Brief Summary

This is a pilot study of retinoids for patients with unsatisfactory response to conventional treatment of nephrotic syndrome due to focal segmental glomerulosclerosis or minimal change disease, two renal disorders associated with putatively pathogenic malfunctioning of glomerular podocytes. The hypothesis that retinoids may have reparative effects on these cells is based on previous research showing that retinoids promote the differentiation or redifferentiation of aberrant epithelial cells. Results obtained by 6 months of treatment with retinoids (that have been approved for non-renal indications) will be used as preliminary information upon which to base further testing of these agents in formal clinical trials in refractory cases of these nephrotic syndromes.

Trial Health

87
On Track

Trial Health Score

Automated assessment based on enrollment pace, timeline, and geographic reach

Enrollment
12

participants targeted

Target at below P25 for phase_2

Timeline
Completed

Started Nov 2004

Longer than P75 for phase_2

Geographic Reach
1 country

1 active site

Status
completed

Health score is calculated from publicly available data and should be used for screening purposes only.

Trial Relationships

Click on a node to explore related trials.

Study Timeline

Key milestones and dates

Study Start

First participant enrolled

November 26, 2004

Completed
5 days until next milestone

First Submitted

Initial submission to the registry

December 1, 2004

Completed
1 day until next milestone

First Posted

Study publicly available on registry

December 2, 2004

Completed
11.6 years until next milestone

Primary Completion

Last participant's last visit for primary outcome

June 27, 2016

Completed
Same day until next milestone

Study Completion

Last participant's last visit for all outcomes

June 27, 2016

Completed
1.5 years until next milestone

Results Posted

Study results publicly available

December 13, 2017

Completed
Last Updated

December 13, 2017

Status Verified

October 4, 2017

Enrollment Period

11.6 years

First QC Date

December 1, 2004

Results QC Date

June 8, 2017

Last Update Submit

December 12, 2017

Conditions

Keywords

GlomerulosclerosisProteinuriaFibrosisChronic Kidney DiseaseNephrotic Syndrome

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

  • Change in Proteinuria at Week 24 From Baseline

    Change of proteinuria at Week 24 compared to the baseline using protein/creatinine ratio (PCR)

    Baseline and Week 24

Secondary Outcomes (1)

  • Number of Patients Who Are in Complete Remission (CR) or Partial Remission (PR) at 6 Months or at the End of One Year.

    End of one year from baseline

Study Arms (1)

Isotretinoin

EXPERIMENTAL

Subjects will be treated with Isotretinoin.

Drug: Isotretinoin

Interventions

Isotretinoin

Eligibility Criteria

Age16 Years+
Sexall
Healthy VolunteersNo
Age GroupsChild (0-17), Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)

You may qualify if:

  • Patients with podocyte diseases, MCD, FSGS (including primary, secondary, and adaptive variants), and CG (including HIV-associated variant), who meet the following criteria:
  • An adequate renal biopsy, defined as having minimum 10 glomeruli for light microscopy and minimum 3 glomeruli for electron microscopy, unless the podocyte disease is diagnostic on fewer glomeruli. Patients who have non-diagnostic or technically inadequate biopsies will be offered the opportunity to undergo a research biopsy to determine eligibility. For some patients who have had a non-diagnostic or technically inadequate biopsy, a repeat renal biopsy may be clinically indicated in an effort to diagnose and treat a potentially serious kidney disease.
  • Greater than or equal to 16 years of age. The rationale for excluding younger children is that retinoids may carry greater toxicity in children, as there are reports of premature epiphyseal closure, development of slender long bones, and periostal thickening.
  • Prior treatment with at least two immunosuppressive agents that have been shown to induce remission in MCD and FSGS: glucocorticoids, cyclosporine, tacrolimus, cyclophosphamide, chlorambucil, and mycophenolate mofetil. Therapy with each agent must last at least 8 weeks. Exemptions will be made for those with contraindications to these medications or those who cannot tolerate these medications. The rationale is to recruit patients who have failed conventional therapy. All patients will be off immunosuppression for at least 4 weeks before starting retinoids in order to avoid a confounding effect.
  • Three first void urine protein/creatinine ratios \> 2 g/g obtained within one month prior to enrolling in the study. These urine collections will be obtained after the patient has been on a stable dose of angiotensin converting enzyme(ACE) inhibitor or angiotensin receptor blocker (ARB) for at least 4 weeks (the maximal antiproteinuric effect of these medications occurs after 4 weeks). The rationale is that patients with nephrotic-range proteinuria are at high risk for progressive renal disease, justifying participation in a clinical trial with novel agents. Patients with steroid-sensitive frequently relapsing MCD will not be required to have used ACE inhibitor or ARB, as steroids alone are typically sufficient therapy to induce remission.
  • If hypertensive: blood pressure of less than or equal to 140/90 on a stable dose of ACE inhibitor or ARB for at least 1 month or greater than or equal to 75 percent of measurements before the entry of the study. The rationale is that uncontrolled hypertension can exacerbate proteinuria.

