Vasodilator and Exercise Study for DMD (VASO-REx)

NCT06290713 | Recruiting Phase 2 FDA Drug

• 3 other identifiers: IRB2023014911R21AR079755-01PRO00050023
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 50
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

Examining two strategies as potential adjuvant therapies for Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD); aerobic exercise training (to induce adaptations in skeletal muscle and improve cardiovascular health) and tadalafil, an FDA-approved vasodilator (to optimize blood flow and muscle perfusion which is impaired and often overlooked in DMD). Target: improved muscle function, vascular health, and DMD treatment.

Conditions

Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy; Duchenne Disease; Muscular Dystrophy; Muscular Dystrophy in Children; Vasodilation; Exercise; DMD

Keywords

DMD; Tadalafil; Drug and Exercise Intervention; Treatment Strategy

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (2)

• Vascular responsiveness after muscle contraction to a single dose of tadalafil.

  Responsiveness will be determined by an increase in post-contractile muscle oxygenation using MRI-Blood Oxygen Level Dependent (BOLD) responses after dosing compared to before. Study participants demonstrating an increase (\>50%) in post-contractile BOLD after tadalafil will be enrolled into Aim 2 of this study.

  up to 4 weeks after the completion of Visits 1 and 2 of Aim 1.

• Cycling time to fatigue

  The study will assess the impact of tadalafil on exercise performance and fatigue resistance compared to placebo. Participants will undergo a maximal effort cycling test before and after the intervention period. The time it takes for participants to reach exhaustion (TTE) will be recorded as the primary outcome measure. Measurement: Time to exhaustion (TTE) during a maximal effort cycling test on a recumbent, stationary ergometer. This test will quantify fatigue resistance by measuring the duration participants can sustain maximal effort cycling.

  Baseline and 6 month follow-up visits of Aim 2.

Secondary Outcomes (21)

• Quadriceps muscle Fat Fraction

  Aim 1 and Aim 2 (baseline and 6 month follow-up)

• Metabolic recovery

  Through study completion, an average of 3 years.

• cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET) - Peak aerobic capacity (VO2max)

  Through study completion, an average of 3 years.

• cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET) - Minute Ventilation (VE)

  Through study completion, an average of 3 years.

• cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET) - Ventilatory Equivalent for Oxygen (VE/VO2)

  Through study completion, an average of 3 years.

Study Arms (2)

Tadalafil and Exercise Arm

EXPERIMENTAL

Participants receive tadalafil weight-dependent dosage to take daily for 6 months (26 weeks).

Drug: Tadalafil; Other: Exercise Training

Placebo and Exercise Arm

PLACEBO COMPARATOR

Participants receive a tadalafil placebo tablet matching the tadalafil weight-dependent dosage to take daily for 6 months (26 weeks).

Drug: Placebo; Other: Exercise Training

Interventions

Tadalafil DRUG

Patients will be given either the intervention medication or a placebo (double-blinded, randomized trial) and will be asked to take the medication every day for 6 months in conjunction with weekly exercise sessions.

Tadalafil and Exercise Arm

Placebo DRUG

Patients will be given either the intervention medication or a placebo (double-blinded, randomized trial) and will be asked to take the medication every day for 6 months in conjunction with weekly exercise sessions.

Placebo and Exercise Arm

Exercise Training OTHER

The home-based cycling exercise training program is designed to improve muscle strength and endurance. Participants will engage in individualized exercise sessions up to four times per week, lasting up to 40 minutes each. Live video and heart rate monitoring will ensure proper exercise performance and allow for adjustments to the program throughout the study. The participants will receive the exercise equipment for use at home.

