NCT06178627

Brief Summary

Cryptococcus neoformans and C. gatti are important causes of central nervous system (CNS) infections with significant mortality, remaining a great public health challenge worldwide. Commonly seen as an opportunistic infection in adults with HIV/AIDS, cryptococcal meningitis (CM) accounts for 15% of HIV-related mortality globally \[1\]. In addition, a growing number of non-HIV CM patients have been observed in recent years with fatality approaching 30% in some areas \[2,3\]. It occurs in both those with natural or iatrogenic immunosuppression, as well as the apparently immunocompetent individuals. Approximately 65-70% of non-HIV CM patients were without any predisposing factors, particularly in the East Asia \[4,5\]. With the increasing number of hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, solid organ transplantation recipients and administration of immunosuppressive and corticosteroids agents, this illness will assume even greater public health significance. Current Infectious Disease Society of America (IDSA) guideline suggest the use of combination antifungal therapy: normal dose amphotericin (0.7-1mg/kg/day) combined with flucytosine for a minimum of 4 weeks, followed by fluconazole (600-800 mg/day) for a minimum of 10 weeks in total for HIV patients \[6\]. However, for non-HIV and immunocompetent patients, the treatment remains controversial. IDSA guideline recommended that the treatment of non-HIV patients could refer to the treatment of HIV patients. That is, amphotericin B combined with flucytosine is still administered in the induction period. However, as amphotericin B have nonspecific effect on ergosterol, it has strong side effects (hepatorenal toxicity, electrolyte disorder, anemia, ventricular fibrillation, etc.). Therefore, the dose of amphotericin B may not be appropriate for Asian patients due to the different drug metabolism and pharmacokinetic. In the prospective studies of Bennett\[7\] and Dismuke\[8\], low dose amphotericin B (0.3 mg/kg/d) combined with flucytosine achieved response rates of 66% and 85% at 6 weeks, respectively. A similar conclusion was also extracted from a large multicenter retrospective study that low dose amphotericin B (\<0.7 mg/kg/d) combined with flucytosine for a minimum of 2 weeks, followed by fluconazole could achieve a response rate of 84%, indicating that the efficacy of low dose amphotericin B (\< 0.7 mg/kg/d) may be equivalent with normal dose in non-HIV patients. Therefore, we plan to conduct a prospective, multicenter, open-label randomized controlled study to compare the efficacy and safety of normal dose amphotericin B (0.7 mg/kg/ d) and low dose amphotericin B (0.5 mg/kg/d) in the initial antifungal treatment for non-HIV cryptococcal meningitis patients.

Trial Health

75
On Track

Trial Health Score

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

Enrollment
250

participants targeted

Target at P75+ for phase_4

Timeline
4mo left

Started Aug 2023

Typical duration for phase_4

Geographic Reach
1 country

2 active sites

Status
enrolling by invitation

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 Progress90%
Aug 2023Aug 2026

Study Start

First participant enrolled

August 13, 2023

Completed
4 months until next milestone

First Submitted

Initial submission to the registry

December 4, 2023

Completed
17 days until next milestone

First Posted

Study publicly available on registry

December 21, 2023

Completed
1.7 years until next milestone

Primary Completion

Last participant's last visit for primary outcome

August 31, 2025

Completed
1 year until next milestone

Study Completion

Last participant's last visit for all outcomes

August 31, 2026

Expected
Last Updated

December 21, 2023

Status Verified

December 1, 2023

Enrollment Period

2.1 years

First QC Date

December 4, 2023

Last Update Submit

December 11, 2023

Conditions

Keywords

Cryptococcal MeningitisAntifungal agentsamphotericin Bnon-HIV

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

  • Mortality rate at 4 weeks after randomization.

    The primary end point was mortality rate at 4 weeks after randomization. Mortality was treated as a binary variable, and the generalized linear model (GLM) was used for non-inferiority test. Point estimation and one-sided 95% confidence interval (CI) estimation of mortality difference between the two groups will be performed. If the upper limit value of 95% CI is less than 0.10 of the non-inferiority margin, the research result is considered to be in line with the non-inferiority margin. Kaplan-meier was used to draw the four week survival curves of the two groups, and log rank method was used to test the survival curves. Cox proportional hazard regression model was used to analyze the risk of death (HR) and 95% CI of the two groups. Sensitivity analysis: in the above analysis, the patients who lost the follow-up within 4 weeks were excluded for sensitivity analysis; The above non inferiority test GLM analysis and cox model included confounding variables (baseline Log10 fungal load, w

    4 weeks

Secondary Outcomes (7)

  • EFA rate at 2 weeks after randomization

    2 weeks

  • urvival until 2 weeks, 10 weeks and 6 months after randomization

    up to 6 months

  • Disability at 10 weeks and 6 months

    up to 6 months

  • Adverse events

    4 weeks

  • Visual deficit at 10 weeks and 6 months

    up to 6 months

  • +2 more secondary outcomes

Study Arms (2)

Normal dose amphotericin B (0.7 mg/kg/d)

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

Study regimen 1: amphotericin B 0.7 mg/kg/day i.v. plus flucytosine for 4 weeks

Drug: Amphotericin B 0.7 mg/kg/day i.v. combined with flucytosine four times per day orally for the first 4 weeks.

