Intravenous Immunoglobulin Therapy in Optic Neuritis
Information source: National Eye Institute (NEI)
ClinicalTrials.gov processed this data on August 23, 2015 Link to the current ClinicalTrials.gov record.
Condition(s) targeted: Optic Neuritis
Intervention: Immunoglobulin (Drug)
Phase: Phase 3
Status: Completed
Sponsored by: National Eye Institute (NEI)
Summary
To determine whether high-dose intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg) is more effective than
placebo in restoring lost visual function (visual acuity) in optic neuritis (ON).
To determine the time course of recovery following IVIg administration. If the reports of
IVIg-associated clinical improvement occurring within 3 to 6 months following treatment can
be confirmed, this would provide indirect evidence that IVIg may promote central nervous
system (CNS) remyelination in optic neuritis and multiple sclerosis (MS).
Clinical Details
Study design: Allocation: Randomized, Masking: Double-Blind, Primary Purpose: Treatment
Detailed description:
Optic neuritis is the leading cause of transient, spontaneous, reversible visual loss in
young adults. Characteristically, patients present with central visual loss that peaks
within a few days and is often associated with eye pain. Visual loss may be complete.
Spontaneous recovery usually begins within 4 weeks, and marked recovery occurs within 1 to 3
months in most patients. Although clinical improvement is the rule, not all patients
recover fully, and many are left with residual symptoms. Although there are limited
pathological studies in inflammatory ON, the pathological changes are thought to be
virtually identical with those seen in MS, with disruption of the blood-nerve (brain)
barrier; primary demyelination with axonal sparing; variable degrees of lymphocytic
infiltration; an abundance of macrophages around the inflammatory demyelination lesion;
various degrees of remyelination; and, later, oligodendrocyte loss, axonal loss, and
gliosis.
Remyelination by oligodendrocytes occurs early in the MS lesion, as documented by myelin
sheaths that are abnormally thin relative to axon diameter. These thin myelin sheaths are
often seen prominently at the edge of demyelinated plaques. A recent series of studies has
shown that within weeks of the initial event, there is extensive oligodendrocyte
regeneration and remyelination. These immature oligodendrocytes express a series of
developmentally restricted antigens. This finding has been interpreted to suggest that the
cells that repopulate the acute plaque and that affect remyelination are newly generated and
not residual, mature oligodendrocytes. These observations support the possibility that
factors that promote remyelination could be used to improve clinical recovery in ON and MS.
Work at the Mayo Clinic, has shown that both immunoglobulin G (IgG) directed against spinal
cord antigens and purified polyclonal mouse IgG administered systemically promote extensive
remyelination in SJL mice chronically infected with Theiler's virus. In addition, tissue
culture studies suggest that IgG directed against CNS components may promote
oligodendroglial proliferation and differentiation. Thus, experimental evidence exists for
the concept that immunoglobulins may stimulate the proliferation and differentiation of
oligodendrocytes. It is possible that myelin components on the surface of oligodendrocytes
could function as receptors or components of receptors. Antibodies could mimic endogenous
ligands, thereby inducing the proliferation or differentiation of these cells.
In a preliminary, open-label pilot study of patients with chronic, steroid-unresponsive ON,
Drs. van Engelen, Hommes, and colleagues suggested that improvement in visual recovery could
be seen following IgG treatment in patients with chronic, stable ON. These encouraging but
preliminary basic and clinical studies have prompted us to design a double-blind and
placebo-controlled clinical trial of IVIg in patients with recently acquired but apparently
permanent muscle paralysis from MS (NS31506) and to develop this NEI-funded ON study
(U10EY1096301).
In this randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind clinical trial, 60 patients were
assigned to receive either IVIg or a placebo over a period of 3 months. In order to be
eligible, patients who meet the inclusion criteria needed to have a stable loss of visual
function (unchanged between the pre-enrollment screening visit and the enrollment visit).
All patients wre re-examined at 3, 6, 9, and 12 months, with the primary outcome being the
impact of treatment on visual acuity at 6 months as determined by measurements on a
retroilluminated Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study chart at 4 meters.
One group of patients received 0. 4 g/kg Gammimmune N intravenously daily for 5 days, and
thereafter once a month for 3 months (total: eight infusions). The other group of patients
received infusions of 0. 1 percent human serum albumin in 10 percent maltose (placebo)
according to the identical protocol used for Gammimmune N.
The primary outcome measure was improvement in Logmar visual acuity by an average of 0. 2 at
6 months. The secondary outcome measures included change in visual acuity at 3, 9, and 12
months, as determined on a retroilluminated ETDRS chart at 4 meters; change in visual fields
at 6 and 12 months; change in visual evoked responses at 3, 6, and 12 months; and change in
neurological examination (EDSS, FS, AI) at 3, 6, 9, and 12 months.
Eligibility
Minimum age: N/A.
Maximum age: 50 Years.
Gender(s): Both.
Criteria:
To be eligible, patients must have a history of one or more episodes of previous
demyelinating optic neuritis occurring in the setting of classic, adult-onset definite MS
(clinically definite or laboratory-supported definite MS, or cranial MRI changes
consistent with MS). In most cases, onset of MS will have occurred between the ages of 18
and 45. Patients must be younger than 50 years and must have apparently irreversible loss
of visual acuity that meets the following criteria:
Visual acuity must be worse than 20/40 for at least 6 months. Patients must be able to
read at least one letter on the 1-meter eye chart. Patients with no light perception or
hand movement vision only are not eligible.
The above level of visual dysfunction must be observed on at least two serial examinations
(separated by at least 1 month) in the Department of Ophthalmology at the Mayo Clinic.
Optic disc pallor must be present.
Patients must have impairment in the affected eye(s) on perimetry consistent with optic
nerve dysfunction and must have a visual field mean deviation of less than - 4. 00.
Patients must not have received ACTH or corticosteroids within the preceding 2 months.
Locations and Contacts
Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, United States
Mayo Clinic, Department of Neurology, Rochester, Minnesota, United States
Additional Information
Starting date: August 1995
Last updated: September 16, 2009
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