Clinical trial NCT02915263
Conditions: Diabetes Complications Diabetes Mellitus Diabetic Neuropathies
Keywords: Diabetes Complications Diabetes Mellitus Diabetic Neuropathies IGIV-C Immune Globulin Injection (Human), 10% Caprylate/Chromatography Gamunex-C
Sponsor: Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center
Start date: 2017-09-11; Completion date: 2022-02-01
Enrollment: 13 participants; Allocation: RANDOMIZED; Intervention model: PARALLEL

Brief summary:
The goal of this pilot study is to obtain preliminary data on the magnitude of the treatment effect of IVIG on the neuropathic pain and neuropathy severity associated with treatment induced neuropathy (TIND).

The investigators hypothesize that immune globulin, administered intravenously (IVIG), will reduce the pain associated with treatment induced neuropathy and reduce the neuropathy severity.

Treatment induced neuropathy in diabetes, is an iatrogenic complications of diabetes. The preliminary data will be used to power a larger treatment trial, and to aid the understanding of the mitigating factors in the treatment response.

Detailed description:
Treatment induced neuropathy of diabetes (TIND), also referred to as insulin neuritis, is thought to be a rare iatrogenic cause of neuropathy that occurs in the setting of rapid glycemic control in individuals with a history of prolonged hyperglycemia.

In a recent paper, the investigators reported that a systematic review of all patients seen in a tertiary diabetic neuropathy referral center resulted in the diagnosis of TIND in \>10% of patients seen over a 5 year period of time. These individuals developed symptoms of neuropathy as a consequence of a sudden improvement in glycemic control. The neuropathy associated with TIND is a painful small fiber and autonomic neuropathy of acute onset, but is also associated with the simultaneous development of retinopathy and nephropathy.

TIND differs from the most prevalent generalized neuropathy of diabetes, the distal sensory-motor polyneuropathy, in several respects. The neuropathic pain has an acute onset, appearing within 8 weeks of glycemic change in contrast to the more insidious onset in the Diabetic sensorimotor polyneuropathy (DSP). The pain in TIND is more severe, and poorly responsive to interventions including opioids, whereas most patients with DSP respond to non-opioid interventions. Although the distribution of the pain is length dependent in individuals with TIND, it is frequently far more extensive than in DSP and the associated allodynia and hyperalgesia are much more prevalent. Autonomic symptoms and signs are common, prominent and appear acutely, in contrast to the relatively lower prevalence, gradual onset and slow progression in DSP. Finally, both the pain and autonomic features may be reversible in some patients.

The pathogenic mechanisms whereby this change in glucose results in nerve damage and/or dysfunction are not known. Proposed mechanisms include endoneurial ischemia due to epineurial arterio-venous shunts, apoptosis due to glucose deprivation, microvascular neuronal damage due to recurrent hypoglycemia and ectopic firing of regenerating axon sprouts, but these possibilities are unproven. A potential role for inflammation as a cause of TIND is supported by studies showing an increase in pro-inflammatory cytokines provoked by experimental hypoglycemia. This is reinforced by the association of hyperalgesia with prior exposure to hypoglycemia.

Other microvascular complications are commonly seen in patients with TIND. The simultaneous development of TIND, retinopathy and nephropathy in our cohort suggests a common systemic mechanism likely resulting in microvascular disease. Prior reports of 'early worsening retinopathy' associate a greater risk of retinopathy development with every percentage point decrease in the glycosylated hemoglobin, a result that parallels the neuropathy development in TIND. Furthermore, a link between hypoglycemia, production in pro-inflammatory cytokines, and the development of retinopathy has been proposed.

Treatment induced neuropathy is an iatrogenic cause of an acute, painful autonomic neuropathy in patients with poor glycemic control. Although the underlying mechanism is not yet known, there is a clear relationship between a rapid rate of glycemic control and the development of microvascular complications. Our preliminary data on upregulation of cytokines in individuals with TIND, and the similar findings noted in early worsening retinopathy, suggest the possibility that early intervention may improve outcomes.

