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The LUCINDA Trial: LeUprolide Plus Cholinesterase Inhibition to Reduce Neurological Decline in Alzheimer's (LUCINDA)

Primary Purpose

Alzheimer Disease, Mild Cognitive Impairment

Status
Recruiting
Phase
Phase 2
Locations
United States
Study Type
Interventional
Intervention
Placebo
Eligard 22.5Mg Suspension for Injection
Sponsored by
Weill Medical College of Cornell University
About
Eligibility
Locations
Arms
Outcomes
Full info

About this trial

This is an interventional treatment trial for Alzheimer Disease

Eligibility Criteria

65 Years - 120 Years (Older Adult)FemaleDoes not accept healthy volunteers

Inclusion Criteria:

  • Female, post-menopausal
  • Probable AD or MCI due to AD according to NIA-AA criteria
  • Taking a stable dose of donepezil (Aricept) for at least 90 days prior to baseline, and dosage likely to remain stable throughout the trial
  • not taking memantine (Namenda)
  • MOCA > 11 or blind MOCA > 8 (inclusive) at screening visit
  • Hachinski score <5 supporting clinical judgment that dementia is not of vascular origin
  • Fluent in English
  • Living at home or in a facility other than a nursing home with a caregiver who sees the patient at least three times a week for a total of at least 10 hours and can sign the consent form, accompany the patient on clinic visits, and participate in evaluations

Exclusion Criteria:

  • Presence based on exam, history or MRI of significant brain disease other than AD such as schizophrenia, epilepsy, Parkinson's disease or large territory stroke
  • Current substance abuse in accord with DSM V criteria
  • Significantly depressed (Geriatric Depression Scale > 10)
  • Physical or psychological MRI contraindications, or likely unable to tolerate neuroimaging
  • Taking other medications known to affect serum sex hormone or gonadotropin concentrations such as estrogen and/or progesterone for hormone replacement therapy, goserelin or danazol
  • Presence of significant systemic illness likely to interfere with participation in or completion of the study or to affect study results such as cancer within 5 years (other than non-melanoma skin cancer), autoimmune disease, recent myocardial infarction, signs/symptoms of organ failure based on history, ECG, screening laboratory and/or physical exams
  • Receiving other investigational drugs within 30 days or 5 half-lives prior to randomization, whichever is longer
  • Ever treated with active or passive immunization as part of a different clinical trial for AD due to unknown alterations in systemic and brain inflammation, which may confound results

Sites / Locations

  • University of Miami Miller School of MedicineRecruiting
  • Weill Medical College of Cornell UniversityRecruiting
  • University of Wisconsin - MadisonRecruiting

Arms of the Study

Arm 1

Arm 2

Arm Type

Placebo Comparator

Experimental

Arm Label

Placebo

Leuprolide

Arm Description

0.25 ml of sterile normal saline administered subcutaneously / 12 weeks

Eligard 22.5mg administered subcutaneously / 12 weeks

Outcomes

Primary Outcome Measures

Percent change in Alzheimer's Disease Assessment Scale-Cognitive Subscale (ADAS-cog-11)
The ADAS-cog-11 consists of 11 tasks measuring the disturbances of memory, language, praxis, attention and other cognitive abilities which are often referred to as the core symptoms of Alzheimer's Disease.

Secondary Outcome Measures

Percent change in Alzheimer's Disease Assessment Scale-Cognitive Subscale (ADAS-in Alzheimer's Disease Cooperative Study - Activities of Daily Living (ADCS-ADL)
The ADCS-ADL assesses a subject's ability to perform activities of daily living such as eating, walking and bathing.
Alzheimer Disease Cooperative Study Clinical Global Impression of Change (ADCS-CGIC+)
The ADCS-CGIC+ uses structured interviews with the subject and his or her caregiver to determine whether there has been a change in the subject's overall level of functioning.
Percent change in Repeatable Battery for the Assessment of Neuropsychological Status (RBANS)
The RBANS is a set of tests that measures thinking abilities including memory, language and attention.
Percent change in Burden Inventory
The Burden Inventory is a questionnaire that assesses how people sometimes feel when they are taking care of another person.
Percent change in Neuropsychiatric Inventory (NPI)
The NPI measures behavioral and emotional symptoms of Alzheimer's Disease.
Change in Brain Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) biomarkers
Percent change in volume of AD-related brain regions (hippocampi, ventricles) and hippocampal perfusion measured with Arterial Spin Labeling (ASL) will be assessed.

