PTX3-targeted Antifungal Prophylaxis

NCT ID: NCT03828773

Last Updated: 2025-12-09

Study Results

Results pending

The study team has not published outcome measurements, participant flow, or safety data for this trial yet. Check back later for updates.

Basic Information

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Recruitment Status

RECRUITING

Clinical Phase

NA

Total Enrollment

410 participants

Study Classification

INTERVENTIONAL

Study Start Date

2019-02-11

Study Completion Date

2027-11-30

Brief Summary

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This is a prospective genetically-stratified randomized double-blind event-driven multicentre clinical trial to assess the efficacy of posaconazole-based antifungal prophylaxis allocation strategies for patients with acute myeloid leukemia who receive induction chemotherapy. Allocation strategy based on an invasive mold infection genetic risk will be double-blinded.

Detailed Description

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Background:

Invasive mold infections (IMI, grouping infections due to Aspergillus spp \[IA\] and non-Aspergillus mold) are a major concern in hematological patients, such as those with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) or myelodysplastic syndrome in transformation (MDSit), collectively named AML/MDSit in this protocol, or those undergoing hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT), with incidence and mortality rates ranging between 3-15% and 25-45%, respectively. Primary antifungal prophylaxis has become the standard of care in such patients. Historically, fluconazole (inactive against IA) was used as prophylaxis and allowed for significant decrease in invasive candidiasis (IC). More recently, posaconazole (a broad-spectrum azole active against IA and other non-Aspergillus filamentous molds) was approved for primary antifungal prophylaxis in high-risk patient categories. However, universal prophylaxis with posaconazole has been challenged, based on the relatively low incidence of IMI and the large number of patients needed to treat. Moreover, administration of broad-spectrum azoles is costly and associated with a large number of complications. Hence, there is an urgent need to optimize antifungal prophylaxis by identifying those patients with the highest risk for IMI to receive a broad-spectrum azole. Pentraxin-3 (PTX3), a pattern recognition receptor, recognizes and binds to Aspergillus conidia, facilitates opsonization and subsequently leads to complement and phagocyte activation. Two single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the gene encoding PTX3 have been identified as strong predictors for IA and/or IMI in human studies. What makes PTX3 SNPs different and important in clinical practice is: (i) the extent and reproducibility of basic science data with regards to PTX3 and IA, (ii) the validation of PTX3 SNPs associations with IA in many different patient populations, and (iii) the high frequency of minor allele in the general population. The investigators hypothesize that PTX3 SNPs could be used to identify patients at high risk for IMI, who will benefit the most from antifungal prophylaxis with broad-spectrum azoles.

Overall objective:

The overall aim of this project is to assess the effectiveness of the use of posaconazole-based antifungal prophylaxis in AML/MDSit patients in high risk group (single or double single homozygotes PTX-3 SNPs). Exploratory objectives are to assess the effectiveness of PTX3 SNPs testing to stratify the use of posaconazole-based antifungal prophylaxis in AML/MDSit patients according to low or high risk genotypes.

Methods:

Eligible patients will be tested by competitive allele-specific Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) from blood-extracted DNA samples for the presence of PTX3 SNPs rs230561 and rs3816527. Randomisation based on genetic testing will be performed at the latest 24h after the first neutropenia day (D0). Patients will be stratified based on genotyping results in two unbalanced strata: stratum A (high-risk PTX3 SNPs) to be randomized 1:1 posaconazole prophylaxis vs fluconazole and stratum-B (low-risk PTX3 SNPs) to be randomized 1:3 in favour of Fluconazole. Patients will be assessed for a diagnosis of possible, probable or proven Invasive Fungal Infections (IFI) based on consensus definition guidelines by the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer/Mycoses Study Group (EORTC/MSG) groups during 180 days after prophylaxis initiation.

Impact:

The results of this study may contribute to the optimization of primary antifungal prophylaxis, by preventing IMI while limiting the use of broad-spectrum azoles, thus decreasing complications and costs. This study is one of the first interventional clinical trials to use genetic factors for risk stratification in the field of hematology and infectious diseases, a concept frequently emphasized, however barely transcribed in practice, as precision medicine. Furthermore, the scope of the proposed study expands beyond the specific patient population. The results of this study could be used in the design and initiation of similar efforts in other high-risk patient categories, including allogeneic HCT and solid organ transplant (SOT) recipients.

Conditions

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Candidiasis Fungal Infection Acute Myeloid Leukemia Genetic Predisposition Aspergillosis

Study Design

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Allocation Method

RANDOMIZED

Intervention Model

PARALLEL

prospective genetically-stratified randomized double-blind event-driven multicentre clinical trial
Primary Study Purpose

PREVENTION

Blinding Strategy

QUADRUPLE

Participants Caregivers Investigators Outcome Assessors
The investigational medicinal products will be known by all roles but the arm allocation based on a genetic analysis will be blinded.

