Treatment of Optic Neuritis With Erythropoietin: a Randomised, Double-blind, Placebo-controlled Trial

Summary

This clinical trial aims at preventing visual dysfunction and optic nerve degeneration associated with autoimmune optic neuritis by systemic i.v. administration of 33.000 IU erythropoietin over 3 days. The primary objective is to determine the efficacy of erythropoietin compared to placebo given as add-on to methylprednisolone as assessed by measurements of retinal nerve fibre layer thickness and low contrast visual acuity 6 months after acute optic neuritis.

Timeline

Start

2014-11-25

Primary completion

2018-06-20

Completion

2019-11-26

Publications

• Background Suhs KW, Hein K, Sattler MB, Gorlitz A, Ciupka C, Scholz K, Kasmann-Kellner B, Papanagiotou P, Schaffler N, Restemeyer C, Bittersohl D, Hassenstein A, Seitz B, Reith W, Fassbender K, Hilgers R, Heesen C, Bahr M, Diem R. A randomized, double-blind, phase 2 study of erythropoietin in optic neuritis. Ann Neurol. 2012 Aug;72(2):199-210. doi: 10.1002/ana.23573.
• Background Diem R, Molnar F, Beisse F, Gross N, Druschler K, Heinrich SP, Joachimsen L, Rauer S, Pielen A, Suhs KW, Linker RA, Huchzermeyer C, Albrecht P, Hassenstein A, Aktas O, Guthoff T, Tonagel F, Kernstock C, Hartmann K, Kumpfel T, Hein K, van Oterendorp C, Grotejohann B, Ihorst G, Maurer J, Muller M, Volkmann M, Wildemann B, Platten M, Wick W, Heesen C, Schiefer U, Wolf S, Lagreze WA. Treatment of optic neuritis with erythropoietin (TONE): a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial-study protocol. BMJ Open. 2016 Mar 1;6(3):e010956. doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2015-010956.
• Kuchlin S, Ihorst G, Heinrich SP, Farassat N, Marquez Neila P, Hug MJ, Albrecht P, Lagreze WA. Clinical Predictors in Acute Optic Neuritis: Analysis Based on Clinical Trial Data. Ophthalmology. 2025 Jun;132(6):631-643. doi: 10.1016/j.ophtha.2025.01.010. Epub 2025 Jan 17.
• Kuchlin S, Ihorst G, Heinrich SP, Marquez Neila P, Albrecht P, Hug MJ, Diem R, Lagreze WA. Disease Course of Clinically Isolated Optic Neuritis. Neurol Neuroimmunol Neuroinflamm. 2024 May;11(3):e200223. doi: 10.1212/NXI.0000000000200223. Epub 2024 Apr 8.
• Kuchlin S, Ihorst G, Grotejohann B, Beisse F, Heinrich SP, Albrecht P, Ungewiss J, Worner M, Hug MJ, Wolf S, Diem R, Lagreze WA; TONE Study Group. Treatment With Erythropoietin for Patients With Optic Neuritis: Long-term Follow-up. Neurol Neuroimmunol Neuroinflamm. 2023 Apr 24;10(4):e200067. doi: 10.1212/NXI.0000000000200067. Print 2023 Jul.
• Lagreze WA, Kuchlin S, Ihorst G, Grotejohann B, Beisse F, Volkmann M, Heinrich SP, Albrecht P, Ungewiss J, Worner M, Hug MJ, Wolf S, Diem R; TONE study group. Safety and efficacy of erythropoietin for the treatment of patients with optic neuritis (TONE): a randomised, double-blind, multicentre, placebo-controlled study. Lancet Neurol. 2021 Dec;20(12):991-1000. doi: 10.1016/S1474-4422(21)00322-7.
• Wilhelm H, Schabet M. The Diagnosis and Treatment of Optic Neuritis. Dtsch Arztebl Int. 2015 Sep 11;112(37):616-25; quiz 626. doi: 10.3238/arztebl.2015.0616.
• Lagreze W, Diem R. [New aspects in the therapy of multiple sclerosis and optic neuritis]. Ophthalmologe. 2014 Aug;111(8):709-14. doi: 10.1007/s00347-013-2987-7. German.

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