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NAFLD - Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver DiseasePhase 2STOP-NAFLDNCT03467217

Losartan for the Treatment of Pediatric NAFLD

A Phase 2 study testing Losartan potassium in people with NAFLD - Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease, run by National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) at 10 sites in United States.

Terminated

Stopped early. The study ended before it was planned to and will not resume.

Official record
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Trial summary

A multicenter, randomized, double masked, placebo-controlled, parallel treatment groups phase 2 trial of losartan for pediatric nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Read more about this study

Who is it for?
Ages 8 to 17 years
Conditions the study is for
NAFLD - Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease
What is being tested?
Losartan potassium
Type of treatment
Pill or oral medicine
Could I receive a placebo?
Yes, some participants may receive a placebo
How many people
83 participants
Where
10 sitesUnited States
Study dates
2 Oct 2018to 30 Jun 2020
Phase
Phase 2
Are there results?
Yes, posted in the registrySummary in the doctors' view

Key requirements

Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.

  • Ages 8 to 17 years
  • All sexes
  • No healthy volunteers
  • Child

Who may be able to join

  • Age 8-17 years at initial screening interview
  • Histological evidence of NAFLD with or without fibrosis and a NAFLD activity score (NAS) of ≥3, on a liver biopsy obtained no more than 730 days prior to enrollment.
  • Serum ALT at screening ≥ 50 IU/L

Who cannot join

  • Body weight less than 70 kg or greater than 150 kg at screening
  • Significant alcohol consumption or inability to reliably quantify alcohol intake
  • Use of drugs historically associated with NAFLD (amiodarone, methotrexate, systemic glucocorticoids, tetracyclines, tamoxifen, estrogens at doses greater than those used for hormone replacement, anabolic steroids, valproic acid, other known hepatotoxins) for more than 2 consecutive weeks in the past year prior to randomization
  • New treatment with vitamin E or metformin started in the past 90 days or plans to alter the dose or stop over the next the 24 weeks. A stable dose is acceptable.
  • Prior or planned bariatric surgery
  • Uncontrolled diabetes (HbA1c 9.5% or higher)
Show all 34Show fewer
  • Presence of cirrhosis on liver biopsy
  • History of hypotension or history of orthostatic hypotension
  • Stage 2 Hypertension or >140 systolic or >90 diastolic at screening
  • Current treatment with any antihypertensive medications including all angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors or aliskiren
  • Current treatment with potassium supplements or any drug known to increase potassium
  • Current daily use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
  • Current treatment with lithium
  • Platelet counts below 100,000 /mm3
  • Clinical evidence of hepatic decompensation (serum albumin < 3.2 g/dL, international normalized ratio (INR) >1.3, direct bilirubin >1.3 mg/dL, history of esophageal varices, ascites, or hepatic encephalopathy)
  • Evidence of chronic liver disease other than NAFLD:
  • Biopsy consistent with histological evidence of autoimmune hepatitis
  • Serum hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) positive.
  • Serum hepatitis C antibody (anti-HCV) positive.
  • Iron/total iron binding capacity (TIBC) ratio (transferrin saturation) > 45% with histological evidence of iron overload
  • Alpha-1-antitrypsin (A1AT) phenotype/genotype ZZ or SZ
  • Wilson's disease
  • Serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) greater than 300 IU/L
  • History of biliary diversion
  • History of kidney disease and/or estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) < than 60 mL/min/1.73 m2 using Schwartz Bedside GFR Calculator for Children isotope dilution mass spectroscopy (IDMS)-traceable
  • Known Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) infection
  • Active, serious medical disease with life expectancy less than 5 years
  • Active substance abuse including inhaled or injected drugs, in the year prior to screening
  • Pregnancy, planned pregnancy, potential for pregnancy and unwillingness to use effective birth control during the trial, breast feeding
  • Participation in an investigational new drug (IND) trial in the 150 days prior to randomization
  • Any other condition which, in the opinion of the investigator, would impede compliance or hinder completion of the study
  • Inability to swallow capsules
  • Known allergy to losartan potassium or other angiotensin receptor blocker
  • Failure of parent or legal guardian to give informed consent or subject to give informed assent

Trial locations and contacts

10 sites in 1 country.