The investigators have studied over 100 individuals with TIND in a longitudinal fashion. The characteristic disease progression is well described and related to the magnitude of the change in HbA1c. All patients develop severe neuropathic pain and progressive small fiber and autonomic neuropathy. The neuropathy progresses over 18-24 months and then may gradually improve.

The investigators have studied 4 patients with TIND that developed the acute onset of autonomic and peripheral neuropathy in the setting of rapid glycemic control. All 4 individuals had regular detailed neurological examinations, skin biopsy analysis of nerve fiber density, autonomic function testing and retinal examinations.

Within 4 weeks of the onset of neuropathic pain (within 8 weeks of the change in glucose levels), they were offered a trial of immune globulin administration at a dose of 2grams/kg divided into 5 doses of 0.4 grams/kg for 5 days. In 3 of 4 patients there was significant improvement in neuropathic pain (\>50%) and autonomic dysfunction with 4 weeks of immune globulin administration. In addition, there was a clinically significant increase in intra-epidermal nerve fiber density after 6 months (findings not seen in the large cohort of individuals that were untreated). One patient did not exhibit any clear improvement in neuropathic pain or autonomic dysfunction. Prior to immune globulin administration the investigators measured circulating cytokine levels in these 4 individuals. Those that responded tended to have higher circulating cytokine levels than that the individual that did not.

The investigators propose a prospective therapeutic study to determine the efficacy of IVIG in improving both neuropathic pain and nerve fiber structure and function in individuals with TIND. In addition, the investigators will attempt to define mechanisms that will predict success in this trial.

Arms: arm 1: The study will include a total 20 individuals. Subjects will be randomized equally to treatment or placebo. The placebo will consist of 0.9% Sodium Chloride per day over 5 days. Participants who are randomized to placebo will receive the same volume as they would if they were randomized to IVIG (i.e.: as if receiving IVIG at 2gm/kg) through a peripheral IV line. arm 2: The study will include a total 20 individuals. Subjects will be randomized equally to treatment or placebo. The treatment will consist of IVIG administered at 2 grams/kg divided over 5 days, with a follow up treatment 3 weeks (+/-3 days) later of IVIG 1gram/kg administered over 2 day (or placebo).
Interventions: intervention 1: IGIV-C intervention 2: 0.9% Sodium Chloride
Intervention descriptions: intervention 1: Gamunex-C \[immune globulin injection (human) 10% caprylate/chromatography purified\] is a sterile solution of human immune globulin protein. intervention 2: Sodium Chloride (also known as saline) is a solution of sodium chloride, or salt, and sterile water.

Protocol documents:
Prot_SAP_001.pdf: 
Study Title “The Efficacy Of Intravenous Immunoglobulin Therapy 
In Treatment Induced Neuropathy Of Diabetes” 
NCT number: NCT02915263 
Version 2.0 
Document Date: Revised11/10/2016 (Original 9/10/2016) 
 
 
 
 


Protocol: 
This study will be a double-blind, placebo-controlled pilot study of the effects of immune globulin (IVIG) on 
treatment induced neuropathy in diabetes.  The goal of this pilot study is to obtain preliminary data on the 
magnitude of the treatment effect of IVIG on the neuropathic pain and neuropathy severity associated 
with TIND.  The preliminary data will be used to power a larger treatment trial, and to aid our 
understanding of the mitigating factors in the treatment response. 
The study will include a total 20 individuals.  Subjects will be randomized equally to treatment or placebo.  
Treatment will consist of IVIG administered at 2 grams/kg divided over 2-4 days, with a follow up 
treatment 3 weeks (+/-3 days) later of IVIG 1gram/kg administered over 1 day.    
Subjects:  All individuals participating in the study will be recruited from Joslin Diabetes Center or Beth 
Israel Deaconess Medical Center from the clinical practice of Dr. Christopher Gibbons.   Recruited 
subjects will review and sign the informed consent, undergo screening for eligibility: 
 
Inclusion Criteria:  
• 
Individuals with a diagnosis of diabetes and treatment induced neuropathy (defined by the onset 
of neuropathic pain within 8 weeks of a change in HbA1C exceeding 3 points over 3 months).   
• 
Ages 18-60. 
• 
 
