Regeneration in Cervical Degenerative Myelopathy

Summary

Degenerative (wear and tear arthritis of the spine) Cervical (concerning the neck) Myelopathy (injury to the spinal cord), DCM, is the most common spinal cord disorder of adulthood. In DCM, arthritis of the spine causes compression of the spinal cord.

The symptoms of DCM are often mistaken for natural consequences of ageing, including numb and clumsy hands, loss of coordination, imbalance, bladder and bowel problems. The weakness can progress to severe paralysis. Every year approximately 4 individuals in 100,000 undergo surgery for DCM; however, many more individuals are thought to suffer from DCM.

The main treatment for DCM is surgery. The aim of surgery is to create space and remove the compression of the spinal cord. This is known to prevent further injury. Unfortunately, the post-operative improvements are often incomplete and many patients remain severely disabled. Improving outcome after surgery represents an important unmet clinical need.

Clinical and preclinical findings indicate that the drug Ibudilast can stimulate neuroprotective and regenerative processes in the spinal cord. Ibudilast is well-tolerated and used to treat asthma and post-stroke dizziness in Japan and is currently being investigated for use in treating other neurological diseases.

This study will investigate whether daily oral administration of Ibudilast for a maximum of 34 weeks can improve hand function, strength, balance, urinary problems and reduce pain.

The study will initially be conducted at three sites in the UK, with more sites added as necessary. Individuals between 18-80 years old, diagnosed with DCM and scheduled for an operation for the first time will be invited to participate in the trial. The study will entail patient questionnaires and clinical assessments before surgery, shortly after surgery and 3, 6, and 12 months after surgery. Moreover, patients will undergo MRI scans pre-operatively and at 6-months postoperatively to determine whether the treatment was successful.

Conditions

• Myelopathy
• Spinal Cord Diseases

Interventions

DRUG

Ibudilast

Increasing dose of ibudilast from 60mg/6 capsules per day to 100mg/10 capsules per day to be started up to 10 weeks prior to surgery. Treatment will continue up to 24 weeks after surgery. Maximum treatment period will be of 34 weeks.

PROCEDURE

Cervical decompressive surgery

Surgical decompression of degenerate cervical myelopathy

DRUG

Matching placebo

Increasing dose of matching placebo from 6 capsules per day to 10 capsules per day to be started up to 10 weeks prior to surgery. Treatment will continue up to 24 weeks after surgery. Maximum treatment period will be of 34 weeks.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

  lead OTHER

Principal Investigators

• Benjamin Davies, MD · Cambridge University Hospital, Department of Neurosurgery

Study Design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

TREATMENT

Masking

QUADRUPLE

Model

PARALLEL

Eligibility

Min Age

18 Years

Max Age

80 Years

Sex

ALL

Healthy Volunteers

No

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2021-12-22

Primary Completion

2026-09-01

Completion

2026-09-01

Countries

• United Kingdom

Study Locations