A new clinical study starts soon and researchers are looking for 75 volunteers. The phase two clinical trial will be testing the safety and tolerability of the drug nilotinib in Parkinson’s disease. To learn more about this opportunity and development read more below, or follow the original story here.
Nilotinib is a new drug that may have some affect on Parkinson’s disease. Originally the Food and Drug Administration approved nilotinib for cancer treatment. The intended use of the drug is in the treatment of white blood cell cancers. Results of a small phase one trial, however, showed it had potential to be repurposed. It is not unusual during trials to repurpose or reposition a treatment.
Alternative uses of drugs and methods can lead to surprising breakthroughs and new treatment plans. Professionals do, however, advise patients and doctors to wait for additional testing before adapting the new methods.
That’s where the new nilotinib study comes in. As a result of it focusing on the potential treatment for Parkinson’s disease, the trial has been called NILO-PD.
The study aims to include 75 patients with Parkinson’s disease across 25 participating institutions. Two out of every three participants will be given nilotinib. The other third of the group receives a placebo and will serve as a control. Participation spans roughly eight and a half months, and will involve 13 in-person sessions.
As mentioned above, nilotinib is currently approved for the treatment of white blood cell cancers. It is not yet approved for any treatment of Parkinson’s disease. Early data from other trials indicates that nilotinib affects the protein known as c-Abl. This protein is also linked to pathways connected to Parkinson’s. Other data from those earlier trials suggests that nilotinib may be safe, tolerable, and even beneficial to Parkinson’s patients.
Eligible volunteers must be between the age of 40 and 79. Participants must also have had a Parkinson’s diagnosis for more than five years. Furthermore, volunteers must have stable medications for no less than 30 days before they are enrolled in the study. Additional information about who is eligible to volunteer may be found here.
More information about the NILO-PD study can also be found at the study’s website.
