A phase 1/2 trial to evaluate the pharmacokinetics, safety, and efficacy of NI-03 in patients with chronic pancreatitis: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial on the assessment of camostat treatment in chronic pancreatitis (TACTIC)

Trials. 2019 Aug 14;20(1):501. doi: 10.1186/s13063-019-3606-y.

Abstract

Background: Chronic pancreatitis (CP) is a progressive, fibro-inflammatory disease characterized by enzymatic autoactivation and subsequent fibrotic replacement of acinar cells. A significant proportion of patients develop pain, which may be due to many causes, including perineural inflammation, altered central processing of pain signals, parenchymal structural changes, and ductal obstruction. Currently there are no approved medical treatment options for CP-associated pain. NI-03 (camostat mesilate) is an orally administered serine protease inhibitor that reduces pancreatic enzyme activity and has been widely used for the treatment of CP-associated pain in Japan. The current study will assess the safety and efficacy of NI-03 for reduction of CP-associated pain in the USA.

Methods: The current study consists of two phases. First, a phase I study will be performed to establish the pharmacokinetics and safety profile over a 1-week period following a single dose (100, 200, or 300 mg). Subsequently, a phase II study will be performed consisting of a double-blind, randomized, controlled trial (RCT). This RCT will evaluate the efficacy of each of the three doses of NI-03 given three times daily compared to placebo over 28 days. A 7-day, single-blind, run-in period will precede the double-blind phase to assess baseline pain characteristics. The primary efficacy outcome is the average of worst daily pain scores (numeric rating scale of 0-10) over the terminal 7 days of the study period compared to baseline. Secondary efficacy outcomes include change in opioid dose and quality of life measures, and time to first rescue intravenous analgesic. Adverse events will be recorded.

Discussion: NI-03 has been used successfully and safely in Japan to treat CP-associated pain. The aim of the current study is to assess the safety and efficacy of NI-03 using a rigorous RCT in a population in the USA. This study may fill an important clinical gap to provide an effective medical treatment option for CP-associated pain.

Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT02693093 . Registered through the National Institutes of Health on 26 February 2016.

Keywords: Abdominal pain; Camostat; Pancreatic diseases; Serine protease inhibitor.

Publication types

  • Clinical Trial Protocol

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Analgesics, Opioid / administration & dosage
  • Clinical Trials, Phase I as Topic
  • Clinical Trials, Phase II as Topic
  • Double-Blind Method
  • Esters
  • Female
  • Gabexate / administration & dosage
  • Gabexate / adverse effects
  • Gabexate / analogs & derivatives*
  • Gabexate / pharmacokinetics
  • Guanidines
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Multicenter Studies as Topic
  • Pancreatitis, Chronic / diagnosis
  • Pancreatitis, Chronic / drug therapy*
  • Protease Inhibitors / administration & dosage
  • Protease Inhibitors / adverse effects
  • Protease Inhibitors / pharmacokinetics*
  • Quality of Life
  • Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic
  • Treatment Outcome
  • United States
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • Analgesics, Opioid
  • Esters
  • Guanidines
  • Protease Inhibitors
  • camostat
  • Gabexate

Associated data

  • ClinicalTrials.gov/NCT02693093

Grants and funding