Official Title

Targeting Pulmonary Perfusion in Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Deficiency
  • Phase

    Phase 2
  • Study Type

    Interventional
  • Intervention/Treatment

    acetylsalicylic acid ...
  • Study Participants

    15
The aim of this study is to test whether aspirin improves endothelial function in alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency-associated lung disease, measured by pulmonary microvascular blood flow on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and with apoptotic endothelial microparticles.
Emphysema is a common type of lung disease in patients with alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency (AATD). Emphysema refers to destruction of the fine network of air spaces and blood vessels in the lung, and results in what looks like "holes" in the lung. Emphysema is associated with an increased risk of death but currently no medications, except for replacement of alpha-1 antitrypsin (AAT), have been shown to treat emphysema.

The study plans to enroll subjects with alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency-associated lung disease (PiZZ phenotype) to perform a cross-over randomized controlled trial (RCT) of aspirin compared to placebo to test the hypotheses that aspirin is effective in improving blood flow in the lungs and reducing damage to the endothelial cells. Subjects will be randomized to receive aspirin or placebo for 2 weeks. There will be a 2-week washout period, then the participant will be crossed over to receive the other treatment (those who received aspirin first will receive the placebo and those who received the placebo first will receive aspirin).

Participants who are on alpha-1 replacement therapy who have had fewer than 2 exacerbations in the last year will be asked whether they are interested in a withdrawal study. For this second part of the study, eligible and willing participants will be asked to stop their alpha-1 replacement therapy for 5 weeks and come in for a 4th study visit. This will allow AAT levels to drop briefly to those seen in the absence of AAT augmentation.
Study Started
Jan 31
2017
Primary Completion
Jul 31
2018
Study Completion
Oct 31
2020
Results Posted
Feb 17
2021
Last Update
Feb 17
2021

Drug Aspirin

81mg aspirin taken once per day in the morning

Drug Placebo

placebo taken once per day in the morning

Other Withdrawal from alpha1 antitrypsin replacement therapy

After the completion of the randomization to aspirin and placebo, participants who are on alpha1 replacement therapy are asked to withhold their usual alpha1 antitrypsin replacement therapy for 5 weeks. This is not randomized.

Aspirin first then placebo Active Comparator

Aspirin 81mg for 2 weeks followed by a washout period and then placebo for 2 weeks

Placebo first then aspirin Placebo Comparator

Placebo for 2 weeks followed by a washout period and then aspirin 81mg for 2 weeks

Criteria

Inclusion Criteria:

Alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency (PiZZ genotype)
40 years of age or older
Evidence of emphysema on CT scan as read by a Radiologist

Exclusion Criteria:

Platelet count < 150,000/dL, history of intracranial hemorrhage or severe GI bleed, use of systemic anticoagulant, physician prescribed use of antiplatelet drug (including aspirin and P2Y12 receptor inhibitors), or known severe liver disease
Immunosuppression by use of medications (including oral prednisone), or those with immunomodulatory disease (organ transplantation, autoimmune conditions or actively-treated malignancy)
Known atrial fibrillation or left ventricular (LV) systolic heart failure
Contraindication to MRI, including pregnancy, weight > 300 lbs (due to weight limits of the machine), those with pacemakers, aneurysm clips, cochlear implants or other implanted electronic devices, or severe claustrophobia;
Chronic renal insufficiency (estimated GFR < 45 L/min/1.73 m2 or self report) due to slightly increased risk of nephrogenic systemic fibrosis from gadolinium administration and aspirin-related renal insufficiency
Exacerbation of respiratory symptoms within the previous 6 weeks, such as that requiring hospitalization, oral prednisone or antibiotics to control symptoms.

Summary

Aspirin

Placebo

All Events

Event Type Organ System Event Term Aspirin Placebo

Pulmonary Microvascular Blood Flow, Mean

Pulmonary microvascular blood flow is measured on contrast-enhanced MRI, limited to blood flow in the 2cm periphery of the lung

Aspirin

36.9
mL blood/minute per 100mL lung (Mean)
Standard Deviation: 13.0

Placebo

35.1
mL blood/minute per 100mL lung (Mean)
Standard Deviation: 15.4

Endothelial Microparticles

Endothelial microparticles (EMPs) are vesicles shed from endothelial plasma membranes into the circulation in response to endothelial cell perturbation. CD31+ is a measure of apoptotic endothelial microparticles, CD62+ (P-selectin) is a measure of endothelial activation, and Annexin V/CD31+ is a more specific marker of endothelial cell apoptosis.

Aspirin

Annexin V, CD31+

145.0
EMPs/uL (Mean)
Standard Deviation: 62.8

CD31+

749.0
EMPs/uL (Mean)
Standard Deviation: 231.1

CD62+

1357.3
EMPs/uL (Mean)
Standard Deviation: 469.6

Placebo

Annexin V, CD31+

317.0
EMPs/uL (Mean)
Standard Deviation: 210.7

CD31+

821.5
EMPs/uL (Mean)
Standard Deviation: 3.5

CD62+

596.0
EMPs/uL (Mean)
Standard Deviation: 287.1

Endothelial Microparticles

Endothelial microparticles (EMPs) are vesicles shed from endothelial plasma membranes into the circulation in response to endothelial cell perturbation. CD31+ is a measure of apoptotic endothelial microparticles, CD62+ (P-selectin) is a measure of endothelial activation, and Annexin V/CD31+ is a more specific marker of endothelial cell apoptosis.

Off Alpha-1 Replacement Therapy

Annexin V, CD31+

146.0
EMPs/uL (Mean)
Standard Deviation: 186.7

CD31+

996.0
EMPs/uL (Mean)
Standard Deviation: 408.7

CD62+

3681.5
EMPs/uL (Mean)
Standard Deviation: 3806.4

Placebo

Annexin V, CD31+

317.0
EMPs/uL (Mean)
Standard Deviation: 210.7

CD31+

821.5
EMPs/uL (Mean)
Standard Deviation: 3.5

CD62+

596.0
EMPs/uL (Mean)
Standard Deviation: 287.1

Pulmonary Microvascular Blood Flow, Mean

Pulmonary microvascular blood flow is measured on contrast-enhanced MRI in the peripheral 2cm of the lung.

Off Alpha-1 Replacement Therapy

35.5
mL blood/minute per 100mL lung (Mean)
Standard Deviation: 2.6

Placebo

35.1
mL blood/minute per 100mL lung (Mean)
Standard Deviation: 11.0

Age, Continuous

55.6
years (Mean)
Standard Deviation: 7.9

FEV1/FVC ratio

44.0
percent (Mean)
Standard Deviation: 13.0

Percent emphysema, -950 HU

21.2
percent (Mean)
Standard Deviation: 9.8

Ethnicity (NIH/OMB)

Race (NIH/OMB)

Region of Enrollment

Sex: Female, Male

Smoking status

Treatment 1

Aspirin First, Then Placebo

Placebo First, Then Aspirin

Treatment 2

Aspirin First, Then Placebo

Placebo First, Then Aspirin

Drop/Withdrawal Reasons

Placebo First, Then Aspirin