Welcome
Support Centre
02 September 2010 
ISRCTN Register - International Standard Randomized Controlled Trial Number
Trial registration
Unique identification scheme
International databases
home  |   my details  |   ISRCTN Register  |   mRCT  |   links  |   information  |   press
Find trials
ISRCTN Register
tips on searching

Registration
New application
Updating record

Information
introduction
governing board
ISRCTN FAQs
data set
letter of agreement
request information
guidance notes

[ Print-friendly version ]
Granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) and liver regeneration in patients with alcoholic steatohepatitis
ISRCTN ISRCTN86571875
ClinicalTrials.gov identifier
Public title Granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) and liver regeneration in patients with alcoholic steatohepatitis
Scientific title Granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) induces proliferation of hepatic progenitors in alcoholic steatohepatitis: a randomized trial
Acronym N/A
Serial number at source Swissmedic 2005DR2212
Study hypothesis Liver failure is a major cause of death in patients with alcoholic steatohepatitis. Many patients are not candidates for liver transplantation, and no therapy has proven useful to promote liver regeneration. Granulocyte colony stimulating factor (G-CSF) showed promising results in ischemic heart disease in the repopulation of the parenchyma by pluripotent cells issued from the bone marrow following a mobilization course by G-CSF.

Hypothesis:
The effects of a 5-day course of G-CSF in patients with alcoholic steatohepatitis associated with cirrhosis is well tolerated and is associated with signs of liver cell proliferation in the short-term.
Ethics approval Protocol N°05-089 approved by the local Ethics Committee of the University Hospital of Geneva (Hôpitaux Universitaires de Genève, Comite Departemental d'Ethique de Medecine Interne et Medecine Communautaire, 24, Rue Micheli-du-Crest, CH-1211 Genève, Switzerland). Date of approval: 14/06/2005

This study was also approved by the Swiss Agency for therapeutic products (Swissmedic)(ref: 2005DR2212)
Study design Single-center randomized controlled pilot trial (not blinded).
Countries of recruitment Switzerland
Disease/condition/study domain Alcoholic steatohepatitis
Participants - inclusion criteria 1. Age 18-70 years
2. Recent heavy alcohol intake (>80 g/day)
3. Biopsy-proven alcoholic steatohepatitis
4. Maddrey's score >20 and <70
5. Leucocyte count <15 g/L
6. Ability to give an informed consent
Participants - exclusion criteria 1. Platelet count <20 g/L
2. International Normalised Ratio (INR) >1.9
3. Known hypersensitivity to filgrastim (G-CSF)
4. Creatinine >150 µmol/L
5. Recent (10 days) infection or gastrointestinal hemorrhage
5. Documented hepatocellular carcinoma, hepatitis B, C, or HIV seropositivity
6. Ongoing pregnancy
Anticipated start date 01/09/2005
Anticipated end date 31/08/2006
Status of trial Completed
Patient information material
Target number of participants 24
Interventions Thirteen patients were randomized to standard care + G-CSF, and 11 patients to standard care only. The random allocation of participants to the two arms of the study were carried out using the sealed envelope technique by an independent nurse.

Baseline assessments (both intervention and control arms):
1. Patients had a transjugular liver biopsy as part of the diagnostic work-up of decompensated alcoholic liver disease.
2. Physical examination, blood sampling for routine values (coagulation, blood chemistry and liver function tests) and cytokines measurements: alfa-foetoprotein (AFP), hepatocyte growth factor (HGF)
3. Measurement of CD34+ hematopoietic stem cells (flow cytometry)
4. Aminopyrine breath test (microsomal liver function)
5. Immunohistochemistry for CK7 and Ki67 (identification of hepatic progenitor cells with proliferative activity)

Patients randomized to G-CSF: Mobilization course by G-CSF (10 mcg/kg/day) for 5 days.

Assessments for both arms at day 7:
1. Repeat liver biopsy with similar immunohistochemistry studies
2. Physical examination
3. Repeat routine blood tests and cytokines
4. Measurement of CD34+ hematopoietic stem cells (flow cytometry)
5. Aminopyrine breath test

Assessments for both arms at day 28 visit:
1. Physical examination
2. Routine blood tests and cytokines

Both arms at day 90:
Clinical outcome
Primary outcome measure(s) Ability of G-CSF to increase circulating CD34 + cells (see Interventions for timepoints of assessment)
Secondary outcome measure(s) 1. Safety of filgrastim in patients with liver failure
2. Effects of filgrastim on liver regeneration assessed using biological markers and immunohistochemistry
3. Possible influence of filgrastim on liver function

See Interventions for details of assessments
Sources of funding 1. Foundation for Liver and Gut Studies (FLAGS), a non profit organisation based in Geneva (Switzerland)
2. University Hospital of Geneva (Hôpitaux Universaires de Genève; HUG) (Switzerland)
Trial website
Publications
Contact name Dr  Laurent  Spahr
  Address Gastroenterology and Hepatology
University Hospital of Geneva
24, Rue Micheli-du-Crest
  City/town Geneva
  Zip/Postcode CH-1211
  Country Switzerland
  Tel +41 22 372 93 40
  Fax +41 22 372 93 66
  Email Laurent.Spahr@hcuge.ch
Sponsor Foundation for Liver and Gut Studies (FLAGS) (Switzerland)
  Address 12, Rue Adrien Lachenal
  City/town Geneva
  Zip/Postcode CH-1207
  Country Switzerland
Date applied 28/02/2008
Last edited 14/03/2008
Date ISRCTN assigned 14/03/2008
Submit your trial protocol
Submit to Trials journal
Follow us on Twitter
© 2010 ISRCTN unless otherwise stated.


BioMed Central