Adalimumab for Enlarged Prostate

Overseen By Malgorzata Antoniak, Ph.D.

Age: 18+

Sex: Male

Trial Phase: Phase 2

Sponsor: NorthShore University HealthSystem

Must not be taking: TNF inhibitors, Chemotherapy

Disqualifiers: Autoimmune diseases, Cancer, Infections, others

No Placebo Group All trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Prior Safety Data This treatment has passed at least one previous human trial

Approved in 4 Jurisdictions This treatment is already approved in other countries

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 12

Duration: 24 weeks

70 Participants Needed

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial tests the effectiveness of adalimumab, a medication, for men with an enlarged prostate causing urinary problems. Researchers aim to determine if this drug can improve symptoms and how it affects prostate tissue. They also seek genetic clues to predict who will benefit most from the treatment. Men diagnosed with an enlarged prostate and experiencing frequent urinary issues might be suitable candidates for this trial. As a Phase 2 trial, the research focuses on measuring the treatment's effectiveness in an initial, smaller group, offering participants a chance to contribute to important medical advancements.

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications. However, if you are currently on a TNF inhibitor or undergoing cancer therapy, you would not be eligible to participate.

Is there any evidence suggesting that this trial's treatments are likely to be safe?

Research has shown that adalimumab, a treatment often used for other immune-related conditions, is generally safe. Previous studies found low rates of serious infections with its use, and no new safety issues have been identified, indicating it is usually well-tolerated.

Adalimumab may help slow the growth of the prostate, offering promise for treating enlarged prostate problems. However, there is a risk of serious infections that might require hospitalization, which is important to consider when deciding whether to participate.

Overall, evidence suggests that adalimumab has a manageable safety profile, with the main concern being the chance of infections. It is crucial to consult a healthcare provider to weigh the benefits and risks before joining any trial. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why do researchers think this study treatment might be promising for enlarged prostate?

Adalimumab is unique because it targets and blocks a specific protein called TNF-alpha, which is involved in inflammation. Unlike traditional treatments for an enlarged prostate, such as alpha-blockers or 5-alpha-reductase inhibitors, which mainly focus on relaxing muscles or shrinking the prostate, adalimumab directly tackles inflammation, a less targeted approach in existing therapies. Researchers are excited about this treatment because it offers a novel way to potentially reduce prostate size and alleviate symptoms by addressing an underlying inflammatory process, rather than just managing symptoms or hormonal pathways.

What evidence suggests that adalimumab might be an effective treatment for enlarged prostate?

This trial will compare adalimumab with a placebo for treating an enlarged prostate. Studies have shown that adalimumab, a medication that blocks the protein TNF (tumor necrosis factor), can significantly reduce the risk of developing an enlarged prostate (BPH). Research indicates that this treatment effectively slows prostate growth. Patients who received TNF-α inhibitor therapy, such as adalimumab, experienced slower prostate growth, suggesting it could help manage symptoms of an enlarged prostate. Additionally, adalimumab is generally considered safe, with a well-documented safety record. ^{1 2 3 4 6}

Who Is on the Research Team?

Simon W Hayward, Ph.D

Principal Investigator

Endeavor Health

Alexander Glaser, MD

Principal Investigator

Endeavor Health

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

Men aged 50-75 with a prostate volume ≥ 80mL and moderate to severe urinary symptoms (IPSS ≥ 8), diagnosed with BPH, scheduled for surgery, who haven't used TNF inhibitors like adalimumab before. Excludes those with catheter-dependent urinary retention, active infections or cancer, recent pelvic surgeries, autoimmune diseases, certain neurological/psychiatric disorders or substance abuse.

Inclusion Criteria

I have been diagnosed with an enlarged prostate.

I have never been treated with TNF inhibitors.

You are committed to residing in the study area for the next half-year.

Exclusion Criteria

I have visible blood in my urine.

I am currently undergoing chemotherapy or other cancer treatments.