Placebo and Exercise Arm; Tadalafil and Exercise Arm

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 6 Years+
• Gender Eligibility Details: Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy is an X-linked disorder, and therefore predominantly in males. As a result, the principal investigator is limiting the children study participants to males.
• Healthy Volunteers: No
• Age Groups: Child (0-17), Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)

You may qualify if:

• Diagnosis of DMD confirmed by genetic report
• Minimum entry age of 6.0 years old
• Ambulatory
• On stable glucocorticoid regimen (for \> 3 months)

You may not qualify if:

• Contraindication to a Magnetic resonance Imaging examination (e.g. severe claustrophobia, magnetic implants, unable/unwilling to perform test)
• Presence of unstable medical problems, including severe cardiomyopathy, left ventricular ejection fraction \<45%, cardiac conduction abnormalities as evidenced on ECG, uncontrolled seizure disorder, uncontrolled hypo or hypertension
• Presence of a secondary condition that impacts muscle function or muscle metabolism (e.g., myasthenia gravis, endocrine disorder, mitochondrial disease)
• Presence of a secondary condition leading to developmental delay or impaired motor control (e.g., cerebral palsy) or previous history of unprovoked rhabdomyolysis
• Contraindications to phosphodiesterase 5 inhibitors (use of nitrates, alpha-adrenergic blockers, other phosphodiesterase 5 inhibitors) or other medications known to modulate blood flow or muscle metabolism
• Participation in currently approved FDA trials or other investigational clinical trials during the period of the study

Sponsors & Collaborators

• University of Florida: lead
• National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS): collaborator

Study Sites (1)

University of Florida Clinical and Translational Research Building

Gainesville, Florida, 32603, United States

RECRUITING

Related Publications (66)

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MeSH Terms

Conditions

Muscular Dystrophy, Duchenne; Tabes Dorsalis; Muscular Dystrophies; Aneurysm; Motor Activity

Interventions

Tadalafil; Exercise

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Muscular Disorders, Atrophic; Muscular Diseases; Musculoskeletal Diseases; Neuromuscular Diseases; Nervous System Diseases; Genetic Diseases, X-Linked; Genetic Diseases, Inborn; Congenital, Hereditary, and Neonatal Diseases and Abnormalities; Neurosyphilis; Central Nervous System Bacterial Infections; Bacterial Infections; Bacterial Infections and Mycoses; Infections; Syphilis; Treponemal Infections; Spirochaetales Infections; Gram-Negative Bacterial Infections; Central Nervous System Infections; Central Nervous System Diseases; Spinal Cord Diseases; Vascular Diseases; Cardiovascular Diseases; Behavior

Intervention Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Carbolines; Pyridines; Heterocyclic Compounds, 1-Ring; Heterocyclic Compounds; Indole Alkaloids; Indoles; Heterocyclic Compounds, 2-Ring; Heterocyclic Compounds, Fused-Ring; Heterocyclic Compounds, 3-Ring; Motor Activity; Movement; Musculoskeletal Physiological Phenomena; Musculoskeletal and Neural Physiological Phenomena

Study Officials

• Tanja Taivassalo, Ph.D.

  University of Florida, College of Medicine, Department of Physiology and Aging

  PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Central Study Contacts

Tanja Taivassalo, Ph.D.

CONTACT

352-294-8748; ttaivassalo@ufl.edu

Ruby Sullivan, MS

CONTACT

352-294-5392; r.sullivan1@ufl.edu

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: phase 2
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: QUADRUPLE
• Who Masked: PARTICIPANT, CARE PROVIDER, INVESTIGATOR, OUTCOMES ASSESSOR
• Purpose: TREATMENT
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: SPONSOR

Model Details: Participants are assigned to receive interventions based on their completion and results of Aim 1 (responsiveness to study drug). If participants are found to be Tadalafil-responsive after one dose, they will be included in Aim 2 of the study and will be asked to participate in the double-blinded, randomized, placebo-controlled longitudinal medication \& exercise 6-month study program.

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: February 9, 2024
• First Posted: March 4, 2024
• Study Start: June 5, 2024
• Primary Completion (Estimated): November 1, 2026
• Study Completion (Estimated): November 1, 2026
• Last Updated: July 9, 2025

Record last verified: 2025-02

Locations

US (1)