Metformin Add-on Clinical Study in Multiple Sclerosis to Evaluate Brain Remyelination And Neurodegeneration

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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This clinical trial aims to demonstrate that metformin can prevent clinical disability in patients with progressive MS by stopping or slowing down neurodegeneration by enhancing endogenous remyelination. Patients will continue their DMT treatment: metformin or placebo will be used as add-on study treatment.

Detailed Description
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Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is a chronic neuroinflammatory and neurodegenerative disease leading to focal and diffuse damage of myelin sheath and axons in the central nervous system (CNS). Pathophysiologically, the adaptive and innate immune system are involved in the inflammatory process, while mitochondrial dysfunction, oxidative stress and failure of remyelination are important mechanisms leading to chronic neurodegeneration. Despite currently available disease modifying treatments (DMTs) that target the immune system, patients continue to accumulate disability. Unfortunately, no neuroprotective or remyelinating agents are available to treat progressive MS. Hence, drugs to tackle disease progression in MS represent a major unmet need. In this respect, metformin is a very interesting drug to investigate in MS patients as a neuroprotective and remyelinating therapy. Several preclinical studies in animal models of MS have shown that metformin has both anti-inflammatory, neuroprotective and remyelinating properties. A clinical study with metformin in a limited sample of MS patients did not demonstrate significant adverse events. The aim of this clinical trial is to provide evidence for the neuroprotective and remyelinating effects of metformin (I) in MS patients (P) via measurement of clinical and MRI outcome measures (O), via a multicentre randomized placebo-controlled (C) clinical trial.

Official Title
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MACSiMiSE-BRAIN: Metformin add-on Clinical Study in Multiple Sclerosis to Evaluate Brain Remyelination and Neurodegeneration: a Phase II Placebo-controlled Randomized Clinical Trial

Conditions
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Multiple Sclerosis, Primary Progressive Multiple Sclerosis, Secondary-progressive Multiple Sclerosis

Intervention / Treatment
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* Drug: Metformin Hydrochloride 850 mg Oral Tablet
* Drug: Placebo


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: A diagnosis of non-active progressive Multiple Sclerosis (PPMS and SPMS), as evidenced by: the absence of relapses and new T2 lesions on brain MRI in the past year or longer (No Evidence of Disease Activity-2) progression of disability independent of relapses in the past 1-2 years or longer If progression is defined as one of the following, over the past 1-2 years or less, the patient can be included without additional review: minimum increase in the EDSS of 1.0, or 0.5 from a baseline level of 2.0-5.0, and 5.5-6.0, respectively ≥20% in the T25FW ≥20% 9HPT reduction of ≥4 points or a 10% worsening in the Symbol Digit Modality Test without concomitant depression or fatigue. If the investigator is in the opinion that the patient is clearly progressing, but not enough data are available to demonstrate this, a narrative needs to be provided, which will be judged by at least 2 members of the Trial Steering Committee, from a center that is not submitting the case for review. Age 18-70 years inclusive EDSS 2.0-6.5 inclusive Able to give informed consent (signed, written) and to adhere to study procedures Dutch/Flemish speaking (patient reported outcomes and questionnaires available in Dutch/Flemish) Stable use of Disease Modifying Treatment (DMT) or no treatment in the past year or longer Use of adequate contraceptive measures in women of childbearing potential (WOCBP) Exclusion Criteria: A medical or neurological problem other than MS that is a cause of progressive or fluctuating gait dysfunction Diagnosis of diabetes mellitus or fasting glucose level of 126mg/dl or more; random glucose level of 200mg/dl or more; HbA1C of 6.5% or more at screening Unable to complete T25FW Unable to undergo MRI Current major disease or disorder other than MS (e.g., active malignancy, significant renal insufficiency eGFR (estimated Glomerular Filtration Rate) <60 mL/min/1.73 m2, end-stage cardiopulmonary disease, alcoholism, liver insufficiency with AST (aspartate aminotransferase) >3 times Upper Limit of Normal (ULN), chronic active infection etc.) that may interfere with study procedures and/or intake of study drug Pregnant or breast-feeding or planning pregnancy Use of an experimental therapy in the past 6 months Ongoing immune reconstitution therapy schedule (cladribine second course ended at least 12 months before inclusion, alemtuzumab second/last course at least 12 months before inclusion, Autologous Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation at least 12 months before inclusion) Expected change in ongoing DMT or start of DMT if untreated Current use of metformin or known intolerance for metformin Known sensitivity to the active substance or to any of the excipients listed in section 6.1 of the Summary of Product Characteristics. All forms of acute metabolic acidosis (such as lactic acidosis, diabetic ketoacidosis), diabetic precoma. Acute conditions where there is a risk of alteration of renal function, such as: dehydration, severe infection, shock occurring between screening and randomization. Chronic use of NSAID

