Echinocandin for Pneumocystis Pneumonia

(ECHINO-PCP Trial)

NY
EG
Overseen ByEmily G. McDonald, MD MSc
Age: 18+
Sex: Any
Trial Phase: Phase 3
Sponsor: McGill University Health Centre/Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre
Must be taking: Anti-PCP therapy
Stay on Your Current MedsYou can continue your current medications while participating
Pivotal Trial (Near Approval)This treatment is in the last trial phase before FDA approval
Prior Safety DataThis treatment has passed at least one previous human trial

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial tests whether adding echinocandin, an antifungal medicine, to the usual treatment for Pneumocystis pneumonia (PCP) improves recovery in adults with severe cases. The researchers aim to determine if this combination is more effective than the standard treatment alone. Participants will include hospitalized adults with severe PCP who require extra oxygen to breathe. As a Phase 3 trial, this study represents the final step before FDA approval, offering participants an opportunity to contribute to potentially groundbreaking treatment advancements.

Is there any evidence suggesting that this trial's treatments are likely to be safe?

Research has shown that echinocandin treatment is generally safe for people with Pneumocystis pneumonia (PCP). In one study, patients who took echinocandins with clindamycin experienced good results, and no adverse side effects were reported. Another study suggested that using echinocandins alongside standard treatments might lower the risk of death and improve recovery compared to standard treatment alone.

This information indicates that echinocandins have a strong safety record for treating PCP and are mostly free of serious side effects. Based on past studies, participating in a trial with echinocandins could be safe.12345

Why do researchers think this study treatment might be promising for PCP?

Echinocandin is unique because, unlike most treatments for Pneumocystis pneumonia (PCP) that target the organism's folic acid synthesis or DNA replication, it works by inhibiting the synthesis of beta-glucan, a crucial component of the fungal cell wall. This novel mechanism of action could potentially overcome resistance issues seen with traditional therapies like trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole or pentamidine. Researchers are excited about echinocandin because it offers a new way to tackle PCP, potentially improving outcomes for patients who do not respond well to current options.

What evidence suggests that echinocandin might be an effective treatment for severe PCP?

Research has shown that echinocandins, one of the treatments tested in this trial, might improve outcomes for severe Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia (PCP) when combined with standard treatments. In a small study, 57% of patients treated with echinocandins achieved a clinical cure, with only one death directly related to PCP. Another study found that echinocandins, especially when combined with other medications, showed promise in managing PCP. While these results are encouraging, this trial aims to confirm the full benefits of echinocandins for PCP.26789

Who Is on the Research Team?

EG

Emily G. McDonald, MD MSc

Principal Investigator

McGill University Health Centre/Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre

TC

Todd C. Lee, MD MPH

Principal Investigator

McGill University Health Centre/Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for adults hospitalized with severe Pneumocystis pneumonia (PCP). Participants must be diagnosed with this lung infection and require hospital care. Other specific inclusion or exclusion criteria are not listed.

Inclusion Criteria

Enrollment no later than 48 hours after screening and before more than 3 days of PCP therapy have elapsed
I am receiving or can receive treatment for PCP right now.
Provision of informed consent by the participant or substitute decision maker as locally applicable
See 2 more

Exclusion Criteria

I have had more than 3 days of treatment for PCP before joining this study.
I need echinocandin treatment for another infection or condition.
Known allergy or hypersensitivity to echinocandins
See 9 more

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Treatment

Participants receive standard anti-PCP therapy plus echinocandin or placebo until hospital discharge or for 7 days, whichever occurs first

Up to 7 days

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for safety and effectiveness after treatment, with assessments up to Day 180

180 days

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

  • Echinocandins

Trial Overview

The study tests if adding an echinocandin (an antifungal medicine) to the usual treatment for severe PCP helps patients recover better by Day 30, compared to standard treatment plus a placebo. Patients are randomly assigned to either group.

How Is the Trial Designed?

2

Treatment groups

Experimental Treatment

Placebo Group

Group I: EchinocandinExperimental Treatment1 Intervention
Group II: PlaceboPlacebo Group1 Intervention

Find a Clinic Near You

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

McGill University Health Centre/Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre

Lead Sponsor

Trials
476
Recruited
170,000+

Citations

Scientific rationale for inhaled caspofungin to treat ...

We totally agree that evaluating new drugs for anti-Pneumocystis curative therapy is critical. For such a purpose, the echinocandin class, ...

Use of echinocandins combined with clindamycin in ...

In a cohort of 14 patients treated at a single center, clinical cure was achieved in 8 cases, with only one death directly attributed to PcP, and no adverse ...

💥Echinocandins + Clindamycin For fungal PCP

Outcomes included the difference in overall mortality and the proportion of overall positive response to treatment in the three groups at weeks ...

Efficacy of CD101, a Novel Echinocandin, in Prevention of ...

We evaluated the effects of CD101, a novel long-acting echinocandin, on trophic and cyst forms of Pneumocystis murina and its efficacy in ...

Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia in a human ...

Although there is evidence of echinocandins used successfully in animal studies, and few articles describing the clinical use of caspofungin ...

A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Conclusions: Echinocandin-TMP-SMX combination therapy may reduce mortality and improve clinical response versus TMP-SMX monotherapy, ...

Rezafungin Prevention of Pneumocystis Pneumonia and ...

In this study, prophylaxis with RZF for as little as 4 weeks prevented P. murina organisms from developing infection after cessation of therapy ...

Study Details | NCT00000730 | Comparison of Three ...

This study compares three different therapies for treatment of refractory Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia (PCP) Failed at least 4 but not > 14 full days' therapy

9.

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20880871/

A trial of caspofungin salvage treatment in PCP pneumonia

A trial of caspofungin salvage treatment in PCP pneumonia. Caspofungin Echinocandins / therapeutic use* Pneumocystis carinii* Pneumonia, Pneumocystis. ...