NCT05489549 · University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center
Subclinical Transthyretin Cardiac Amyloidosis in V122I TTR Carriers
What this study is about
Approximately 1.5 million of the 44 million Blacks in the United States are carriers of the valine-to-isoleucine substitution at position 122 (V122I) in the transthyretin (TTR) protein. Virtually exclusive to Blacks, this is the most common cause of hereditary cardiac amyloidosis (hATTR-CA) worldwide. hATTR-CA leads to worsening heart failure (HF) and premature death.
View original scientific description
Approximately 1.5 million of the 44 million Blacks in the United States are carriers of the valine-to-isoleucine substitution at position 122 (V122I) in the transthyretin (TTR) protein. Virtually exclusive to Blacks, this is the most common cause of hereditary cardiac amyloidosis (hATTR-CA) worldwide. hATTR-CA leads to worsening heart failure (HF) and premature death. Fortunately, new therapies that stabilize TTR improve morbidity and mortality in hATTR-CA, especially when prescribed early in the disease. However, hATTR-CA is often diagnosed at an advanced stage and conventional diagnostic tools lack diagnostic specificity to detect early disease. The overall objectives of this study are to determine the presence of subclinical hATTR-CA and to identify biomarkers that indicate amyloid progression in V122I TTR carriers. The central hypothesis of this proposal is that hATTR-CA has a long latency period that will be detected through subclinical amyloidosis imaging and biomarker phenotyping. The central hypothesis will be tested by pursuing 2 specific aims: Aim 1) determine the association of V122I TTR carrier status with CMRI evidence of amyloid infiltration; Sub-aim 1) determine the association of V122I TTR carrier status with cardiac reserve; Aim 2) determine the association between amyloid-specific biomarkers and V122I TTR carrier status; and Sub-aim 2) determine the association of amyloid-specific biomarkers with imaging-based parameters and evaluate their diagnostic utility for identifying subclinical hATTR-CA. In Aim 1, CMRI will be used to compare metrics associated with cardiac amyloid infiltration between a cohort of V122I TTR carriers without HF formed by cascade genetic testing and age-, sex-, and race-matched non-carrier controls. For Sub-Aim 1, a sub-sample of carriers and non-carrier controls enrolled in Aim 1 will undergo novel exercise CMRI to measure and compare cardiac systolic and diastolic reserve. Aim 2 involves measuring and comparing amyloid-specific biomarkers in V122I TTR carriers without HF with samples matched non-carriers (both from Aim 1) and individuals with symptomatic V122I hATTR-CA from our clinical sites. These biomarkers detect and quantify different processes of TTR amyloidogenesis and include circulating TTR, retinol binding protein 4, TTR kinetic stability, and misfolded TTR oligomers. Sub-aim 2 will establish the role of these biomarkers to detect imaging evidence of subclinical hATTR-CA disease.
Who can participate
This study lists these criteria on ClinicalTrials.gov. A study coordinator reviews eligibility during screening — this page does not determine whether you qualify.
Inclusion criteria
- Men and women ages 30-80 who are carriers of pathogenic TTR alleles (or matched non-carriers) without history of HF (this will be assessed by study personnel) and defined as: a) No history of hospitalization within the previous 12 months for management of HF; b) Without an elevated B-type natriuretic peptide level ≥100 pg/mL or NT-proBNP ≥360 pg/mL within the previous 12 months; or c) No clinical diagnosis of HF from a treating clinician
- Signed informed consent
Exclusion criteria
- A self-reported history or clinical history of HF
- Other known causes of cardiomyopathy
- History of light-chain cardiac amyloidosis
- Prior type 1 myocardial infarction (non-ST segment elevation myocardial Infarction {NSTEMI} or ST-elevation myocardial infarction {STEMI})
- Cardiac transplantation
- Body weight \>250 lbs
- Estimated glomerular filtration rate ≤30 mL/min/1.73 m2
- Inability to safely undergo CMRI (For participants with symptomatic hATTR-CA, we will enroll probands with HF from Aim 1 or patients with suspected symptomatic hATTR-CA from the three study sites.) Inclusion Criteria:
- Men and women ages 30-80 who have symptomatic hATTR-CA as determined by a history of HF (this will be assessed by study personnel) and defined as: a) History of hospitalization within the previous 12 months for management of HF; b) An elevated B-type natriuretic peptide level ≥100 pg/mL or NT-proBNP ≥360 pg/mL within the previous 12 months; or c) A clinical diagnosis of HF from a treating clinician.
- Have an established or suspected diagnosis of hATTR-CA based on either a) Biopsy confirmed by Congo red (or equivalent) staining with tissue typing with immunohistochemistry or mass spectrometric analysis or immunoelectron microscopy, OR b) positive technetium-99m (99mTc)-pyrophosphate or -bisphosphonate scan, combined with accepted laboratory criteria without abnormal M-protein.
- TTR gene sequencing that is pending or that is confirming the pathogenic TTR variant
- Signed informed consent Exclusion Criteria:
- Other known causes of cardiomyopathy
- History of light-chain cardiac amyloidosis
- Cardiac transplantation
- Liver transplantation
- Previous treatment with a TTR stabilizer (tafamidis, acoramidis) within the prior 14 days or TTR any silencer (inotersen, patisiran, eplontersen)
- Estimated glomerular filtration rate ≤30 mL/min/1.73 m2
Where
- New York, New York
- Cleveland, Ohio
- Dallas, Texas
Frequently asked questions
What is a clinical trial?
A clinical trial is a research study that tests new medical treatments, drugs, devices, or procedures to determine their safety and effectiveness. Trials are carefully designed and monitored to protect participants while advancing medical knowledge.
Is it safe to participate?
Clinical trials follow strict safety guidelines and ethical standards. Trials must be reviewed and approved, and participants are closely monitored by medical professionals throughout the study. You can withdraw at any time if you choose.
Will I be compensated?
Many clinical trials offer compensation for your time, travel expenses, and inconvenience. The specific compensation varies by study and will be discussed during the screening process. All study-related medical care is typically provided at no cost to participants.
Will I receive a placebo instead of treatment?
When effective treatment exists, participants typically receive either the standard treatment plus the study intervention, or the standard treatment plus placebo. You would not be denied effective care. Placebos are primarily used when no proven treatment is available, or in addition to standard care. Your trial consent form will clearly explain what treatments you may receive.
Can I leave a trial if I change my mind?
Absolutely. Participation in clinical trials is completely voluntary. You have the right to withdraw from the study at any time, for any reason, without penalty or loss of benefits to which you are otherwise entitled.
How long does a clinical trial last?
Trial duration varies widely depending on the study design and purpose. Some trials last just a few weeks, while others may continue for months or years. The study coordinator will provide specific timeline information during your screening call.
Data: ClinicalTrials.gov · synced Jun 26, 2026 · Source of record for eligibility and locations