Safety, Tolerability, and Bioeffects of Alirocumab in Non-treatment Seeking Heavy Drinkers

Part of paid clinical trials in Bethesda, Maryland.

Sponsor
National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA)
Study ID
NCT04781322
Phase
PHASE1
Status
Recruiting
Apply to this trial

Conditions

  • Alcohol Associated Liver Disease
  • Heavy Drinking Behavior

Eligibility Criteria

Sex
ALL
Age
21 Years - 65 Years
Healthy Volunteers
Accepted

Interventions

  • Alirocumab — DRUG
    Alirocumab is a human monoclonal antibody (IgG1) that binds to and inhibits PCSK9 and was approved by the FDA in July of 2015. PCSK9 binds to and promotes degradation of low-density lipoprotein receptors (LDLR) on hepatocyte membranes.
  • Placebo — OTHER
    Heavy drinking healthy volunteers

Study Details

Background: Drinking alcohol can lead to swelling and injury in the liver. Long-term heavy drinking may lead to liver disease. Researchers want to study the relationship between a drug called alirocumab, alcohol use, and liver functioning/swelling. Objective: To study the effects of alirocumab in people who drink alcohol. Eligibility: Healthy adults ages 21 to 65 who regularly consume an average of 20 or more drinks per week. Design: Participants will be screened under protocol 14-AA-0181. Participants will get alirocumab or a placebo as an injection under the skin. Participants will give blood and urine samples. They will have physical exams. Participants will have FibroScans . It measures liver and spleen stiffness. Participants will lie on a table. They will expose the lower right and left side of their chest. The machine will send a small vibration to the liver. Participants may have magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans of the liver. The MRI scanner is shaped like a cylinder. Participants will lie on a table that slides in and out of the scanner. A device called a coil will be placed over their liver. Participants will have a Doppler scan and ultrasound. These tests measure blood flow in the body. Participants will have an electrocardiogram. It measures heart function. Participants will fill out surveys about how they are feeling, their alcohol consumption, and other behaviors. They will complete cognitive tasks on a computer. Participants will meet with a clinician. They will discuss the participant s assessment results, patterns of drinking, and possibly stopping or cutting down on drinking. Participation will last for 8 weeks. Participants will have 9 study visits.

Key Dates

Start date
Oct 19, 2021
Status verified
Apr 2026
Primary completion
Dec 31, 2026
Completion
Dec 31, 2026

Study Design

Enrollment
100 participants (estimated)
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
BASIC_SCIENCE

Arms

  • Experimental: Intervention
    Heavy drinking healthy volunteers
  • Placebo Comparator: Placebo
    Heavy drinking healthy volunteers

Primary Outcome Measure

The primary objective is to assess the safety and tolerability of alirocumab in subjects who are heavy drinkers. [ Time Frame: 8 weeks ]

Central Contacts

Locations (1)

FacilityCityStateZIPSite coordinators
National Institutes of Health Clinical CenterBethesdaMaryland20892
For more information at the NIH Clinical Center contact Office of Patient Recruitment (OPR)
[email protected]
800-411-1222

Find similar trials in Bethesda, MD

By research site
National Institutes of Health Clinical Center· Bethesda, MD

Related Studies