Tamibarotene for HFpEF: see if this drug helps heart failure with preserved ejection fraction
Official title: A Multicenter, Randomized, Placebo-controlled, Double-blind Clinical Trial: The Exploratory Clinical Trial to Evaluate the Efficacy and Safety of Low-dose Tamibarotene on Improving NT-proBNP in Patients With Heart Failure With Preserved Ejection Fraction (RELIEF Trial)
Run by Nagoya University · NCT07855692 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A 12-week trial tests whether tamibarotene can reduce NT-proBNP levels in adults with HFpEF compared with placebo.
Quick facts
| Phase | Phase 2 |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Ages | 26 Years and up |
| Sex | All |
| Enrollment | 90 (estimated) |
| Sponsor | Nagoya University Academic / other |
| Locations | 4 sites (Nagoya, Aichi-ken and 3 other locations) |
| Status | Recruiting |
| Started | November 5, 2026 |
| Main results expected | May 31, 2029 |
| Study ends | August 31, 2029 |
| Registry record updated | November 10, 2026 |
| Trial ID | NCT07855692 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
Is this trial a fit for you?
✓Likely a good fit
Adults aged 26 or older with HFpEF, LVEF ≥50%, structural heart disease, NYHA II–IV, and qualifying NT-proBNP levels.
✕Probably not a fit
Patients not meeting the NT-proBNP thresholds or with incompatible comorbidity profiles may derive no benefit.
A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.
What this trial studies
This multicenter, randomized, double-blind study compares tamibarotene 4 mg once daily to placebo for 12 weeks, on top of standard care. The primary outcome is the change in NT-proBNP from baseline after treatment. Eligible adults have HFpEF (LVEF ≥50%, structural heart disease) and NYHA class II–IV, with specific NT-proBNP criteria. Participants continue standard therapies for comorbidities throughout the trial.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, tamibarotene could improve a biomarker linked to heart failure risk and symptoms in HFpEF.
How similar studies have gone: Similar approaches in HFpEF have shown biomarker changes in early-phase trials, but this specific regimen is novel/untested.
Who can join: the full rules
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * 1\. Patients who have been diagnosed with heart failure at least 12 weeks prior to providing informed consent and are classified as NYHA Class II to IV at screening. * 2\. Patients with LVEF of 50% or more as determined by echocardiography at screening. * 3\. Patients with an NT-proBNP level of 300 pg/mL or more at screening (or 600 pg/mL or more for patients with atrial fibrillation at screening). * 4\. Patients have evidence of structural heart disease (left atrial enlargement and/or left ventricular hypertrophy) based on echocardiography at screening, or who have a history of hospitalization for heart failure within 12 months prior to providing informed consent. * 5\. Patients receiving any of the following medications whose dosage regimen has remained unchanged for at least 4 weeks prior to the initiation of investigational product administration: ・Diuretics,SGLT2 inhibitors, ARNIs, ARBs, ACE inhibitors, MRAs, beta-blockers, digitalis preparations, HCN channel blockers, Soluble guanylate cyclase stimulators * 6\. Patients with eGFR of 30 mL/min/1.73 m² or more at screening. * 7\. Patients with a BMI of less than 45 kg/m² at screening. * 8\. Patients with a systolic blood pressure of 160 mmHg or less and a diastolic blood pressure of 100 mmHg or less at screening, whose antihypertensive medication regimen has remained unchanged for at least 4 weeks prior to the initiation of investigational product administration. * 9\. Patients who agree to comply with the applicable requirement(s) below: * 1\) For female patients of childbearing potential, willingness to use contraceptionii from 30 days before the initiation of investigational product administration until 2 years after the end of investigational product administration. * 2\) For male patients with partners of childbearing potential, willingness to use contraceptionii from the initiation of investigational product administration until 6 months after the end of investigational product administration, and to refrain from sperm donation during this period. * 10\. Patients who are at least 26 years of age at the time informed consent is obtained. * 11\. Patients who have voluntarily provided written informed consent after receiving adequate information about the study. Exclusion Criteria: * 1\. Patients diagnosed with acute heart failure, atrial fibrillation, or atrial flutter with a resting heart rate greater than 110 bpm within 4 weeks prior to enrollment. * 2\. Patients with a history of myocardial infarction or unstable angina within 12 weeks prior to enrollment. * 3\. Patients with chronic heart failure attributable to cardiac amyloidosis, glycogen storage disease, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, active myocarditis, mitochondrial cardiomyopathy, cardiac sarcoidosis, arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy, constrictive endocarditis, cardiac tamponade, untreated severe valvular heart disease, congenital heart disease, or other similar conditions. * 4\. Patients who have undergone PCI, CABG, valvuloplasty, valve replacement surgery, catheter ablation, implantation of an ICD, CRT, or any other cardiac surgery within 12 weeks prior to enrollment, or who are expected to require any of these procedures during the study period. * 5\. Patients who have received mechanical circulatory support within 12 weeks prior to enrollment. * 6\. Patients with a history of stroke or transient ischemic attack within 12 weeks prior to enrollment. * 7\. Patients with evidence of increased bleeding tendency or coagulation abnormalities, including thromboembolic disorders or hemorrhagic disorders (except for patients whose condition is adequately controlled with anticoagulants, antiplatelet agents, or similar medications). * 8\. Patients with pulmonary diseases, including primary pulmonary hypertension, chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension, COPD, or interstitial lung disease. * 9\. Patients with hepatic impairment (AST 100 IU/L or more, or ALT 100 IU/L or more). * 10\. Patients with LDL cholesterol 180 mg/dL or more, or TG (non-fasting)300 mg/dL or more at screening. * 11\. Patients receiving maintenance dialysis or those considered likely to require initiation of dialysis within 1 year. * 12\. Patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus. * 13\. Patients with hemoglobin less than 9.0 g/dL at screening. * 14\. Patients with malignant neoplasms. * 15\. Patients whose life expectancy is anticipated to be less than 1 year. * 16\. Patients currently receiving vitamin A preparations or regularly taking supplements containing vitamin A. * 17\. Patients with hypervitaminosis A. * 18\. Breastfeeding female patients (except those who agree to discontinue breastfeeding during the investigational product treatment period and for 6 months after the last dose of investigational product). * 19\. Pregnant female patients or female patients with a positive pregnancy test result (female patients of childbearing potential who have had menstruation within 12 months prior to enrollment must undergo pregnancy testing; female patients for whom the possibility of pregnancy cannot be excluded, including those with amenorrhea for more than 12 months due to reasons such as chemical menopause, must also undergo pregnancy testing). * 20\. Patients with a history of hypersensitivity or anaphylactic reaction to any component of the investigational product. * 21\. Patients who have participated in, or are currently participating in, a clinical trial (observational clinical researches are permitted) within 4 weeks prior to enrollment. * 22\. Patients whom the Principal Investigator or Sub-Investigator considers unsuitable for participation in this study.
Where it's running
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Nagoya University
Nagoya, Aichi-ken, Japan Recruiting -
National Center for Geriatrics and Gerontology
Ōbu, Aichi-ken, Japan Not yet recruiting -
Mie University Hospital
Tsu, Mie-ken, Japan Not yet recruiting -
Juntendo University Hospital
Tokyo, Japan Not yet recruiting
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Katsuhiro Kato, M.D. Ph.D. — Nagoya University
- Study coordinator: Katsuhiro Kato, M.D. Ph.D.
- Email: kato.katsuhiro.x2@f.mail.nagoya-u.ac.jp
- Phone: +81 52 744 2150
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How to take part
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
- Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.