Journal Article

SMA CARNI-VAL Trial Part I: Double-Blind, Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Trial of L-Carnitine and Valproic Acid in Spinal Muscular Atrophy

Reyna, Sandra P., Acsadi, Gyula, LaSalle, Bernard, Schroth, Mary K., Chan, Gary M., Swoboda, Kathryn J., Elsheik, Bakri, Prior, Thomas W., Simard, Louise R., D'Anjou, Guy, Scott, Charles B., Sorenson, Susan L., Maczulski, Jo Anne, Krosschell, Kristin J., Kissel, John T., Bromberg, Mark B., Crawford, Thomas O.

2010

Overview

Valproic acid (VPA) has demonstrated potential as a therapeutic candidate for spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) in vitro and in vivo. Two cohorts of subjects were enrolled in the SMA CARNIVAL TRIAL, a non-ambulatory group of \"sitters\" (cohort 1) and an ambulatory group of \"walkers\" (cohort 2). Here, we present results for cohort 1: a multicenter phase II randomized double-blind intention-to-treat protocol in non-ambulatory SMA subjects 2-8 years of age. Sixty-one subjects were randomized 1:1 to placebo or treatment for the first six months; all received active treatment the subsequent six months. The primary outcome was change in the modified Hammersmith Functional Motor Scale (MHFMS) score following six months of treatment. Secondary outcomes included safety and adverse event data, and change in MHFMS score for twelve versus six months of active treatment, body composition, quantitative SMN mRNA levels, maximum ulnar CMAP amplitudes, myometry and PFT measures. At 6 months, there was no difference in change from the baseline MHFMS score between treatment and placebo groups (difference = 0.643, 95% CI = -1.22-2.51). Adverse events occurred in >80% of subjects and were more common in the treatment group. Excessive weight gain was the most frequent drug-related adverse event, and increased fat mass was negatively related to change in MHFMS values (p = 0.0409). Post-hoc analysis found that children ages two to three years that received 12 months treatment, when adjusted for baseline weight, had significantly improved MHFMS scores (p = 0.03) compared to those who received placebo the first six months. A linear regression analysis limited to the influence of age demonstrates young age as a significant factor in improved MHFMS scores (p = 0.007). This study demonstrated no benefit from six months treatment with VPA and L-carnitine in a young non-ambulatory cohort of subjects with SMA. Weight gain, age and treatment duration were significant confounding variables that should be considered in the design of future trials. Clinicaltrials.gov NCT00227266.

• Publisher: Public Library of Science,Public Library of Science (PLoS)
• Subject: Acids / Age / Age Factors / Analysis / Atrophy / Body composition / Body composition (biology) / Body Composition - drug effects / Body fat / Body Mass Index / Body Weight - drug effects / Body weight gain / Bone Density - drug effects / Carnitine / Carnitine - adverse effects / Carnitine - pharmacology / Carnitine - therapeutic use / Child / Child, Preschool / Children / Clinical trials / Cohort Studies / Double-Blind Method / Double-blind studies / Drug-Related Side Effects and Adverse Reactions / Electrophysiological Phenomena - drug effects / Female / Gene Expression Regulation - drug effects / Genetics and Genomics/Medical Genetics / Genetics and Genomics/Pharmacogenomics / Health aspects / Health care / Humans / In vitro methods and tests / In vivo methods and tests / Infant / L-Carnitine / Levocarnitine / Lung - drug effects / Lung - physiopathology / Male / Medicine / Motivation / Motor Activity - drug effects / Motor Activity - physiology / mRNA / Muscular Atrophy, Spinal - drug therapy / Muscular Atrophy, Spinal - genetics / Muscular Atrophy, Spinal - physiopathology / Muscular dystrophy / Neurological Disorders/Neuromuscular Diseases / Neurology / Neuromuscular diseases / Pediatrics / Pediatrics and Child Health/Developmental and Pediatric Neurology / Proteins / Quality of Life / Randomization / Regression analysis / RNA / RNA, Messenger - genetics / RNA, Messenger - metabolism / Rodents / Safety engineering / SMN protein / Spinal muscular atrophy / Survival of Motor Neuron 1 Protein - blood / Survival of Motor Neuron 1 Protein - genetics / Treatment Outcome / Valproic acid / Valproic Acid - adverse effects / Valproic Acid - pharmacology / Valproic Acid - therapeutic use