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Secondary Prophylaxis of Gastrointestinal Bleeding in Cirrhotic Patients Using THALIDOMIDE

NCT00787436 · Status: WITHDRAWN · Phase: PHASE3 · Type: INTERVENTIONAL

Last updated 2013-07-31

No results posted yet for this study

Summary

The natural history of cirrhosis has a symptomatic and asymptomatic stage. The symptoms include the development of ascites, hepatic encephalopathy, or variceal bleeding. The development of portal hypertension represents a critical transition point in the natural history of cirrhosis, contributing to, or directly responsible for all of these events. It is defined by an increase in intrahepatic vascular resistance to portal venous inflow, with the subsequent development of collateral vessels, such as esophageal or gastric varices. As portal pressures rise over time, however, the resulting increase in variceal size and wall tension translates into an increasing likelihood of rupture and bleeding, leading to death in about 30% of patients. Over the last twenty years, data have emerged regarding the role of tumor necrosis factor (TNFα) in portal hypertension from animal models as well as in vitro experiments. Portal hypertension is a condition characterized by vasodilatation and a hyperdynamic circulation, driven by relative overproduction of nitric oxide23. In animal trials using inhibitors of TNF it has been shown to decrease the development of the hyperdynamic circulatory state and portal pressure.24-25 Based on these data, investigators have examined the role of TNF inhibition with thalidomide. Significant improvement in blocking the development of the hyperdynamic circulation and portal pressures was demonstrated.26 Human trials have also show the efficacy of thalidomide in reducing portal pressures. In that these trials have shown promising results further investigation is

Conditions

  • Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage
  • Portal Hypertension

Interventions

DRUG

Thalidomide

Medical therapy has been used to decrease upper gastrointestinal bleeding in cirrhotics Non Selective beta blockers have been shown to effectively decrease the portal venous pressure

Sponsors & Collaborators

  • Celgene Corporation

    collaborator INDUSTRY

  • The Cleveland Clinic

    lead OTHER

Study Design

Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
PREVENTION
Masking
NONE
Model
PARALLEL

Eligibility

Min Age
18 Years
Sex
ALL
Healthy Volunteers
No

Timeline & Regulatory

Start
2006-05-31
Primary Completion
2010-01-31
Completion
2010-01-31

Countries

  • United States

Study Locations

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Read the full study record

This page highlights key information. For complete eligibility criteria, study locations, investigator contacts, and the full protocol, visit the original record on ClinicalTrials.gov.

View NCT00787436 on ClinicalTrials.gov