Trypanosomiasis, AfricanPhase 2/3OXA004NCT05256017
Safety and Tolerability Study of Acoziborole in g-HAT Seropositive Subjects
A Phase 2/3 study testing Acoziborole in people with Trypanosomiasis, African and Trypanosoma Brucei Gambiense; Infection, run by Drugs for Neglected Diseases at 7 sites in 2 countries.
Trial summary
Human African trypanosomiasis (HAT) or sleeping sickness is a tropical disease which is endemic in sub-Saharan Africa. Most cases of HAT are due to the parasite Trypanosoma brucei gambiense (T.b. gambiense), which is transmitted by the bite of the tsetse fly. HAT can be fatal without diagnosis and treatment. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 15 years and older
- Conditions the study is for
- Trypanosomiasis, African, Trypanosoma Brucei Gambiense; Infection, Sleeping Sickness
- What is being tested?
- Acoziborole
- Type of treatment
- Pill or oral medicine
- Could I receive a placebo?
- Yes, some participants may receive a placebo
- How many people
- 1,208 participants
- Where
- 7 sitesin 2 countries
- Study dates
- 30 Dec 2021to 3 Aug 2023
- Phase
- Phase 2/3
- 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 15 years and older
- All sexes
- No healthy volunteers
- Child, Adult, Older adult
Who may be able to join
- Signed the informed consent form (ICF)
- Male or female
- 15 years of age or older
- Card agglutination test for trypanosomiasis (CATT) test or HAT sero-K-set rapid diagnostic test (RDT) positive
- Parasitology negative (in blood and/or lymph node aspirate [if lymphadenopathy is present])
- Karnofsky performance status above 70
Show all 14Show fewer
- Able to ingest oral tablets
- Known address and/or contact details provided
- Able to comply with the schedule of follow-up visits and other requirements of the study
- Agreement to be hospitalized upon enrolment for at least 5 days (in order to receive in-ward post-treatment observational follow-up through the first 5 days after treatment)
- Agreement to not take part in any other clinical trials during the participation in this study
- For women of childbearing potential:
- Agreed to have protected sexual relations to avoid becoming pregnant from enrolment up to 3 months after dosing (contraceptive protection was advised and offered at no cost)
- Negative urine pregnancy tests (before dosing at site level)
Who cannot join
- Individuals parasitologically confirmed in blood and/or lymph
- Previously treated for g-HAT
- Severe malnutrition, defined as body mass index (BMI) <16 kg/m^2
- Pregnant or breast-feeding women
- For women of childbearing potential:
- Urine pregnancy test positive
Show all 12Show fewer
- Did not accept contraceptive protection (i.e. condom or sexual abstinence) from enrolment up to 3 months after dosing
- Clinically significant medical condition and/or abnormal laboratory results that could, in the opinion of the Investigator, jeopardize the participant's safety or participation in the study
- Additional exclusion criteria for the TrypSkin exploratory sub-study:
- Rejection to participate in the exploratory sub-study in the signed ICF
- Known diabetes mellitus
- Known hemophilia
Trial locations and contacts
7 sites in 2 countries.
7 sites in 2 countries
Democratic Republic of the Congo6 sites
General Referral Hospital of Bagata
Bagata, Bandundu
General Referral Hospital of Bandundu
Bandundu Province
General Referral Hospital of Idiofa
Idiofa, Kwilu
General Referral Hospital of Kwamouth
Kwamouth, Mai Ndombe
General Referral Hospital of Masi-Manimba
Masi-Manimba, Kwilu
Hospital of Dipumba
Mbuji-Mayi, East Kasai
About this study
Official title: Safety and Tolerability Study of Acoziborole in g-HAT Seropositive Non-parasitologically Confirmed Subjects: a Multicentre Randomised Double-blind Placebo-controlled Study
Human African trypanosomiasis (HAT) or sleeping sickness is a tropical disease which is endemic in sub-Saharan Africa. Most cases of HAT are due to the parasite Trypanosoma brucei gambiense (T.b. gambiense), which is transmitted by the bite of the tsetse fly. HAT can be fatal without diagnosis and treatment. Several treatment options are currently available to treat HAT caused by the T.b. gambiense parasite (g-HAT), but these treatments can be administered only after demonstrating via microscopy the presence of the parasite in a body fluid. However, there are factors such as low parasitaemia and the complexity and low sensitivity of parasitological methods that make such demonstration difficult. It has been demonstrated that a variable proportion (mainly depending on the prevalence) of such g-HAT "sero-suspects" are confirmed cases and, therefore, remain potential reservoirs of the parasite and a source of new infections hindering the efforts to eliminate the disease.
The drug acoziborole was evaluated in a study called "DNDi-OXA-02-HAT". During this study, patients with g-HAT from the DRC and Guinea took a single dose of acoziborole. This study showed that acoziborole has a high efficacy and is safe for treating patients with confirmed g-HAT .
