NCT04383262 · Medical College of Wisconsin
Fosamprenavir for Laryngopharyngeal Upper Airway Tissue Treatment and Enzyme Reduction
(FLUTTER)
What this study is about
Laryngopharyngeal Reflux (LPR) is a common condition that causes symptoms like chronic cough, throat clearing, hoarseness, and trouble swallowing. If not treated, LPR can lead to long-term throat damage and may increase the risk of throat cancer. More than 20% of the people in the United States are estimated to have LPR, yet there is no effective medication approved to treat it.
View original scientific description
Laryngopharyngeal Reflux (LPR) is a common condition that causes symptoms like chronic cough, throat clearing, hoarseness, and trouble swallowing. If not treated, LPR can lead to long-term throat damage and may increase the risk of throat cancer. More than 20% of the people in the United States are estimated to have LPR, yet there is no effective medication approved to treat it. Drugs called proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) are often used to treat LPR, even though they were designed for stomach acid problems. These medications reduce acid but do not stop reflux from happening, so they often do not help LPR patients. Despite poor results, PPIs are widely prescribed, are very costly, and can cause side effects. Research shows that a digestive enzyme called pepsin plays a key role in LPR. Pepsin can damage the throat and voice box even when acid is not present. Laboratory studies found that certain HIV medications can block damage caused by pepsin. People taking these medications for HIV appear to have a much lower rate of LPR. This study will test fosamprenavir, an FDA-approved HIV drug, as a treatment for LPR. We will conduct a 14-week, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial in patients with LPR who did not improve with standard treatment. Participants will receive either fosamprenavir or placebo, randomly, and symptoms will be measured before and after treatment using standard questionnaires and daily symptom tracking. Because there is no effective medical treatment for LPR. this study aims to test a safe, existing drug that targets the underlying cause of the 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
- 1\. Clinical diagnosis of LPR 2. Age ≥ 18 years 3. RSI \> 13 4. RFS \> 7 5. Documented LPR by MII-pH testing (\> 1 proximal event) 6. Failed 3 month bid PPI therapy 7. Attending laryngology clinic with study providers, and having flexible laryngoscopy and MII-pH testing per routine clinical care with a minimum of three months between clinic visits (standard practice) 8. For continued participation after ATRU V1/V2:
- Hepatic Function Panel must be within normal limits
- Results from V1 safety labs must all be within normal limits
- Patient agrees not to make any changes to their usual diet and/or anti-reflux medications during the study.
- Patient is compliant with eDiary completion; that is, they have completed the eDiary questions on at least 5 days each week during the 14 calendar days before the start of the Treatment Period.
- Patient is compliant with continuing any current PPI (if using) during the 14 calendar days before the start of the Treatment Period. Patients are considered compliant if, as reported in the daily eDiary, they continued taking their current PPI (if using) on at least 5 days each week during the 14 calendar days before the start of the Treatment Period. 4.2 EXCLUSION CRITERIA 1. Age ≥ 65 years 2. Patient is not fluent and literate in English. 3. Pregnant (or plan to be) and nursing mothers 4. Women of child-bearing potential not willing to comply with contraceptive requirements during the study treatment and for 1 week following the last dose of study drug. o Definition of women of child-bearing potential Non-post-menopausal female, who has not had a bilateral oophorectomy or medically documented ovarian failure. A subject may be considered to be post-menopausal when there is either: \- twelve (12) months of spontaneous amenorrhea or; \- six (6) months of spontaneous amenorrhea with serum FSH levels \> 40 mIU/mL or; \- six (6) weeks postsurgical bilateral oophorectomy with or without hysterectomy. A female who has had a tubal ligation sterilization or hysterectomy would not be considered to be of reproductive potential unless participating in activities of reproductive potential other than heterosexual intercourse (e.g., egg donation, participation in in vitro fertilization).
- Contraceptive requirements Fosamprenavir may decrease the effectiveness of combined hormonal contraception through significant CYP3A4 induction of estrogen. If subjects' preferred choice of contraception is combined hormonal contraception, subjects must also agree to use a second method of contraception (condom + spermicide) during study drug treatment. Other acceptable highly effective forms of contraception include:
- Medroxyprogesterone acetate injectable
- Intrauterine Device
- Female Sterilization
- Male Sterilization 4. Currently being treated with another investigational medical device and/or drug 5. A history of gastric or esophageal surgery 6. Gastrointestinal disease that might interfere symptom questionnaire, e.g. inflammatory bowel syndrome 7. A history of laryngeal or neck surgery including thyroidectomy and laryngomicroscopic surgery 8. Suspected esophageal cancer 9. Nasopharyngeal cancer 10. Previously undergone anti-reflux surgery 11. Polypharmacy (five or more concurrent medications due to comorbidities) 12. Any contraindications to FOS including the following: a. Patients with previously demonstrated clinically significant hypersensitivity (e.g., Stevens-Johnson syndrome) to any of the components of this product or to amprenavir. b. Patients taking any drugs that are highly dependent on cytochrome P450 (CYP)3A4 for clearance and for which elevated plasma concentrations are associated with serious and/or life-threatening events. Specifically i. Alpha 1-adrenoreceptor antagonist: Alfuzosin ii. Antimycobacterial: Rifampin iii. Antipsychotic: pimozide iv. Ergot derivatives: Dihydroergotamine, ergonovine, ergotamine, methylergonovine v. GI motility agent: Cisapride vi. Herbal product: St. John's wort ( Hypericum perforatum) vii. Lipid modifying agents: Lomitapide, lovastatin, simvastatin viii. Non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor: Delavirdine ix. PDE5 inhibitor: Sildenafil (Revatio) x. Sedative/hypnotics: Midazolam, triazolam 13. Patients not willing to avoid eating grapefruit and Seville oranges for five days prior to the first day of dosing study drug through the final study visit. 