Interventional Study of Vosoritide for the Treatment of Children With Hypochondroplasia
This research study is looking at a new medicine called vosoritide for children and teenagers aged 3 to 17 who have a condition called hypochondroplasia. This condition is a type of short stature, meaning bones don't grow as much as they should. The main goal is to see if vosoritide can help these children grow taller over a period of 52 weeks (about one year). Participants will be split into two groups by chance: one group will receive vosoritide, and the other will receive a dummy medicine called a placebo. Neither the participants, their families, nor the study doctors will know who is getting which treatment. Both medicines will be given as a daily injection just under the skin. We hope to find out if vosoritide is a helpful and safe treatment option for children with hypochondroplasia.
At a glance
What is this study about?
This study is a very important step in understanding and potentially treating hypochondroplasia, a condition that affects how bones grow, leading to shorter stature. Doctors are always looking for new and better ways to help children with growth conditions. This particular study is focusing on a medicine called vosoritide, which has shown promise in earlier research.
The main idea is to see if giving vosoritide daily can help children with hypochondroplasia grow more over a year than if they weren't taking the medicine. To do this fairly, the study will involve two groups: one receiving vosoritide and another receiving a 'placebo', which looks exactly like the medicine but contains no active drug. This is a common and important way to test new medicines, as it helps doctors be sure that any changes they see are due to the medicine itself and not other factors. Everyone involved in the study – participants, their families, and the medical team – won't know who is getting which treatment until the study is over. This is called a 'double-blind' study and helps make the results as reliable as possible.
Participation in a study like this is voluntary and can be a way for families to contribute to medical knowledge and potentially help their own child or other children with hypochondroplasia in the future. The information gathered will help doctors decide if vosoritide could become a widely used treatment for this condition.
Key takeaways
- The study tests a medicine called vosoritide for hypochondroplasia in children.
- It aims to see if the medicine helps children grow taller.
- Participants will receive either vosoritide or a dummy medicine (placebo).
- Study lasts 52 weeks with daily injections and regular check-ups.
- It's for children aged 3 to almost 18 with a confirmed diagnosis of hypochondroplasia.
- Participation is voluntary, and you can withdraw at any time.
Who may be eligible?
To join this study, children must be between 3 and almost 18 years old. They need to have a confirmed diagnosis of hypochondroplasia through a genetic test. Also, their height should be noticeably shorter than average for their age and sex.
There are also some reasons why a child might not be able to join. For example, if they have another condition causing short stature, or if they've recently taken certain growth-affecting medicines like growth hormone. Children who need surgery on their bones during the study period, or who have had certain experimental treatments before, would also not be able to take part. This ensures the study includes the right people to get clear results.
Girls aged 10 or older, or who have started their periods, will need to have a pregnancy test. If they are sexually active, they must agree to use effective contraception during the study. This is a standard safety measure for many clinical trials.
Could this study suit you?
Answer these quick questions to see if you may be eligible. This is a guide only — the research team makes the final call.
- Is my child between 3 and almost 18 years old?
- Does my child have a confirmed genetic diagnosis of hypochondroplasia?
- Is my child significantly shorter than average for their age and sex?
- Has my child NOT received growth hormone or other similar growth treatments recently?
- Is my child generally healthy, without other serious medical conditions?
- For girls aged 10+ or who have periods: Are they not pregnant and willing to use contraception if sexually active?
What does participation involve?
If your child joins the study, they will receive either the study medicine, vosoritide, or a placebo (dummy medicine) as a daily injection just under the skin. You will be taught how to give these injections at home. The treatment will last for 52 weeks, which is about one year.
Throughout the study, your child will have regular check-ups at the hospital or clinic. These appointments will involve blood tests, measurements of their height and weight, and other assessments to monitor their growth and general health. The doctors will also check for any side effects from the medicine.
After the 52 weeks of treatment, there will likely be some follow-up visits to ensure your child's health continues to be stable. The total duration of active participation, including follow-up, will be explained fully by the study team.
Potential risks and benefits
Locations (23)
- Nemours Alfred I. DuPont Hospital for ChildrenVerified postcodeWilmington, United States
- Children's National Medical CenterVerified postcodeWashington D.C., United States
- Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of ChicagoVerified postcodeChicago, United States
- Medical College of WisconsinVerified postcodeMilwaukee, United States
- Murdoch Children's Research InstituteVerified postcodeParkville, Australia
- University of Alberta Stollery Children's HospitalVerified postcodeEdmonton, Canada
- SickKids - The Hospital for Sick ChildrenVerified postcodeToronto, Canada
- Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Sainte-JustineVerified postcodeMontreal, Canada
- Hospices Civils de Lyon - Hopital Femme Mere EnfantVerified postcodeLyon, France
- Hopital de la TimoneVerified postcodeMarseille, France
- Hopital Necker-Enfants MaladeVerified postcodeParis, France
- CHU de ToulouseVerified postcodeToulouse, France
Common questions
What is hypochondroplasia?
It's a genetic condition where bones don't grow to their usual length, leading to shorter stature, often with shorter arms and legs.
What is vosoritide?
Vosoritide is a new medicine being tested to see if it can help improve bone growth in children with conditions like hypochondroplasia.
What is a placebo?
A placebo is a 'dummy' medicine that looks like the real thing but has no active drug. It helps doctors know if the real medicine is actually working.
Will my child know if they are getting the real medicine or the placebo?
No, neither your child, you, nor the doctors will know. This is a 'double-blind' study to keep the results fair.
How is the medicine given?
The medicine (or placebo) is given as a daily injection just under the skin, similar to an insulin injection.
How to find out more
Always speak to your GP or specialist before deciding to take part in a study.
Discussion
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