Subcutaneous Tirzepatide Once-weekly in Patients With Obesity and Knee Osteoarthritis (STOP KNEE-OA)
Launched by UNIVERSITY OF MELBOURNE · Dec 18, 2023
Trial Information
Current as of August 20, 2025
Recruiting
Keywords
ClinConnect Summary
The STOP KNEE-OA trial is studying a medication called tirzepatide to see if it can help people with obesity and knee osteoarthritis reduce their need for knee replacement surgery. Participants in this study will receive either a weekly injection of tirzepatide or a placebo (a harmless substance with no active medication) for 72 weeks. To be eligible for this trial, participants should have a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or higher, have tried to lose weight before without success, and have been recommended for knee replacement surgery by an orthopedic specialist due to moderate to severe knee osteoarthritis.
If you join the trial, you will learn how to self-inject the medication and follow the study procedures throughout the 72 weeks. The trial is currently recruiting participants aged 65 to 74, and both men and women can take part. It’s important to note that there are certain health conditions and medications that could exclude someone from participating, so it’s best to discuss eligibility with a healthcare provider. This study aims to provide valuable information that could help improve treatment options for individuals with obesity and knee osteoarthritis.
Gender
ALL
Eligibility criteria
- Inclusion Criteria:
- • Have a body mass index of ≥ to 30 kg/m2.
- • Report one or more previous unsuccessful attempt to lose body weight via lifestyle modification.
- • Have been deemed eligible to enter the waiting list for primary knee replacement for the treatment of osteoarthritis in the target joint by an orthopaedic surgeon at one of the participating study sites.
- • Have moderate-to-severe knee osteoarthritis in the target joint, defined as a Kellgren-Lawrence grade two or greater.
- • Be willing to and capable of learning how to self-inject the study drug and follow study procedures for the duration of the trial.
- • Provide informed consent to study participation in line with the requirements of the human research ethics committee of the study site.
- Female participants must:
- • Not be currently pregnant or breastfeeding AND
- * Not be of reproductive potential, defined as:
- • Infertile due to surgical sterilization or congenital anomaly, OR
- * Post-menopausal defined as:
- • A woman over the age of 40 years with spontaneous cessation of menses for at least 12 consecutive months (in the absence of medications known to induce amenorrhea), with a follicle-stimulating hormone ≥40mIU/mL, and a negative pregnancy test prior to study entry, OR
- • A woman over the age of 55 years with cessation of menses for at least 12 consecutive months (in the absence of medications known to induce amenorrhea), OR
- • A woman over the age of 55 years that has commenced hormone replacement therapy after a documented diagnosis of menopause.
- Exclusion Criteria:
- Participant will be ineligible for inclusion if they meet any of the following criteria:
- • Have been deemed eligible to enter the waiting list for knee replacement in the contralateral knee by an orthopaedic surgeon at one of the participating study sites.
- • Have used any prescription medications intended to promote weight loss (e.g., tirzepatide, liraglutide, semaglutide) in the three months prior to screening.
- • Have previously undergone any surgical or endoscopic procedure intended to promote weight loss.
- • Have been diagnosed with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) or T2DM
- • Have laboratory evidence indicative of diabetes mellitus during screening.
- • Have personal or family history of medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) or Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia syndrome type 2 (MEN 2)
- • Have an active malignancy (excluding basal or squamous cell skin cancer).
- • Have had a transplanted organ or awaiting an organ transplant
- • Have received chronic systemic glucocorticoid therapy (for more than 14 days) in prior 3 months or have a significant, active autoimmune abnormality (e.g., lupus or rheumatoid arthritis) that the study doctor deems likely to require systemic glucocorticoid therapy during the next 18 months.
- * Have any other medical conditions, abnormal laboratory tests or concomitant medications that make them unsuitable for participation:
- • Have a clinically significant gastric emptying abnormality.
- • Have had a history of acute or chronic pancreatitis.
- • Have obesity induced by other endocrinologic disorders
- • Have an unstable psychiatric disorder
- • Have a Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) score of \>15 during screening
- • Have been deemed by the study doctor to be actively suicidal,
- • Have answered "yes" to questions 4 or 5 on the "Suicidal Ideation" section of the Columbia-Suicide Severity Rating Scale (C-SSRS) during screening, OR
- • Have answered yes to any questions in the "Suicidal Behaviour" section of the C-SSRS during screening. AND
- • The behaviour or ideation occurred in the last month
- • Have uncontrolled hypertension (systolic blood pressure above or equal to 160 mmHg and/or diastolic blood pressure above or equal to 100 mmHg)
- • Have had within the past 6 months prior to randomisation any of the following: acute myocardial infarction, cerebrovascular accident, unstable angina, or hospitalisation due to congestive cardiac failure (are also exclusion criteria for elective knee replacement)
- • Have severe renal impairment defined as an eGFR \<30 mL/min/1.73 m2 at screening visit.
- • Have thyroid-stimulating hormone outside of the range of 0.4 to 6.0 mIU/L at screening visit
- • Have acute or chronic hepatitis or abnormal liver function tests as measured by either alanine aminotransferase or alkaline phosphatase \>200 IU.
- • Have any other known contraindication to any glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists.
- • Are study site personnel, or immediate family of a member of the study site.
- • Have been enrolled in any other study of an investigational product within the past ninety days or are currently enrolled in such a study.
About University Of Melbourne
The University of Melbourne, a leading research institution in Australia, is dedicated to advancing medical science and improving healthcare outcomes through innovative clinical trials. With a strong emphasis on interdisciplinary collaboration, the university harnesses the expertise of its world-class faculty and state-of-the-art facilities to conduct rigorous research across various medical fields. Committed to ethical standards and participant safety, the University of Melbourne aims to translate research findings into practical applications, ultimately enhancing patient care and contributing to global health advancements.
Contacts
Jennifer Cobb
Immunology at National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID)
Locations
Fitzroy, Victoria, Australia
Fitzroy, Victoria, Australia
Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
Patients applied
Trial Officials
Michelle M Dowsey
Principal Investigator
University of Melbourne
Timeline
First submit
Trial launched
Trial updated
Estimated completion
Not reported