Efficacy and Safety of Xepol (Human Immunoglobulin) in Subjects With Post-Polio Syndrome (PPS)

Efficacy and Safety of Xepol (Human Immunoglobulin) in Subjects With Post-Polio Syndrome (PPS): A Randomized, Two-Arm, Parallel, Double-Blind, Multi-Centre, Placebo Controlled Study

The primary objective was to assess the effect of Xepol compared to placebo on physical health and on muscle strength in subjects with post-polio syndrome.The secondary objective was to assess the effect of Xepol compared to placebo on functional balance, activity patterns, pain, fatigue, sleep, vitality, muscular strength, pulmonary capacity, walking ability, balance and safety.

Study Rationale:

In an earlier open and non-controlled study in 10 patients with PPS, Xepol was given during three days. The patients showed improvements in muscular strength and co-ordination and a decrease in pain. The aim of this study was to investigate if these findings can be confirmed in a larger, double-blind, randomised and placebo controlled study.

There are no simple clinical findings and specific laboratory changes that can be used to indicate the severity and progress of PPS. Different self-reporting questionnaires and objective measures of disability have often been used in clinical studies including SF-36 questionnaire, muscle strength measurement and walking test. The primary and secondary variables in this study were based on the clinical experience and literature reviewed.

Inclusion Criteria:

1. Male or female subjects ≥18 to ≤75 years of age.

2. Post-polio syndrome according to Halstead and Gawne:

   • History of polio virus infection
   • Restitution or improvement regarding motor function and disabilities after initial infection
   • Confirmed polio by EMG
   • Subjectively increased muscular weakness after a period of at least 15 years functional stability
   • No other explanation but post-polio syndrome to the symptoms

3. Confirmed polio by EMG in the lower extremities in at least two of the following major muscle groups; musculi quadriceps, gastrocnemicus and tibialis anterior. (Two affected muscle groups in the same extremity were accepted).

4. Subjectively increased muscular difficulties or pain after a period of at least 15 years functional stability.

5. A muscle that had deteriorated within the last five years, and had 20-75 % of the muscle strength compared to age matched normal population when measured by a dynamometer or an electronic grip force sensor (GRIPPIT).

6. Stable weight (defined as weight change <7 kg) during the last five years.

7. Body Mass Index (BMI) £ 29 kg/m2.

8. Subjects capable to understand given information and had signed the Informed Consent Form after full discussion of the research nature of the treatment and its risks and benefits.

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Known or suspected intolerance to trial product or related products (e.g. sorbitol, glucose and fructose).
2. Selective IgA deficiency.
3. Inability to walk with walking aids.
4. Any active malignancy, history of active malignancy or treatment for malignancy during the last three years.
5. Disabling pain from extremities or skeletal system due to previous fracture(s), arthritis or other reasons not related to PPS.
6. Subjects who received or who within 12 weeks prior to enrolment received any immunosuppressive/ systemic corticosteroid treatment (topical corticosteroids excluded).
7. Treatment with intravenous human immunoglobulin for the Post-polio syndrome within six months prior to the first screening visit.
8. Participation in any other study during this study and the receipt of any investigational drug within three months prior to the screening visit.
9. Pregnancy or lactation or females of childbearing potential taking inadequate measures to prevent pregnancy.
10. Hepatitis or HIV disease.
11. Increased liver enzymes (ASAT, ALAT, γGT) above twice the upper normal value.
12. Creatine kinase >10 mkat/l.
13. Any disease or treatment that according to the discretion of the Investigator could pose a medical threat to the subject in combination with study drug, i.e. clinical manifested severe cardiovascular disease or severe arteriosclerosis or severe psychiatric disorder or other treatment that affected the immunological system such as prednisone and methotrexate.
14. Any disease or condition that according to the discretion of the Investigator would obstruct the subject from performing the tests in the protocol (e.g. fill in the questionnaires).
15. Conditions associated with a risk of poor protocol compliance (e.g. known drug or alcohol abuse).
16. Previous participation in the study.