Low dose amphotericin B (0.5 mg/kg/d)

EXPERIMENTAL

Amphotericin B 0.5 mg/kg/day i.v. plus flucytosine for 4 weeks

Drug: Amphotericin B 0.5 mg/kg/day i.v. combined with flucytosine four times per day orally for the first 4 weeks.

Interventions

Different amphotericin B dosage

Low dose amphotericin B (0.5 mg/kg/d)

Different amphotericin B dosage

Normal dose amphotericin B (0.7 mg/kg/d)

Eligibility Criteria

Age18 Years+
Sexall
Healthy VolunteersNo
Age GroupsAdult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)

You may qualify if:

  • Age more than 18 years
  • HIV antibody negative
  • Cryptococcal meningitis defined as a syndrome consistent with CM and one or more of: 1) positive CSF India ink (budding encapsulated yeasts), 2) C.neoformans cultured from CSF or blood, 3) positive cryptococcal antigen Lateral Flow Antigen Test (LFA) in CSF, 4) positive brain tissue representing Cryptococcus
  • Having no severe immunocompromised conditions
  • Informed consent to participate given by patient or acceptable representative

You may not qualify if:

  • Previously cryptococcal disease
  • Currently receiving treatment for cryptococcal meningitis and having received ≥72 hours of anti-cryptococcal meningitis therapy in 96 hours
  • Creatinine clearance lower than 80 ml/min
  • Liver dysfunction (defined as ALT or AST \> 2×ULN and bilirubin \> 1.5×ULN, or ALT or AST \> 3×ULN, or bilirubin \> 2×ULN)
  • Liver cirrhosis or chronic liver failure
  • Pregnancy or breast-feeding
  • Known allergy to study drugs
  • Failure to consent - the patient, or if they are incapacitated, their responsible relative, declines to enter the study

Contact the study team to confirm eligibility.

Sponsors & Collaborators

Study Sites (2)

Huashan Hospital

Shanghai, Shanghai Municipality, 200040, China

Location

The Fourth People's Hospital of Nanning

Nanning, 530000, China

Location

Related Publications (13)

  • Lortholary O, Dromer F, Mathoulin-Pelissier S, Fitting C, Improvisi L, Cavaillon JM, Dupont B; French Cryptococcosis Study Group. Immune mediators in cerebrospinal fluid during cryptococcosis are influenced by meningeal involvement and human immunodeficiency virus serostatus. J Infect Dis. 2001 Jan 15;183(2):294-302. doi: 10.1086/317937. Epub 2000 Dec 8.

    PMID: 11110651BACKGROUND
  • Jiang YK, Wu JQ, Zhao HZ, Wang X, Wang RY, Zhou LH, Yip CW, Huang LP, Cheng JH, Chen YH, Li H, Zhu LP, Weng XH. Genetic influence of Toll-like receptors on non-HIV cryptococcal meningitis: An observational cohort study. EBioMedicine. 2018 Nov;37:401-409. doi: 10.1016/j.ebiom.2018.10.045. Epub 2018 Oct 23.

    PMID: 30366814BACKGROUND
  • Haddow LJ, Colebunders R, Meintjes G, Lawn SD, Elliott JH, Manabe YC, Bohjanen PR, Sungkanuparph S, Easterbrook PJ, French MA, Boulware DR; International Network for the Study of HIV-associated IRIS (INSHI). Cryptococcal immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome in HIV-1-infected individuals: proposed clinical case definitions. Lancet Infect Dis. 2010 Nov;10(11):791-802. doi: 10.1016/S1473-3099(10)70170-5.

    PMID: 21029993BACKGROUND
  • Chau TT, Mai NH, Phu NH, Nghia HD, Chuong LV, Sinh DX, Duong VA, Diep PT, Campbell JI, Baker S, Hien TT, Lalloo DG, Farrar JJ, Day JN. A prospective descriptive study of cryptococcal meningitis in HIV uninfected patients in Vietnam - high prevalence of Cryptococcus neoformans var grubii in the absence of underlying disease. BMC Infect Dis. 2010 Jul 9;10:199. doi: 10.1186/1471-2334-10-199.

    PMID: 20618932BACKGROUND
  • Thwaites GE, Nguyen DB, Nguyen HD, Hoang TQ, Do TT, Nguyen TC, Nguyen QH, Nguyen TT, Nguyen NH, Nguyen TN, Nguyen NL, Nguyen HD, Vu NT, Cao HH, Tran TH, Pham PM, Nguyen TD, Stepniewska K, White NJ, Tran TH, Farrar JJ. Dexamethasone for the treatment of tuberculous meningitis in adolescents and adults. N Engl J Med. 2004 Oct 21;351(17):1741-51. doi: 10.1056/NEJMoa040573.

