Journal article

Publication year: 2022

Journal: Orphanet Journal of Rare Diseases

Volume number: 17

Issue number: 1

eISSN: 1750-1172

Open access status: Gold

DOI Link: https://doi.org/10.1186/s13023-022-02399-2

Publisher: BioMed Central

Abstract: 

Background: No results of controlled trials are available for any of the few treatments offered to children with interstitial lung diseases (chILD). We evaluated hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) in a phase 2, prospective, multicentre, 1:1-randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group/crossover trial. HCQ (START arm) or placebo were given for 4 weeks. Then all subjects received HCQ for another 4 weeks. In the STOP arm subjects already taking HCQ were randomized to 12 weeks of HCQ or placebo (=withdrawal of HCQ). Then all subjects stopped treatment and were observed for another 12 weeks.

Results: 26 subjects were included in the START arm, 9 in the STOP arm, of these four subjects participated in both arms. The primary endpoint, presence or absence of a response to treatment, assessed as oxygenation (calculated from a change in transcutaneous O-2-saturation of >= 5%, respiratory rate >= 20% or level of respiratory support), did not differ between placebo and HCQ groups. Secondary endpoints including change of O-2-saturation >= 3%, health related quality of life, pulmonary function and 6-min-walk-test distance, were not different between groups. Finally combining all placebo and all HCQ treatment periods did not identify significant treatment effects. Overall effect sizes were small. HCQ was well tolerated, adverse events were not different between placebo and HCQ.

Conclusions: Acknowledging important shortcomings of the study, including a small study population, the treatment duration, lack of outcomes like lung function testing below age of 6 years, the small effect size of HCQ treatment observed requires careful reassessments of prescriptions in everyday practice.

Harvard Citation style: Griese, M., Kappler, M., Stehling, F., Schulze, J., Baden, W., Koerner-Rettberg, C., et al. (2022) Randomized controlled phase 2 trial of hydroxychloroquine in childhood interstitial lung disease, Orphanet Journal of Rare Diseases, 17(1), Article 289. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13023-022-02399-2

APA Citation style: Griese, M., Kappler, M., Stehling, F., Schulze, J., Baden, W., Koerner-Rettberg, C., Carlens, J., Prenzel, F., Naehrlich, L., Thalmeier, A., Sebah, D., Kronfeld, K., Rock, H., Ruckes, C., Wetzke, M., Seidl, E., & Schwerk, N. (2022). Randomized controlled phase 2 trial of hydroxychloroquine in childhood interstitial lung disease. Orphanet Journal of Rare Diseases. 17(1), Article 289. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13023-022-02399-2