The present study is called "DNDi-OXA-04-HAT". It included seropositive participants from the DRC and Guinea who did not have parasites detected via microscopy in a body fluid. Its objective was to collect data on the safety and tolerability of a single dose of acoziborole compared to a placebo (i.e. a dummy treatment). The results of this study would help decide if acoziborole can be used in the population of g-HAT seropositive individuals and help eliminate the HAT disease.
Read the detailed description
HAT, or sleeping sickness, is a neglected tropical disease which is endemic in sub Saharan Africa. This vector-borne parasitic disease is transmitted by the bite of the tsetse fly and can be fatal without diagnosis and treatment. The parasites responsible for HAT are the protozoa T.b. gambiense and T.b. rhodesiense. In 2021-2022, HAT due to T.b. gambiense (g-HAT) represented 94% of all HAT cases detected.
Between 2018 and 2022, approximately 1.5 million people lived in areas (mainly rural areas of sub-Saharan Africa) considered to be at moderate to very high risk of HAT and where the disease is still considered as a public health problem. Thanks to efforts from national control programs, supported by the World Health Organization (WHO), non-governmental organizations, bilateral cooperations, the private sector (including pharmaceutical companies) and philanthropic organizations, the number of cases of g-HAT is consistently falling. With respectively 799 and 675 cases of g-HAT reported in 2022 and 2023, the global goal of sustainable disease elimination by 2030, including the interruption of g HAT transmission, is achievable. As the numbers of reported cases diminish, resources for surveillance and specialized screening also taper. This decrease, coupled with the loss of diagnostic skills and disease management expertise, could lead to a weak and less specialized HAT technical environment.
Several therapeutic options are currently available to treat g-HAT at either the hemolymphatic (early) stage or meningoencephalitic (late) stage. In December 2018, fexinidazole was registered for the treatment of g-HAT in DRC. Since then, all other endemic countries authorized the use of fexinidazole for the treatment of g-HAT. Fexinidazole is administered as a 10 day oral treatment to patients with early- or late-stage g-HAT. In patients with very advanced g-HAT, nifurtimox eflornithine combination therapy (NECT) remains the first line treatment, due to the increased risk of relapse in these patients when treated with fexinidazole. Children with g-HAT who have a body weight below 20 kg and/or are under 6 years of age are treated with pentamidine (early stage) or NECT (late stage). Pentamidine and NECT are administered as intravenous (IV) infusions performed daily, over 7 days.
Whilst the delivery of fexinidazole has simplified the management of g-HAT and has facilitated the integration of g-HAT treatment into general health systems, it is expected that the current investment in acoziborole as an oral, single-dose treatment will help boost elimination efforts envisioned for all stages of g-HAT. Indeed, treatment with NECT and fexinidazole are conditioned by the demonstration of the parasite in any body fluid via microscopy. However, factors such as low parasitemia as well as the complexity of parasitological diagnostic methods make this demonstration difficult.
Acoziborole, as a single-dose oral administration, was studied in the open-label pivotal Phase II/III study (DNDi-OXA-02-HAT). The study was conducted in patients with g-HAT (all stages) in the DRC and Guinea. The results of the study showed the high efficacy of acoziborole in any stage of g-HAT, which was comparable to the efficacy of the reference treatment NECT used as a yardstick. Safety data collected during this study did not identify any new safety signals. Based on these data, the benefit-risk balance for treating g-HAT patients (regardless of the disease stage) with acoziborole administered as a single oral dose of 960 mg appeared favorable.
The present study (DNDi-OXA-04-HAT) was conducted in g-HAT seropositive individuals who were unconfirmed parasitologically. It was designed with the objective of assessing the safety and tolerability of a single 960-mg dose of acoziborole compared with placebo during a follow-up period of 4 months.
This study included an exploratory Sub-Study named "TrypSkin" which had the main objective of assessing the presence of extravascular dermal T.b. gambiense in the enrolled population. Participation in this Sub-Study was optional.
- Being tested
- Acoziborole, Placebo
- Keywords
- Human African Trypanosomiasis, Trypanosoma Brucei Gambiense, Sleeping sickness, g-HAT, g-HAT seropositive individuals
- Medical subject headings
- Trypanosomiasis, African, Infections
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
AcoziboroleDrug
Single dose administration of acoziborole (3 tablets of 320 mg) on Day 1
PlaceboDrug
Single dose administration of placebo (3 tablets of 320 mg) on Day 1
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Acoziborole | Experimental | Single dose administration of acoziborole, 3 tablets of 320 mg Receives: Drug: Acoziborole |
| Placebo | Placebo comparator | Single dose administration of acoziborole matching placebo, 3 tablets of 320 mg Receives: Drug: Placebo |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Occurrence of Any TEAEs
Occurrence and excess rate (95% CI) of any TEAEs.
Measured: From the investigational product administration (Day 1) to the Month 4 follow-up visit (End of Study).
