Study on the Effects of Mycophenolate Mofetil and Prednisolone in Patients with Chronic Virus-Negative Inflammatory Cardiomyopathy

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What is this study about?

This clinical trial is focused on studying a heart condition known as virus-negative inflammatory cardiomyopathy. This condition affects the heart muscle, leading to a decrease in the heart’s ability to pump blood effectively. The study aims to evaluate the effects of an immunosuppressive treatment using two medications: mycophenolate mofetil (also known as Mowel) and prednisolone. These medications are being compared to a placebo to determine their effectiveness in improving heart function.

The purpose of the study is to assess whether the treatment can lead to an improvement in heart function over a period of 12 months. Participants in the study will receive either the active medications or a placebo, and their heart function will be monitored using MRI scans. The study will track changes in heart function and other health outcomes over time to see if the treatment provides any benefits.

Participants will be randomly assigned to receive either the active treatment or a placebo, and neither the participants nor the researchers will know which treatment is being given. This is known as a double-blind study. The trial will last for up to 12 months, during which participants will have regular check-ups and tests to monitor their heart health and overall well-being. The results of this study could help improve treatment options for people with this type of heart condition.

1 randomization and initial assessment

Upon joining the study, you will be randomly assigned to one of two groups. One group will receive the actual medication, and the other will receive a placebo, which looks like the medication but does not contain the active ingredients.

An initial assessment will be conducted to evaluate your heart function and overall health. This may include tests such as an MRI and echocardiogram to measure your heart’s performance.

2 medication administration

If you are in the treatment group, you will receive two medications: prednisolone and mycophenolate mofetil. Prednisolone will be given in tablet form, with dosages of 1 mg, 5 mg, 10 mg, or 20 mg, taken orally. Mycophenolate mofetil will be provided as 500 mg film-coated tablets, also taken orally.

The exact dosage and frequency will be determined by the study team, and you will be required to take the medication as instructed for the duration of the trial.

3 follow-up assessments

Throughout the trial, regular follow-up assessments will be conducted to monitor your heart function and overall health. These assessments will occur at 6 months and 12 months after starting the trial.

Tests may include MRI and echocardiogram to measure changes in your heart’s performance, as well as other evaluations to assess your exercise capacity and quality of life.

4 completion of trial

At the end of the 12-month period, a final assessment will be conducted to evaluate the effects of the treatment on your heart function.

The results will be analyzed to determine the effectiveness of the medication compared to the placebo.

Who Can Join the Study?

  • Must be at least 18 years old.
  • Must have been receiving medical treatment for heart failure for at least 3 months but not longer than 10 years, following current guidelines.
  • Must have a left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) of less than 50% as shown by an echocardiogram (a heart ultrasound) taken within the last month. LVEF is a measure of how well the heart is pumping blood.
  • Must have a heart biopsy showing signs of lymphocytic myocarditis, which is a type of heart inflammation. This includes having at least 14 white blood cells per square millimeter, with up to 4 being a type called monocytes, and at least 7 being a type called CD3 positive T-lymphocytes. There should also be increased expression of a protein called MHC-II.
  • Must not have any established infection with certain viruses in the heart biopsy, such as enteroviruses, HHV-6, EBV, CMV, adenoviruses, or parvovirus B19 with more than 500 copies.
  • If a woman can have children, she must have a negative pregnancy test and use a highly effective method of birth control.
  • Must provide written informed consent, which means agreeing to participate in the study after understanding all the details and risks.

Who Cannot Join the Study?

  • Patients who have not been diagnosed with virus-negative inflammatory dilated or nondilated left ventricular cardiomyopathy. This means the heart muscle is not inflamed due to a virus and is either enlarged or not enlarged.
  • Patients whose heart function has not worsened despite receiving the best possible treatment for heart failure.
  • Patients who are not within the specified age range for the study.
  • Patients who are not willing or able to follow the study procedures.
  • Patients who are pregnant or breastfeeding.
  • Patients with other medical conditions that might interfere with the study.
  • Patients who are participating in another clinical trial.
  • Patients who have a history of drug or alcohol abuse.
  • Patients who have had a recent major surgery.
  • Patients who have a known allergy to the study medications.

Where you can join this trial?

Verified and Recommended Sites

No sites found in this category

Verified Sites

Site Name City Country Status
University Medicine Greifswald Greifswald Germany
Universitaetsmedizin Goettingen Goettingen Germany
Universitaetsklinikum Heidelberg AöR Heidelberg Germany

Other Sites

Site Name City Country Status
Klinikum der Technischen Universitaet Muenchen (TUM Klinikum) Munich Germany
University Of Luebeck Luebeck Germany
Universitaetsklinikum Regensburg AöR Regensburg Germany
Charite Universitaetsmedizin Berlin KöR Berlin Germany
Medical Center – University Of Freiburg Freiburg Im Breisgau Germany
Kerckhoff-Klinik GmbH Bad Nauheim Germany
Uwauxnpepu Mvwsquy Cmbpqj Hgpympiibrtjdinxw Hamburg Germany
Uhrwxiwiolcylognuvjrk Eqfzb Aur Essen Germany
Gigpum Ucdkpjsdem Fchdmosbu Frankfurt Germany
Kqtlzzee dhm Uydlmvksyidc Myzdrnri Aks Munich Germany

Want to learn more about this study or check if you can participate? Contact us.

Trial status

Country Status Recruitment Start
Germany Germany
Not recruiting
01.01.2023

Trial locations

Mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) is a medication used to suppress the immune system. In this trial, it is being tested to see if it can help improve heart function in patients with a specific type of heart disease that is not caused by a virus. By reducing the activity of the immune system, MMF may help decrease inflammation in the heart, potentially leading to better heart performance.

Prednisolone is a type of steroid that is also used to suppress the immune system and reduce inflammation. In this trial, it is being used alongside MMF to see if the combination can improve heart function in patients with the specified heart condition. Prednisolone works by decreasing the body’s immune response, which may help reduce inflammation in the heart and improve its function over time.

Investigated diseases:

Inflammatory Dilated Cardiomyopathy – This condition involves inflammation of the heart muscle, leading to an enlarged and weakened heart. It affects the heart’s ability to pump blood efficiently, causing symptoms like fatigue, shortness of breath, and swelling in the legs. Over time, the heart’s chambers may become dilated, further reducing its pumping efficiency. The disease can progress to heart failure if the heart becomes too weak to meet the body’s needs. In some cases, the inflammation may subside, but the structural changes to the heart can remain. The progression can vary, with some individuals experiencing a gradual worsening of symptoms.

Trial ID:
2024-512451-20-00
Protocol code:
TRINITY
Trial Phase:
Therapeutic use (Phase IV)

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