Full Information

First Posted
August 22, 2018
Last Updated
May 30, 2023
Sponsor
Weill Medical College of Cornell University
Collaborators
National Institute on Aging (NIA), Tolmar Pharmaceuticals
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1. Study Identification

Unique Protocol Identification Number
NCT03649724
Brief Title
The LUCINDA Trial: LeUprolide Plus Cholinesterase Inhibition to Reduce Neurological Decline in Alzheimer's
Acronym
LUCINDA
Official Title
The LUCINDA Trial: LeUprolide Plus Cholinesterase Inhibition to Reduce Neurological Decline in Alzheimer's
Study Type
Interventional

2. Study Status

Record Verification Date
May 2023
Overall Recruitment Status
Recruiting
Study Start Date
November 27, 2020 (Actual)
Primary Completion Date
February 2025 (Anticipated)
Study Completion Date
February 2026 (Anticipated)

3. Sponsor/Collaborators

Responsible Party, by Official Title
Sponsor
Name of the Sponsor
Weill Medical College of Cornell University
Collaborators
National Institute on Aging (NIA), Tolmar Pharmaceuticals

4. Oversight

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated Drug Product
Yes
Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated Device Product
No
Product Manufactured in and Exported from the U.S.
No
Data Monitoring Committee
Yes

5. Study Description

Brief Summary
The LUCINDA Trial is a three-site, phase II, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study of leuprolide acetate (Eligard) in women with Mild Cognitive Impairment or Alzheimer's Disease taking a stable dose of a cholinesterase inhibitor medication like donepezil. Its objective is to assess the efficacy of a 48-week regimen of leuprolide (22.5 mg per 12 weeks) compared to placebo on cognitive function, global function and plasma and neuroimaging biomarkers.
Detailed Description
This project aims to re-purpose the safe and well-tolerated gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) analogue Leuprolide Acetate for use in Alzheimer's Disease (AD). Leuprolide Acetate is currently used in adults for prostate cancer, endometriosis, uterine fibroids and in preparation for in-vitro fertilization, and in children for central precocious puberty. The purpose of this study to confirm and extend results from a prior phase II study (Bowen et al, 2015) which demonstrated that Leuprolide halted cognitive and functional decline in a subgroup of women with mild-moderate AD who were also taking the acetylcholinesterase inhibitor donepezil. Objectives are to replicate, in the same subgroup, Leuprolide's clinical EFFICACY in this prior trial and to add neuroimaging and plasma BIOMARKERS that will help elucidate Leuprolide's likely multiple mechanisms of action in AD. These mechanisms include decreasing levels of Luteinizing Hormone (LH) based on extensive preclinical evidence that decreasing LH preserves cognition and decreases amyloid deposition and tau phosphorylation in animal models of AD, as well as new evidence that GnRH analogues may have anti-inflammatory effects.

6. Conditions and Keywords

Primary Disease or Condition Being Studied in the Trial, or the Focus of the Study
Alzheimer Disease, Mild Cognitive Impairment

7. Study Design

Primary Purpose
Treatment
Study Phase
Phase 2
Interventional Study Model
Parallel Assignment
Masking
ParticipantInvestigator
Allocation
Randomized
Enrollment
180 (Anticipated)