You may not qualify if:

  • Pregnancy, breastfeeding, or unwillingness to use at least two contraceptive methods (at least one of which must be primary, including tubal ligation, partner vasectomy, oral contraceptives, implanted contraceptives, and intrauterine device). The rationale is that retinoids are teratogenic and are excreted in breast milk.
  • Abnormal liver function test, including aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), total bilirubin, or protime. The rationale is that retinoids can be hepatotoxic. The only exception will be the following: if the cause of abnormality of liver function tests (LFT) is felt to be due to a specific hepatotoxic drug such as a statin and the levels are less than 2 times the upper limit of the normal AND normalize upon holding the offending drug, patients may be considered for study participation after consultation with hepatology service.
  • Hypertriglyceridemia greater than 500 mg/dL despite statin/fibrate therapy. The rationale is that retinoids can increase lipids, particularly triglyceride as this can lead to pancreatitis.
  • Any medical conditions requiring concurrent immunosuppression, as this pilot study is designed to evaluate the effect of retinoids as a monotherapy.
  • Any medical conditions requiring concurrent use of tetracycline, minocycline, or doxycycline, due to enhanced risk of increased intracranial pressure.
  • Hypersensitivity to retinoids.
  • Presence of any unstable cardiovascular disease, uncontrolled diabetes with hemoglobin A1c greater than 8 percent, chronic inflammatory or infectious conditions except HIV-1 infection. Retinoids have been associated with chest pain of unclear etiology, increased serum glucose, myelosuppression and increased risk of infection. The etiology of infection is not clear but may be related to myelosuppression.
  • Those with HIV-1 infection must not have any evidence for opportunistic infectious complications and have cluster of differentiation 4 (CD4) count greater than or equal to 200. Both tretinoin and isotretinoin have been safely studied in HIV-infected patients for other indications.
  • glomerular filtration rate (GFR) less than 40 ml/min/1.73m(2) estimated by 5-variable Modification of Diet in Renal Disease (MDRD) equation, as the metabolites of retinoids are excreted in part in urine, and there is a concern for increased toxicity. In participants less than 18 years of age, we will use Schwartz equation.
  • Expansion of glomerulus or interstitial formation on the biopsy.
  • Untreated depression, as retinoids have been associated with depression, suicidal ideation, and aggressive behavior. If patients manifest significant depressive symptoms, they will be included in the study only if assessed and agreed by a psychiatrist (either at NIH or other) and if they have regular follow-up visits with a psychiatrist.
  • Factors that increase the risk of renal biopsy. These include the following: unwillingness to accept blood transfusion, bleeding diathesis, single kidney, small kidneys (less than 9.5 cm).

Contact the study team to confirm eligibility.

Sponsors & Collaborators

Study Sites (1)

National Institutes of Health Clinical Center, 9000 Rockville Pike

Bethesda, Maryland, 20892, United States

Location

Related Publications (3)

  • WILSON JG, ROTH CB, WARKANY J. An analysis of the syndrome of malformations induced by maternal vitamin A deficiency. Effects of restoration of vitamin A at various times during gestation. Am J Anat. 1953 Mar;92(2):189-217. doi: 10.1002/aja.1000920202. No abstract available.

    PMID: 13030424BACKGROUND
  • Lelievre-Pegorier M, Vilar J, Ferrier ML, Moreau E, Freund N, Gilbert T, Merlet-Benichou C. Mild vitamin A deficiency leads to inborn nephron deficit in the rat. Kidney Int. 1998 Nov;54(5):1455-62. doi: 10.1046/j.1523-1755.1998.00151.x.

    PMID: 9844121BACKGROUND
  • Kriz W, Elger M, Nagata M, Kretzler M, Uiker S, Koeppen-Hageman I, Tenschert S, Lemley KV. The role of podocytes in the development of glomerular sclerosis. Kidney Int Suppl. 1994 Feb;45:S64-72. No abstract available.

    PMID: 8158902BACKGROUND

Related Links

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Glomerulosclerosis, Focal SegmentalProteinuriaFibrosisRenal Insufficiency, ChronicNephrotic Syndrome

Interventions

Isotretinoin

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

GlomerulonephritisNephritisKidney DiseasesUrologic DiseasesFemale Urogenital DiseasesFemale Urogenital Diseases and Pregnancy ComplicationsUrogenital DiseasesMale Urogenital DiseasesUrination DisordersUrological ManifestationsSigns and SymptomsPathological Conditions, Signs and SymptomsPathologic ProcessesRenal InsufficiencyChronic DiseaseDisease AttributesNephrosis

Intervention Hierarchy (Ancestors)

RetinoidsCarotenoidsPolyenesAlkenesHydrocarbons, AcyclicHydrocarbonsOrganic ChemicalsCyclohexenesCyclohexanesCycloparaffinsHydrocarbons, AlicyclicHydrocarbons, CyclicTerpenesPigments, BiologicalBiological Factors

Results Point of Contact

Title
Dr. Jeffery Kopp
Organization
National Institutes of Diabetes, Digestive, and Kidney Disorders

Study Officials

  • Jeffrey B Kopp, M.D.

    National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK)

    PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Publication Agreements

PI is Sponsor Employee
No
Restrictive Agreement
Yes

Study Design

Study Type
interventional
Phase
phase 2
Allocation
NA
Masking
NONE
Purpose
TREATMENT
Intervention Model
SINGLE GROUP
Model Details: Phase II, open-label pilot study
Sponsor Type
NIH
Responsible Party
SPONSOR

Study Record Dates

First Submitted

December 1, 2004

First Posted

December 2, 2004

Study Start

November 26, 2004

Primary Completion

June 27, 2016

Study Completion

June 27, 2016

Last Updated

December 13, 2017

Results First Posted

December 13, 2017

Record last verified: 2017-10-04

Data Sharing

IPD Sharing
Will share

The stored samples for this trial include plasma, urine, and renal biopsy samples. The plasma and urine are collected for cytokine measurement. Renal biopsy is done to evaluate histologic and ultrastructural changes. Samples/Data will be shared with collaborating investigators.

Time Frame
Until study closure.
Access Criteria
Collaborating investigators

Locations