Study Groups

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high-risk PTX3 SNPs

risk predicted by genotyping two PTX3 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs): homozygous for rs230561 and/or rs381652

Group Type OTHER

Posaconazole

Intervention Type DRUG

Posaconazole is a triazole with broad-spectrum activity, to include Candida species, Aspergillus species, and other fungal pathogens, including the Zygomycetes. Posaconazole is available as slow release tablets (300mg/day) and as intravenous (IV) formulation (300mg/day) and is licensed and approved in Switzerland for the prevention of IFI, including mold and yeast infections, in patients \>18 years who are at high risk of developing these types of infection (patients with long-term neutropenia or HCT recipients). Furthermore, international guidelines recommend posaconazole for primary antifungal prophylaxis in high-risk patients, such as AML patients with prolonged neutropenia. Posaconazole is available in Switzerland under the name of Noxafil® in capsules of 100mg, suspension of 40mg/mL and intravenous formulation of 300mg/16.7 mL.

Fluconazole

Intervention Type DRUG

Fluconazole is an antifungal with activity against most Candida species. Fluconazole is licensed and approved in Switzerland for prophylaxis of IC in patients with neutropenia induced by chemotherapy or radiotherapy at a daily dose of 200 to 400 mg once daily. Fluconazole (200 mg or 400 mg once daily) is still currently used as primary antifungal prophylaxis (standard of care) in all 7 centers participating in this trial. Fluconazole is available in Switzerland under the name of Diflucan® in capsules of 50 mg, 150 mg and 200 mg and in powder for preparation of suspension (50 mg/5 ml and 200 mg/5 ml (forte)) or perfusion (2 mg/1 ml). Several generics of Diflucan® are authorized in Switzerland. Prescribing Diflucan® or any of its generics will remain at the discretion of and based on the standard operating procedures (SOP) at each institution.

low-risk PTX3 SNPs

risk predicted by genotyping two PTX3 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs): other than homozygous for rs230561 and/or rs381652

Group Type OTHER

Posaconazole

Intervention Type DRUG

Posaconazole is a triazole with broad-spectrum activity, to include Candida species, Aspergillus species, and other fungal pathogens, including the Zygomycetes. Posaconazole is available as slow release tablets (300mg/day) and as intravenous (IV) formulation (300mg/day) and is licensed and approved in Switzerland for the prevention of IFI, including mold and yeast infections, in patients \>18 years who are at high risk of developing these types of infection (patients with long-term neutropenia or HCT recipients). Furthermore, international guidelines recommend posaconazole for primary antifungal prophylaxis in high-risk patients, such as AML patients with prolonged neutropenia. Posaconazole is available in Switzerland under the name of Noxafil® in capsules of 100mg, suspension of 40mg/mL and intravenous formulation of 300mg/16.7 mL.

Fluconazole

Intervention Type DRUG

Fluconazole is an antifungal with activity against most Candida species. Fluconazole is licensed and approved in Switzerland for prophylaxis of IC in patients with neutropenia induced by chemotherapy or radiotherapy at a daily dose of 200 to 400 mg once daily. Fluconazole (200 mg or 400 mg once daily) is still currently used as primary antifungal prophylaxis (standard of care) in all 7 centers participating in this trial. Fluconazole is available in Switzerland under the name of Diflucan® in capsules of 50 mg, 150 mg and 200 mg and in powder for preparation of suspension (50 mg/5 ml and 200 mg/5 ml (forte)) or perfusion (2 mg/1 ml). Several generics of Diflucan® are authorized in Switzerland. Prescribing Diflucan® or any of its generics will remain at the discretion of and based on the standard operating procedures (SOP) at each institution.

Interventions

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Posaconazole

Posaconazole is a triazole with broad-spectrum activity, to include Candida species, Aspergillus species, and other fungal pathogens, including the Zygomycetes. Posaconazole is available as slow release tablets (300mg/day) and as intravenous (IV) formulation (300mg/day) and is licensed and approved in Switzerland for the prevention of IFI, including mold and yeast infections, in patients \>18 years who are at high risk of developing these types of infection (patients with long-term neutropenia or HCT recipients). Furthermore, international guidelines recommend posaconazole for primary antifungal prophylaxis in high-risk patients, such as AML patients with prolonged neutropenia. Posaconazole is available in Switzerland under the name of Noxafil® in capsules of 100mg, suspension of 40mg/mL and intravenous formulation of 300mg/16.7 mL.

Intervention Type DRUG

Fluconazole

Fluconazole is an antifungal with activity against most Candida species. Fluconazole is licensed and approved in Switzerland for prophylaxis of IC in patients with neutropenia induced by chemotherapy or radiotherapy at a daily dose of 200 to 400 mg once daily. Fluconazole (200 mg or 400 mg once daily) is still currently used as primary antifungal prophylaxis (standard of care) in all 7 centers participating in this trial. Fluconazole is available in Switzerland under the name of Diflucan® in capsules of 50 mg, 150 mg and 200 mg and in powder for preparation of suspension (50 mg/5 ml and 200 mg/5 ml (forte)) or perfusion (2 mg/1 ml). Several generics of Diflucan® are authorized in Switzerland. Prescribing Diflucan® or any of its generics will remain at the discretion of and based on the standard operating procedures (SOP) at each institution.