Occurrence of TEAEs - Malaria
Occurrence and excess rate (95% CI) of common TEAEs (by PT, for PTs reported in ≥1% of participants in either arm).
Measured: From the investigational product administration (Day 1) to the Month 4 follow-up visit (End of Study).
Occurrence of TEAEs - Acarodermatitis
Occurrence and excess rate (95% CI) of common TEAEs (by PT, for PTs reported in ≥1% of participants in either arm).
Measured: From the investigational product administration (Day 1) to the Month 4 follow-up visit (End of Study).
Occurrence of TEAEs - Abdominal Pain
Occurrence and excess rate (95% CI) of common TEAEs (by PT, for PTs reported in ≥1% of participants in either arm).
Measured: From the investigational product administration (Day 1) to the Month 4 follow-up visit (End of Study).
Occurrence of TEAEs - Enteritis
Occurrence and excess rate (95% CI) of common TEAEs (by PT, for PTs reported in ≥1% of participants in either arm).
Measured: From the investigational product administration (Day 1) to the Month 4 follow-up visit (End of Study).
Occurrence of TEAEs - Nausea
Occurrence and excess rate (95% CI) of common TEAEs (by PT, for PTs reported in ≥1% of participants in either arm).
Measured: From the investigational product administration (Day 1) to the Month 4 follow-up visit (End of Study).
Occurrence of TEAEs - Gastritis
Occurrence and excess rate (95% CI) of common TEAEs (by PT, for PTs reported in ≥1% of participants in either arm).
Measured: From the investigational product administration (Day 1) to the Month 4 follow-up visit (End of Study).
Occurrence of TEAEs - Headache
Occurrence and excess rate (95% CI) of common TEAEs (by PT, for PTs reported in ≥1% of participants in either arm).
Measured: From the investigational product administration (Day 1) to the Month 4 follow-up visit (End of Study).
Occurrence of TEAEs - Fatigue
Occurrence and excess rate (95% CI) of common TEAEs (by PT, for PTs reported in ≥1% of participants in either arm).
Measured: From the investigational product administration (Day 1) to the Month 4 follow-up visit (End of Study).
Occurrence of TEAEs - Blood Potassium Increased
Occurrence and excess rate (95% CI) of common TEAEs (by PT, for PTs reported in ≥1% of participants in either arm).
Measured: From the investigational product administration (Day 1) to the Month 4 follow-up visit (End of Study).
Occurrence of TEAEs by Period of Occurrence
Occurrence and excess rate (95% CI) of any TEAEs, by period of occurrence.
Measured: During hospitalization: from investigational product administration (Day 1) to Day 5 (End of Hospitalization); After hospitalization: from Day 5 (discharge) to the Month 4 follow-up visit (End of Study).
Occurrence of Serious TEAEs
Occurrence and excess rate (95% CI) of any serious TEAEs.
Measured: From the investigational product administration (Day 1) to the Month 4 follow-up visit (End of Study).
Occurrence of Severe Treatment-related TEAEs
Occurrence and excess rate (95% CI) of any serious TEAEs.
Measured: From the investigational product administration (Day 1) to the Month 4 follow-up visit (End of Study).
Occurrence of Any Treatment-related TEAEs
Occurrence of any treatment-related TEAEs by arm
Measured: From the investigational product administration (Day 1) to the Month 4 follow-up visit (End of Study).
Occurrence of Treatment-related TEAEs by PT
Occurrence of any treatment-related TEAEs by PT and by arm
Measured: From the investigational product administration (Day 1) to the Month 4 follow-up visit (End of Study).
Secondary outcomes (27)
Occurrence of Adverse Events (AEs)
Occurrence of any Adverse Event from Inform Consent signature to 4 month follow-up visit.
Of note, all AEs reported during this study were TEAEs.
Measured: From Inform Consent signature (up to 2 days before treatment) to the Month 4 follow up visit (End of Study)
Change From Baseline in Biochemistry Parameter: Alanine Aminotransferase
Changes from baseline to Day 5, Month 1 and Month 4; presented by treatment arm.
Measured: From baseline to the Month 4 follow-up visit (End of Study).
Change From Baseline in Biochemistry Parameter: Albumin
Changes from baseline to Day 5, Month 1 and Month 4; presented by treatment arm.
Measured: From baseline to the Month 4 follow-up visit (End of Study).
Change From Baseline in Biochemistry Parameter: Alkaline Phosphatase
Changes from baseline to Day 5, Month 1 and Month 4; presented by treatment arm.
Measured: From baseline to the Month 4 follow-up visit (End of Study).
Change From Baseline in Biochemistry Parameter: Aspartate Aminotransferase
Changes from baseline to Day 5, Month 1 and Month 4; presented by treatment arm.
Measured: From baseline to the Month 4 follow-up visit (End of Study).
Change From Baseline in Biochemistry Parameter: Calcium
Changes from baseline to Day 5, Month 1 and Month 4; presented by treatment arm.
