Amyotroph Lateral Scler. 2008 Aug;(9)4

A novel, efficient, randomized selection trial comparing combinations of drug therapy for ALS.

Gordon PH, Cheung YK, Levin B, Andrews H, Doorish C, Macarthur RB, Montes J, Bednarz K, Florence J, Rowin J, Boylan K, Mozaffar T, Tandan R, Mitsumoto H, Kelvin EA, Chapin J, Bedlack R, Rivner M, McCluskey LF, Pestronk A, Graves M, Sorenson EJ, Barohn RJ, Belsh JM, Lou JS, Levine T, Saperstein D, Miller RG, Scelsa SN, Combination Drug Selection Trial Study Group

Abstract

Combining agents with different mechanisms of action may be necessary for meaningful results in treating ALS. The combinations of minocycline-creatine and celecoxib-creatine have additive effects in the murine model. New trial designs are needed to efficiently screen the growing number of potential neuroprotective agents. Our objective was to assess two drug combinations in ALS using a novel phase II trial design. We conducted a randomized, double-blind selection trial in sequential pools of 60 patients. Participants received minocycline (100 mg)-creatine (10 g) twice daily or celecoxib (400 mg)-creatine (10 g) twice daily for six months. The primary objective was treatment selection based on which combination best slowed deterioration in the ALS Functional Rating Scale-Revised (ALSFRS-R); the trial could be stopped after one pool if the difference between the two arms was adequately large. At trial conclusion, each arm was compared to a historical control group in a futility analysis.

Link to publication on PubMed