8. Arms, Groups, and Interventions

Arm Title
Placebo
Arm Type
Placebo Comparator
Arm Description
0.25 ml of sterile normal saline administered subcutaneously / 12 weeks
Arm Title
Leuprolide
Arm Type
Experimental
Arm Description
Eligard 22.5mg administered subcutaneously / 12 weeks
Intervention Type
Drug
Intervention Name(s)
Placebo
Intervention Description
Placebo (0.25 ml normal saline) will be administered subcutaneously once every twelve weeks for 48 weeks.
Intervention Type
Drug
Intervention Name(s)
Eligard 22.5Mg Suspension for Injection
Intervention Description
Eligard 22.5Mg Suspension for Injection will be administered subcutaneously, in accord with manufacturer's direction, once every twelve weeks for 48 weeks.
Primary Outcome Measure Information:
Title
Percent change in Alzheimer's Disease Assessment Scale-Cognitive Subscale (ADAS-cog-11)
Description
The ADAS-cog-11 consists of 11 tasks measuring the disturbances of memory, language, praxis, attention and other cognitive abilities which are often referred to as the core symptoms of Alzheimer's Disease.
Time Frame
Baseline, 48 Weeks
Secondary Outcome Measure Information:
Title
Percent change in Alzheimer's Disease Assessment Scale-Cognitive Subscale (ADAS-in Alzheimer's Disease Cooperative Study - Activities of Daily Living (ADCS-ADL)
Description
The ADCS-ADL assesses a subject's ability to perform activities of daily living such as eating, walking and bathing.
Time Frame
Baseline, 48 Weeks
Title
Alzheimer Disease Cooperative Study Clinical Global Impression of Change (ADCS-CGIC+)
Description
The ADCS-CGIC+ uses structured interviews with the subject and his or her caregiver to determine whether there has been a change in the subject's overall level of functioning.
Time Frame
Baseline, 48 Weeks
Title
Percent change in Repeatable Battery for the Assessment of Neuropsychological Status (RBANS)
Description
The RBANS is a set of tests that measures thinking abilities including memory, language and attention.
Time Frame
Baseline, 48 Weeks
Title
Percent change in Burden Inventory
Description
The Burden Inventory is a questionnaire that assesses how people sometimes feel when they are taking care of another person.
Time Frame
Baseline, 48 Weeks
Title
Percent change in Neuropsychiatric Inventory (NPI)
Description
The NPI measures behavioral and emotional symptoms of Alzheimer's Disease.
Time Frame
Baseline, 48 Weeks
Title
Change in Brain Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) biomarkers
Description
Percent change in volume of AD-related brain regions (hippocampi, ventricles) and hippocampal perfusion measured with Arterial Spin Labeling (ASL) will be assessed.
Time Frame
Baseline, 48 Weeks

10. Eligibility

Sex
Female
Minimum Age & Unit of Time
65 Years
Maximum Age & Unit of Time
120 Years
Accepts Healthy Volunteers
No
Eligibility Criteria
Inclusion Criteria: Female, post-menopausal Probable AD or MCI due to AD according to NIA-AA criteria Taking a stable dose of a cholinesterase inhibitor such as donepezil/Aricept and dosage likely to remain stable throughout the trial MOCA > 11 or blind MOCA > 8 (inclusive) at screening visit Hachinski score <5 supporting clinical judgment that dementia is not of vascular origin Fluent in English has a study partner / caregiver who interacts with the subject for at least 5 hours per week on average and can participate in evaluations Exclusion Criteria: Presence based on exam, history or MRI of significant brain disease other than AD such as schizophrenia, epilepsy, Parkinson's disease or large territory stroke Current substance abuse in accord with DSM V criteria Significantly depressed (Geriatric Depression Scale > 10) Physical or psychological MRI contraindications, or likely unable to tolerate neuroimaging Taking other medications known to affect serum sex hormone or gonadotropin concentrations such as estrogen and/or progesterone for hormone replacement therapy, goserelin or danazol Presence of significant systemic illness likely to interfere with participation in or completion of the study or to affect study results such as cancer within 5 years (other than non-melanoma skin cancer), autoimmune disease, recent myocardial infarction, signs/symptoms of organ failure based on history, ECG, screening laboratory and/or physical exams Receiving other investigational drugs within 30 days or 5 half-lives prior to randomization, whichever is longer Ever treated with active or passive immunization for AD (e.g. Lecanemab) due to unknown alterations in systemic and brain inflammation, which may confound results
Central Contact Person:
First Name & Middle Initial & Last Name or Official Title & Degree
Sarah Khan
Phone
830-582-4632
Email
skh4002@med.cornell.edu
First Name & Middle Initial & Last Name or Official Title & Degree
Tom Maloney, PhD
Phone
646-962-8502
Email
trm4001@med.cornell.edu
Overall Study Officials:
First Name & Middle Initial & Last Name & Degree
Tracy A Butler, MD
Organizational Affiliation
Weill Medical College of Cornell University
Official's Role
Principal Investigator
First Name & Middle Initial & Last Name & Degree
James E Galvin, MD
Organizational Affiliation
University of Miami
Official's Role
Principal Investigator
First Name & Middle Initial & Last Name & Degree
Craig S Atwood, PhD
Organizational Affiliation
University of Wisconsin, Madison
Official's Role
Principal Investigator
Facility Information:
Facility Name
University of Miami Miller School of Medicine
City
Boca Raton
State/Province
Florida
ZIP/Postal Code
33433
Country
United States
Individual Site Status
Recruiting
Facility Contact:
First Name & Middle Initial & Last Name & Degree
Adolfo M Henriquez, MA
Phone
561-869-6820
Email
amh122@miami.edu
First Name & Middle Initial & Last Name & Degree
James E Galvin, MD
Facility Name
Weill Medical College of Cornell University
City
New York
State/Province
New York
ZIP/Postal Code
10021
Country
United States
Individual Site Status
Recruiting
Facility Contact:
First Name & Middle Initial & Last Name & Degree
Sarah Khan
Phone
830-582-4632
Email
skh4002@med.cornell.edu
First Name & Middle Initial & Last Name & Degree
Patrick Harvey, MA
Phone
830-582-4632
Email
lucinda@med.cornell.edu
First Name & Middle Initial & Last Name & Degree
Tracy A Butler, MD
Facility Name
University of Wisconsin - Madison
City
Madison
State/Province
Wisconsin
ZIP/Postal Code
53792
Country
United States
Individual Site Status
Recruiting
Facility Contact:
First Name & Middle Initial & Last Name & Degree
Maggie Chilsen
Phone
608-263-2704
Email
mchilsen@clinicaltrials.wisc.edu
First Name & Middle Initial & Last Name & Degree
Craig S Atwood, PhD

