 weeks from Baseline
Title
Split Hand Index (SI)
Description
Change in SI value
Time Frame
24 weeks from Baseline
Title
Neurophysiology Index (NPI)
Description
Change in NPI Value
Time Frame
24 weeks from Baseline
Title
Kings staging system
Description
Change in Kings stage
Time Frame
24 weeks from Baseline
Title
Muscle strength assessment as measured by the Medical Research Council (MRC) Scale for Muscle Strength
Description
Change in Muscle strength, where Grade 0 is no visible contraction and Grade 5 is Normal
Time Frame
24 weeks from Baseline
Title
Respiratory function (FVC) as measure by a Spirometer
Description
Change in FVC
Time Frame
24 weeks from Baseline
Title
Survival
Description
Overall survival rate
Time Frame
24 weeks from Baseline
Title
Serum NFL levels
Description
Change in Serum NFL Levels
Time Frame
24 weeks from Baseline
Title
Assessment of Quality of Life (AQoL)
Description
Change in AQoL score
Time Frame
24 weeks from Baseline

10. Eligibility

Sex
All
Minimum Age & Unit of Time
18 Years
Maximum Age & Unit of Time
85 Years
Accepts Healthy Volunteers
No
Eligibility Criteria
Inclusion Criteria: Must have given written informed consent before any study related assessments are performed and must be able to understand purpose of the study, including any possible risks and adverse events. ALS as diagnosed according to the recently proposed Gold Coast diagnostic criteria. First symptom of ALS less than or equal to 18 months prior to screening. The qualifying first symptoms of ALS are limited to manifestations of weakness in extremity, bulbar, or respiratory muscles. Cramps, fasciculations, or fatigue should not be taken in isolation as a first symptom of ALS. Forced vital capacity (FVC) greater than or equal to 60% of predicted value as adjusted for gender, height and age at the Screening Visit. Male or female patients aged 18 years or greater (inclusive) and less than 85 years at the time of ALS diagnosis. Able to swallow liquid. Able to perform reproducible pulmonary function tests Female patients must be post-menopausal or sterilized or must not be breastfeeding, have no intention to become pregnant during the study, and use acceptable methods of contraception or abstain from intercourse. Male patients who have not had a vasectomy and confirmed zero sperm count must agree after receiving the first dose of study drug either to use acceptable methods of contraception or abstain from intercourse. If on riluzole, stable dosing for 30-days prior to screening. Pre-study ALSFRS-R progression between disease onset and screening of greater than or equal to 0.5 points/month (calculated by ALSFRS-R total score decline from 48 divided by the months since onset of ALS symptoms). Exclusion Criteria: Use of non-invasive ventilation (NIV) support for ALS only or gastrostomy tube at time of screening. Exposure to investigational drug within 12-weeks prior to screening. At screening of any medically significant cardiac, pulmonary, GI, musculoskeletal, or psychiatric illness that might interfere with the patient's ability to comply with study procedures or that might confound the interpretation of clinical safety or data. Patient with a history of significant other major medical conditions based on the Investigator's judgment. Based on the investigator's judgment, patients who may have difficulty complying with the protocol and/or any study procedures. Any person who is an employee or an Investigator or Sponsor, or an immediate relative of an Investigator.
Central Contact Person:
First Name & Middle Initial & Last Name or Official Title & Degree
Bradley Turner
Phone
+61 3 9035 6521
Email
bradley.turner@florey.edu.au
Overall Study Officials:
First Name & Middle Initial & Last Name & Degree
Bradley Turner
Organizational Affiliation
The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health
Official's Role
Study Chair
First Name & Middle Initial & Last Name & Degree
Steve Vucic
Organizational Affiliation
Concord Repatriation General Hospital
Official's Role
Principal Investigator
First Name & Middle Initial & Last Name & Degree
Matthew Kiernan
Organizational Affiliation
Brain and Mind Centre (The University of Sydney)
Official's Role
Principal Investigator
First Name & Middle Initial & Last Name & Degree
Susan Mathers
Organizational Affiliation
Calvary Health Care Bethlehem
Official's Role
Principal Investigator
First Name & Middle Initial & Last Name & Degree
David Schultz
Organizational Affiliation
Flinders Medical Centre
Official's Role
Principal Investigator
First Name & Middle Initial & Last Name & Degree
Lauren Giles
Organizational Affiliation
Launceston General Hospital
Official's Role
Principal Investigator
Facility Information:
Facility Name
Brain and Mind Centre
City
Sydney
State/Province
New South Wales
ZIP/Postal Code
2050
Country
Australia
Individual Site Status
Recruiting
Facility Contact:
First Name & Middle Initial & Last Name & Degree
Eleanor Ramsey
Phone
+61 2 9114 4258
Email
eleanor.ramsey@sydney.edu.au
First Name & Middle Initial & Last Name & Degree
Matthew Kiernan
Facility Name
Concord Repatriation General Hospital
City
Sydney
State/Province
New South Wales
ZIP/Postal Code
2139
Country
Australia
Individual Site Status
Recruiting
Facility Contact:
First Name & Middle Initial & Last Name & Degree
Julie Ryder
Phone
+61 2 9767 8475
Email
julie.ryder@health.nsw.gov.au
First Name & Middle Initial & Last Name & Degree
Steve Vucic
Facility Name
Flinders Medical Centre
City
Adelaide
State/Province
South Australia
ZIP/Postal Code
5042
Country
Australia
Individual Site Status
Recruiting
Facility Contact:
First Name & Middle Initial & Last Name & Degree
Edlira Dishnica
Phone
+61 8 8204 5168
Email
edlira.dishnica@sa.gov.au
First Name & Middle Initial & Last Name & Degree
David Schultz
Facility Name
Launceston General Hospital
City
Launceston
State/Province
Tasmania
ZIP/Postal Code
7250
Country
Australia
Individual Site Status
Recruiting
Facility Contact:
First Name & Middle Initial & Last Name & Degree
Lauren Giles
Email
lauren.giles@ths.tas.gov.au
First Name & Middle Initial & Last Name & Degree
Lauren Giles
Facility Name
Calvary Health Care Bethlehem
City
Melbourne
State/Province
Victoria
ZIP/Postal Code
3162
Country
Australia
Individual Site Status
Recruiting
Facility Contact:
First Name & Middle Initial & Last Name & Degree
Emma Windebank
Phone
+61 3 9834 9430
Email
Emma.Windebank@calvarycare.org.au
First Name & Middle Initial & Last Name & Degree
Susan Mathers

12. IPD Sharing Statement

Plan to Share IPD
No
IPD Sharing Plan Description
No plan to have individual participant data available to other researchers

Learn more about this trial

A Double-blind Randomised, Placebo-controlled Clinical Trial to Test Ambroxol Treatment in ALS

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