Measured: From baseline to the Month 4 follow-up visit (End of Study).
Change From Baseline in Biochemistry Parameter: Chloride
Changes from baseline to Day 5, Month 1 and Month 4; presented by treatment arm.
Measured: From baseline to the Month 4 follow-up visit (End of Study).
Change From Baseline in Biochemistry Parameter: Creatinine
Changes from baseline to Day 5, Month 1 and Month 4; presented by treatment arm.
Measured: From baseline to the Month 4 follow-up visit (End of Study).
Change From Baseline in Biochemistry Parameter: Glucose
Changes from baseline to Day 5, Month 1 and Month 4; presented by treatment arm.
Measured: From baseline to the Month 4 follow-up visit (End of Study).
Change From Baseline in Biochemistry Parameter: Potassium
Changes from baseline to Day 5, Month 1 and Month 4; presented by treatment arm.
Measured: From baseline to the Month 4 follow-up visit (End of Study).
Change From Baseline in Biochemistry Parameter: Sodium
Changes from baseline to Day 5, Month 1 and Month 4; presented by treatment arm.
Measured: From baseline to the Month 4 follow-up visit (End of Study).
Change From Baseline in Biochemistry Parameter: Total Bilirubin
Changes from baseline to Day 5, Month 1 and Month 4; presented by treatment arm.
Measured: From baseline to the Month 4 follow-up visit (End of Study).
Change From Baseline in Biochemistry Parameter: Bicarbonate
Changes from baseline to Day 5, Month 1 and Month 4; presented by treatment arm.
Measured: From baseline to the Month 4 follow-up visit (End of Study).
Change From Baseline in Biochemistry Parameter: Total Protein
Changes from baseline to Day 5, Month 1 and Month 4; presented by treatment arm.
Measured: From baseline to the Month 4 follow-up visit (End of Study).
Change From Baseline in Biochemistry Parameter: Blood Urea Nitrogen
Changes from baseline to Day 5, Month 1 and Month 4; presented by treatment arm.
Measured: From baseline to the Month 4 follow-up visit (End of Study).
Change From Baseline in Hematology Parameter: Hemoglobin
Changes from baseline to Day 5, Month 1 and Month 4; presented by treatment arm.
Measured: From baseline to the Month 4 follow-up visit (End of Study).
Change From Baseline in Hematology Parameter: Platelet Count
Changes from baseline to Day 5, Month 1 and Month 4; presented by treatment arm.
Measured: From baseline to the Month 4 follow-up visit (End of Study).
Change From Baseline in Hematology Parameter: Leukocytes
Changes from baseline to Day 5, Month 1 and Month 4; presented by treatment arm.
Measured: From baseline to the Month 4 follow-up visit (End of Study).
Change From Baseline in ECG (Electrocardiogram) Parameter: Heart Rate (HR)
Actual values at baseline (Day 1 pre-dose) and Day 5. Change from baseline at Day 5 (Δ). Placebo-corrected change from baseline (ΔΔ), calculated using an analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) model adjusted for sex and age.
Measured: From baseline (Day 1 pre-dose) to Day 5 (End of Hospitalization)
Change From Baseline in ECG Parameter: RR Interval
Actual values at baseline (Day 1 pre-dose) and Day 5. Change from baseline at Day 5 (Δ). Placebo-corrected change from baseline (ΔΔ), calculated using an ANCOVA model adjusted for sex and age.
Measured: From baseline (Day 1 pre-dose) to Day 5 (End of Hospitalization)
Change From Baseline in ECG Parameter: PR Interval
Actual values at baseline (Day 1 pre-dose) and Day 5. Change from baseline at Day 5 (Δ). Placebo-corrected change from baseline (ΔΔ), calculated using an ANCOVA model adjusted for sex and age.
Measured: From baseline (Day 1 pre-dose) to Day 5 (End of Hospitalization)
Change From Baseline in ECG Parameter: QRS Interval
Actual values at baseline (Day 1 pre-dose) and Day 5. Change from baseline at Day 5 (Δ). Placebo-corrected change from baseline (ΔΔ), calculated using an ANCOVA model adjusting for sex and age.
Measured: From baseline (Day 1 pre-dose) to Day 5 (End of Hospitalization)
Change From Baseline in ECG Parameter: QT Interval
Actual values at baseline (Day 1 pre-dose) and Day 5. Change from baseline at Day 5 (Δ). Placebo-corrected change from baseline (ΔΔ), calculated using an ANCOVA model adjusted for sex and age.
Measured: From baseline (Day 1 pre-dose) to Day 5 (End of Hospitalization)
Change From Baseline in ECG Parameter: QTcF
Actual values at baseline (Day 1 pre-dose) and Day 5. Change from baseline at Day 5 (Δ). Placebo-corrected change from baseline (ΔΔ), calculated using an ANCOVA model adjusted for sex and age.
