A Randomized Placebo-Controlled Trial of Armodafinil (Nuvigil) for Fatigue in Patients With Malignant Gliomas

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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The purpose of this research study is to determine if armodafinil is safe and effective in treating fatigue in patients with malignant gliomas undergoing treatment with radiotherapy plus temodar. Armodafinil is a wakefulness-promoting agent that has been FDA approved for the treatment of excessive daytime sleepiness for a variety of disorders. Armodafinil may also help to reduce radiation-induced fatigue in brain tumor patients.

Detailed Description
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Since no one knows for certain if armodafinil improves fatigue in brain tumor patients undergoing radiation therapy, participants will be randomized into one of two study groups. Half of the participants will receive armodafinil and the other half will receive pills with no medicine (placebo). Neither the participant or the study doctor will know what group they are in. Participants will be given a study medication-dosing calendar and will take either the study drug or placebo orally once a day for 8 weeks. The dose will be adjusted on days 8,22 or 43, depending upon the level of fatigue. Treatment will begin within 10 days from the radiation start date. Participants will be evaluated via documented clinician telephone call and self-administered questionnaires on days 1, 8, 22, 43 and 57.

Official Title
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A Randomized Placebo-Controlled Trial of Armodafinil (Nuvigil) for Fatigue in Patients With Malignant Gliomas Undergoing Radiotherapy With or Without Standard Chemotherapy Treatment

Conditions
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Malignant Glioma

Intervention / Treatment
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* Drug: Armodafinil
* Other: Placebo


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: 18 years of age or older Histologically confirmed malignant glioma including anaplastic astrocytoma, anaplastic oligodendroglioma, anaplastic oligoastrocytoma (WHO grade III/IV), glioblastoma multiforme (WHO grade IV) or gliosarcoma. Patients with a grade II astrocytoma, mixed oligo-astrocytoma or oligodendroglioma who are being treated with irradiation are also eligible Scheduled to receive irradiation to a total dose of 50-60 Gy. Patients receiving hyperfractionated radiotherapy are also eligible KPS of 70% or greater Electrolytes within normal institutional limits: BUN and Creatinine < 2.5 x ULN: AST, ALT, Bilirubin < 2.5 x ULN Able to swallow medication Exclusion Criteria: History of recent cardiac arrhythmia or unstable angina Has taken a psychostimulant or a monoamine oxidase inhibitor on a regular basis within the past 30 days Clinically significant untreated sleep apnea A history of clinically significant cardiac disease, including a history of recent myocardial infarction, history of unstable angina, history of left ventricular hypertrophy, or a history of ischemic ECG changes, chest pain, arrhythmia, or other clinically significant manifestations of mitral valve prolapse in association with use of CNS stimulants (e.g. caffeine, amphetamines, methylphenidate) Uncontrolled hypertension, alcohol or drug abuse, severe headaches, glaucoma, narcolepsy, clinically significant untreated sleep apnea, psychotic disorder or Tourette's syndrome Patients taking warfarin for anticoagulation are eligible, but monitoring of prothrombin times is suggested as a precaution Hemoglobin level of less then 11 g/dl Laboratory evidence of hypothyroidism with an elevated TSH concentration in the blood greater than 5.0 mlU/L Current treatment or history of psychotic disorder, bipolar disorder, or anxiety disorder Patients with a score of > 28 on the Beck depression inventory consistent with severe depression Known hypersensitivity to armodafinil or related compounds Patients who have been receiving MAO inhibitors during the past 14 days

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 18 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: Supportive Care
Allocation: Randomized
Intervention Model: Parallel Assignment
Masking: Double


Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Experimental: Group 1<br>Armodafinil | Drug: Armodafinil<br>* Taken orally once a day in the morning. Dose will change depending upon level of fatigue<br>* Other names: Nuvigil;|
| Placebo Comparator: Group 2<br>Placebo | Other: Placebo<br>* Placebo taken once a day in the morning<br>|

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Change From Baseline in Fatigue at Day 43 | The primary endpoint was the difference in the 42-day change (baseline vs. day 43) in Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy-Fatigue scale (FACIT-F scale) between the 2 treatment groups (those patients randomized to receive armodafinil and those randomized to the placebo arm). FACIT-F is a well-validated QOL instrument widely used for the assessment of cancer-related fatigue in clinical trials.5 It consists of the 27-item FACT-G (which assesses QOL based on physical, social/family, emotional, and functional well-being) and the 13-item FACIT-F fatigue subscale (which assesses the impact of fatigue on daily activities). Each item is assessed on a 5-point scale (0 = not at all to 4 = very much). By scoring convention, after appropriate reversal scoring of 11 items, the FACIT-F fatigue subscale (FACIT-fatigue) score ranges from 0 to 52 (lower score indicating more fatigue). A score < 30 indicates severe fatigue. | 43 days | 

Secondary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Change From Baseline in Quality of Life at Days 22, 43 and 56 | The effects of treatment on overall health-related quality of life quantified with the general Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy survey (FACT-G) were measured at baseline, at day 22, at the end of radiation (day 43) and 2 weeks after completion of radiation (day 56). The FACT-G assesses quality of life based on physical, social/family, emotional, and functional well-being. Each item is assessed on a 5-point scale (0 = not at all to 4 = very much). The total FACT-G score can range from 0-108, with higher scores indicating a better quality of life. | baseline, day 22, day 43, and day 56 | 
| Number of Grade 3-4 Side Effects at Least Possibly Related to Study Treatment | To assess the side effect profile of armodafinil in patients with malignant gliomas undergoing radiotherapy with or without standard chemotherapy treatment. | 56 days | 

 Terms related to the study
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Keywords Provided by Centre Hospitalier Valida
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armodafinil, Nuvigil, fatigue