Using vancomycin to treat primary sclerosing cholangitis in Italy

A Prospective, Randomized, Placebo-controlled Clinical Trial of Oral Vancomycin in Adults and Young Adults (15-17 Years Old) Affected by Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis With or Without Inflammatory Bowel Disease

This study is testing whether two different doses of the antibiotic vancomycin can help improve liver function in people aged 15 to 70 with primary sclerosing cholangitis.

Quick facts

• Phase: Phase 2
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 84 (estimated)
• Ages: 15 Years to 70 Years
• Sex: All
• Sponsor: University of Milano Bicocca (Academic / other)
• Drugs / interventions: infliximab, adalimumab, golimumab, vedolizumab, ustekinumab, tofacitinib, methotrexate
• Locations: 1 site (Monza, Monza E Brianza)
• Trial ID: NCT05876182 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This Phase 2 clinical trial evaluates the safety and efficacy of two doses of oral vancomycin (750 mg and 1500 mg/day) in patients aged 15 to 70 with primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC). PSC is a chronic liver disease with no proven medical therapies to halt its progression. The study is randomized, double-blind, and placebo-controlled, aiming to assess the potential benefits of vancomycin in improving liver function and patient outcomes. The trial is conducted at a single center in Italy, focusing on the relationship between gut microbiota and PSC.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this study are males and non-pregnant, non-lactating females aged 15-70 with a diagnosis of large-duct PSC.

Not a fit: Patients with biliary obstruction or malignancy, or those who have not met the eligibility criteria, may not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this treatment could provide a new therapeutic option to slow the progression of primary sclerosing cholangitis and improve patient survival.

How similar studies have performed: While there have been investigations into the use of antibiotics for PSC, the specific application of oral vancomycin in this context is relatively novel and has not been extensively tested.

Eligibility criteria

Inclusion Criteria:

1. Willing and able to give informed consent prior to any study specific procedure being performed;
2. Male and non-pregnant, non-lactating female subjects, including women of child bearing potential (WOCBP), between 15-70 years of age at the time of informed consent;
3. Diagnosis of large-duct PSC based on cholangiogram (at MRCP, ERCP, PTC) according to the most recent published guidelines (EASL);
4. Baseline ALP ≥1.5 times upper limit normal at screening;
5. Absence of biliary obstruction and/or malignancy within 6-12 months of entry into the study;
6. If a patient is on ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) or 5-aminosalicylic acid he or she is expected to remain on the same daily dose during the study period;
7. Patients who received antibiotics or probiotics may participate if they had a washout period of at least 3-month prior to study entry;
8. If a patient has been on obeticholic acid or other experimental therapies (e.g. cilofexor and norUDCA) for PSC, they must complete a 3-month washout period before study entry;
9. PSC with or without IBD. IBD diagnosis should be documented and with a minimum disease duration of 6 months, as determined by endoscopic and histopathology assessment. IBD should be in clinical remission or mildly active according to CDAI and partial Mayo score for CD and UC, respectively (i.e. patients with CDAI score \< 220 and pMayo score \<5). Patients without documented IBD need a colonoscopy with segmental biopsies within 12 months prior to baseline visit;
10. Female subjects of childbearing potential must test negative for pregnancy at screening, baseline and follow-up visits and if engage in sexual intercourse must agree to use specific methods of contraception.
11. Male subjects with female partners of childbearing potential must use condoms during treatment and until the end of relevant systemic exposure.

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Receiving an antibiotic or probiotic within 3 months prior to the study;
2. Expected to receive antibiotics within the weeks leading up to enrollment (such as patients with recurrent cholangitis, ongoing infectious illnesses, etc.);
3. Allergy to vancomycin or teicoplanin;
4. Biliary intervention within 3 months prior to study enrollment or planned;
5. Alcohol abuse (defined as greater than 14 standard drinks units per week in men; greater than 7 standard drinks units per week);
6. Pregnancy and lactation;
7. Advanced renal disease (GFR\< 70);
8. Active hepatitis B and/or C infection;
9. Other chronic or cholestatic liver diseases such as PBC, autoimmune hepatitis, nonalcoholic steatohepatitis, alcoholic liver disease, Wilson's disease, hemochromatosis, α-1 antitrypsin deficiency, IgG4-related sclerosing cholangitis, and liver cancer;
10. History of CCA;
11. Advanced liver disease (history of variceal bleeding, ascites, hepatic encephalopathy, and/or bilirubine \>4 mg/dL);
12. On active transplantation list;
13. IBD with uncontrolled moderate to severe activity;
14. Active treatment or within the previous four weeks (washout period) with any immunosuppressive medication for controlling IBD (i.e. azathioprine, 6-mercaptopurine, tacrolimus, methotrexate, infliximab, adalimumab, golimumab, vedolizumab, ustekinumab, tofacitinib, ozanimod). Treatment with corticosteroids (including budesonide, budesonide MMX and beclomethasone) in the previous four weeks
15. Active treatment with rifampicin or within the previous three months (washout period);
16. Dose change within last 3 months prior to baseline of concomitant treatment with vitamin D or fibrates;
17. Treatment with any experimental drug within the previous three months;
18. Any known relevant infectious disease (e.g. active tuberculosis, AIDS defining disease);
19. History or active hearing problems;
20. Any active malignant disease;
21. Well found doubt about patient's cooperation, e.g. addiction to alcohol or drugs;
22. Imprisoned person, person admitted to nursing homes, persons under legal guardianship, and persons not able to express their consent.

Where this trial is running

Monza, Monza E Brianza

• Fondazione IRCCS San Gerardo dei Tintori — Monza, Monza E Brianza, Italy (Recruiting)

Study contacts

• Study coordinator: Marco Carbone, MD

Conditions Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis; Liver and Intrahepatic Bile Duct Disorder; IBD; liver; oral vancomycin; primary sclerosing cholangitis; Inflammatory bowel disease