10 sites in 1 country

United States10 sites
  • Emory University

    Atlanta, Georgia, 30322

  • Northwestern Univ-Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago

    Chicago, Illinois, 60611-2605

  • Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center

    Cincinnati, Ohio, 45229-3039

  • Texas Children's Hospital

    Houston, Texas, 77030

  • Indiana University

    Indianapolis, Indiana, 46202

  • Columbia University

    New York, New York, 10032

  • University of California, San Diego

    San Diego, California, 92103

  • University of California, San Francisco

    San Francisco, California, 94143

  • University of Washington

    Seattle, Washington, 98195

  • St. Louis University

    St Louis, Missouri, 63104

Other trials in United States

About this study

Official title: Losartan for the Treatment of Pediatric NAFLD (STOP-NAFLD): A Phase 2, Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Clinical Trial

A multicenter, randomized, double masked, placebo-controlled, parallel treatment groups phase 2 trial of losartan for pediatric nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD).

Read the detailed description

Children ages 8-17 years weighing between 70 -149 kilograms will be enrolled and treated with losartan (100 mg orally once per day) or matching placebo for 24 weeks. The hypothesis is that losartan will improve serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) in children with pediatric NAFLD.

Being tested
Losartan potassium, Placebo losartan capsule
Keywords
Losartan, Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease
Medical subject headings
Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease

What participants receive

What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.

  • Losartan potassiumDrug

    Also called losartan, Cozaar,

    Losartan potassium is an angiotensin II receptor blocker acting on the AT 1 receptor subtype

  • Placebo losartan capsuleDrug

    Matching placebo losartan oral capsule

Study groups in NCT03467217
Study groupRoleWhat they receive
Losartan potassium capsuleActive comparatorDose will be one 50 mg capsule of losartan per day for one week and then increased to two capsules of 50 mg of losartan per day (100 mg total) for 23 weeks patients with baseline weight ≥ 70 kg to <150 kg.
Receives: Drug: Losartan potassium
Placebo losartan capsulePlacebo comparatorDose will be one 50 mg capsule of placebo losartan per day for one week and then increased to two capsules of 50 mg of placebo losartan per day (100 mg total) for 23 weeks for patients with baseline weight ≥ 70 kg to <150 kg.
Receives: Drug: Placebo losartan capsule

What is being measured

The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.

  1. Change in Serum Alanine Aminotransferase (ALT) From Baseline.

    Change ALT value in U/L (24 weeks minus baseline). A negative score indicates improvement.

    Measured: Baseline and 24 weeks

Secondary outcomes (16)
  1. Change in Gamma-glutamyl Transpeptidase (GGT) Compared to Baseline

    Change from baseline in gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT), measured in U/L.

    Measured: Baseline and 24 weeks

  2. Change in Serum Aspartate Aminotransferase AST at 24 Weeks Compared to Baseline AST

    Change from baseline in serum aspartate aminotransferase, measured in U/L.

    Measured: Baseline and 24 weeks

  3. Relative Change in Serum Alanine Aminotransferase (ALT) Compared to Baseline ALT

    Relative change from baseline in serum ALT, measured in percentage of change.

    Measured: Baseline and 24 weeks

  4. Change in ALT at 12 Weeks Compared to Baseline ALT

    Change from baseline in ALT at 12 weeks, measured in U/L.

    Measured: Baseline and 12 weeks

  5. Change in Homeostatic Model Assessment of Insulin Resistance (HOMA-IR) Compared to Baseline.

    Homeostasis Model Assessment of Insulin Resistance Index (HOMA-IR) measures insulin resistance, calculated by fasting insulin (umol/mL) multiplied by fasting glucose (mg/dL), and divided by a constant (405). A higher score indicates higher insulin resistance.

    Measured: Baseline and 24 weeks

  6. Change in Weight at 24 Weeks Compared to Baseline

    Change from baseline in weight, measured in kg.

    Measured: Baseline and 24 weeks

  7. Change in Body Mass Index (BMI) at 24 Weeks Compared to Baseline.

    Change from baseline in BMI, measured in kg/m^2.

    Measured: Baseline and 24 weeks

  8. Change in Waist Circumference at 24 Weeks Compared to Baseline

    Change from baseline in waist circumference, measured in centimeters.

    Measured: Baseline and 24 weeks

  9. Change in Waist-to-hip Ratio at 24 Weeks Compared to Baseline

    Change from baseline in waist-to-hip ratio, measured as the circumference of the waist in centimeters divided by the circumference of the hips in centimeters.

    Measured: Baseline and 24 weeks

  10. Change in Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory (PedsQOL) Physical Health Score at 24 Weeks Compared to Baseline

    Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory (PedsQOL) version 4.0 is composed of 23 items comprising 4 dimensions: Physical Functioning, Emotional Functioning, Social Functioning, and School Functioning. Scores are transformed on a scale from 0 to 100, with higher scores indicating better health-related quality of life. Physical Health Summary Score =Physical Functioning Scale Score. The outcome is 24-week change from baseline in PedsQOL Physical Health Score, where higher values indicate improvement in quality of life.

