Clinical trial NCT01434849: Timolol for the Prevention of Proliferation of Infantile Hemangioma (TiPPIH Trial)
Official title: Phase 1 Study of Topical Beta Blocker to Prevent the Proliferative Stage of Infantile Hemangioma
Study type: INTERVENTIONAL
Overall status: TERMINATED
Phase: PHASE1
Conditions: Infantile Hemangioma
Very Low Birth Weight Infants
Keywords: infantile hemangioma
very low birth weight infants
premature infants
Lead sponsor: The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio
Sponsor class: OTHER
First posted: 2011-09-15
Enrollment: 26
Sex: ALL
Maximum age (years): 6
Standard ages: CHILD
Accepts healthy volunteers: no
Allocation: RANDOMIZED
Intervention model: SINGLE_GROUP
Primary purpose: PREVENTION

Brief summary: The purpose of this trial is to see if a topical beta blocker is effective in preventing the proliferation of infantile hemangioma.

Detailed description: Infantile hemangiomas (IH) are among the most common, benign vascular tumors of infancy with an estimated prevalence of 4-5% of the population. IH are not found at birth but become evident within the first few weeks of life. They are characterized by a rapid proliferative phase that can last up to 4-6 months or longer and then a period of minimal or absent growth before an involutive phase where they may resolve with minimal or no scarring over multiple years. Although frequently thought of as benign lesions, hemangiomas can occur in locations to cause functional impairment of vital organs, can lead to ulcerations, scarring or disfigurement, and can lead to life-threatening complications. Management of these problematic IH includes laser, long-term systemic corticosteroids, interferon, Vincristine, surgery, and most recently systemic propranolol. Pulsed-dye laser is the only treatment approved by the FDA; it has been useful for superficial hemangiomas but has little effect on subcutaneous or deep-seated hemangiomas. The proposed therapeutic effects of propranolol are vasoconstriction, decreased expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGR) and basic fibroblast growth factors (bFGF) genes through downregulation of Raf/mitogen-activated protein kinase pathway, and apoptosis of capillary endothelial cells. For periorbital lesions that may cause amblyopia or anisometropia, topical Timolol has been reported to be of benefit. There is one retrospective review that is proof of concept that shows that topical timolol is safe and effective treatment for 6 cases of IH.

The advantage of a topical therapy is the decreased risk of systemic side effects compared with oral or intravenous administration. The disadvantage is that limited penetration may preclude effectiveness for the thicker or deeper lesions.

Being of low birth weight as well as prematurity are known risk factors for IH. In the premature infant development clinic at the University of Texas Health Science Center in San Antonio infants less than 1500 grams birth weight are followed for three years following discharge from the Newborn Intensive Care Unit (NICU); approximately 16% of these infants have hemangiomas. Therefore the investigators find it reasonable to start treatment with a topical beta blocker at an early stage of hemangioma to prevent the growth and proliferation and hence the possible severe effects associated with growth and thus impairment of vital organs/tissues.

Eligibility criteria: Inclusion Criteria:

* Babies admitted to NICU or seen in follow clinic that have a diagnosis of hemangioma that is verified by Principal Investigator (PI) or Co-Principal Investigators.

Exclusion Criteria:

* Babies with PHACES (Posterior fossa, Hemangioma, Arterial lesions, Cardiac abnormalities, Eye abnormalities) syndrome
* Babies with cardiac conditions that may predispose to heart block
* Babies with persistent hypoglycemia
* Babies on medications that may interact with beta blockers
* Babies who are hemodynamically unstable and are requiring pressors to maintain blood pressure
* Babies who are on systemic corticosteroid therapy

Primary outcomes:
measure: Proportion of subjects in treatment group compared to placebo group with at least 50% improvement in the extent of hemangioma as compared to each other with respect to changes from baseline photographs.
timeFrame: 6 months
Secondary outcomes:
measure: Compare treatment group to placebo group assessments
timeFrame: 6 months
measure: Compare treatment group to placebo group assessments
timeFrame: 6 months
measure: Compare treatment group to placebo group assessments
timeFrame: 6 months
Other outcomes:
Locations:
city: San Antonio
country: United States
facility: University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio
state: Texas
Study officials:
affiliation: The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio
name: Alice K Gong, M.D.
role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR
affiliation: University of Texas
name: Alice K Gong, MD
role: STUDY_DIRECTOR
References: