Clinical trial NCT01379898: Phenoxybenzamine Versus Doxazosin in PCC Patients
Official title: Pheochromocytoma Randomised Study Comparing Adrenoreceptor Inhibiting Agents for Preoperative Treatment
Study type: INTERVENTIONAL
Overall status: COMPLETED
Phase: PHASE4
Conditions: Pheochromocytoma
Keywords: Pheochromocytoma
Doxazosin
Phenoxybenzamine
Lead sponsor: University Medical Center Groningen
Sponsor class: OTHER
Collaborators: name: Radboud University Medical Center
name: UMC Utrecht
name: VU University of Amsterdam
name: Academisch Medisch Centrum - Universiteit van Amsterdam (AMC-UvA)
name: Leiden University Medical Center
name: Erasmus Medical Center
name: Maastricht University Medical Center
name: St. Antonius Hospital
name: Medisch Spectrum Twente
name: Maxima Medical Center
name: Canisius-Wilhelmina Hospital
name: Onze Lieve Vrouwe Gasthuis
name: Atrium Medical Center
name: Isala
First posted: 2011-06-23
Enrollment: 134
Sex: ALL
Minimum age (years): 18
Standard ages: ADULT
OLDER_ADULT
Accepts healthy volunteers: no
Allocation: RANDOMIZED
Intervention model: PARALLEL
Primary purpose: TREATMENT

Brief summary: * Rationale: The optimal preoperative medical management for patients with a pheochromocytoma is currently unknown. In particular, there is no agreement with respect to whether phenoxybenzamine or doxazosin is the optimal alfa-adrenoreceptor antagonist to be administered before surgical resection of a pheochromocytoma. We hypothesized that the competitive alfa1-antagonist doxazosin is superior to the non-competitive alfa1- and alfa2-antagonist phenoxybenzamine.
* Objective: comparing effects of preoperative treatment with either phenoxybenzamine or doxazosin on intraoperative hemodynamic control in patients undergoing surgical resection of a pheochromocytoma.
* Study design: Randomised controlled open-label trial.
* Study population: 18 - 55 yr old. Adult patients with a recently diagnosed benign pheochromocytoma.
* Intervention: Patients are randomised to receive oral treatment with either phenoxybenzamine or doxazosin preoperatively.
* Main study parameters/endpoints: The main study parameter is defined as the percentage of intraoperative time that blood pressure is outside the predefined target range after pretreatment with either phenoxybenzamine or doxazosin.

In this multicenter trial, we compare the effects of two commonly used drugs in patients being medically prepared for resection of a benign pheochromocytoma. Participants are not subjected to an experimental treatment of any kind, as we merely aim to describe in detail the perioperative course in general and, in particular, the intraoperative hemodynamic control in patients treated preoperatively with either phenoxybenzamine or doxazosin. A routine diagnostic work-up for pheochromocytoma will be performed in all participants. One extra blood sample (volume: 48,5 mL) is drawn before start of the study medication, and participants need to record their symptoms in a diary. In addition, patients who are pretreated in the outpatient clinic monitor their blood pressure and pulse rate at home with an automated device. Treatment with an alfa-adrenoreceptor antagonist is initiated at least 2 - 3 weeks prior to surgery. Patients who are admitted to the hospital for pretreatment with an alfa-adrenoreceptor antagonist have their blood pressure and pulse rate measured by the nursing staff. The final site visit is planned at 30 days after surgery, in line with current practice.

Detailed description: 1. INTRODUCTION AND RATIONALE Pheochromocytoma (PCC) is a rare but clinically important catecholamine secreting neuro-endocrine tumour that typically arises from the adrenal gland. In addition, this neuro-endocrine tumour can also originate from chromaffin cells in sympathetic ganglia(1)(2). In this protocol, PCC refers to both adrenal and extra-adrenal chromaffin tumours with hypersecretion of catecholamines (i.e. norepinephrine and/or epinephrine). The annual incidence rate in the US population has been estimated to be 1-2 cases per 100,000 adult individuals (3). Data on the incidence and prevalence of PCC in the Netherlands have not been published. Based on the Dutch registry of pathology diagnoses (PALGA), we found an incidence of 117 cases of PCC in the year 2007 (unpublished observation).

   PCCs may occur as part of an autosomal dominant inherited tumor syndrome, caused by germline mutations in the RET proto-oncogene (Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia type 2 syndrome), VHL gene (von Hippel-Lindau disease), NF1 gene (Neurofibromatosis type 1), or in one of the genes encoding the subunits of mitochondrial complex II, also called succinate dehydrogenase (SDHB, SDHC, SDHD)(4). PCCs are termed 'sporadic' when the family history for PCC is negative. Overall, about 25% of all PCC patients harbour a germline mutation. Notably, germline mutations in one of the PCC susceptibility genes may also be present in a significant number of patients with a sporadic PCC, with mutation rates varying between 7.5 - 14.6% in the populations studied(5-7). Therefore, genetic testing is recommended in all patients with PCC(7). Very recently, a new PCC susceptibility gene has been described, and it seems likely that future research will result in the discovery of other genetic mutations associated with PCC(8).

   PCC constitutes a surgically curable cause of hypertension. Hypertension in patients with PCC can be either persistent or paroxysmal, but is absent in a minority of patients. It is a potentially life-threatening disease with a high risk for cardiovascular complications such as myocardial infarction, arrhythmias, cardiomyopathy, stroke and pulmonary edema(1). The clinical picture results from release of catecholamines by the tumour. This release can be evoked by stimuli that would normally not pose a hazard, such as surgery or general anaesthesia. Thus, preoperative treatment with alpha-adrenoceptor antagonists is usually recommended for prevention of these serious and potentially fatal complications(9). In one of the largest surgical series reported so far, perioperative mortality and morbidity were 2.4% and 23.6%, respectively(10).

   According to the literature, about 10% of the patients with PCC are normotensive(1). A normal blood pressure at diagnosis is relatively frequent among carriers of one the aforementioned germline mutations, as these individuals are subjected to periodic biochemical screening for the presence of PCC. It has been demonstrated that intraoperative hemodynamic instability during adrenalectomy for PCC occurred to the same extent in MEN2a patients (most of whom were normotensive) as in patients without MEN2a (most of whom were hypertensive)(11). Thus, preoperative treatment with alpha -adrenoceptor antagonists is also recommended for normotensive patients with PCC (9,11), Historically, the noncompetitive and nonselective alpha -adrenoceptor antagonist phenoxybenzamine has been the drug of choice(12). Alternatively, doxazosin - a competitive and selective alpha 1-adrenoceptor antagonist - might be at least as effective asphenoxybenzamine with fewer side effects. Notably, it has been suggested that doxazosin results in a significant and clinically relevant reduction of postoperative hypotension(13). Severe postoperative hypotension necessitates admission to the intensive care unit (ICU), where volume resuscitation and norepinephrine are administered under strict monitoring of hemodynamics. Data on the optimal preoperative pharmacological management of patients with PCC are conflicting. For example, a recent study reported comparable effects of phenoxybenzamine and doxazosin on intraoperative hemodynamic control(14).This study, however, was retrospective in design and therefore affected by several confounding factors such as lack of randomisation, non-standardised intraoperative care, and use of historical controls. Until now, prospective randomised controlled trials comparing phenoxybenzamine and doxazosin have not been conducted. Thus, the preoperative drug therapy of choice remains an unresolved issue, and at a recent international PCC symposium it was concluded that no specific recommendations can be made on this subject(9). We performed a survey among all university medical centers in the Netherlands, showing that almost half of the centers prescribed phenoxybenzamine, whereas the other centers used doxazosine as the preoperative drug of choice for patients with PCC(15). Usually, these drugs are administered during 2-3 weeks before surgery. This preoperative medical preparation takes place either in the outpatient or inpatient clinic, depending on patient-related factors (e.g. disease severity, geographical considerations) and local experience.

   Preoperative volume expansion is recommended in all patients with PCC(9). The rationale behind this recommendation is based on the notion that PCC is associated with a decreased intravascular volume, which is restored under influence of treatment with alpha -adrenoceptor antagonists. Without administration of volume expansion severe hypotension might ensue. Therefore, it is common practice to advise a liberal salt intake during alpha -adrenoceptor antagonist therapy and to administer a saline infusion (e.g. 2L NaCL 0.9% in 24 hours) shortly before surgery(9,15).

   Several drugs, including certain anaesthetics, may evoke an uncontrolled catecholamine release with resulting severe hemodynamic instability(16). Patients are advised to carry a document enlisting all medications which are contra-indicated in case of a PCC. There is no consensus on the optimal anaesthetic management during resection of a PCC, as randomised controlled trials on this subject are not available(16,17). In a survey on the anaesthetic management of PCC in the Netherlands, we found as many different protocols as the number of hospitals (=10) which had responded (including all university medical centers; unpublished observation).

   PRESCRIPT represents the first randomised controlled trial comparing the effects of pretreatment with either phenoxybenzamine or doxazosin on the intraoperative hemodynamic control in patients with PCC. The relevance of conducting a trial as described in this study protocol was recently expressed again by experts in the field of PCC research(18). In addition, PRESCRIPT provides a unique opportunity to prospectively collect data containing detailed information on items such as presenting symptoms and signs, perioperative outcome and results of biochemical, imaging and genetic studies in patients with PCC. Of interest, results of this study are expected to have a direct impact on national and international guidelines regarding the perioperative care of patients with PCC.
2. OBJECTIVES Primary Objective: The primary objective is to determine which of two commonly used drugs for preoperative management provides the best intraoperative hemodynamic control in patients undergoing resection of a PCC.

   Secondary Objective(s):
   * to identify other determinants of intraoperative hemodynamic control. Potential determinants are: gender or age of the patient, clinical setting for preoperative management (i.e. outpatient or inpatient clinic), preoperative levels, of catecholamines or N-terminal pro-brain-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) PCC size, sporadic or hereditary PCC,
   * to describe prospectively symptoms and signs of PCC in a large cohort of patients. Note: until now, data on symptoms and signs have been described retrospectively
   * to describe prospectively the results of several diagnostic techniques
   * to assess prospectively the distribution of sporadic and hereditary PCC in a large cohort of Dutch patients
   * to build a biobank with blood and tissue samples for future studies on PCC
3. STUDY DESIGN Randomised open-label controlled trial.

Eligibility criteria: Inclusion Criteria:

* age \> 18 years
* diagnosis of benign Pheochromocytoma (adrenal or extra-adrenal, sporadic or hereditary:

  * hypertension
  * elevated plasma and/or urinary (nor)metanephrines. From each patient, a blood sample is collected for measurement of plasma (nor)metanephrines with the reference laboratory assay (i.e. XLC-MS/MS) at the Department of Laboratory Medicine of the UMCG.
  * localisation of PCC by anatomical (MRI/CT) and functional imaging (I123-MIBG scintigraphy or 18F-DOPA PET)
* planned for surgical removal of the PCC

Exclusion Criteria:

* age \< 18 years
* malignant PCC, i.e. presence of lesions on imaging studies suggestive of distant metastases
* severe hemodynamic instability before surgery necessitating admission to intensive care unit
* pregnancy
* incapability to adhere to the study protocol

Primary outcomes:
measure: The main study parameter is defined as the percentage of intraoperative time that blood pressure is outside the predefined target range after pretreatment with either phenoxybenzamine or doxazosin.
timeFrame: Duration of surgery, i.e. on average 3 hours
Secondary outcomes:
measure: To attain preoperative blood pressure target values without co-medication
timeFrame: an expected average of 2 to 6 weeks before surgery
measure: Resolution of (paroxysmal) symptoms and signs of pheochromocytoma.
timeFrame: an expected average of 2-6 weeks before surgery
measure: Need for additional antihypertensive agents
timeFrame: an expected average of 2-6 weeks before surgery
measure: Adverse effects of study medication
timeFrame: an expected average of 2-6 weeks before surgery
measure: Length of preoperative treatment in either outpatient or inpatient clinic.
timeFrame: an expected average of 2-6 weeks before surgery
measure: Control of blood pressure and heart rate.
timeFrame: Duration of surgery, i.e. on average 3 hours
measure: Length of hospital stay.
timeFrame: Participants will be followed for the duration of hospital stay an expected average of 2-5 weeks.
measure: Composite semi-quantitative score of intra- and postoperative hemodynamic control.
timeFrame: During surgery and the first 24 hours after surgery at the intensive/ medium care unit
measure: Postoperative hypoglycaemia
timeFrame: First 24 hours postoperative
measure: Perioperative mortality.
timeFrame: From first administration of study medication until 30 days after surgery.
measure: Perioperative cardiovascular morbidity.
timeFrame: From first administation of study medicaion until 30 days after surgery.
measure: Composite endpoint of perioperative mortality and perioperative cardiovascular morbidity.
timeFrame: From first administration of study medication until 30 days after surgery.
Other outcomes:
Locations:
city: Groningen
country: Netherlands
facility: Department of Endocrinology, University Medical Center Groningen
Study officials:
affiliation: University Medical Center Groningen
name: Michiel N. Kerstens, MD PhD
role: STUDY_DIRECTOR
affiliation: University Medical Center Groningen
name: Thera P. Links, MD PhD
role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR
affiliation: University Medical Center Groningen
name: Gütz J. Wietasch, MD PhD
role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR
affiliation: UMC St Radboud Nijmegen
name: Jaques W. Lenders, MD PhD
role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR
affiliation: UMC Utrecht
name: G D. Valk, MD PhD
role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR
affiliation: Free University UMC Amsterdam
name: E M. Eekhoff, MD PhD
role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR
affiliation: Academisch Medisch Centrum - Universiteit van Amsterdam (AMC-UvA)
name: P H. Bisschop, MD PhD
role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR
affiliation: Erasmus Medical Center
name: R A Feelders, MD PhD
role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR
affiliation: Maastricht University Medical Center
name: Bas Havekes, MD PhD
role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR
affiliation: medical center leeuwarden
name: Peter Oomen, MD PhD
role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR
affiliation: St. Antonius Ziekenhuis Nieuwegein
name: I Eland, MD PhD
role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR
affiliation: Medical Center Haaglanden
name: P H. Geelhoed- Duijvestijn, MD PhD
role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR
affiliation: Medisch Spectrum Twente
name: P Groote Veldman, MD PhD
role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR
affiliation: Máxima Medisch Centrum
name: H R Haak, MD PhD
role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR
affiliation: Canisius-Wilhelmina Hospital
name: J R. Meinardi, MD PhD
role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR
affiliation: Canisius-Wilhelmina Hospital
name: C B. Brouwer, MD PhD
role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR
affiliation: Atrium Medical Center
name: P L. van Battum, MD
role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR
affiliation: Isala
name: A A. Franken, MD PhD
role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR
References:
citation: Lenders JW, Eisenhofer G, Mannelli M, Pacak K. Phaeochromocytoma. Lancet. 2005 Aug 20-26;366(9486):665-75. doi: 10.1016/S0140-6736(05)67139-5.
citation: Lenders JW, Eisenhofer G, Armando I, Keiser HR, Goldstein DS, Kopin IJ. Determination of metanephrines in plasma by liquid chromatography with electrochemical detection. Clin Chem. 1993 Jan;39(1):97-103.
citation: Beard CM, Sheps SG, Kurland LT, Carney JA, Lie JT. Occurrence of pheochromocytoma in Rochester, Minnesota, 1950 through 1979. Mayo Clin Proc. 1983 Dec;58(12):802-4.
citation: Neumann HP, Cybulla M, Shibata H, Oya M, Naruse M, Higashihara E, Terachi T, Ling H, Takami H, Shuin T, Murai M. New genetic causes of pheochromocytoma: current concepts and the clinical relevance. Keio J Med. 2005 Mar;54(1):15-21. doi: 10.2302/kjm.54.15.
citation: Amar L, Bertherat J, Baudin E, Ajzenberg C, Bressac-de Paillerets B, Chabre O, Chamontin B, Delemer B, Giraud S, Murat A, Niccoli-Sire P, Richard S, Rohmer V, Sadoul JL, Strompf L, Schlumberger M, Bertagna X, Plouin PF, Jeunemaitre X, Gimenez-Roqueplo AP. Genetic testing in pheochromocytoma or functional paraganglioma. J Clin Oncol. 2005 Dec 1;23(34):8812-8. doi: 10.1200/JCO.2005.03.1484.
citation: Korpershoek E, Van Nederveen FH, Dannenberg H, Petri BJ, Komminoth P, Perren A, Lenders JW, Verhofstad AA, De Herder WW, De Krijger RR, Dinjens WN. Genetic analyses of apparently sporadic pheochromocytomas: the Rotterdam experience. Ann N Y Acad Sci. 2006 Aug;1073:138-48. doi: 10.1196/annals.1353.014.
citation: Gimenez-Roqueplo AP, Lehnert H, Mannelli M, Neumann H, Opocher G, Maher ER, Plouin PF; European Network for the Study of Adrenal Tumours (ENS@T) Pheochromocytoma Working Group. Phaeochromocytoma, new genes and screening strategies. Clin Endocrinol (Oxf). 2006 Dec;65(6):699-705. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2265.2006.02714.x.
citation: Qin Y, Yao L, King EE, Buddavarapu K, Lenci RE, Chocron ES, Lechleiter JD, Sass M, Aronin N, Schiavi F, Boaretto F, Opocher G, Toledo RA, Toledo SP, Stiles C, Aguiar RC, Dahia PL. Germline mutations in TMEM127 confer susceptibility to pheochromocytoma. Nat Genet. 2010 Mar;42(3):229-33. doi: 10.1038/ng.533. Epub 2010 Feb 14.
citation: Pacak K, Eisenhofer G, Ahlman H, Bornstein SR, Gimenez-Roqueplo AP, Grossman AB, Kimura N, Mannelli M, McNicol AM, Tischler AS; International Symposium on Pheochromocytoma. Pheochromocytoma: recommendations for clinical practice from the First International Symposium. October 2005. Nat Clin Pract Endocrinol Metab. 2007 Feb;3(2):92-102. doi: 10.1038/ncpendmet0396.
citation: Plouin PF, Duclos JM, Soppelsa F, Boublil G, Chatellier G. Factors associated with perioperative morbidity and mortality in patients with pheochromocytoma: analysis of 165 operations at a single center. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2001 Apr;86(4):1480-6. doi: 10.1210/jcem.86.4.7392.
citation: Pacak K. Preoperative management of the pheochromocytoma patient. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2007 Nov;92(11):4069-79. doi: 10.1210/jc.2007-1720.
citation: Prys-Roberts C, Farndon JR. Efficacy and safety of doxazosin for perioperative management of patients with pheochromocytoma. World J Surg. 2002 Aug;26(8):1037-42. doi: 10.1007/s00268-002-6667-z. Epub 2002 Jun 19.
citation: Bruynzeel H, Feelders RA, Groenland TH, van den Meiracker AH, van Eijck CH, Lange JF, de Herder WW, Kazemier G. Risk Factors for Hemodynamic Instability during Surgery for Pheochromocytoma. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2010 Feb;95(2):678-85. doi: 10.1210/jc.2009-1051. Epub 2009 Dec 4.
citation: van der Horst-Schrivers AN, Kerstens MN, Wolffenbuttel BH. Preoperative pharmacological management of phaeochromocytoma. Neth J Med. 2006 Sep;64(8):290-5.
citation: Eisenhofer G, Rivers G, Rosas AL, Quezado Z, Manger WM, Pacak K. Adverse drug reactions in patients with phaeochromocytoma: incidence, prevention and management. Drug Saf. 2007;30(11):1031-62. doi: 10.2165/00002018-200730110-00004.
citation: Kinney MA, Warner ME, vanHeerden JA, Horlocker TT, Young WF Jr, Schroeder DR, Maxson PM, Warner MA. Perianesthetic risks and outcomes of pheochromocytoma and paraganglioma resection. Anesth Analg. 2000 Nov;91(5):1118-23. doi: 10.1097/00000539-200011000-00013.
citation: Eisenhofer G, Bornstein SR. Surgery: Risks of hemodynamic instability in pheochromocytoma. Nat Rev Endocrinol. 2010 Jun;6(6):301-2. doi: 10.1038/nrendo.2010.65. No abstract available.
citation: Karthikeyan G, Moncur RA, Levine O, Heels-Ansdell D, Chan MT, Alonso-Coello P, Yusuf S, Sessler D, Villar JC, Berwanger O, McQueen M, Mathew A, Hill S, Gibson S, Berry C, Yeh HM, Devereaux PJ. Is a pre-operative brain natriuretic peptide or N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide measurement an independent predictor of adverse cardiovascular outcomes within 30 days of noncardiac surgery? A systematic review and meta-analysis of observational studies. J Am Coll Cardiol. 2009 Oct 20;54(17):1599-606. doi: 10.1016/j.jacc.2009.06.028.
citation: Kim AW, Quiros RM, Maxhimer JB, El-Ganzouri AR, Prinz RA. Outcome of laparoscopic adrenalectomy for pheochromocytomas vs aldosteronomas. Arch Surg. 2004 May;139(5):526-9; discussion 529-31. doi: 10.1001/archsurg.139.5.526.
citation: Shen WT, Grogan R, Vriens M, Clark OH, Duh QY. One hundred two patients with pheochromocytoma treated at a single institution since the introduction of laparoscopic adrenalectomy. Arch Surg. 2010 Sep;145(9):893-7. doi: 10.1001/archsurg.2010.159.
citation: Kocak S, Aydintug S, Canakci N. Alpha blockade in preoperative preparation of patients with pheochromocytomas. Int Surg. 2002 Jul-Sep;87(3):191-4.
citation: Weingarten TN, Cata JP, O'Hara JF, Prybilla DJ, Pike TL, Thompson GB, Grant CS, Warner DO, Bravo E, Sprung J. Comparison of two preoperative medical management strategies for laparoscopic resection of pheochromocytoma. Urology. 2010 Aug;76(2):508.e6-11. doi: 10.1016/j.urology.2010.03.032. Epub 2010 May 23.
citation: Mueller T, Gegenhuber A, Dieplinger B, Poelz W, Haltmayer M. Capability of B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) and amino-terminal proBNP as indicators of cardiac structural disease in asymptomatic patients with systemic arterial hypertension. Clin Chem. 2005 Dec;51(12):2245-51. doi: 10.1373/clinchem.2005.056648. Epub 2005 Oct 13.
citation: Buitenwerf E, Osinga TE, Timmers HJLM, Lenders JWM, Feelders RA, Eekhoff EMW, Haak HR, Corssmit EPM, Bisschop PHLT, Valk GD, Veldman RG, Dullaart RPF, Links TP, Voogd MF, Wietasch GJKG, Kerstens MN. Efficacy of alpha-Blockers on Hemodynamic Control during Pheochromocytoma Resection: A Randomized Controlled Trial. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2020 Jul 1;105(7):2381-91. doi: 10.1210/clinem/dgz188.