Title

A Clinical Study of Alanyl-Glutamine for Reduction of Post-Myomectomy Adhesions
A Randomized Double-Blind Controlled Proof-of-Concept Study of Alanyl-Glutamine for Reduction of Post-Myomectomy Adhesions
  • Phase

    Phase 1
  • Study Type

    Interventional
  • Study Participants

    47
This study evaluates whether L-Alanyl-L-Glutamine can reduce the incidence, extent and severity of adhesions after myomectomy. Half of the participants will receive L-Alanyl-L-Glutamine and the other half of participants will receive a saline placebo at the time of myomectomy.
The myriad medical and financial burdens of post-operative adhesions are well documented; however, treatment options are limited and controversial. Implantable physical barriers to prevent adhesions are commercially available, but most trials have failed to demonstrate compelling evidence to support widespread use. In recent years, advances have been made in our understanding of the cellular mechanisms underlying adhesiogenesis, raising the prospect of targeting these pathways to prevent post-surgical adhesions. However, to date, no drug has received regulatory approval for this purpose in any jurisdiction. Our study was designed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of a single intraoperative intraperitoneal dose of L-Alanyl-L-Glutamine (AG), an agent which has been shown to act upon key mediators in the adhesion formation pathway.

Methods: This was a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study (DBRCT) of 47 women who underwent myomectomies by laparoscopy (N=37; AG-18 vs Placebo-19) or laparotomy (N=10; AG-5 vs Placebo-5) with a scheduled clinically necessary second-look laparoscopy (SLL) 6 - 8 weeks later. Digital recordings were obtained for all procedures. The primary endpoint was reduction in the incidence, severity and extent of post-operative adhesions, as analyzed by intention-to-treat (ITT) approach.

Three independent, blinded reviewers evaluated the operative video recordings to assess for presence of adhesions. Secondary endpoints assessed the safety and tolerability of AG. Post-hoc analysis assessed presence or absence of adhesions in the peritoneal cavity. Patients included those with previous history of surgery, endometriosis, and adhesiolysis was permitted at myomectomy.
Study Started
Feb 15
2015
Primary Completion
Oct 20
2016
Study Completion
Oct 20
2016
Results Posted
May 07
2021
Last Update
May 07
2021

Drug L-Alanyl/L-Glutamine

Sterile solution of L-Alanyl-L-Glutamine, 400mg/mL in water for injection. It is dosed at 1g/kg of body weight and is instilled into the peritoneum at the time of surgery. The active ingredient, glutamine, is a conditionally essential amino acid component of nutritional supplements.

  • Other names: Evitar

Drug Physiologic saline

Placebo

Physiological saline- Laparoscopic Placebo Comparator

Participants receiving intraperitoneal administration of physiological saline at the time of laparoscopic myomectomy.

L-Alanyl/L-Glutamine- Laparoscopic Experimental

Participants receiving intraperitoneal administration of L-Alanyl-L-Glutamine at the time of laparoscopic myomectomy.

Physiological saline- Laparotomy Placebo Comparator

Participants receiving intraperitoneal administration of physiological saline at the time of myomectomy (laparotomy).

L-Alanyl/L-Glutamine- Laparotomy Experimental

Participants receiving intraperitoneal administration of L-Alanyl-L-Glutamine at the time of myomectomy (laparotomy).

Criteria

Inclusion Criteria:

Subjects are female
Subjects are 18 years of age or older at the time of consent
Subjects have a BMI between 17-40
Subjects must have signed informed consent form
Subjects have a preoperative diagnosis of uterine fibroids and plan to have a myomectomy completed surgically as part of their standard of care
Subjects must have a physical examination and compliance assessment

Exclusion Criteria:

Subjects whose BMI is outside the range of 17-40
Subjects participating in another clinical trial with a drug or device
Subjects who have participated in a clinical trial with a drug or device within 30 days prior to this study
Subjects with suspected or diagnosed pregnancy
Subjects with suspected intraabdominal infection
Subjects who are immunocompromised
Subjects diagnosed with cancer
Subjects treated with hemostatic agents (e.g. fibrin sealant, collagen, oxidized cellulose)
Subjects treated with adhesion prevention agents other than the Anti-Adhesion product (APP) (e.g. Intergel ® Adhesion Prevention Solution, Seprafilm ® Membrane)
Subjects taking anti-epileptic medication
Subjects who have been treated with Methotrexate or other chemotherapeutics agents
Subjects with an American Fertility Society score of Stage D at the time of myomectomy as determined by the surgeon
Positive viral serology screening results for hepatitis B surface antigen, antibodies to hepatitis C virus or human immunodeficiency

Summary

L-Alanyl/L-Glutamine- Laparoscopic

Physiological Saline- Laparoscopic

L-Alanyl/L-Glutamine- Laparotomy

Physiological Saline -Laparotomy

All Events

Event Type Organ System Event Term L-Alanyl/L-Glutamine- Laparoscopic Physiological Saline- Laparoscopic L-Alanyl/L-Glutamine- Laparotomy Physiological Saline -Laparotomy

Number of Participants in Which Adhesions Were Prevented.

The American Fertility Society (AFS) grading system for adhesions was used to assess incidence of adhesions. Adhesion prevention was determined through grading of adhesions at the time of myomectomy (initial surgery) and at the time of second look surgery and compared.

L-Alanyl/L-Glutamine- Laparoscopic

Physiological Saline- Laparoscopic

L-Alanyl/L-Glutamine- Laparotomy

Physiological Saline- Laparotomy

Adverse Events, Adverse Drug Reactions and Clinical Laboratory Abnormalities.

Participants With Treatment-related Adverse Events as Assessed by Clinical Blood Work Abnormalities and Physical Examination.

L-Alanyl/L-Glutamine

Physiological Saline

L-Alanyl/L-Glutamine- Laparotomy

Physiological Saline- Laparotomy

Total

47
Participants

BMI (kg/m^2)

23.5
kg/m^2 (Mean)
Standard Deviation: 0.9

Diastolic BP (mmHg)

69.6
mmHg (Mean)
Standard Deviation: 1.8

Heart rate (bpm)

77.8
beats per minute (Mean)
Standard Deviation: 3.2

Race and Ethnicity Not Collected

0
Participants

Systolic BP (mmHg)

113.7
mmHg (Mean)
Standard Deviation: 2.9

Temperature (Degrees Celsius)

36.5
Degrees Celsius (Mean)
Standard Deviation: 0.2

Age, Categorical

Sex: Female, Male

Overall Study

L-Alanyl/L-Glutamine- Laparoscopic

Physiological Saline- Laparoscopic

L-Alanyl/L-Glutamine- Laparotomy

Physiological Saline- Laparotomy

Drop/Withdrawal Reasons

L-Alanyl/L-Glutamine- Laparoscopic

Physiological Saline- Laparoscopic

L-Alanyl/L-Glutamine- Laparotomy

Physiological Saline- Laparotomy