SEMAFORCRANIO : Multicenter, Double-blind, Parallel, Randomized Controlled Trial of the Efficacy of Semaglutide in Hypothalamic Obesity Secondary to Craniopharyngioma in Children Aged 12 to 17 Years

Condition(s) studied

Investigational drug(s) / intervention(s)

Semaglutide (Wegovy) weekly injection: A 40-week randomized, controlled, double-blind semaglutide (versus placebo) intervention (versus placebo), followed by an open phase from weeks 40 to 80 where all participants receive semaglutide. In first 40 weeks period (0-40 weeks), Semaglutide is initiated at a dose of 0.25 mg once weekly for the first 4 weeks, followed by escalation every 4 weeks to 0.50, 1.0, 1.70, and 2.40 mg. In second 40 weeks period (40-80 weeks), Semaglutide is maintened at maximum tolerated dose form 1st period. The recommended target maintenance dose of semaglutide or placebo is 2.4 mg once weekly. Participants are encouraged to reach the recommended semaglutide or placebo target maintenance dose of 2.4 mg once weekly. Those unable to tolerate this dose will be permitted to stay at a lower dose (maximum tolerated dose). At least one attempt to re-escalate to the immediate upper dose is recommended.

Placebo weekly Injection: A 40-week randomized, placebo double-blind controlled intervention (versus semaglutide injection), followed by an open phase from weeks 40 to 80 where all participants receive semaglutide. In first 40 weeks period (between 0-40 weeks), placebo is initiated in same timing than semaglutide (in other arm). In second 40 weeks period (between 40-80 weeks), Semaglutide is initiated at a dose of 0.25 mg once weekly for the first 4 weeks, followed by escalation every 4 weeks to 0.50, 1.0, 1.70, and 2.40 mg. The recommended target maintenance dose of semaglutide or placebo is 2.4 mg once weekly. Participants are encouraged to reach the recommended semaglutide or placebo target maintenance dose of 2.4 mg once weekly. Those unable to tolerate this dose will be permitted to stay at a lower dose (maximum tolerated dose). At least one attempt to re-escalate to the immediate upper dose is recommended.

Study summary

Craniopharyngioma (CP) is a rare embryonic brain tumor of the sellar and parasellar region. Despite its benign histologic characteristics, it is locally aggressive and may cause severe morbidity from invasion into adjacent tissues and structures. Hypothalamic damage due to the tumor or its management is responsible for rapid and massive obesity, one of the most severe sequelae in patients with craniopharyngioma. Current treatment of craniopharyngioma is neurosurgical, possibly completed by radiotherapy. For preventing hypothalamic damage, surgery is the most "sparing" possible for the hypothalamus, possibly completed by a highly conformation radiation treatment, such as proton beam therapy.

Despite these therapeutic advances, obesity remains a significant problem in 30 to 50% of cases today. Most studies showed that the mean BMI at diagnosis of childhood craniopharyngioma was 0.5-0.8 ± 1.5 SD score, the mean BMI gain was +2 to +3 ± 2 SD score within 3 years, with a relative stabilization or a slow increase after 3 years. When there is an anterior and posterior hypothalamic involvement (about 50% of the cases), the mean BMI gain is even higher (+4 ± 3 SD score within 3 years).

Semaglutide, a GLP1RA in weekly injection, has shown its great effectiveness for losing weight in obese adults and adolescents (mean difference in BMI change - 16.7% with semaglutide vs. placebo after 68 weeks). Preliminary data in obese children with craniopharyngioma have shown a mean 25% difference in annual BMI gain (with semaglutide treatment compared to the previous year with no semaglutide in the same children).

Eligibility

Primary outcome measure(s)

• Change in BMI SD score (according to french references) at 40 weeks — 40 weeks
  Co-primary 1 (S40 - RCT): Change in BMI (in SD for age and sex according to French references) after 40 weeks of treatment with semaglutide (dose escalation over 16 weeks followed by a maintenance dose of 2.4 mg/week for 24 weeks) compared to placebo
• Change in BMI SD score (according to french references) at 80 weeks — 80 weeks
  Co-primary 2 (S80 - delayed-start): Change in BMI-SD from baseline to S80: "semaglutide group starting at S0" vs "semaglutide group starting at S40"

Trial sites (17)

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