Exclusion Criteria: 
• 
No other known cause of neuropathy (chemotherapy, toxins, other medical disorder). 
• 
Anticoagulation with warfarin, aspirin & Plavix together, or other anticoagulant that would place 
subjects at undue risk of bleeding from a skin biopsy.  Aspirin or Plavix alone are not an exclusion 
criteria. 
• 
Evidence of severe vascular disease (history of ulceration, poor wound healing, vascular 
claudication) 
• 
Clinically active coronary artery or cerebrovascular disease 
• 
History of allergic reaction to local anesthesia for skin biopsies or history of scarring or keloid 
formation. 
• 
History of reaction to blood products or immune globulin. 
 
Screening Visit (Visit 1): Protocol Procedures- After signing an informed consent subjects will undergo 
the following: 
1) Undergo a general physical examination, Pain VAS scores, pain questionnaires and SF-36. 
2) Have a quantified neurological (neuropathy) examination using the Utah Early Neuropathy Score 
(UENS)(Singleton et al., 2008). 
3) Undergo autonomic testing (heart rate variability to paced breathing)(Gibbons and Freeman, 
2004).  Heart rate variability is measured over the course of 6 deep inspirations with the peak 
maximal average heart rates subtracted from the lowest heart rates during each breathing cycle.  
4) Undergo a 3mm punch skin biopsy at the distal leg to investigate small sensory and autonomic 
innervation using standard methodology (Gibbons et al., 2009, Wang and Gibbons, 2013).  
Outcome measures will include intra-epidermal nerve fiber density (IENFD). 
5) Quantitative review of additional clinical outpatient data (renal function, retinopathy screening, 
laboratory studies). 
 
(Visit 2) Outpatient treatment 1: IVIG 2 grams/kg over 2-5 days (to be administered within 28 days of 
screening visit).  


SF-36 questionnaire. 
Placebo would include administration of 0.1% albumin per day over 2-5 days. 
 
(Visit 3) Outpatient treatment 2: IVIG 1 gram/kg over 1 day (to be administered 21±3 days after 
completion of initial treatment).  
SF-36 Questionnaire. 
Placebo would include administration of 0.1% albumin per day over 1 day. 
 
Visit 4: Follow up evaluation at BIDMC 28 +/- 3 days after 2nd IVIG treatment where they will undergo the 
following: 
1) Undergo a general physical examination. Pain VAS scores, pain questionnaires and SF-36. 
2) Have a quantified neurological (neuropathy) examination using the Utah Early Neuropathy Score 
(UENS)(Singleton et al., 2008). 
3) Undergo autonomic testing (heart rate variability to paced breathing)(Gibbons and Freeman, 
2004).  Heart rate variability is measured over the course of 6 deep inspirations with the peak 
maximal average heart rates subtracted from the lowest heart rates during each breathing cycle.  
4) Undergo a 3mm punch skin biopsy at the distal leg to investigate small sensory and autonomic 
innervation using standard methodology (Gibbons et al., 2009, Wang and Gibbons, 2013).  
Outcome measures will include intra-epidermal nerve fiber density (IENFD). 
5) Quantitative review of additional clinical outpatient data (renal function, retinopathy screening, 
laboratory studies). 
DOSING REGIMEN (Describe the subject or animal dosing) 
(Visit 2) Outpatient treatment 1: IVIG 2 grams/kg over 2-5 days (to be administered within 28 
days of screening visit).  
Placebo would include administration of 0.1% albumin per day over 2-5 days. 
 
(Visit 3) Outpatient treatment 2: IVIG 1 gram/kg over 1 day (to be administered 21±3 days after 
completion of initial treatment).  
Placebo would include administration of 0.1% albumin per day over 1 day. 
 
Selection of Placebo:  The inclusion of placebo is critically important in a pilot study of this type in 
order to understand the potential treatment effects of IVIG on disease.  Low dose albumin has 
been selected as the choice of placebo based on standard dosing from several other clinical 
trials of IVIG in different forms of neuropathy.    
 
