Research abstract:
KPAX002 as a treatment for Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS): a prospective, randomized trial, by Jose G Montoya, Jill N Anderson, Danya L Adolphs, Lucinda Bateman, Nancy Klimas, Susan M Levine, Donn W Garvert, Jon D Kaiser in Int J Clin Exp Med 2018;11(3):2890-2900 [Epub March 15, 2018; Published March 30, 2018]
Mitochondrial dysfunction and a hypometabolic state are present in patients with Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS).
KPAX002 consists of low-dose methylphenidate hydrochloride to treat a hypometabolic state combined with key micronutrients intended to broadly support mitochondrial function.
The objective of this study was to evaluate KPAX002 as a treatment for fatigue and concentration disturbance symptoms in ME/CFS subjects. This phase 2 randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled trial was conducted at 4 sites in the United States.
A total of 135 subjects with ME/CFS were randomly assigned to either KPAX002 (n=67) or placebo (n=68) for 12 weeks of treatment. The primary endpoint was change in the Checklist Individual Strength (CIS) total score from baseline to Week 12. Secondary measurements included visual analog scales for fatigue and concentration disturbance symptoms.
In the intent-to-treat population, the mean reduction in the CIS total score from baseline to week 12 for the KPAX002 and placebo groups was -16.9 (± 23.52) and -13.8 (± 22.15), respectively (95% confidence interval, -11.1, 4.0; P=0.359). On the visual analog scale for fatigue, the mean reduction from baseline to week 12 was -18.2 mm (± 25.05) and -11.1 mm (± 22.08) for the KPAX002 and placebo groups, respectively (95% confidence interval, -11.5, 2.3; P=0.189).
The two groups demonstrating the most robust response to KPAX002 were subjects with more severe ME/CFS symptoms at baseline (P=0.086) and subjects suffering from both fatigue and pain (P=0.057). The incidence of adverse events was not statistically different between the two groups. Treatment with KPAX002 resulted in a reduction in fatigue and concentration disturbance symptoms in multiple analyses. Two key subgroups of patients whose response approached statistical significance were identified.
