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Proof of concept studies for tissue-protective agents in multiple sclerosisUniversity of Rochester Department of Neurology, Rochester, NY, USA lahar_mehta{at}urmc.rochester.edu
University of Rochester Department of Neurology, Rochester, NY, USA
Montreal Neurological Institute, Montreal, QC, USA
University of Alabama-Birmingham, Department of Biostatistics, Birmingham, AL, USA
Novartis Pharmaceuticals
University of Pennsylvania Department of Neurology and Epidemiology, Philadelphia, PA, USA
Johns Hopkins University Department of Neurology, Baltimore, MD, USA
Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, USA
Eisai Medical Research, Inc
Novartis Pharmaceuticals
Biogen Idec, Inc
New York University Department of Radiology and Neurology, New York, NY, USA
National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery, Queen Square, London, UK
University Hospital, Basel, Switzerland
Teva Pharmaceutical Industries, Ltd
Mount Sinai School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
Eisai Medical Research, Inc
University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB, Canada
16 National Multiple Sclerosis Society, New York, NY, USA
17 Vrije Universiteit Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
University of Rochester Department of Neurology, Rochester, NY, USA
18 Scientific and Clinical Review Associates, LLC, New York, NY, USA
16 National Multiple Sclerosis Society, New York, NY, USA
Biogen Idec, Inc
19 University of California – San Francisco, Department of Neurology, San Francisco, CA, USA Background There is considerable interest in tissue-protective treatments for multiple sclerosis (MS). Methods and Objectives We convened a group of MS clinical trialists and related researchers to discuss designs for proof of concept studies utilizing currently available data and assessment methods. Results Our favored design was a randomized, double-blind, parallel-group study of active treatment versus placebo focusing on changes in brain volume from a post-baseline scan (3–6 months after starting treatment) to the final visit 1 year later. Study designs aimed at reducing residual deficits following acute exacerbations are less straightforward, depending greatly on the anticipated rapidity of treatment effect onset. Conclusions The next step would be to perform one or more studies of potential tissue-protective agents with these designs in mind, creating the longitudinal data necessary to refine endpoint selection, eligibility criteria, and sample size estimates for future trials.
Key Words: tissue protection clinical trial designs multiple sclerosis outcome measurement
Multiple Sclerosis, Vol. 15, No. 5,
542-546 (2009) |
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