A Study Evaluating the Effectiveness and Safety of Risdiplam Administered as an Early Intervention in Pediatric Participants With Spinal Muscular Atrophy After Gene Therapy
This study is investigating a new approach for young children under two years old who have Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA). These children have already received a gene therapy called onasemnogene abeparvovec. Now, doctors want to see if adding another medicine called Risdiplam as an early treatment can further improve their health and whether it is safe. SMA is a serious genetic condition that weakens muscles. This research aims to understand if giving Risdiplam after gene therapy provides extra benefits for these children. The study is open to children with a specific genetic type of SMA and two copies of the SMN2 gene. It's a way to find out if this combination treatment can offer better outcomes for very young children battling this condition.
At a glance
What is this study about?
This study is called 'A Study Evaluating the Effectiveness and Safety of Risdiplam Administered as an Early Intervention in Pediatric Participants With Spinal Muscular Atrophy After Gene Therapy.' That's a bit of a mouthful, so let's break it down. It's looking into a medicine called Risdiplam for young children who have Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA).
SMA is a condition that affects the nerves that control muscles, leading to muscle weakness over time. This study is for children who have already received a gene therapy treatment for their SMA. Gene therapy aims to correct some of the underlying problems of SMA. Now, doctors want to see if adding Risdiplam, a different type of medicine, to their treatment plan makes them even better. They're also checking how safe it is to use Risdiplam in this way.
The main goal is to find out if giving Risdiplam sớm to children who've already had gene therapy can help them regain or keep more muscle strength and function, and to ensure this is done safely. This research is important because it could lead to better ways to treat SMA for very young children.
Key takeaways
- This study is for very young children (under 2 years) with SMA.
- Children must have already received gene therapy (onasemnogene abeparvovec).
- It tests if adding Risdiplam provides extra benefits and is safe.
- Risdiplam helps the body make more vital protein for muscle health.
- Participation involves giving Risdiplam and having regular health checks.
- You can withdraw your child from the study at any time.
Who may be eligible?
To join this study, children need to be less than two years old. They must have a confirmed diagnosis of a specific type of SMA, which means genetic tests showed they have changes in their SMN1 gene. They also need to have exactly two copies of another gene called SMN2.
Crucially, they must have already received the gene therapy treatment called onasemnogene abeparvovec. This gene therapy should have been given to them at least 13 weeks ago, but no more than 30 weeks ago. If they had Risdiplam before the gene therapy, it must have been for a very short time (less than 3 weeks) and stopped at least one day before the gene therapy. The doctors also need to feel that the child hasn't gotten significantly worse since their gene therapy treatment.
There are also reasons why a child couldn't join. For example, if they have other serious health problems, need a breathing machine (invasive ventilation or tracheostomy), or have certain blood test results that aren't normal. Children who have recently been in hospital for serious illnesses or have had other similar SMA treatments that interfere with the SMN2 gene would also not be able to take part.
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 under 2 years old?
- Does my child have a confirmed diagnosis of 5q SMA?
- Has my child received onasemnogene abeparvovec gene therapy?
- Was the gene therapy given between 13 and 30 weeks ago?
- Does my child have two copies of the SMN2 gene?
- Does my child NOT require a breathing machine (invasive ventilation/tracheostomy)?
What does participation involve?
If your child takes part in this study, they will receive the medicine Risdiplam. This is an "open-label" study, meaning both you and the study team will know your child is receiving Risdiplam. It's a "single-arm" study, which means all children in the study will get Risdiplam; there isn't a group that gets a placebo or different treatment.
The study involves regular visits to a clinic at different times to check your child's health, do physical examinations, take measurements, and perhaps collect blood samples. These visits are to see how the Risdiplam is affecting your child's SMA and to check for any side effects. The exact number of visits and the full duration of treatment and follow-up will be explained by the study team, but it will involve ongoing assessments over a period of time.
Potential risks and benefits
Locations (16)
- University of Arkansas for Medical SciencesVerified postcodeLittle Rock, United States· Recruiting
- Children's Hospital of ColoradoVerified postcodeAurora, United States· Recruiting
- University of Florida PediatricsVerified postcodeGainesville, United States· Recruiting
- Children's Healthcare of Atlanta Center for Advanced PediatricsVerified postcodeAtlanta, United States· Recruiting
- Ann and Robert H. Lurie Children Hospital of ChicagoVerified postcodeChicago, United States· Not yet recruiting
- Helen DeVos Children's Hospital at Spectrum HealthVerified postcodeGrand Rapids, United States· Recruiting
- Columbia University Medical CenterVerified postcodeNew York, United States· Recruiting
- Children'S Hospital of PhiladelphiaVerified postcodePhiladelphia, United States· Recruiting
- The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at DallasVerified postcodeDallas, United States· Recruiting
- Cook Children's Jane and John Justin Neurosciences CenterVerified postcodeFort Worth, United States· Recruiting
- Children's Hospital of the King's DaughterVerified postcodeNorfolk, United States· Recruiting
- Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin SPZ Abteilung NeuropaediatrieVerified postcodeBerlin, Germany· Recruiting
Common questions
What is SMA?
SMA, or Spinal Muscular Atrophy, is a genetic condition that causes muscles to become weak over time because of problems with the nerves that control them.
What is Risdiplam?
Risdiplam is a medicine for SMA that helps the body to produce more of a protein called SMN, which is usually missing or low in people with SMA.
What is gene therapy?
Gene therapy, like onasemnogene abeparvovec, is a treatment that aims to deliver a working copy of the gene that is faulty in SMA to the body's cells.
Will my child definitely get better if they join?
No, there's no guarantee your child will definitely get better. This study is testing if adding Risdiplam after gene therapy can offer more benefits, but outcomes can vary for each child.
Can I take my child out of the study if I change my mind?
Yes, you can withdraw your child from the study at any time without having to give a reason, and it won't affect their regular medical care.
How to find out more
Reference Study ID Number: BN44620 https://forpatients.roche.com/
Always speak to your GP or specialist before deciding to take part in a study.
Interested in taking part?
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