A Randomized Controlled Phase 2 Dose-Finding Trial to Evaluate the Efficacy and Safety of Camostat in the Treatment of Painful Chronic Pancreatitis: The TACTIC Study.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Chronic pancreatitis (CP) causes an abdominal pain syndrome associated with poor quality of life. We conducted a clinical trial to further investigate the efficacy and safety of camostat, an oral serine protease inhibitor that has been used to alleviate pain in CP. METHODS: This was a double-blind randomized controlled trial that enrolled adults with CP with a baseline average daily worst pain score ≥4 on a numeric rating system. Participants were randomized (1:1:1:1) to receive camostat at 100, 200, or 300 mg 3 times daily or placebo. The primary end point was a 4-week change from baseline in the mean daily worst pain intensity score (0-10 on a numeric rating system) using a mixed model repeated measure analysis. Secondary end points included changes in alternate pain end points, quality of life, and safety. RESULTS: A total of 264 participants with CP were randomized. Changes in pain from baseline were similar between the camostat groups and placebo, with differences of least squares means of -0.11 (95% CI, -0.90 to 0.68), -0.04 (95% CI, -0.85 to 0.78), and -0.11 (95% CI, -0.94 to 0.73) for the 100 mg, 200 mg, and 300 mg groups, respectively. Multiple subgroup analyses were similar for the primary end point, and no differences were observed in any of the secondary end points. Treatment-emergent adverse events attributed to the study drug were identified in 42 participants (16.0%). CONCLUSION: We were not able to reject the null hypothesis of no difference in improvements in pain or quality of life outcomes in participants with painful CP who received camostat compared with placebo. Studies are needed to further define mechanisms of pain in CP to guide future clinical trials, including minimizing placebo responses and selecting targeted therapies. CLINICALTRIALS: gov, Number: NCT02693093.

A phase 1/2 trial to evaluate the pharmacokinetics, safety, and efficacy of NI-03 in patients with chronic pancreatitis: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial on the assessment of camostat treatment in chronic pancreatitis (TACTIC).

BACKGROUND: Chronic pancreatitis (CP) is a progressive, fibro-inflammatory disease characterized by enzymatic autoactivation and subsequent fibrotic replacement of acinar cells. A significant proportion of patients develop pain, which may be due to many causes, including perineural inflammation, altered central processing of pain signals, parenchymal structural changes, and ductal obstruction. Currently there are no approved medical treatment options for CP-associated pain. NI-03 (camostat mesilate) is an orally administered serine protease inhibitor that reduces pancreatic enzyme activity and has been widely used for the treatment of CP-associated pain in Japan. The current study will assess the safety and efficacy of NI-03 for reduction of CP-associated pain in the USA. METHODS: The current study consists of two phases. First, a phase I study will be performed to establish the pharmacokinetics and safety profile over a 1-week period following a single dose (100, 200, or 300 mg). Subsequently, a phase II study will be performed consisting of a double-blind, randomized, controlled trial (RCT). This RCT will evaluate the efficacy of each of the three doses of NI-03 given three times daily compared to placebo over 28 days. A 7-day, single-blind, run-in period will precede the double-blind phase to assess baseline pain characteristics. The primary efficacy outcome is the average of worst daily pain scores (numeric rating scale of 0-10) over the terminal 7 days of the study period compared to baseline. Secondary efficacy outcomes include change in opioid dose and quality of life measures, and time to first rescue intravenous analgesic. Adverse events will be recorded. DISCUSSION: NI-03 has been used successfully and safely in Japan to treat CP-associated pain. The aim of the current study is to assess the safety and efficacy of NI-03 using a rigorous RCT in a population in the USA. This study may fill an important clinical gap to provide an effective medical treatment option for CP-associated pain. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT02693093 . Registered through the National Institutes of Health on 26 February 2016.

A method of teaching critical care skills to undergraduate student midwives using the Maternal-Acute Illness Management (M-AIM) training day.

The most recent Confidential Enquiry into Maternal Deaths (CMACE, 2011) identified human errors, specifically those of midwives and obstetricians/doctors as a fundamental component in contributing to maternal death in the U.K. This paper discusses these findings and outlines a project to provide training in Maternal-Acute Illness Management (M-AIM) to final year student midwives. Contents of the program are designed to educate and simulate AIM skills and increase confidence and clinical ability in early recognition, management and referral of the acutely ill woman. An outline of the Maternal-AIM program delivered at the University of Salford (Greater Manchester, UK) is presented to illustrate how this particular institution has responded to a perceived need voiced by local midwifery leaders. It is proposed that developing this area of expertise in the education system will better prepare student midwives for contemporary midwifery practice.