Measured: From baseline (Day 1 pre-dose) to Day 5 (End of Hospitalization)
Change From Baseline in ECG Parameter: QTcB
Actual values at baseline (Day 1 pre-dose) and Day 5. Change from baseline at Day 5 (Δ). Placebo-corrected change from baseline (ΔΔ), calculated using an ANCOVA model adjusted for sex and age.
Measured: From baseline (Day 1 pre-dose) to Day 5 (End of Hospitalization)
Placebo-corrected Baseline-adjusted QTcF (ΔΔQTcF), Computed From a Concentration-response (C-R) Model Between Dry Blood Spot Concentration and Changes From Baseline in QTcF Parameter
Mixed linear model developed based on the model defined by Garnett et al (2017).
The fixed effect parameters of the pre-specified model were intercept, slope for acoziborole concentrations, influence of baseline (centered on mean), and a treatment specific intercept (0=acoziborole, 1=Placebo). Sex and age were included in the model as fixed covariates.
Measured: From baseline (Day 1 pre-dose) to Day 5 (End of Hospitalization)
Incidence of Abnormal Values for PR, QRS, QTcB and QTcF According to Pre-defined Thresholds
Incidence of abnormal values for PR, QRS, QTcB and QTcF at Day 1 and/or Day 5, according to pre-defined thresholds
Measured: From baseline (Day 1 pre-dose) to Day 5 (End of Hospitalization)
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted25 Feb 2022
- Study start30 Dec 2021
- Primary completion3 Aug 2023
- Study completion3 Aug 2023
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Posted resultsParticipant flow, outcome measures and adverse events reported by the sponsor.
- Other trials for Trypanosomiasis, AfricanStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
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 2/3
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Model description
- Unbalanced, randomized (ratio of 3:1 \[acoziborole:placebo\]) parallel-arm study. Study treatment (acoziborole or placebo) administered on Day 1. Post-treatment hospitalization of 5 days (up to Day 5). Follow-up visits scheduled at Month 1 and Month 4 (End of Study visit).
- Masking
- Quadruple blind
- Who is masked
- Participant, Care provider, Investigator, Outcomes assessor
- Enrolment
- 1,208 participants (actual)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Drugs for Neglected Diseases
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Sponsor
- Investigators
- Victor Kande Betu Kumeso, Dr., Principal investigator, Ministry of Public Health, Hygiene and Prevention, Kinshasa
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT05256017
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- DNDi-OXA-04-HAT
- Acronym
- OXA004
- Status last verified
- Feb 2025
- First submitted
- 17 Jan 2022
- Last updated
- 20 Mar 2025
- Results posted
- Yes, on ClinicalTrials.gov
- Data monitoring committee
- Yes
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 20 Mar 2025. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Safety and Tolerability Study of Acoziborole in g-HAT Seropositive Non-parasitologically Confirmed Subjects: a Multicentre Randomised Double-blind Placebo-controlled Study
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT05256017
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- OXA004 / DNDi-OXA-04-HAT
- Keywords
- Human African Trypanosomiasis, Trypanosoma Brucei Gambiense, Sleeping sickness, g-HAT, g-HAT seropositive individuals
- Phase
- Phase 2/3
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Completed
- Enrolment
- 1,208 participants (actual)
- Lead sponsor
- Drugs for Neglected DiseasesUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- 30 Dec 2021 (actual)
- Primary completion
- 3 Aug 2023 (actual)
- Study completion
- 3 Aug 2023 (actual)
- First posted
- 25 Feb 2022 (actual)
- Results
- Posted 20 Mar 2025
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
Human African trypanosomiasis (HAT) or sleeping sickness is a tropical disease which is endemic in sub-Saharan Africa. Most cases of HAT are due to the parasite Trypanosoma brucei gambiense (T.b. gambiense), which is transmitted by the bite of the tsetse fly. HAT can be fatal without diagnosis and treatment. Several treatment options are currently available to treat HAT caused by the T.b. gambiense parasite (g-HAT), but these treatments can be administered only after demonstrating via microscopy the presence of the parasite in a body fluid. However, there are factors such as low parasitaemia and the complexity and low sensitivity of parasitological methods that make such demonstration difficult. It has been demonstrated that a variable proportion (mainly depending on the prevalence) of such g-HAT "sero-suspects" are confirmed cases and, therefore, remain potential reservoirs of the parasite and a source of new infections hindering the efforts to eliminate the disease.
The drug acoziborole was evaluated in a study called "DNDi-OXA-02-HAT". During this study, patients with g-HAT from the DRC and Guinea took a single dose of acoziborole. This study showed that acoziborole has a high efficacy and is safe for treating patients with confirmed g-HAT .