Intervention Type DRUG

Other Intervention Names

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Noxafil Diflucan

Eligibility Criteria

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Inclusion Criteria

1. Signed Informed Consent according to national/local regulations.
2. Age ≥18 years.
3. Diagnosis of Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML) or Myelodysplastic Syndrome in transformation (MDSit) treated with an intensive chemotherapy regimen, including induction / consolidation / salvage remission chemotherapy.
4. Planned hospital admission for the duration of the neutropenic phase (absolute neutrophils count \<500 cells/mm3).

Exclusion Criteria

1. Patients with neutropenia (absolute neutrophils count\<500 cells/mm3) upon presentation and prior to chemotherapy initiation.
2. Patients with a diagnosis of acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) or AML-M3.
3. Patients with known history of allergy, hypersensitivity or serious reaction to azole antifungals
4. Women who are pregnant (positive blood/urine pregnancy test within 10 days before randomization) or breast-feeding.
5. Diagnosis and treatment for an Invasive Fungal Infection (IFI) within 3 months prior to study enrolment and an Invasive Mold Infection (IMI) at any point prior to or at the time of enrolment.
6. Severe liver dysfunction, defined as at least one of the following markers: Aspartate Aminotransferase (AST), Alanine Aminotransferase (ALT) or alkaline phosphatase above \>5x upper limit of normality: and/or total bilirubin above \>3x upper limit of normality.
7. Patients with an ECG with a prolonged QTc interval: QTc greater than 450 msec for men and greater than 470 msec for women.
8. Patients who are receiving and cannot discontinue the following drugs at least 24 hours prior to randomization: terfenadine, astemizole, cisapride, pimozide, halofantrine or quinidine (because of the possibility of QT prolongation), sirolimus, rifampin, rifabutin, carbamazepine, long-acting barbiturates (e.g., phenobarbital, mephobarbital), ritonavir, efavirenz, or ergot alkaloids (e.g., ergotamine, dihydroergotamine).
9. Serious uncontrolled concomitant disease or comorbidity that, in the opinion of the investigator, may compromise adherence to the study protocol.
10. Receipt of a prior allogeneic Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation (HCT).
11. Previous exposure to mold-active prophylaxis (\>48 hours within 7 days of inclusion).
12. Patients with relapsed leukemia already included in the trial.
13. Patient not affiliated to the French social security system
14. Patient under legal protection (guardianship, curatorship)
Minimum Eligible Age

18 Years

Eligible Sex

ALL

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Sponsors

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Swiss National Science Foundation

OTHER

Sponsor Role collaborator

Bochud Pierre-Yves

OTHER

Sponsor Role lead

Responsible Party

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Bochud Pierre-Yves

Associate Professor

Responsibility Role SPONSOR_INVESTIGATOR

Principal Investigators

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Pierre-Yves Bochud, MD

Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Vaudois

Locations

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Ghent University Hospital

Ghent, Belgium, Belgium

Site Status TERMINATED

AZ Sint-Jan Hospital

Bruges, , Belgium

Site Status RECRUITING

University Hospital Leuven (UZ Leuven)

Leuven, , Belgium

Site Status RECRUITING

Henri Mondor Hospital

Créteil, Île-de-France Region, France

Site Status RECRUITING

Cantonal Hospital Aarau

Aarau, Aarau, Switzerland

Site Status RECRUITING

University Hospital Basel

Basel, Basel, Switzerland

Site Status RECRUITING

Cantonal Hospital HFR

Fribourg, Canton of Fribourg, Switzerland

Site Status RECRUITING

University Hospital of Geneva (HUG)

Geneva, Canton of Geneva, Switzerland

Site Status RECRUITING

University Hospital of Lausanne / Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Vaudois (CHUV)

Lausanne, Canton of Vaud, Switzerland

Site Status RECRUITING

Countries

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Belgium France Switzerland

Central Contacts

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Pierre-Yves Bochud, MD

Role: CONTACT

0041 213144379

Facility Contacts

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Alexander Schauwvlieghe, MD PhD

Role: primary

+32 50 45 30 62

Johan Maertens, Prof

Role: primary

+32 16 34 68 89

Christine Robin, Dr

Role: primary

+33149812111

Ludovic Cabanne, Mr

Role: backup

+33149812058

Anna Conen, MD PD

Role: primary

+41 62 838 59 02

Nina Khanna, Prof

Role: primary

+41 61 328 73 25

Véronique Erard, MD

Role: primary

+41 26 306 08 36

Dionysios Neofytos, MD

Role: primary

+41223729839

Pierre-Yves Bochud, MD

Role: primary

+41213144379

Other Identifiers

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2018-01671

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: org_study_id

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