FUSION: A Study to Evaluate the Efficacy, Safety, Pharmacokinetics and Pharmacodynamics of ION363 in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Participants With Fused in Sarcoma Mutations (FUS-ALS)

Launched by IONIS PHARMACEUTICALS, INC. · Feb 22, 2021

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ClinConnect Summary

The FUSION clinical trial is studying a new treatment called ION363 for people with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) who have a specific genetic mutation known as FUS. The main goal of this study is to see if ION363 can improve patients' ability to function and help them live longer. The trial is currently recruiting participants, and anyone aged 10 or older with a confirmed FUS mutation may qualify to join. Participants need to have certain health conditions and must be stable on their current medications.

If you decide to participate, you will receive ION363 and be monitored closely by the study team, who will assess your health and any changes over time. It's also important to note that while this trial offers the chance to receive a potential new treatment, it has specific eligibility criteria, including having a caregiver who can provide support and information about your health throughout the study. If you think you or a loved one may be eligible, it could be a good idea to talk to a healthcare professional for more details.

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Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria for Part 1:
• • 1. Participants must be ≥10 years of age at the time of informed consent and have signs or symptoms consistent with an ALS disease (in the opinion of the Investigator).
• • 2. Genetic mutation in FUS confirmed by a testing laboratory that is Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA) certified and European Conformity (CE)-marked, or equivalent. Mutations must be reviewed and approved by a variant classification committee.
• • 3. Upright (sitting position) slow vital capacity (SVC) is ≥ 50% of predicted value (as adjusted for sex, age, and height) OR if SVC is \< 50% of predicted value, must be 10 to 30 years of age (inclusive) at the time of informed consent AND had ALS symptom onset within 12 months before the time of informed consent.
• • 4. Participants taking edaravone, riluzole, Relyvrio (sodium phenylbutyrate/taurursodiol combination, called Albrioza in Canada), sodium phenylbutyrate, or tauroursodeoxycholic acid (TUDCA, also known as taurursodiol or urosodiol) must be on a stable dose for ≥ 28 days prior to Day 1, and willing to continue on that dose throughout the duration of the study, unless the Investigator determines that it should be discontinued for medical reasons, in which case it may not be restarted during the study.
• • 5. Stable concomitant medications and nutritional support for at least 1 month prior to Study Day 1. Concomitant medications or nutritional support that have not been stable for at least 1 month prior to Study Day 1 may be allowed in consultation with the Sponsor Medical Monitor or designee.
• • 6. Females must not be pregnant or lactating. Males and females must be willing to following protocol-specified contraception requirements, or be surgically sterile, or be post-menopausal (females).
• • 7. Has an informant/caregiver who, in the Investigator's judgment, has frequent and sufficient contact with the participant as to be able to provide accurate information about the participant's cognitive and functional abilities throughout the study. In addition, a patient who is \< 18 years old must have a trial partner (parent, caregiver, or other) who is reliable, competent, at least 18 years of age, and willing to accompany the patient to all trial visits.
• Inclusion Criteria for Part 2:
• • 1. Completed, or rescued from, Part 1, or
• • 2. Enrolled and received at least 1 dose of ION363 in the Investigator-initiated study program
• • 3. Patient meeting Criteria #1-2 is otherwise suitable for study participation, in the opinion of the Investigator
• Exclusion Criteria for Part 1:
• • 1. Requiring permanent ventilation (\> 22 hours of mechanical ventilation \[invasive or noninvasive\] per day for \> 21 consecutive days) and/or tracheostomy.
• • 2. Any known genetic variant (other than those in the FUS gene) that is pathogenic or likely to be pathogenic for the ALS-frontotemporal dementia (FTD) spectrum of disease.
• 3. Positive test result for:
• • 1. Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)
• • 2. Hepatitis C (HCV), unless previously treated and has been serum/plasma HCV RNA negative for at least 6 months after the end of treatment
• • 3. Hepatitis B (HBV) by HBV surface antigen test, unless currently on nucleotide/nucleoside analogue treatment
• • 4. Clinically significant abnormalities in medical history (e.g., previous acute coronary syndrome within 3 months before Screening, major surgery within 2 months before Screening) or physical examination.
• • 5. Uncontrolled hypertension (blood pressure \[BP\] \> 160/100 millimeters of mercury \[mm Hg\]).
• • 6. Malignancy within 1 year before Screening, except for basal or squamous cell carcinoma of the skin or carcinoma in situ of the cervix that has been successfully treated. Participants with a history of other malignancies that have been treated with curative intent and which have not recurred within 6 months may also be eligible per Investigator judgement.
• • 7. Obstructive hydrocephalus
• • 8. Known significant brain or spinal disease that would interfere with the lumbar puncture (LP) process, CSF circulation or safety assessment, including tumors or abnormalities by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or computed tomography, subarachnoid hemorrhage, suggestion of raised intracranial pressure on MRI or ophthalmic examination, spinal stenosis or curvature, Chiari malformation, syringomyelia, tethered spinal cord syndrome and connective tissue disorders such as Ehlers-Danlos syndrome and Marfan syndrome.
• • 9. Concurrent participation in any other interventional clinical study.
• • 10. Previous or current treatment with an oligonucleotide (including small interfering RNA \[siRNA\], tofersen). This exclusion criterion does not apply to COVID-19 vaccinations, which are allowed.
• • 11. Treatment with another investigational drug, biological agent, or device within 1 month before Screening, or 5 half-lives of investigational agent, whichever is longer.
• • 12. History of gene therapy or cell transplantation or any other experimental brain surgery.
• • 13. Anticipated need, in the opinion of the Investigator, for administration of any antiplatelet or anticoagulant medication that cannot be safely paused before and/or after an LP procedure according to local or institutional guidelines and/or Investigator determination after consultation with the appropriate treating physician. Low-dose aspirin (≤ 100 mg/day, administered as monotherapy) is permitted and may be continued through the LP procedure.
• • 14. Have any other conditions, which, in the opinion of the Investigator would make the participant unsuitable for inclusion or could interfere with the individual participating in or completing the study, in the opinion of the Investigator.