The present study is called "DNDi-OXA-04-HAT". It included seropositive participants from the DRC and Guinea who did not have parasites detected via microscopy in a body fluid. Its objective was to collect data on the safety and tolerability of a single dose of acoziborole compared to a placebo (i.e. a dummy treatment). The results of this study would help decide if acoziborole can be used in the population of g-HAT seropositive individuals and help eliminate the HAT disease.
Detailed description
HAT, or sleeping sickness, is a neglected tropical disease which is endemic in sub Saharan Africa. This vector-borne parasitic disease is transmitted by the bite of the tsetse fly and can be fatal without diagnosis and treatment. The parasites responsible for HAT are the protozoa T.b. gambiense and T.b. rhodesiense. In 2021-2022, HAT due to T.b. gambiense (g-HAT) represented 94% of all HAT cases detected.
Between 2018 and 2022, approximately 1.5 million people lived in areas (mainly rural areas of sub-Saharan Africa) considered to be at moderate to very high risk of HAT and where the disease is still considered as a public health problem. Thanks to efforts from national control programs, supported by the World Health Organization (WHO), non-governmental organizations, bilateral cooperations, the private sector (including pharmaceutical companies) and philanthropic organizations, the number of cases of g-HAT is consistently falling. With respectively 799 and 675 cases of g-HAT reported in 2022 and 2023, the global goal of sustainable disease elimination by 2030, including the interruption of g HAT transmission, is achievable. As the numbers of reported cases diminish, resources for surveillance and specialized screening also taper. This decrease, coupled with the loss of diagnostic skills and disease management expertise, could lead to a weak and less specialized HAT technical environment.
Several therapeutic options are currently available to treat g-HAT at either the hemolymphatic (early) stage or meningoencephalitic (late) stage. In December 2018, fexinidazole was registered for the treatment of g-HAT in DRC. Since then, all other endemic countries authorized the use of fexinidazole for the treatment of g-HAT. Fexinidazole is administered as a 10 day oral treatment to patients with early- or late-stage g-HAT. In patients with very advanced g-HAT, nifurtimox eflornithine combination therapy (NECT) remains the first line treatment, due to the increased risk of relapse in these patients when treated with fexinidazole. Children with g-HAT who have a body weight below 20 kg and/or are under 6 years of age are treated with pentamidine (early stage) or NECT (late stage). Pentamidine and NECT are administered as intravenous (IV) infusions performed daily, over 7 days.
Whilst the delivery of fexinidazole has simplified the management of g-HAT and has facilitated the integration of g-HAT treatment into general health systems, it is expected that the current investment in acoziborole as an oral, single-dose treatment will help boost elimination efforts envisioned for all stages of g-HAT. Indeed, treatment with NECT and fexinidazole are conditioned by the demonstration of the parasite in any body fluid via microscopy. However, factors such as low parasitemia as well as the complexity of parasitological diagnostic methods make this demonstration difficult.
Acoziborole, as a single-dose oral administration, was studied in the open-label pivotal Phase II/III study (DNDi-OXA-02-HAT). The study was conducted in patients with g-HAT (all stages) in the DRC and Guinea. The results of the study showed the high efficacy of acoziborole in any stage of g-HAT, which was comparable to the efficacy of the reference treatment NECT used as a yardstick. Safety data collected during this study did not identify any new safety signals. Based on these data, the benefit-risk balance for treating g-HAT patients (regardless of the disease stage) with acoziborole administered as a single oral dose of 960 mg appeared favorable.
The present study (DNDi-OXA-04-HAT) was conducted in g-HAT seropositive individuals who were unconfirmed parasitologically. It was designed with the objective of assessing the safety and tolerability of a single 960-mg dose of acoziborole compared with placebo during a follow-up period of 4 months.
This study included an exploratory Sub-Study named "TrypSkin" which had the main objective of assessing the presence of extravascular dermal T.b. gambiense in the enrolled population. Participation in this Sub-Study was optional.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- Quadruple blind (participant, care provider, investigator, outcomes assessor)
- Number of arms
- 2
- Model description
- Unbalanced, randomized (ratio of 3:1 [acoziborole:placebo]) parallel-arm study. Study treatment (acoziborole or placebo) administered on Day 1. Post-treatment hospitalization of 5 days (up to Day 5). Follow-up visits scheduled at Month 1 and Month 4 (End of Study visit).
