Effects of Ibudilast on Oxycodone Self-administration in Opioid Abusers

NCT ID: NCT01740414

Last Updated: 2017-08-17

Basic Information

• Recruitment Status: COMPLETED
• Clinical Phase: PHASE2
• Total Enrollment: 28 participants
• Study Classification: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Start Date: 2012-11-30
• Study Completion Date: 2017-05-31

Brief Summary

Opioid drugs increase glial cell activation which may be related to the abuse liability of opioid drugs. Data supporting this hypothesis have demonstrated that glial cell attenuators decrease the positive rewarding aspect of opioids in laboratory animals. Ibudilast (MN-166, formerly AV411) is a compound that inhibits the activation of glia. Recent preclinical studies demonstrate that while ibudilast increases the analgesic effects of opioids, it decreases the rewarding effects of such drugs. It has also been shown that ibudilast suppresses morphine-induced release of dopamine, a primary neurotransmitter involved in the rewarding and reinforcing effects of abused drugs. Additionally, we recently found that ibudilast decreases subjective symptoms of opioid withdrawal in opioid dependent humans during detoxification.

Therefore, the primary aim of this 6-7 week inpatient study is to investigate the ability of MN-166 to dose-dependently alter the reinforcing, analgesic, subjective, performance, and physiological effects of oxycodone, a commonly abused prescription opioid.

This study includes a 10-day morphine taper phase, followed by two study phases (approximately 18 days each) with daily active ibudilast and placebo administration, respectively. After the detoxification phase, participants are randomized to receive placebo or MN-166, and then be stabilized on the medication. Thereafter, participants will complete laboratory sessions. Subsequently, during Phase 2, participants will cross over to the other treatment arm, stabilize, and complete laboratory sessions.

Detailed Description

Opioid drugs increase glial cell activation and consequent cytokine release. These changes in glial cell activation may be related to the abuse liability of opioid drugs including heroin and prescription opioids. Data supporting this hypothesis have demonstrated that glial cell attenuators decrease the positive rewarding aspect of opioids in laboratory animals. Ibudilast (MN-166, formerly AV411) is a compound that inhibits the activation of glia and thereby inhibits the release of cytokines. Recent preclinical studies demonstrate that while ibudilast increases the analgesic effects of opioids, it decreases the rewarding effects of such drugs. It has also been shown that ibudilast suppresses morphine-induced release of dopamine, a primary neurotransmitter involved in the rewarding and reinforcing effects of abused drugs. Additionally, we recently found that ibudilast decreases subjective symptoms of opioid withdrawal in opioid dependent humans during detoxification.

Therefore, the primary aim of this 6-7 week inpatient study is to investigate the ability of MN-166 to dose-dependently alter the reinforcing, analgesic, subjective, performance, and physiological effects of oxycodone, a commonly abused prescription opioid. A secondary aim is to verify the ability of the drug to decrease opioid withdrawal symptoms during the initial inpatient detoxification.

This inpatient study includes a detoxification and two 18-day study phases. Upon study initiation, participants are tapered with morphine before study phase 1 starts, when they are randomized to receive placebo or 50 mg MN-166 BID (po at 0800 and 2000 hr), and then switched and stabilized on the medication. Thereafter, participants will complete 6 laboratory sessions over 9-10 days.

Subsequently, during Phase 2, participants will cross over to the other study arm (Pbo to MN-166 or MN-166 to Pbo), stabilize, and complete again 6 laboratory sessions. Days 1-10 of the study include a morphine taper, while each of the two subsequent study phases consist of a 7-8-day medication switch and stabilization phase, followed by 6 laboratory sessions over the next 9-10 days (3 sample sessions and 3 choice sessions). During sample sessions, participants will receive one dose of oxycodone (0, 15, or 30 mg/70 kg, PO) that will be available during the choice session the following day. At least 72 hrs after the previous sample session, the second sample session will be completed, followed by a choice session the next day. And then at least 72 hrs after the second sample session, the third and final sample session will be completed, followed by the final choice session the next day. The analgesic, subjective, performance, and physiological effects of oxycodone will be measured. During the choice session, a drug versus money self-administration paradigm will be employed, and the progressive ratio that is completed for drug and/or money will be measured.

We hypothesize that MN-166 will dose-dependently decrease oxycodone self-administration and positive subjective responses while increasing the analgesic effects of the drug.

A secondary additional objective is to collect exploratory information on potential predictors of prescription opioid self-administration including genetic polymorphisms, neurocognitive functioning, and response to stress. Blood samples will be collected to measure various genetic markers hypothesized to contribute to opioid drug effects (e.g., OPRM1, OPRD1, OPRK1, PENK, PDYN, DRD2, CYP3A4, and CYP2D6 genes). Performance on neurocognitive tasks and physiological response to the Trier Social Stress Test will be assessed in all participants.

Conditions

Opioid Abuse; Opioid Dependence

Study Design

• Allocation Method: RANDOMIZED
• Intervention Model: CROSSOVER
• Primary Study Purpose: OTHER
• Blinding Strategy: QUADRUPLE

Study Groups

MN-166 (formerly AV411) First

Participants who began 14-day maintenance on MN-166 (50 mg) first, before switching to Placebo maintenance.