OBJECTIVES (Succinctly describe the major objectives for the overall proposed project) 
 
To develop a therapeutic intervention for treatment induced neuropathy in diabetes.  The primary 
endpoint will be to improve the pain associated with TIND, as well as improve nerve fiber 
structure (measured by biopsy analysis of IENFD) and by improvement in nerve fiber function.   


 
Finally, we will improve our understanding of the potential mechanisms underlying this disorder, 
and define a potential plasma biomarker (elevated cytokines and inflammatory markers) that 
could identify patients that would respond to the treatment.  
 
 
 
Primary endpoint: 
The change in neuropathic pain severity and distribution between treatment and placebo groups between 
visit 1 and visit 2.     
We expect that individuals with TIND treated with IVIG will have a >50% reduction in neuropathic pain 
and >30% reduction in the distribution of neuropathic pain 6 weeks after treatment.  We expect that 
placebo that will have <20% reduction in neuropathic pain and no change in the distribution of 
neuropathic pain 6 weeks after treatment.  
 
Secondary Outcomes: 
The difference in quantified neurologic examination scores, biopsy scores and autonomic function 
between treatment and placebo groups at 6 weeks and 12 weeks. 
We expect that individuals with TIND treated with IVIG will have improvements in quantified neurologic 
examination scores, autonomic function testing and nerve fiber density at follow up visits 4 and 5 
compared to their initial visit.  We expect that placebo treated individuals will have either no change or 
worsening of quantified neurologic examination scores, autonomic function testing and nerve fiber density 
at follow up visits 4 and 5 compared to their initial visit. 
 
Exploratory Outcomes: 
Exploratory outcome measures will include the effects of cytokine on neuropathic pain, small fiber 
neuropathy and autonomic neuropathy (heart rate variability).    
Statistical Analysis Plan 
Power calculations: 
This pilot study is being conducted in order to obtain adequate preliminary data for a larger clinical trial, 
but is powered to answer the primary endpoint analysis.  Secondary endpoints and exploratory endpoints 
are not included in the power analysis 
   
Group 
Change in pain score 
Change in IENFD 
Placebo 
2+/-2 
0.5+/-1 
IVIG 
5+/-3 
3+/-1.9 


Number of pairs needed 
for 80% power to detect 
change. 
10 
7 
 
Change in pain score calculation: We are planning a study of a continuous response variable from 
matched pairs of study subjects.  Prior data indicate that the difference in the pain response of matched 
pairs is normally distributed with standard deviation 3.  If the true difference in the mean response of 
matched pairs is 3, we will need to study 10 pairs of subjects to be able to reject the null hypothesis that 
this response difference is zero with probability (power) 0.8.  The Type I error probability associated with 
this test of this null hypothesis is 0.05. 
Change in IENFD score calculation: We are planning a study of a continuous response variable from 
matched pairs of study subjects.  Prior data indicate that the difference in the response of matched pairs 
is normally distributed with standard deviation 1.9.  If the true difference in the mean response of matched 
pairs is 2.5, we will need to study 7 pairs of subjects to be able to reject the null hypothesis that this 
response difference is zero with probability (power) 0.8.   The Type I error probability associated with this 
test of this null hypothesis is 0.05. 
 
Based on our preliminary data from the 4 subjects treated with IVIG, and the 104 untreated subjects with 
TIND, and the power analysis listed in Table 3, we calculate that 10 subjects in each of the treatment and 
placebo treated arms will provide  >80% power with a 2 sided alpha of 0.05 to detect a difference 
between placebo and active treatment groups.    
 
A total of 20 subjects will be included in this study: 
1) IVIG treatment: Individuals with poorly controlled diabetes that have a sudden improvement in 
their HbA1C and the development of neuropathy (meeting criteria for treatment induced 
neuropathy). Subject number =10 
2) Placebo Treatment: Individuals with poorly controlled diabetes that have a sudden improvement 
in their HbA1C and the development of neuropathy (meeting criteria for treatment induced 
neuropathy). Subject number =10.