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Acoziborole | Experimental | Drug: AcoziboroleSingle dose administration of acoziborole, 3 tablets of 320 mg |
| Placebo | Placebo comparator | Drug: PlaceboSingle dose administration of acoziborole matching placebo, 3 tablets of 320 mg |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 15 years and older
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Not accepted
- Age groups
- Child, Adult, Older adult
Key inclusion criteria (14 listed)
- Signed the informed consent form (ICF)
- Male or female
- 15 years of age or older
- Card agglutination test for trypanosomiasis (CATT) test or HAT sero-K-set rapid diagnostic test (RDT) positive
- Parasitology negative (in blood and/or lymph node aspirate [if lymphadenopathy is present])
Key exclusion criteria (12 listed)
- Individuals parasitologically confirmed in blood and/or lymph
- Previously treated for g-HAT
- Severe malnutrition, defined as body mass index (BMI) <16 kg/m^2
- Pregnant or breast-feeding women
- For women of childbearing potential:
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Interventions
| Intervention | Type | Arms |
|---|---|---|
| AcoziboroleSingle dose administration of acoziborole (3 tablets of 320 mg) on Day 1 | Drug | Acoziborole |
| PlaceboSingle dose administration of placebo (3 tablets of 320 mg) on Day 1 | Drug | Placebo |
Primary outcome
Occurrence of Any TEAEs
Time frame: From the investigational product administration (Day 1) to the Month 4 follow-up visit (End of Study).
Occurrence and excess rate (95% CI) of any TEAEs.
Occurrence of TEAEs - Malaria
Time frame: From the investigational product administration (Day 1) to the Month 4 follow-up visit (End of Study).
Occurrence and excess rate (95% CI) of common TEAEs (by PT, for PTs reported in ≥1% of participants in either arm).
Occurrence of TEAEs - Acarodermatitis
Time frame: From the investigational product administration (Day 1) to the Month 4 follow-up visit (End of Study).
Occurrence and excess rate (95% CI) of common TEAEs (by PT, for PTs reported in ≥1% of participants in either arm).
Occurrence of TEAEs - Abdominal Pain
Time frame: From the investigational product administration (Day 1) to the Month 4 follow-up visit (End of Study).
Occurrence and excess rate (95% CI) of common TEAEs (by PT, for PTs reported in ≥1% of participants in either arm).
Occurrence of TEAEs - Enteritis
Time frame: From the investigational product administration (Day 1) to the Month 4 follow-up visit (End of Study).
Occurrence and excess rate (95% CI) of common TEAEs (by PT, for PTs reported in ≥1% of participants in either arm).
Occurrence of TEAEs - Nausea
Time frame: From the investigational product administration (Day 1) to the Month 4 follow-up visit (End of Study).
Occurrence and excess rate (95% CI) of common TEAEs (by PT, for PTs reported in ≥1% of participants in either arm).
Occurrence of TEAEs - Gastritis
Time frame: From the investigational product administration (Day 1) to the Month 4 follow-up visit (End of Study).
Occurrence and excess rate (95% CI) of common TEAEs (by PT, for PTs reported in ≥1% of participants in either arm).
Occurrence of TEAEs - Headache
Time frame: From the investigational product administration (Day 1) to the Month 4 follow-up visit (End of Study).
Occurrence and excess rate (95% CI) of common TEAEs (by PT, for PTs reported in ≥1% of participants in either arm).
Occurrence of TEAEs - Fatigue
Time frame: From the investigational product administration (Day 1) to the Month 4 follow-up visit (End of Study).
Occurrence and excess rate (95% CI) of common TEAEs (by PT, for PTs reported in ≥1% of participants in either arm).
Occurrence of TEAEs - Blood Potassium Increased
Time frame: From the investigational product administration (Day 1) to the Month 4 follow-up visit (End of Study).
Occurrence and excess rate (95% CI) of common TEAEs (by PT, for PTs reported in ≥1% of participants in either arm).
Occurrence of TEAEs by Period of Occurrence
Time frame: During hospitalization: from investigational product administration (Day 1) to Day 5 (End of Hospitalization); After hospitalization: from Day 5 (discharge) to the Month 4 follow-up visit (End of Study).
Occurrence and excess rate (95% CI) of any TEAEs, by period of occurrence.
Occurrence of Serious TEAEs
Time frame: From the investigational product administration (Day 1) to the Month 4 follow-up visit (End of Study).
Occurrence and excess rate (95% CI) of any serious TEAEs.
Occurrence of Severe Treatment-related TEAEs
Time frame: From the investigational product administration (Day 1) to the Month 4 follow-up visit (End of Study).
Occurrence and excess rate (95% CI) of any serious TEAEs.
Occurrence of Any Treatment-related TEAEs
Time frame: From the investigational product administration (Day 1) to the Month 4 follow-up visit (End of Study).
Occurrence of any treatment-related TEAEs by arm
Occurrence of Treatment-related TEAEs by PT
Time frame: From the investigational product administration (Day 1) to the Month 4 follow-up visit (End of Study).
Occurrence of any treatment-related TEAEs by PT and by arm
27 secondary outcomes
Occurrence of Adverse Events (AEs)
Time frame: From Inform Consent signature (up to 2 days before treatment) to the Month 4 follow up visit (End of Study)
Change From Baseline in Biochemistry Parameter: Alanine Aminotransferase
Time frame: From baseline to the Month 4 follow-up visit (End of Study).
Change From Baseline in Biochemistry Parameter: Albumin
Time frame: From baseline to the Month 4 follow-up visit (End of Study).
