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21 March 2013 
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The effects of tumour necrosis factor antagonism (Etanercept) in patients with acute coronary syndromes
ISRCTN ISRCTN97018444
DOI 10.1186/ISRCTN97018444
ClinicalTrials.gov identifier
EudraCT number
Public title The effects of tumour necrosis factor antagonism (Etanercept) in patients with acute coronary syndromes
Scientific title Cardiovascular effects of tumour necrosis factor alpha antagonism in patients with acute myocardial infarction: A first in man study
Acronym N/A
Serial number at source 2001/R/CAR/01
Study hypothesis Inflammation causes and destabilises atheroma. Circulating tumour necrosis factor - alpha (TNF-α) concentrations are increased in acute coronary syndromes and is expressed at higher concentrations in unstable atheromatous plaques. Treatment with anti-TNF-α monoclonal antibodies may have beneficial effects on vascular function (vasomotor and fibrinolytic function) and flow cytometric measures of platelet aggregation.
Lay summary Background and study aims
Heart attacks are caused by blood clots which form in the heart arteries and obstruct blood flow. These occur as a result of both acute and chronic inflammation occurring within the blood vessel walls. Tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) is an inflammatory molecule that may be instrumental in the development of artery inflammation that leads to heart attacks. The main aim of the study was to work out if specific anti-inflammatory treatment, suppressing the effects of TNF-alpha might be beneficial following a heart attack.

Who can participate?
We at the Royal Infirmary in Edinburgh recruited patients who have suffered heart attacks but who are otherwise well.

What does the study involve?
On the first day, patients underwent a forearm study which was carried out in a side room located within the Cardiology ward. This was to assess how well blood vessels are able to appropriately relax. This consisted of lying on a bed for 3 hours in a warm room. Some bands were placed around both arms which would tighten up for short periods and from time to time. A very small needle was placed in the artery of one arm and two plastic tubes (cannulae) were placed into the veins, one in each arm. This part of the study is associated with some slight discomfort and we use local anaesthetic to minimise this. Small amount of drugs (substance P, acetylcholine and sodium nitroprusside) were administered and samples of blood (up to 200 ml on each occasion) were taken from the cannulae. The drug doses are very small and should only affect the arm. They can cause flushing and some mild swelling in the forearm. The effects are however self-limiting and of short duration. The blood samples were analysed for components in the blood that play a part in the clotting and inflammatory mechanisms.
Immediately after this patients were assigned by chance (randomised) to receive either an infusion of Etanercept or a dummy infusion (saline) over 30 minutes. There is therefore a one in two chance you will not receive the study drug.
On the second day (24 hours later) you will undergo a second and final forearm study.

What are the possible benefits and risks of participating?
Treatment with anti-TNF-α monoclonal antibodies may have beneficial effects.
We do not anticipate that you will experience any side effects from this drug (etanercept) although an allergic reaction to this drug may rarely occur.

Where is the study run from?
Recruitment was performed wholly at Edinburgh Royal Infirmary.

When is the study starting and how long is it expected to run for?
The study started in May 2003 and completed in August 2009.

Who is funding the study?
The study was funded by the British Heart Foundation

Who is the main contact?
Dr Gareth J Padfield, gareth.padfield@nhs.net
Prof David E Newby, d.e.newby@ed.ac.uk
Ethics approval Lothian research and ethics committee, April 2001, ref: LREC/2001/4/18
Study design Double-blind parallel group randomised controlled trial
Countries of recruitment United Kingdom
Disease/condition/study domain Acute myocardial infarction
Participants - inclusion criteria 1. A typical history of myocardial ischaemia lasting more than 20 minutes within 24 hours prior to admission
2. An elevated troponin I(>0.1µg/L) and/or electrocardiographic changes
3. Age ≥18 years of age, either sex
4. Screening full blood count (FBC) must meet the following criteria: healmoglobin (Hb) > 85g/L, white cell count (WCC) > 3.5 x 109/L, neutrophils > 1.5 x 109/L, platelets > 100 x 109/L
5. Subjects must be able to adhere to the study visit schedule and other protocol requirements
6. The subject must be capable of giving informed consent and the consent must be obtained prior to screening procedures
Participants - exclusion criteria 1. Women of child bearing potential
2. Systolic blood pressure >190mmHg or <100mmHg
3. Malignant arrhythmias
4. Renal or hepatic failure
5. Severe or significant co-morbidity
6. Previous history of blood dyscrasia
7. Unable to tolerate the supine position
8. Opportunistic infection within the previous 6 months, human immunodeficiency virus, serious infection within the previous 2 months, chronic/recurrent infection
9. A history of malignancy within the previous 5 years, lymphoproliferative disease, or multiple sclerosis/ other demyelinating disorder
10. Patients with diabetes mellitus (type 1 or insulin-dependent)
11. Patients with systemic inflammatory disorder
12. Use of any investigational drug within 1 month prior to screening or within five half-lives of investigational agent, whichever is longer
13. Treatment with any other therapeutic agent targeted at reducing TNF (e...g pentoxifylline, thalidomide, etanercept etc) within 3 months of screening
14. Known recent substance abuse (drugs or alcohol)
15. Poor tolerability of venepuncture or lack of adequate venous access for required blood sampling during the study period
Anticipated start date 01/05/2003
Anticipated end date 01/08/2009
Status of trial Completed
Patient information material Not available in web format, please use the contact details below to request a patient information sheet
Target number of participants 26
Interventions Patients presenting with acute myocardial infarction randomised to received an intravenous infusion of etanercept (10 mg) or saline placebo over 30 minutes.
Primary outcome measure(s) Platelet monocyte aggregation, peripheral vasomotor and fibrinolytic function at baseline and again 24 hours later
Secondary outcome measure(s) Leukocyte count and plasma cytokine concentrations at baseline and again 24 hours later
Sources of funding British Heart Foundation (UK)
Trial website
Publications
Contact name Prof  David  Newby
  Address British Heart Foundation Centre for Cardiovascular Science
University of Edinburgh
Chancellor’s Building
  City/town Edinburgh
  Zip/Postcode EH16 4SU
  Country United Kingdom
  Email d.e.newby@ed.ac.uk
Sponsor University of Edinburgh (UK)
  Address The Queen's Medical Research Institute
47 Little France Crescent
  City/town Edinburgh
  Zip/Postcode EH16 4TJ
  Country United Kingdom
  Email mvm@ed.ac.uk
  Sponsor website: http://www.ed.ac.uk/home
Date applied 12/11/2012
Last edited 14/01/2013
Date ISRCTN assigned 14/01/2013
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