    Measured: Baseline and 24 weeks

  11. Frequency of Adverse Events Over 24 Weeks

    Numbers of adverse events reported over 24 weeks.

    Measured: Baseline and 24 weeks

  12. Change in Total Cholesterol at 24 Weeks Compared to Baseline

    Change from baseline in total cholesterol, measured in mg/dL

    Measured: Baseline and 24 weeks

  13. Change in Triglycerides at 24 Weeks Compared to Baseline

    Change from baseline in triglycerides, measured in mg/dL

    Measured: Baseline and 24 weeks

  14. Change in HDL Cholesterol at 24 Weeks Compared to Baseline

    Change from baseline in HDL cholesterol, measured in mg/dL

    Measured: Baseline and 24 weeks

  15. Change in LDL Cholesterol at 24 Weeks Compared to Baseline

    Change from baseline in LDL cholesterol, measured in mg/dL

    Measured: Baseline and 24 weeks

  16. Change in Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory (PedsQOL) Psychosocial Health Score at 24 Weeks Compared to Baseline

    Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory (PedsQOL) version 4.0 is composed of 23 items comprising 4 dimensions: Physical Functioning, Emotional Functioning, Social Functioning, and School Functioning. Scores are transformed on a scale from 0 to 100, with higher scores indicating better health-related quality of life. Psychosocial Health Summary Score = Sum of items over the number of items answered in the Emotional, Social, and School Functioning Scales. The outcome is 24-week change from baseline in PedsQOL Psychosocial Health Score, where higher values indicate improvement in quality of life.

    Measured: Baseline and 24 weeks

Timeline

From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.

  1. First posted15 Mar 2018
  2. Study start2 Oct 2018
  3. Primary completion30 Jun 2020
  4. Study completion30 Jun 2020

Why it stopped: Trial stopped for futility

Resources

More details

For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.

Study design
Study type
Interventional
Phase
Phase 2
Primary purpose
Treatment
Allocation
Randomised
Intervention model
Parallel groups
Masking
Triple blind
Who is masked
Participant, Care provider, Investigator
Enrolment
83 participants (actual)
IDs, dates and publications
ClinicalTrials.gov ID
NCT03467217
Sponsor's protocol ID
9 STOP-NAFLD
Other IDs
U01DK061730
Acronym
STOP-NAFLD
Status last verified
Sep 2021
First submitted
9 Mar 2018
Last updated
21 Oct 2021
Data monitoring committee
Yes
FDA-regulated drug
Yes
FDA-regulated device
No
Individual data sharing
Yes: This study will comply with the NIH Data Sharing Policy and Results information from this trial will be submitted to ClinicalTrials.gov and a public use database deposited with the NIDDK Central Repository.

Publications

  • Hakim A, Lin KH, Schwantes-An TH, Abreu M, Tan J, Guo X, Yates KP, Lotta L, Verweij N, Loomba R, Kleiner DE, Schwimmer JB, Rotter JI, Chalasani NP. A comprehensive evaluation of candidate genetic polymorphisms in a large histologically characterized MASLD cohort using a novel framework. Hepatol Commun. 2025 May 29;9(6):e0728. doi: 10.1097/HC9.0000000000000728. eCollection 2025 Jun 1.

    PubMed 40434633

Questions about this trial

What is this clinical trial studying?

A Phase 2 study testing Losartan potassium in people with NAFLD - Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease, run by National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) at 10 sites in United States.

The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.

Who may be eligible to take part?

The sponsor lists 3 inclusion and 34 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.

Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?

The record says: stopped early, as of the sponsor's last update on 21 Oct 2021. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.

Where is the study taking place?

The record lists 10 sites in United States. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.

What are the possible benefits and risks?

They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. Some participants in this study may receive a placebo. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.

What does this phase mean?

Phase 2 studies give the treatment to a larger group to see whether it has the intended effect and to keep checking safety.

Not every study follows the same path, and some studies (observational studies, device studies) have no phase.

Are results available for this study?

Yes. Results are posted in the registry (first posted 21 Oct 2021). A summary is in the For doctors view, and the full results are on ClinicalTrials.gov.

How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?

The record lists no contact. The official record names the sponsor, who can be asked directly. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.

What does the primary outcome measure?

Change in Serum Alanine Aminotransferase (ALT) From Baseline. (time frame: Baseline and 24 weeks). It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.

Where can I read the original study information?

On the ClinicalTrials.gov record for NCT03467217, which also lists 1 linked publication.

Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?

No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.

How often is this information updated?

AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 21 Oct 2021.

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