Teriflunomide in HTLV-1 Associated Myelopathy/Tropical Spastic Paraparesis

Description

Background: HTLV-1 associated myelopathy/tropical spastic paraparesis (HAM/TSP) is a rare, progressive disease. It occurs in some people infected with the HTLV-1 virus. It leads to weakness in the lower limbs and other serious problems. It has no treatment. Teriflunomide is a drug used to treat multiple sclerosis. It reduces immune cells that make the disease worse. Researchers want to learn if this drug can help people with HAM/TSP. Objective: To learn the effects, immune response, safety, and tolerability of teriflunomide in people with HAM/TSP. Eligibility: Adults ages 18 and older with HAM/TSP. Design: Participants will be screened under protocol 98-N-0047. Participants will have a medical history. They will have physical and neurological exams. They will have blood and urine tests. Participants will take 1 tablet of the study drug once a day for 9 months. They will keep a drug diary. Participants will have lymphapheresis. For this, blood is drawn from a needle in one arm. A machine divides the blood into red cells, plasma, and white cells. The white cells are removed. The plasma and red cells are returned to the participant through a needle in the other arm. Participants will have lumbar punctures ( spinal taps ). For this, a thin needle is inserted into the spinal canal in the lower back. Spinal fluid is removed. Participants will have magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the brain and spine. The MRI scanner is a metal cylinder surrounded by a strong magnetic field. During the MRI, participants will lie on a table that can slide in and out of the scanner. Participation will last for 15 months.

Conditions

HAM/TSP

Talk to us

Study Overview

On this page

Study Details

Study overview

Background: HTLV-1 associated myelopathy/tropical spastic paraparesis (HAM/TSP) is a rare, progressive disease. It occurs in some people infected with the HTLV-1 virus. It leads to weakness in the lower limbs and other serious problems. It has no treatment. Teriflunomide is a drug used to treat multiple sclerosis. It reduces immune cells that make the disease worse. Researchers want to learn if this drug can help people with HAM/TSP. Objective: To learn the effects, immune response, safety, and tolerability of teriflunomide in people with HAM/TSP. Eligibility: Adults ages 18 and older with HAM/TSP. Design: Participants will be screened under protocol 98-N-0047. Participants will have a medical history. They will have physical and neurological exams. They will have blood and urine tests. Participants will take 1 tablet of the study drug once a day for 9 months. They will keep a drug diary. Participants will have lymphapheresis. For this, blood is drawn from a needle in one arm. A machine divides the blood into red cells, plasma, and white cells. The white cells are removed. The plasma and red cells are returned to the participant through a needle in the other arm. Participants will have lumbar punctures ( spinal taps ). For this, a thin needle is inserted into the spinal canal in the lower back. Spinal fluid is removed. Participants will have magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the brain and spine. The MRI scanner is a metal cylinder surrounded by a strong magnetic field. During the MRI, participants will lie on a table that can slide in and out of the scanner. Participation will last for 15 months.

Phase I/II Study of Teriflunomide in HTLV-1 Associated Myelopathy/Tropical Spastic Paraparesis

Teriflunomide in HTLV-1 Associated Myelopathy/Tropical Spastic Paraparesis

Condition
HAM/TSP
Intervention / Treatment

-

Contacts and Locations

Bethesda

National Institutes of Health Clinical Center, Bethesda, Maryland, United States, 20892

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

For general information about clinical research, read Learn About Studies.

Eligibility Criteria

  • * 18 years or older
  • * Diagnosis of HAM/TSP as defined by WHO criteria, including a positive HTLV-1 EIA and confirmatory Western Blot.
  • * Enrolled in 98-N-0047
  • * Patient must be willing and able to comply with all the aspects of trial design and follow-up.
  • * Negative QuantiFERON-TB gold, or completion of latent tuberculosis infection treatment, per CDC and National TB Controllers Association recommendations in the event of a positive test result
  • * Ability to take oral medication and be willing to adhere to the protocol regimen
  • * Patients must be able to provide informed consent
  • * If able to become pregnant or to father a child, patient must agree to commit to the use of a reliable/accepted method of birth control (i.e. hormonal contraception (birth control pills, injected hormones, vaginal ring), intrauterine device, barrier methods with spermicide (diaphragm with spermicide, condom with spermicide) or surgical sterilization (hysterectomy, tubal ligation, or vasectomy) for the duration of the treatment arm of the study and for two years following cessation of treatment with teriflunomide.
  • * Alternative diagnoses that can explain neurological disability
  • * History or current evidence of any condition, therapy, or laboratory abnormality that might confound the results of the trial or interfere with participation for the full duration of the trial; or not in the best interest of the subject to participate, in the opinion of the treating investigator
  • * Severe immunodeficiency, bone marrow disease, or severe, uncontrolled infections.
  • * Liver dysfunction, as indicated by baseline aspartate aminotransferase (AST) or alanine or alanine aminotransferase (ALT) greater than 2 times the upper limit of normal
  • * Positive serological evidence of HIV, HTLV-II, Hepatitis B or C
  • * Treatment with immunomodulatory/immunosuppressive therapy is exclusionary except in the cases below:
  • * current use of topical steroids
  • * \<= 10 mg of prednisone usage within three months prior to administration of study drug.
  • * Pregnant or lactating women.
  • * Treatment with other investigational drugs within 6 months before enrollment
  • * Known hypersensitivity to teriflunomide or leflunomide
  • * Concomitant treatment with leflunomide

Ages Eligible for Study

18 Years to 120 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study

ALL

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Collaborators and Investigators

National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS),

Steven Jacobson, Ph.D., PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS)

Study Record Dates

2025-08-31