Title

A Randomized, Double-blind, Placebo-controlled, Multicenter Study of the Effects of Glatiramer Acetate (GA) on the Retinal Nerve Fiber Layer (RNFL) and Visual Function in Patients With a First Episode of Acute Optic Neuritis (AON). (Octagon)
A Randomized, Double-blind, Placebo-controlled, Multicenter Study of the Effects of Glatiramer Acetate (GA) on the Retinal Nerve Fiber Layer (RNFL) and Visual Function in Patients With a First Episode of Acute Optic Neuritis (AON)
  • Phase

    Phase 3
  • Study Type

    Interventional
  • Study Participants

    44
The main objective of the study is to determine whether glatiramer acetate 20 mg once daily reduces the amount of axonal loss in the optic nerve after a first event of acute optic neuritis compared to placebo patients and to generate data supporting the potential neuroprotective effect of glatiramer acetate in a human in vivo model of axonal loss.
Study Started
Feb 28
2009
Primary Completion
Dec 31
2010
Study Completion
Feb 28
2011
Results Posted
Sep 23
2013
Estimate
Last Update
Feb 06
2018

Drug Glatiramer Acetate

20 mg injected daily subcutaneously

  • Other names: Copaxone

Drug placebo

injected daily subcutaneously

Glatiramer acetate Experimental

Participants received glatiramer acetate 20 mg subcutaneous injection once a day for up to 6 months.

Placebo Placebo Comparator

Participants received placebo subcutaneous injection once a day for up to 6 months.

Criteria

Inclusion Criteria:

Age: 18 - 45 years
Isolated, unilateral, first acute optic neuritis (AON) event consistent with inflammatory demyelinization, not explained by other etiologies. Onset of AON is defined by the presentation of visual disturbances.
Able to provide written informed consent prior to enrollment
Willing and able to comply with the protocol requirements for the duration of the study

For women of child bearing potential:

A negative urine pregnancy test o
Willing to practice an acceptable method of birth control •
Willing to receive a steroidal regimen

Exclusion Criteria:

A diagnosis of clinically definite multiple sclerosis (MS) (Clinically Definite Multiple Sclerosis)
Current use of any approved disease modifying agents for treatment of MS
Prior clinical episode of optic neuritis in either eye
Bilateral AON
Inability to undergo study evaluations in both eyes
Known ocular or neurological conditions or abnormalities other than refractive error that impair visual function
Retrogeniculate visual loss
Refractive error of greater than +6 or -6 diopters
Neuromyelitis Optica (Devic's disease)
Systemic diseases that cause inflammatory optic neuropathy, including but not limited to Sarcoidosis, Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), Wegener's Granulomatosis, Syphilis, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)
Known ocular conditions that preclude dilation
Any condition that may interfere with performance of Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT): corneal, lens or fundoscopic abnormality, a co-morbid ocular condition not related to optic neuritis as detected on the OCT reading
Any condition that precludes administration of Glatiramer Acetate, such as a known history of sensitivity to mannitol
Diabetes Mellitus Types I or II
Gastric bypass surgery
Current use of chemotherapy or radiotherapy
Treatments that may cause visual loss such as plaquenil, anti-tubercular agents, interferon (IFN)-alpha therapy, monoclonal antibodies Cardiac medications that may affect visual evaluations such as digitalis, amiodarone, quinine
Ongoing treatment with steroids (for longer than 10 days) within the last 3 months
Significant or unstable medical, systemic, psychiatric or logistical condition that affects the patient's ability to give informed consent or to complete the study procedures
Use of an investigational drug within 30 days prior to randomization

Summary

Glatiramer Acetate

Placebo

All Events

Event Type Organ System Event Term Glatiramer Acetate Placebo

Retinal Nerve Fiber Layer Thickness at Baseline and Month 6

Axonal loss in the optic nerve (due to optic neuritis) was assessed by measuring retinal nerve fiber thickness of the affected eye using optical coherence tomography (OCT) at Baseline and Month 6.

Glatiramer Acetate

Baseline (n=18, 18)

128.1
µm (Mean)
Standard Deviation: 11.9

Month 6 (n=13, 13)

89.5
µm (Mean)
Standard Deviation: 8.9

Placebo

Baseline (n=18, 18)

130.5
µm (Mean)
Standard Deviation: 8.9

Month 6 (n=13, 13)

88.0
µm (Mean)
Standard Deviation: 5.5

To Evaluate Changes on Additional OCT Parameters and Other Visual Function and Clinical Parameters.

Glatiramer Acetate

Placebo

Total

40
Participants

Age, Continuous

33.0
years (Mean)
Standard Deviation: 6.9

Race/Ethnicity, Customized

Sex: Female, Male

Overall Study

Glatiramer Acetate

Placebo

Drop/Withdrawal Reasons

Glatiramer Acetate

Placebo