Group Type: ACTIVE_COMPARATOR

MN-166 (50 mg) First

Intervention Type: DRUG

In this arm of the study participants were first maintained on 50 mg MN-166 BID for approximately 14 days, and were then switched onto placebo maintenance. The subjective and analgesic effects of Oxycodone (0 mg, 15 mg and 30 mg) were tested under each of the two maintenance conditions (Placebo \& MN-166).

Placebo First

Participants who began 14-day maintenance on Placebo first, before switching to MN-166 (50 mg) maintenance.

Group Type: PLACEBO_COMPARATOR

Placebo First

Intervention Type: DRUG

This arm of the study participants were first maintained on placebo for approximately 14 days, and were then switched onto 50mg MN-166 BID maintenance. . The subjective and analgesic effects of Oxycodone (0 mg, 15 mg and 30 mg) were tested under each of the two maintenance conditions (Placebo \& MN-166).

Interventions

MN-166 (50 mg) First

In this arm of the study participants were first maintained on 50 mg MN-166 BID for approximately 14 days, and were then switched onto placebo maintenance. The subjective and analgesic effects of Oxycodone (0 mg, 15 mg and 30 mg) were tested under each of the two maintenance conditions (Placebo \& MN-166).

Intervention Type: DRUG

Placebo First

This arm of the study participants were first maintained on placebo for approximately 14 days, and were then switched onto 50mg MN-166 BID maintenance. . The subjective and analgesic effects of Oxycodone (0 mg, 15 mg and 30 mg) were tested under each of the two maintenance conditions (Placebo \& MN-166).

Intervention Type: DRUG

Other Intervention Names

ibudilast/AV411; placebo

Eligibility Criteria

Inclusion Criteria

• Adults between the ages of 21 and 55
• Current opioid dependence according to DSM-IV criteria
• currently not seeking treatment

Exclusion Criteria

• Female patients that are currently pregnant, or breastfeeding. Lack of effective birth control.
• Participants who have a positive history of neurological illness (including epilepsy) or those who have received anticonvulsant therapy during the past 5 years.
• Liver disease requiring medication or medical treatment, and/or aspartate or alanine aminotransferase levels greater than 3 times the upper limit of normal.
• Gastrointestinal or renal disease that would significantly impair absorption, metabolism or excretion of study drug, or require medication or medical treatment.
• Neurological or psychiatric disorders including psychosis, bipolar disorder, organic brain disease, any seizure history or other disorders that require treatment or that could make study compliance difficult.
• Positive tuberculosis (PPD) TB skin test, clinical history, and chest X-ray indicative of active tuberculosis. (Individuals with a positive PPD test and negative chest X-ray who are not symptomatic for tuberculosis, and do not require antituberculosis therapy will be eligible to participate. Participants will be asked if they ever tested positive for tuberculosis. If so, they will not be given a PPD and chest X-ray and clinical history will be used for evaluation purposes).
• Presence or positive history of severe medical illness or cardiovascular disease or heart abnormality, such as low hemoglobin (Hb < 13 gm/dL in males, Hb < 11 gm/dL in females) with evidence of acute or chronic blood loss, or BP > 140/90.
• Participants on any current psychoactive prescription medications that may interfere with the study measures.
• Current physical dependence on any substance, other than opioids, nicotine or caffeine (ex., methadone, benzodiazepines, LAAM, marijuana, alcohol, etc.).
• Participants for whom detoxification is not "clinically recommended" such as those with a significant history of overdose following detoxification.
• Participation in an investigational drug study within the past 3 months.
• Hypersensitivity to any of the medications used in this study.
• Current (within the last 3 months) chronic pain.
• Platelet and white blood cell count that are not within the normal range (platelet = 120 x103/μl -400 x103/μl; WBC= 3.5 x106/μl -10.8x106/μl).
• Use of Theophylline (PDE-3 inhibitor) or Roflumilast (PDE-4 inhibitor).

• Minimum Eligible Age: 21 Years
• Maximum Eligible Age: 55 Years
• Eligible Sex: ALL
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: No

Sponsors

National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA)

NIH

Sponsor Role: collaborator

MediciNova

INDUSTRY

Sponsor Role: collaborator

New York State Psychiatric Institute

OTHER

Sponsor Role: lead

Responsible Party

Responsibility Role: SPONSOR

Principal Investigators

Sandra D Comer, PhD

Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University and NYSPI

Locations

New York State Psychiatric Institute

New York, New York, United States

Countries

United States

References

Jacobsen JH, Watkins LR, Hutchinson MR. Discovery of a novel site of opioid action at the innate immune pattern-recognition receptor TLR4 and its role in addiction. Int Rev Neurobiol. 2014;118:129-63. doi: 10.1016/B978-0-12-801284-0.00006-3.

Reference Type: DERIVED

PMID: 25175864 (View on PubMed)

Other Identifiers

P50DA009236

Identifier Type: NIH

Identifier Source: secondary_id

View Link

#6021

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: org_study_id