14\. Patients taking any of the prohibited medications or foods listed in Section 5.6.3 15. Anticipated poor understanding or compliance of the study protocol 16. History of hepatic impairment 17. Sulfa Allergy 18. Hemophilia 19. Active tuberculosis (TB) or history of active TB. 20. History of latent TB (e.g., positive QuantiFERON-TB test) without history of active TB unless the subject has completed a documented course of prophylactic treatment. 21\. History of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection or positive for HIV 22. . Patients positive for hepatitis (Seropositive for hepatitis B surface antigen \[HBsAg\] or Hepatitis C virus \[HCV\] RNA positive) or taking HCV protease inhibitors such as boceprevir, simeprevir and paritaprevir 23. Not willing to refrain from taking biotin containing supplement for at least 12 hours before Visit 1. 24\. Patient has an acute or chronic condition that, in the Investigator's opinion, would limit the patient's ability to complete or participate in this clinical study. 25\. Additionally, subjects without the following will be excluded:
- Ownership of an electronic with access to internet websites and email required to conduct the DRSD, PGI-S, and PGI-C
- Internet access
- A valid email address for notifications
Exclusion criteria
- Age ≥ 65 years 2. Patient is not fluent and literate in English. 3. Pregnant (or plan to be) and nursing mothers 4. Women of child-bearing potential not willing to comply with contraceptive requirements during the study treatment and for 1 week following the last dose of study drug. o Definition of women of child-bearing potential Non-post-menopausal female, who has not had a bilateral oophorectomy or medically documented ovarian failure. A subject may be considered to be post-menopausal when there is either: \- twelve (12) months of spontaneous amenorrhea or; \- six (6) months of spontaneous amenorrhea with serum FSH levels \> 40 mIU/mL or; \- six (6) weeks postsurgical bilateral oophorectomy with or without hysterectomy. A female who has had a tubal ligation sterilization or hysterectomy would not be considered to be of reproductive potential unless participating in activities of reproductive potential other than heterosexual intercourse (e.g., egg donation, participation in in vitro fertilization).
- Contraceptive requirements Fosamprenavir may decrease the effectiveness of combined hormonal contraception through significant CYP3A4 induction of estrogen. If subjects' preferred choice of contraception is combined hormonal contraception, subjects must also agree to use a second method of contraception (condom + spermicide) during study drug treatment. Other acceptable highly effective forms of contraception include:
- Medroxyprogesterone acetate injectable
- Intrauterine Device
- Female Sterilization
- Male Sterilization 4. Currently being treated with another investigational medical device and/or drug 5. A history of gastric or esophageal surgery 6. Gastrointestinal disease that might interfere symptom questionnaire, e.g. inflammatory bowel syndrome 7. A history of laryngeal or neck surgery including thyroidectomy and laryngomicroscopic surgery 8. Suspected esophageal cancer 9. Nasopharyngeal cancer 10. Previously undergone anti-reflux surgery 11. Polypharmacy (five or more concurrent medications due to comorbidities) 12. Any contraindications to FOS including the following: a. Patients with previously demonstrated clinically significant hypersensitivity (e.g., Stevens-Johnson syndrome) to any of the components of this product or to amprenavir. b. Patients taking any drugs that are highly dependent on cytochrome P450 (CYP)3A4 for clearance and for which elevated plasma concentrations are associated with serious and/or life-threatening events. Specifically i. Alpha 1-adrenoreceptor antagonist: Alfuzosin ii. Antimycobacterial: Rifampin iii. Antipsychotic: pimozide iv. Ergot derivatives: Dihydroergotamine, ergonovine, ergotamine, methylergonovine v. GI motility agent: Cisapride vi. Herbal product: St. John's wort ( Hypericum perforatum) vii. Lipid modifying agents: Lomitapide, lovastatin, simvastatin viii. Non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor: Delavirdine ix. PDE5 inhibitor: Sildenafil (Revatio) x. Sedative/hypnotics: Midazolam, triazolam 13. Patients not willing to avoid eating grapefruit and Seville oranges for five days prior to the first day of dosing study drug through the final study visit. 14\. Patients taking any of the prohibited medications or foods listed in Section 5.6.3 15. Anticipated poor understanding or compliance of the study protocol 16. History of hepatic impairment 17. Sulfa Allergy 18. Hemophilia 19. Active tuberculosis (TB) or history of active TB. 20. History of latent TB (e.g., positive QuantiFERON-TB test) without history of active TB unless the subject has completed a documented course of prophylactic treatment. 21\. History of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection or positive for HIV 22. . Patients positive for hepatitis (Seropositive for hepatitis B surface antigen \[HBsAg\] or Hepatitis C virus \[HCV\] RNA positive) or taking HCV protease inhibitors such as boceprevir, simeprevir and paritaprevir 23. Not willing to refrain from taking biotin containing supplement for at least 12 hours before Visit 1. 24\. Patient has an acute or chronic condition that, in the Investigator's opinion, would limit the patient's ability to complete or participate in this clinical study. 25\. Additionally, subjects without the following will be excluded:
- Ownership of an electronic with access to internet websites and email required to conduct the DRSD, PGI-S, and PGI-C
- Internet access
- A valid email address for notifications
Where
- Milwaukee, Wisconsin
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 Jul 7, 2026 · Source of record for eligibility and locations