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 18 Years
Maximum Age: 70 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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No

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Design Details

Primary Purpose: Treatment
Allocation: Randomized
Intervention Model: Parallel Assignment
Masking: Triple


Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Active Comparator: Treatment group<br>The treatment group will receive Metformin Hydrochloride oral tablets 850mg tid or bid, during a maximum of 96 weeks. | Drug: Metformin Hydrochloride 850 mg Oral Tablet<br>* Metformin Hydrochloride oral tablets 850 mg t.i.d. or b.i.d.<br>|
| Placebo Comparator: Control group<br>The control group will receive a matching placebo, during a maximum of 96 weeks. | Drug: Placebo<br>* Placebo matching Metformin Hydrochloride oral tablets t.i.d. or b.i.d.<br>|

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Change in walking speed | Change in walking speed as measured by the Timed 25 Foot Walk (T25FW) between baseline and 96 weeks of treatment | From baseline to 96 weeks | 

Secondary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Change in cognitive function | Change in cognitive function as measured by Symbol Digit Modalities Test (SDMT) between baseline and 96 weeks of treatment | From baseline to 96 weeks | 
| Change in hand function | Change in hand function as measured by Nine-Hole Peg Test (9HPT) between baseline and 96 weeks of treatment | From baseline to 96 weeks | 
| Change in EDSS | Change in Expanded Disability Status Scale. The EDSS is a disability scale that ranges in 0.5-point steps from 0 (normal) to 10.0 (death) and is determined based on functional system scores (FSS) that are assigned after a standardized clinical neurological examination. | From baseline to 96 weeks | 
| Change in brain volume | Change in brain volume (whole brain volume and gray matter volume) from baseline to 48 weeks, from baseline to 96 weeks and from 48 to 96 weeks | From baseline to 48 weeks, from baseline to 96 weeks and from 48 to 96 weeks | 
| Change in T2 lesion volume | Change in T2 lesion volume from baseline to 48 weeks, from baseline to 96 weeks and from 48 to 96 weeks | From baseline to 48 weeks, from baseline to 96 weeks and from 48 to 96 weeks | 
| Change in T1 lesion volume | Change in T1 lesion volume from baseline to 48 weeks, from baseline to 96 weeks and from 48 to 96 weeks | From baseline to 48 weeks, from baseline to 96 weeks and from 48 to 96 weeks | 
| Change in brain magnetic resonance imaging diffusion tensor imaging (MRI-DTI) metrics | Change in brain MRI-DTI metrics from baseline to 48 weeks, from baseline to 96 weeks and from 48 to 96 weeks | From baseline to 48 weeks, from baseline to 96 weeks and from 48 to 96 weeks | 

 Terms related to the study
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Keywords Provided by Centre Hospitalier Valida
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Multiple Sclerosis, Primary Progressive Multiple Sclerosis, Secondary Progressive Multiple Sclerosis, Sclerosis, Metformin, Pathologic Processes, Demyelinating Autoimmune Diseases, CNS, Autoimmune Diseases of the Nervous System, Brain Remyelination, Neurodegeneration