Dietary Supplement of Curcumin in Subjects With Active Relapsing Multiple Sclerosis Treated With Subcutaneous Interferon Beta 1a
Condition: Multiple Sclerosis
MeSH terms: Multiple Sclerosis; Sclerosis
Intervention: IFN beta 1a 44 mcg TIW; Curcumin; Placebo
Intervention description: Subjects received IFN beta 1a 44 microgram (mcg) subcutaneously TIW for 24 months.; Subjects received 500 milligram (mg) curcumin orally twice a day for 24 months.; Subjects received placebo matched to curcumin orally twice a day for 24 months.
Intervention MeSH terms: Interferons; Interferon-beta; Interferon beta-1a; Curcumin
Phase: Phase 2
Study type: Interventional
Primary purpose: Treatment
Allocation: Randomized
Intervention model: Parallel Assignment
Masking: Double (Participant, Investigator)
Enrollment: 80.0
Sex: All
Minimum age: 18 Years
Maximum age: 60 Years
Healthy volunteers: No
Keywords: Multiple Sclerosis; Relapsing; Interferon beta 1a; Curcumin

Summary:

      This is a prospective, monocentric, double blind, placebo controlled, two arm study.

      Curcumin is derived from the rhizomes of the plant Curcuma longa (common name, turmeric)
      belonging to the Zingiberaceae family found in South Asian countries, especially India which
      is the largest producer. BCM95 (bioCurcumin) is a combination of a Curcumin extract and oil
      to enhance the bio-absorbability in humans. BCM95 may enhance and prolong the antioxidant and
      anti-inflammatory effects of the standard therapy maintaining a good safety profile.
    

Eligibility criteria:

        Inclusion Criteria:

          -  Subjects with early diagnosis (no more than 3 years) of Relapsing Multiple Sclerosis
             according to the revised McDonald Criteria (2010)

          -  Subjects currently in treatment with IFN beta-1a 44 mcg TIW, having received this
             treatment a minimum of 6 months and for not longer than 12 months before enrollment.

          -  Subjects must experience at least one Gd-enhancing MRI lesion at baseline visit or one
             MS relapse in the last 6 months before screening visit.

          -  Males and females between 18 - 60 years of age

          -  Subjects with Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) between 0-5.5

          -  No use of oral or systemic corticosteroids or corticotropin (ACTH) within 30 days
             prior to Screening visit. No use of any Disease Modifying Drug (DMD) (other than IFN
             beta-1a 44 mcg) 12 months prior to Screening visit

          -  Be willing and able to comply with the protocol

          -  Signed informed consent

        Exclusion Criteria:

          -  Pregnancy and breast-feeding

          -  History of alcohol or drug abuse

          -  Serious psychiatric disorders

          -  History or presence of serious or acute gastrointestinal disease such as gastric or
             duodenal ulcer, ulcerative colitis and inflammatory bowel or Crohn's disease

          -  Subjects suffering by obstruction of the biliary tract

          -  Any major medical condition that in the opinion of the Investigator could create a
             risk to the subject or could affect adherence with the trial protocol.

          -  Subjects with inadequate haematological function (defined by leukocyte ≤ 2,0 x 10^9 ;
             platelets ≤ 100 x 10^9; haemoglobin ≤ 12 g/dl for female and ≤ 13 g/dl for male),
             liver function (defined by AST, ALT, alkaline phosphatase > 2.0 times upper limit of
             normal), thyroid function (In particular subjects with clinically overt
             hyperthyroidism or clinically overt hypothyroidism and in any case according to
             physician's discretion).

          -  Known hypersensitivity to gadolinium

          -  Any other condition that would prevent the subject from undergoing an MRI scan
             (impairment of Kidney function, metal prosthesis etc.)

          -  Immunosuppressive therapy 12 months before screening visit

          -  Use of some recognized drugs involved as enzyme substrates, inducers or inhibitors in
             P450 system

          -  Use of antiplatelet agents or antihyperlipidemics

          -  Any contra-indication according to IFN beta 1a 44 mcg Summary of Product
             Characteristics (SmPC)