Change From Baseline in Biochemistry Parameter: Alkaline Phosphatase
Time frame: From baseline to the Month 4 follow-up visit (End of Study).
Change From Baseline in Biochemistry Parameter: Aspartate Aminotransferase
Time frame: From baseline to the Month 4 follow-up visit (End of Study).
Change From Baseline in Biochemistry Parameter: Calcium
Time frame: From baseline to the Month 4 follow-up visit (End of Study).
Change From Baseline in Biochemistry Parameter: Chloride
Time frame: From baseline to the Month 4 follow-up visit (End of Study).
Change From Baseline in Biochemistry Parameter: Creatinine
Time frame: From baseline to the Month 4 follow-up visit (End of Study).
Change From Baseline in Biochemistry Parameter: Glucose
Time frame: From baseline to the Month 4 follow-up visit (End of Study).
Change From Baseline in Biochemistry Parameter: Potassium
Time frame: From baseline to the Month 4 follow-up visit (End of Study).
Change From Baseline in Biochemistry Parameter: Sodium
Time frame: From baseline to the Month 4 follow-up visit (End of Study).
Change From Baseline in Biochemistry Parameter: Total Bilirubin
Time frame: From baseline to the Month 4 follow-up visit (End of Study).
Change From Baseline in Biochemistry Parameter: Bicarbonate
Time frame: From baseline to the Month 4 follow-up visit (End of Study).
Change From Baseline in Biochemistry Parameter: Total Protein
Time frame: From baseline to the Month 4 follow-up visit (End of Study).
Change From Baseline in Biochemistry Parameter: Blood Urea Nitrogen
Time frame: From baseline to the Month 4 follow-up visit (End of Study).
Change From Baseline in Hematology Parameter: Hemoglobin
Time frame: From baseline to the Month 4 follow-up visit (End of Study).
Change From Baseline in Hematology Parameter: Platelet Count
Time frame: From baseline to the Month 4 follow-up visit (End of Study).
Change From Baseline in Hematology Parameter: Leukocytes
Time frame: From baseline to the Month 4 follow-up visit (End of Study).
Change From Baseline in ECG (Electrocardiogram) Parameter: Heart Rate (HR)
Time frame: From baseline (Day 1 pre-dose) to Day 5 (End of Hospitalization)
Change From Baseline in ECG Parameter: RR Interval
Time frame: From baseline (Day 1 pre-dose) to Day 5 (End of Hospitalization)
Change From Baseline in ECG Parameter: PR Interval
Time frame: From baseline (Day 1 pre-dose) to Day 5 (End of Hospitalization)
Change From Baseline in ECG Parameter: QRS Interval
Time frame: From baseline (Day 1 pre-dose) to Day 5 (End of Hospitalization)
Change From Baseline in ECG Parameter: QT Interval
Time frame: From baseline (Day 1 pre-dose) to Day 5 (End of Hospitalization)
Change From Baseline in ECG Parameter: QTcF
Time frame: From baseline (Day 1 pre-dose) to Day 5 (End of Hospitalization)
Change From Baseline in ECG Parameter: QTcB
Time frame: From baseline (Day 1 pre-dose) to Day 5 (End of Hospitalization)
Placebo-corrected Baseline-adjusted QTcF (ΔΔQTcF), Computed From a Concentration-response (C-R) Model Between Dry Blood Spot Concentration and Changes From Baseline in QTcF Parameter
Time frame: From baseline (Day 1 pre-dose) to Day 5 (End of Hospitalization)
Incidence of Abnormal Values for PR, QRS, QTcB and QTcF According to Pre-defined Thresholds
Time frame: From baseline (Day 1 pre-dose) to Day 5 (End of Hospitalization)
Results and safety
Loading the posted results from ClinicalTrials.gov…
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 20 Mar 2025.
- Posted resultsParticipant flow, baseline, all outcome measures and adverse events.
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Referral and contact
AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals. Contact the study team or a site listed below; they decide who can take part. This study is not recruiting at the moment.
Victor Kande Betu Kumeso, Dr. principal investigator
Ministry of Public Health, Hygiene and Prevention, Kinshasa
7 sites in 2 countries: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A Phase 2/3 study testing Acoziborole in people with Trypanosomiasis, African and Trypanosoma Brucei Gambiense; Infection, run by Drugs for Neglected Diseases at 7 sites in 2 countries.
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 14 inclusion and 12 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: finished, as of the sponsor's last update on 20 Mar 2025. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
Where is the study taking place?
The record lists 7 sites in Democratic Republic of the Congo, Guinea. 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 combined 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.
Phase 3 studies compare the treatment with the current standard treatment or a placebo in a large group, to confirm how well it works and watch for side effects.
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 20 Mar 2025). 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?
Occurrence of Any TEAEs (time frame: From the investigational product administration (Day 1) to the Month 4 follow-up visit (End of Study).). The study lists 15 primary outcomes in all. It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
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 20 Mar 2025.