Efficacy Study of Epoetin Alfa in Friedreich Ataxia

Summary

Friedreich's ataxia (FRDA) is a rare genetic disorder characterised by severe neurological disability and cardiomyopathy. Friedreich's ataxia is the consequence of frataxin deficiency. Although several drugs have been proposed, there is no available treatment. Four trials recently demonstrated that erythropoietin can increase the intracellular levels of frataxin. The present project is aimed at testing a long term therapeutic approach using erythropoietin, which is an already available and commercialised drug. The study will test the effect of erythropoietin on exercise capacity, which is reduced in patients with FRDA. Additional objectives of the study will be the drug's safety and tolerability, and its effect on frataxin, blood vessel reactivity, heart functional indexes, and disease progression.

Timeline

Start

2013-01

Primary completion

2014-10

Completion

2015-06

Publications

• Background Sacca F, Piro R, De Michele G, Acquaviva F, Antenora A, Carlomagno G, Cocozza S, Denaro A, Guacci A, Marsili A, Perrotta G, Puorro G, Cittadini A, Filla A. Epoetin alfa increases frataxin production in Friedreich's ataxia without affecting hematocrit. Mov Disord. 2011 Mar;26(4):739-42. doi: 10.1002/mds.23435. Epub 2010 Nov 10.
• Background Acquaviva F, Castaldo I, Filla A, Giacchetti M, Marmolino D, Monticelli A, Pinelli M, Sacca F, Cocozza S. Recombinant human erythropoietin increases frataxin protein expression without increasing mRNA expression. Cerebellum. 2008;7(3):360-5. doi: 10.1007/s12311-008-0036-x.
• Background Boesch S, Sturm B, Hering S, Scheiber-Mojdehkar B, Steinkellner H, Goldenberg H, Poewe W. Neurological effects of recombinant human erythropoietin in Friedreich's ataxia: a clinical pilot trial. Mov Disord. 2008 Oct 15;23(13):1940-4. doi: 10.1002/mds.22294.
• Background Boesch S, Sturm B, Hering S, Goldenberg H, Poewe W, Scheiber-Mojdehkar B. Friedreich's ataxia: clinical pilot trial with recombinant human erythropoietin. Ann Neurol. 2007 Nov;62(5):521-4. doi: 10.1002/ana.21177.
• Background Sturm B, Stupphann D, Kaun C, Boesch S, Schranzhofer M, Wojta J, Goldenberg H, Scheiber-Mojdehkar B. Recombinant human erythropoietin: effects on frataxin expression in vitro. Eur J Clin Invest. 2005 Nov;35(11):711-7. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2362.2005.01568.x.

Drugs

Indications