12. IPD Sharing Statement

Plan to Share IPD
Yes
IPD Sharing Plan Description
The data and resources sharing plan for this project is in accordance with both Weill Cornell and NIH Data Sharing Policies. All raw clinical, genetic, and imaging data from this project will be available upon written request. Deidentified neuroimaging data may be uploaded to one or more of several available data sharing sites designed for this purpose. The final data will be available in acceptable formats such as presentations and publications. Research data and results that document and support the study aims will be available after the final results are accepted for publication. The data to be shared will be anonymized and there will be no fees or other restrictions.
IPD Sharing Time Frame
Research data and results that document and support the study aims will be available after the final results are accepted for publication.
IPD Sharing Access Criteria
Approval from PI
Citations:
PubMed Identifier
34166841
Citation
Butler T, Goldberg JD, Galvin JE, Maloney T, Ravdin L, Glodzik L, de Leon MJ, Hochman T, Bowen RL, Atwood CS. Rationale, study design and implementation of the LUCINDA Trial: Leuprolide plus Cholinesterase Inhibition to reduce Neurologic Decline in Alzheimer's. Contemp Clin Trials. 2021 Aug;107:106488. doi: 10.1016/j.cct.2021.106488. Epub 2021 Jun 22.
Results Reference
background
PubMed Identifier
35922659
Citation
Butler T, Glodzik L, Wang XH, Xi K, Li Y, Pan H, Zhou L, Chiang GC, Morim S, Wickramasuriya N, Tanzi E, Maloney T, Harvey P, Mao X, Razlighi QR, Rusinek H, Shungu DC, de Leon M, Atwood CS, Mozley PD. Positron Emission Tomography reveals age-associated hypothalamic microglial activation in women. Sci Rep. 2022 Aug 3;12(1):13351. doi: 10.1038/s41598-022-17315-8.
Results Reference
background
PubMed Identifier
35809386
Citation
Wickramasuriya N, Hawkins R, Atwood C, Butler T. The roles of GnRH in the human central nervous system. Horm Behav. 2022 Sep;145:105230. doi: 10.1016/j.yhbeh.2022.105230. Epub 2022 Jul 6.
Results Reference
background
Links:
URL
https://jcto.weill.cornell.edu/lucinda
Description
LUCINDA website

Learn more about this trial

The LUCINDA Trial: LeUprolide Plus Cholinesterase Inhibition to Reduce Neurological Decline in Alzheimer's

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