    PMID: 15496623BACKGROUND
  • Beardsley J, Wolbers M, Kibengo FM, Ggayi AB, Kamali A, Cuc NT, Binh TQ, Chau NV, Farrar J, Merson L, Phuong L, Thwaites G, Van Kinh N, Thuy PT, Chierakul W, Siriboon S, Thiansukhon E, Onsanit S, Supphamongkholchaikul W, Chan AK, Heyderman R, Mwinjiwa E, van Oosterhout JJ, Imran D, Basri H, Mayxay M, Dance D, Phimmasone P, Rattanavong S, Lalloo DG, Day JN; CryptoDex Investigators. Adjunctive Dexamethasone in HIV-Associated Cryptococcal Meningitis. N Engl J Med. 2016 Feb 11;374(6):542-54. doi: 10.1056/NEJMoa1509024.

    PMID: 26863355BACKGROUND
  • Day JN, Chau TTH, Wolbers M, Mai PP, Dung NT, Mai NH, Phu NH, Nghia HD, Phong ND, Thai CQ, Thai LH, Chuong LV, Sinh DX, Duong VA, Hoang TN, Diep PT, Campbell JI, Sieu TPM, Baker SG, Chau NVV, Hien TT, Lalloo DG, Farrar JJ. Combination antifungal therapy for cryptococcal meningitis. N Engl J Med. 2013 Apr 4;368(14):1291-1302. doi: 10.1056/NEJMoa1110404.

    PMID: 23550668BACKGROUND
  • Zhao HZ, Wang RY, Wang X, Jiang YK, Zhou LH, Cheng JH, Huang LP, Harrison TS, Zhu LP. High dose fluconazole in salvage therapy for HIV-uninfected cryptococcal meningitis. BMC Infect Dis. 2018 Dec 12;18(1):643. doi: 10.1186/s12879-018-3460-7.

    PMID: 30541454BACKGROUND
  • Perfect JR, Dismukes WE, Dromer F, Goldman DL, Graybill JR, Hamill RJ, Harrison TS, Larsen RA, Lortholary O, Nguyen MH, Pappas PG, Powderly WG, Singh N, Sobel JD, Sorrell TC. Clinical practice guidelines for the management of cryptococcal disease: 2010 update by the infectious diseases society of america. Clin Infect Dis. 2010 Feb 1;50(3):291-322. doi: 10.1086/649858.

    PMID: 20047480BACKGROUND
  • Chen J, Varma A, Diaz MR, Litvintseva AP, Wollenberg KK, Kwon-Chung KJ. Cryptococcus neoformans strains and infection in apparently immunocompetent patients, China. Emerg Infect Dis. 2008 May;14(5):755-62. doi: 10.3201/eid1405.071312.

    PMID: 18439357BACKGROUND
  • Zhu LP, Wu JQ, Xu B, Ou XT, Zhang QQ, Weng XH. Cryptococcal meningitis in non-HIV-infected patients in a Chinese tertiary care hospital, 1997-2007. Med Mycol. 2010 Jun;48(4):570-9. doi: 10.3109/13693780903437876.

    PMID: 20392150BACKGROUND
  • Brizendine KD, Baddley JW, Pappas PG. Predictors of mortality and differences in clinical features among patients with Cryptococcosis according to immune status. PLoS One. 2013;8(3):e60431. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0060431. Epub 2013 Mar 26.

    PMID: 23555970BACKGROUND
  • Rajasingham R, Smith RM, Park BJ, Jarvis JN, Govender NP, Chiller TM, Denning DW, Loyse A, Boulware DR. Global burden of disease of HIV-associated cryptococcal meningitis: an updated analysis. Lancet Infect Dis. 2017 Aug;17(8):873-881. doi: 10.1016/S1473-3099(17)30243-8. Epub 2017 May 5.

    PMID: 28483415BACKGROUND

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Meningitis, Cryptococcal

Interventions

Amphotericin B

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Meningitis, FungalCentral Nervous System Fungal InfectionsMycosesBacterial Infections and MycosesInfectionsCryptococcosisCentral Nervous System InfectionsCentral Nervous System DiseasesNervous System DiseasesMeningitisNeuroinflammatory Diseases

Intervention Hierarchy (Ancestors)

MacrolidesPolyketidesLactonesOrganic Chemicals

Study Design

Study Type
interventional
Phase
phase 4
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Masking
NONE
Purpose
TREATMENT
Intervention Model
PARALLEL
Sponsor Type
OTHER
Responsible Party
PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
PI Title
Professor

Study Record Dates

First Submitted

December 4, 2023

First Posted

December 21, 2023

Study Start

August 13, 2023

Primary Completion

August 31, 2025

Study Completion (Estimated)

August 31, 2026

Last Updated

December 21, 2023

Record last verified: 2023-12

Data Sharing

IPD Sharing
Will not share

Locations