Abstract

BACKGROUND
Pancreatic enzyme replacement therapy (PERT) improves nutritional status and growth in patients with cystic fibrosis (CF) with pancreatic insufficiency (PI). The current recommendation for infants and young children, who are not able to swallow the whole capsule, is to open the capsule and mix the beads in a spoon with some applesauce; however, the efficacy and safety data of this approach are currently lacking. The aim of this study was to assess the efficacy, palatability (ease of swallowing), and safety of 4 dose levels of pancrelipase microtablets (Pancrease MT) in infants and young children with CF-related PI.
PATIENTS AND METHODS
This study was a phase II randomized, investigator-blinded, parallel-group pilot study in DNA-proven infants with CF and PI. The study design included a run-in period (days 1-5) and an experimental period (days 6-11). Pancrelipase microtablets (2-mm, enteric coated) were provided orally. Sixteen subjects, 6 to 30 months of age, were provided 500 U lipase/kg/meal for 5 days (baseline period). Subsequently, subjects were randomly assigned to 1 of 4 treatment groups (each n = 4), receiving 500, 1000, 1500, or 2000 U (Ph. EUR) of lipase/kg/meal, respectively, for 5 days (experimental period). The primary endpoint was medication efficacy assessed by the 72-hour fecal fat excretion, expressed as coefficient of fecal fat absorption (CFA), and 13C mixed triglyceride breath test. Secondary endpoints were safety and palatability.
RESULTS
Overall compliance, defined as used study medication, was 89% to 99% for the entire study. None of the 4 dose regimens significantly influenced the CFA, relative to the baseline period (median range 83%-93%). During the run-in period the median cumulative % 13C was 11 (range -8 to 59). After randomization the median cumulative % 13C was 18 (range 14-23) in the 500-U, 14 (range -1 to 17) in the 1000-U, 10 (range 10-27) in the 1500-U, and 3 (range 1-49) in the 2000-U groups. Palatability was scored fair to good by the parents in each of the treatment groups. Gastrointestinal symptoms were reported in some patients, including common adverse events reported in clinical trials involving pancreatic enzyme therapy. No serious or other adverse events were reported.
CONCLUSION
Treatment with Pancrease MT at a dosage of 500 U lipase/kg/meal resulted in a CFA of approximately 89% in pediatric subjects ages 6 to 30 months with PI resulting from CF. Pancrease MT doses were well tolerated and mean palatability was scored as fair to good. Present results do not indicate that a dosage higher than 500 U (Ph. EUR) lipase/kg/meal increases the coefficient of fat absorption in a cohort of infants 6 to 30 months of age.

Links

Publisher Full Text

Authors

Van de Vijver E, Desager K, Mulberg AE, Staelens S, Verkade HJ, Bodewes FA, Malfroot A, Hauser B, Sinaasappel M, Van Biervliet S, Behm M, Pelckmans P, Callens D, Veereman-Wauters G

Institution

Department of Pediatrics, University Hospital Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium.

Source

Journal of pediatric gastroenterology and nutrition 53:1 2011 Jul pg 61-4

MeSH

Breath Tests
Child, Preschool
Cystic Fibrosis
Dietary Fats
Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
Enzyme Replacement Therapy
Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency
Fats
Feces
Gastrointestinal Agents
Humans
Infant
Intestinal Absorption
Male
Pancrelipase
Patient Compliance
Pilot Projects
Single-Blind Method
Tablets, Enteric-Coated
Triglycerides

Pub Type(s)

Clinical Trial, Phase II
Journal Article
Randomized Controlled Trial
Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

Language

eng

PubMed ID

21694537