I have been diagnosed with interstitial cystitis.

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Treatment

Participants receive adalimumab 40 mg or placebo injection every 2 weeks

24 weeks

12 visits (in-person)

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for safety and effectiveness after treatment

4 weeks

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• Adalimumab

Trial Overview

The trial is testing the effectiveness of Adalimumab, a TNF blocker medication on men with enlarged prostates causing urinary issues. It aims to assess symptom relief post-treatment and identify genetic markers predicting patient response.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: Placebo Active Control 1 Intervention

placebo injection (saline) every 2 weeks.

Group II: adalimumab Active Control 1 Intervention

adalimumab 40 mg every 2 weeks

Adalimumab is already approved in European Union, United States, Canada, Japan for the following indications:

Approved in European Union as Humira for:

• Rheumatoid arthritis
• Psoriatic arthritis
• Ankylosing spondylitis
• Crohn's disease
• Ulcerative colitis
• Plaque psoriasis
• Juvenile idiopathic arthritis

Approved in United States as Humira for:

• Rheumatoid arthritis
• Psoriatic arthritis
• Ankylosing spondylitis
• Crohn's disease
• Ulcerative colitis
• Plaque psoriasis
• Juvenile idiopathic arthritis
• Hidradenitis suppurativa

Approved in Canada as Humira for:

• Rheumatoid arthritis
• Psoriatic arthritis
• Ankylosing spondylitis
• Crohn's disease
• Ulcerative colitis
• Plaque psoriasis
• Juvenile idiopathic arthritis

Approved in Japan as Humira for:

• Rheumatoid arthritis
• Psoriatic arthritis
• Ankylosing spondylitis
• Crohn's disease
• Ulcerative colitis
• Plaque psoriasis
• Juvenile idiopathic arthritis

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

NorthShore University HealthSystem

Lead Sponsor

Trials

134

Recruited

740,000+

Endeavor Health

Lead Sponsor

Trials

135

Recruited

742,000+

National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK)

Collaborator

Trials

2,513

Recruited

4,366,000+

Published Research Related to This Trial

In a study of 2057 patients with moderately to severely active Crohn's disease, adalimumab (Humira) significantly improved disease outcomes over 6 years, with remission rates increasing from 29% at baseline to 75% by year 6.

The treatment was associated with low rates of serious infections and no new safety concerns, indicating that adalimumab is both effective and safe for long-term use in routine clinical practice.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Adalimumab Effectiveness Up to Six Years in Adalimumab-naïve Patients with Crohn's Disease: Results of the PYRAMID Registry. Loftus, EV., Reinisch, W., Panaccione, R., et al.[2020]

This systematic review analyzed 24 prostate cancer patients and found that immunotherapies, particularly IMM-101, showed promising results with a mean overall survival (OS) of 56 months, indicating potential benefits for patients.

Among the immunotherapies studied, Pembrolizumab and IMM-101 were the most commonly used, highlighting their relevance in the treatment landscape for prostate cancer.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Has the Landscape of Immunotherapy for Prostate Cancer Changed? A Systematic Review and Post Hoc Analysis. Ashraf, MU., Farwa, U., Siddiqa, M., et al.[2023]

Adalimumab is generally safe for treating psoriasis, with most side effects being mild, such as injection site reactions and upper respiratory infections, which typically do not require stopping the medication.

Serious adverse effects, although rare, can include severe infections and autoimmune conditions, highlighting the need for careful patient screening and monitoring during treatment and for five months afterward.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

[Safety of adalimumab]. Ferran, M., Pujol, RM.[2015]

Adalimumab is an effective treatment for rheumatoid arthritis and is expected to be approved for other conditions like psoriasis and ankylosing spondylitis, with a favorable side effect profile compared to traditional treatments, as it does not require regular lab monitoring.

