Repurposing Ivermectin for PKDL Treatment

NCT ID: NCT06251739

Last Updated: 2025-09-10

Basic Information

• Recruitment Status: COMPLETED
• Clinical Phase: EARLY_PHASE1
• Total Enrollment: 30 participants
• Study Classification: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Start Date: 2023-10-30
• Study Completion Date: 2025-01-01

Brief Summary

Burden: Post-Kala-Azar Dermal Leishmaniasis (PKDL) commonly follows visceral leishmaniasis (VL) caused by Leishmania donovani. It is characterized by skin lesions in which parasites can be identified, in a patient who is otherwise fully recovered from VL or exposed to L. donovani (LD) infection. It occurs in the Indian subcontinent (mainly India and Bangladesh) as well as in Africa (mainly Sudan). It is now established that PKDL patients play an important role in transmission of LD parasite where chronic PKDL patients have been implicated in major VL outbreaks in the past. Though VL cases are in decline due to extensive programmes conducted by NKEP, PKDL cases are in the rise and VL:PKDL ratio has risen from 1:0.47 to 1:1.21 from 2016 to 2020. In this current situation, elimination of PKDL cases is of crucial importance in the current VL elimination efforts in Bangladesh as well as in the Indian subcontinent.

Knowledge gap: Currently there are no satisfactory treatments for any forms of PKDL. Both miltefosine and Ambisome® as monotherapy have shown to be effective. However, with the current recommended scheme there are some drawbacks such as the length of the treatment with miltefosine alone (8-12 weeks), toxicity related to it; a high dose Ambisome® (total dose of 20 mg/kg) given frequently in 4 divided dosage often causes adverse events (e.g. pancytopania, hypokalemia, increased creatinine level etc.). There is also the potential risk for development of resistance with miltefosine as monotherapy. Ivermectin has been proven to have a significant leishmanicidal effect by several experimental studies at higher doses without significant toxicity and may offer shorter duration of treatment thus preventing prolonged hospitalization. Another possible advantage is reduction of cost. These principles can be applied to PKDL, where the need for an ambulatory treatment with a highly safe, efficacious and user friendly regimen is even more pressing as the patients feel otherwise healthy, except for the rashes.

Relevance: This study aims primarily to improve current treatment options. In addition, this will be the first human study ever in PKDL in relation to Ivermectin, in which outcome will be described in clinical, parasitological and immunological terms. Ultimately this study findings will help National Kala-Azar Elimination Program (NKAEP) to adopt specific strategies for elimination of PKDL cases.

Hypothesis (if any): Oral ivermectin in multiple doses is safe and more effective than Miltefosine for the treatment of PKDL cases.

Objectives: To measure the safety and efficacy of Ivermectin monotherapy regimen (60 mg oral on five consecutive days, for three consecutive months) in comparison to oral Miltefosine allometric dose for twelve weeks, for treating PKDL patients in Bangladesh.

Methods: This will be a comparative, open label, non-blinded, individually randomized, proof-of-concept Clinical Trial to assess the safety and efficacy of oral Ivermectin monotherapy (5 x 12 mg daily at a total dose of 60 mg per month for three consecutive months, 180 mg in total) and Miltefosine monotherapy (50 mg twice daily for 12 weeks) in treating PKDL patients in Bangladesh. All participants will be recruited at SKKRC, Mymensingh with due consent. All patients will be followed up for 12 months. Cure assessment will be performed.

Outcome measures/variables: Safety and efficacy of Ivermectin for PKDL treatment will be determined.

Conditions

Post-kala-azar Dermal Leishmaniasis

Study Design

• Allocation Method: RANDOMIZED
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Primary Study Purpose: TREATMENT
• Blinding Strategy: NONE

Study Groups

Tablet Ivermectin

A cumulative dose of 60 mg Oral Ivermectin monotherapy (12 mg/day) on five consecutive days (day 1 - day 5) for three consecutive months (180 mg in total)

Group Type: ACTIVE_COMPARATOR

Ivermectin 6 Mg Oral Tablet

Intervention Type: DRUG

A cumulative dose of 60 mg Oral Ivermectin monotherapy (12 mg/day) on five consecutive days (day 1 - day 5) for three consecutive months (180 mg in total)

Capsule Miltefosine

Oral Miltefosine monotherapy for 12 weeks. 50 mg in the morning and 50 mg in the evening with meal x 84 days (Total 100 mg/day)

Group Type: ACTIVE_COMPARATOR

Miltefosine Oral Capsule

Intervention Type: DRUG

Oral Miltefosine monotherapy for 12 weeks. 50 mg in the morning and 50 mg in the evening with meal x 84 days (Total 100 mg/day)

Interventions

Ivermectin 6 Mg Oral Tablet

A cumulative dose of 60 mg Oral Ivermectin monotherapy (12 mg/day) on five consecutive days (day 1 - day 5) for three consecutive months (180 mg in total)

Intervention Type: DRUG

Miltefosine Oral Capsule

Oral Miltefosine monotherapy for 12 weeks. 50 mg in the morning and 50 mg in the evening with meal x 84 days (Total 100 mg/day)

Intervention Type: DRUG

Other Intervention Names

Tab. Ivera; Cap. Miltefosine

Eligibility Criteria

Inclusion Criteria

• Confirmed PKDL cases of either sex
• Clinically healthy except for skin lesions
• Voluntary participation through informed, voluntary written consent

• Pregnant/lactating women

• Minimum Eligible Age: 18 Years
• Maximum Eligible Age: 70 Years
• Eligible Sex: ALL
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: No

Sponsors

International Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease Research, Bangladesh

OTHER

Sponsor Role: lead

Responsible Party

Responsibility Role: SPONSOR

Principal Investigators

Dinesh Mondal, MBBS,MD,PhD

Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

International Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease Research, Bangladesh

Shomik Maruf, MBBS,MPH,MSc

Role: STUDY_DIRECTOR

International Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease Research, Bangladesh

Locations

International Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease Research, Bangladesh

Dhaka, Dhaka Division, Bangladesh

Countries

Bangladesh

Other Identifiers

PR-23023

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: org_study_id