NCT07845825 · The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio
Aprepitant for the Treatment of CLIFAHDD
What this study is about
There are no drug treatments for individuals with Congenital Contractures of the Limb and Face, Hypotonia, and Developmental Delay (CLIFAHDD), an ultra-rare and severe neurodevelopmental disease. The investigators have learned more about the cause of the disease and researched possible treatments based on both the cause of the disease and the way certain drugs work.
View original scientific description
There are no drug treatments for individuals with Congenital Contractures of the Limb and Face, Hypotonia, and Developmental Delay (CLIFAHDD), an ultra-rare and severe neurodevelopmental disease. The investigators have learned more about the cause of the disease and researched possible treatments based on both the cause of the disease and the way certain drugs work. The investigators are interested in understanding the safety of using aprepitant (a drug already approved by the United States Food \& Drug Administration \[FDA\] to treat nausea and vomiting for kids and adults who are receiving chemotherapy) on people diagnosed with CLIFAHDD. The overall goal of this Phase 1 study is to study whether this drug is safe for daily use in individuals with CLIFAHDD and to find more information on how it impacts daily functioning and quality of life. The total study will take around 8 months total. This includes the 90 days before the drug starts and the 21 days after the drug ends.
Interventions
DRUG
Aprepitant Powder for Oral Suspension
Administration will begin at 1mg/kg up to a maximum of 40mg in weeks 1-4, then escalate to 2mg/kg up to a maximum of 80mg in weeks 5-8, then 3mg/kg up to a maximum of 125mg in weeks 9-12
Primary outcome measures
Number of Adverse events
Time frame: Baseline to 24 weeks
Adverse events will be assessed for relatedness to the study drug and assessed according to Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (CTCAE) grade
Dose-limiting toxicity (DLT)
Time frame: Baseline to 24 weeks
Number of events that lead to specified worsening of patients neurologic or non-neurologic condition during the treatment period which may lead to study treatment interruption for more than 14 days
Maximum administered dose
Time frame: Baseline to 24 weeks
The highest dose at which no more than one instance of DLT is observed, or the maximum labeled dose
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
- Diagnosis of CLIFAHDD (confirmed by clinical and genetic report per best practices)
- NALCN variant with predicted NALCN gain-of-function in established functional assays and/or computational assessments
- Age \>6 months at the time of initial consent/assent
- Weight \>6kg at the time of initial consent/assent
- Ability of participant or Legally Authorized Representative (LAR) to understand and the willingness to sign a written informed consent document.
- For children (\<18y at time of consent/assent), informed assent (if developmentally appropriate) and parental informed consent to participate in the study
- Willingness to comply with all study-related requirements, including Aprepitant regimen and travel to San Antonio, TX for specified visits
- Has adequate organ functions as defined by the following laboratory parameters at baseline (laboratory parameters outside of these ranges that are deemed clinically insignificant should be discussed with the Independent Safety Monitor):
- Absolute neutrophil count ≥1000 cells/uL;
- hemoglobin ≥8.5 g/dL;
- platelet count ≥100,000/mm3;
- aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) ≤2.5 x upper limit of normal (ULN);
- total bilirubin ≤ 1.5 x institutional ULN (exception: subjects with known Gilbert's syndrome and total bilirubin ≤2 x institutional ULN at screening or anytime during the prior 6 months are eligible);
- adequate renal function defined as calculated creatinine clearance \>60 mL/min using the Cockcroft Gault Method;
- acceptable coagulation parameters including international normalized ratio (INR) \<1.4 and partial thromboplastin time (PTT) ≤ 1.5 x institutional ULN;
- serum albumin ≥3.0 g/dL
- Women of child-bearing age participants must use highly effective forms of birth control defined as those with a failure rate of \< 1% per year. Acceptable methods include: complete sexual abstinence (anticipated given severity of neurodevelopmental symptoms in CLIFAHDD), combined hormonal contraceptives, progestogen-only hormonal contraceptives, intrauterine devices (IUDs), intrauterine hormone-releasing systems (IUS), bilateral tubal occlusion, or vasectomized partner (provided the partner is the sole sexual partner).
Exclusion criteria
- Known hypersensitivity to any component of the study treatment formulation(s)
- Concomitant use of pimozide, terfenadine, astemizole, cisapride, flibanserin, lomitapide (contraindicated CYP3A4 substrate)
- Concomitant use of strong (Clarithromycin, telithromycin, nefazodone, itraconazole, ketoconazole, atazanavir, darunavir, indinavir, lopinavir, nelfinavir, ritonavir, saquinavir, tipranavir) or moderate (amiodarone, erythromycin, fluconazole, miconazole, diltiazem, verapamil, delavirdine, amprenavir, fosamprenavir, conivaptan, danazol, ketoconazole) CYP3A4 inhibitors and strong CYP3A4 inducers (apalutamide, carbamazepine, dexamethasone, enzalutamide, fosphenytoin, lumacaftor, midostaurin, mitotane, pentobarbital, phenobarbital, rifampin, phenytoin) or CYP3A4 substrates (Docetaxel, paclitaxel, etoposide, irinotecan, ifosfamide, imatinib, vinorelbine, vinblastine, vincristine, colchicine, axitinib). Participants on one of these medications but unable to discontinue for the trial and considered otherwise low risk should be discussed with the Independent Safety Monitor but may be considered for enrollment.
- Concomitant use of high-risk cytochrome P450 family 2 subfamily C member 9 (CYP2C9) substrates (e.g., warfarin or phenytoin or tolbutamide)
- Patients who are medically unstable or have been hospitalized for an acute medical condition in the 3 months prior to the first active drug visit
- Patients who are acutely ill in the hospital or intensive care unit (ICU)
- Any other history of clinically significant acute or chronic neurologic disease, respiratory disease, cardiovascular disease, gastrointestinal disease, liver disease, renal disease, endocrine disorder, infectious disease, or any other medical or psychiatric condition that in the opinion of the investigator or study clinician will significantly increase the safety risk for the subject or confound the interpretation of the study data.
- Currently receiving any other investigational agents or has received study treatment or used an investigational device within 30 days of the first dose of treatment
- Caregivers unwilling to follow study procedures or follow protocol as outlined.
Where
- San Antonio, Texas
Collaborators
Channeling Hope Foundation, Cures Within Reach
Related conditions & keywords
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 Oct 5, 2026 · Source of record for eligibility and locations