However, it carries a two-fold increased risk of serious infections, particularly tuberculosis, and should not be used during active infections; careful screening and monitoring for side effects are essential for safe use.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Adalimumab: a review of side effects. Scheinfeld, N.[2022]

The IMbassador250 trial involving 759 men with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer found that adding atezolizumab to enzalutamide did not improve overall survival, although it had an acceptable safety profile.

However, patients with high levels of PD-L1 expression and certain immune gene signatures showed longer progression-free survival, suggesting that careful patient selection could enhance the effectiveness of immune checkpoint inhibitors in this cancer type.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Atezolizumab with enzalutamide versus enzalutamide alone in metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer: a randomized phase 3 trial. Powles, T., Yuen, KC., Gillessen, S., et al.[2023]

In a study of 100 patients with active psoriatic arthritis who did not respond adequately to DMARDs, adalimumab significantly improved symptoms, with 39% of patients achieving an ACR20 response compared to 16% in the placebo group after 12 weeks.

Adalimumab was well tolerated, with similar rates of serious adverse events between the treatment and placebo groups, and no serious infections reported during therapy, indicating a favorable safety profile.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Safety and efficacy of adalimumab in treatment of patients with psoriatic arthritis who had failed disease modifying antirheumatic drug therapy. Genovese, MC., Mease, PJ., Thomson, GT., et al.[2022]

Immunotherapy shows promise as a new treatment option for metastatic prostate cancer, potentially delaying disease progression with minimal toxicity compared to traditional therapies like chemotherapy and androgen-deprivation therapy.

Current phase III clinical trials are exploring various immunotherapy strategies, including immune-modulating agents and combination therapies, indicating a growing interest in developing safer and more effective treatments for advanced prostate cancer.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Immunotherapy for prostate cancer - recent progress in clinical trials. Kipp, RT., McNeel, DG.[2007]

Adalimumab effectively targets and neutralizes tumor necrosis factor (TNF), a key player in psoriatic arthritis (PsA), leading to significant reductions in both joint and skin symptoms in clinical trials.

The treatment not only improved symptoms but also inhibited structural damage and enhanced patients' quality of life and disability measures, with a good safety profile reported.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Adalimumab: an anti-TNF agent for the treatment of psoriatic arthritis. Mease, PJ.[2019]

In a pilot phase II study involving eight Black men with metastatic castrate-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC), the PD-L1 inhibitor avelumab did not achieve the primary endpoint of a 50% reduction in prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels after 8 weeks, indicating a lack of clinical efficacy.

The study was halted early due to safety concerns, as patients experienced rapid clinical progression, with a median time to PSA progression of only 35 days, suggesting that avelumab may not be a suitable treatment option for this patient population.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Black Patients with Metastatic Castrate-Resistant Prostate Cancer Have a Shorter Time Interval Between PSA and Clinical Progression on Novel Hormonal Therapies plus Avelumab. Hawkins, CM., Barata, PC., Cotogno, P., et al.[2023]

Combining atezolizumab, an anti-PD-L1 immunotherapy, with enzalutamide, an androgen receptor antagonist, did not improve survival rates in patients with metastatic prostate cancer.

Further research is needed to understand the mechanisms of resistance to immunotherapy in the prostate tumor microenvironment, which may help improve treatment outcomes.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Anti-PD-L1 plus enzalutamide does not improve overall survival in prostate cancer. Siddiqui, BA., Subudhi, SK., Sharma, P.[2023]

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Adalimumab for Enlarged Prostate

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Adalimumab is commonly used to treat conditions where the immune system attacks the body. This study will look at whether the medicine can reduce symptoms, ...

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We found a slower prostate growth rate in the TNF-α inhibitor group, and TNF-α inhibitor use was negatively correlated with prostate growth.

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Prostate Disorders Clinical Research Trials

It has a well-studied side effect profile and was approved for use by the FDA in 2008. The purpose of this study is to determine whether adalimumab is an ...

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HUMIRA® (adalimumab) Safety profile

Patients treated with HUMIRA are at increased risk for developing serious infections that may lead to hospitalization or death.