Abstract Details

Title Open-label Pilot Study of Ranolazine for Cramps in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS).

Topic Neuromuscular and Clinical Neurophysiology (EMG)

Presentation(s) P6 - Poster Session 6 (12:00 PM-1:00 PM)

Poster/Presentation
Number 1-014

Background Ranolazine, an FDA-approved drug for angina which inhibits the late Na⁺ current and intracellular Ca²⁺accumulation, may be neuroprotective in ALS and reduce cramp frequency by reducing neuronal hyperexcitability.

Objective

To determine safety and tolerability of two doses of ranolazine in patients with ALS, and evaluate for preliminary signs of drug-target engagement.

Design/Methods Open-label dose-ascending study of ranolazine in ALS. Twelve participants are planned in 2 sequential cohorts (n=6 each): 500 mg and 1000 mg orally twice daily. Each has a 2-week run-in period, 4-week drug administration and 6-week safety follow up. The primary outcome is the frequency of dose limiting toxicities and adverse events. Exploratory measures include cramp frequency (number/day) and severity (1-10 scale), fasciculation frequency (average of 6 muscles on ultrasound), cramp potential duration, ALS Functional Rating Scale-revised (ALSFRS-r), and forced vital capacity (FVC) compared from baseline to week 6.

Results

The 10 patients enrolled at the time of this report were mostly male (81%), and middle aged (median 53 years). There were no serious adverse events. One subject in cohort 2 discontinued the drug due to constipation. The most frequent drug-related adverse events were gastrointestinal (38%). QTc and CK did not change from baseline to week 6. Cramp frequency reduced by 44% (p=0.01) and severity decreased by 36% (p=0.002), accompanied by decreased awakening due to cramps (74%, p=0.08), and decreased frequency of cramps interfering with daily activities or causing activity avoidance. Fasciculations, cramp potential duration, ALSFRS-r and FVC did not change.

Conclusions

Ranolazine was well tolerated in ALS up to 2000 mg daily with gastrointestinal side effects being the most frequent. Ranolazine reduced cramp frequency and severity without significant effect on fasciculations, ALSFRS-r or FVC. These findings warrant a prospective placebo-controlled study.

Authors/Disclosures
Swathy Chandrashekhar, MD (University of Kansas Medical Center) PRESENTER	Dr. Chandrashekhar has received publishing royalties from a publication relating to health care.
Anai C. Hamasaki, MD (Personal)	No disclosure on file
	No disclosure on file
Laura Herbelin (KU Medical Center)	No disclosure on file
Mamatha Pasnoor, MD, FAAN (University of Kansas Medical Center)	Dr. Pasnoor has received personal compensation in the range of $5,000-$9,999 for serving as a Consultant for Argenx BVBA. Dr. Pasnoor has received personal compensation in the range of $5,000-$9,999 for serving as a Consultant for Takeda Pharmaceuticals. Dr. Pasnoor has received personal compensation in the range of $500-$4,999 for serving as a Consultant for Janssen Pharmaceutical. Dr. Pasnoor has received personal compensation in the range of $500-$4,999 for serving as a Consultant for Immunovant. Dr. Pasnoor has received personal compensation in the range of $500-$4,999 for serving as a Consultant for UCB. Dr. Pasnoor has received personal compensation in the range of $500-$4,999 for serving on a Scientific Advisory or Data Safety Monitoring board for catalyst pharmaceuticals. Dr. Pasnoor has received research support from NIH.
Omar Jawdat, MD (The University of Kansas Medical Center)	Dr. Jawdat has nothing to disclose.
Mazen M. Dimachkie, MD, FAAN (University of Kansas Medical Center)	Dr. Dimachkie has received personal compensation in the range of $500-$4,999 for serving as a Consultant for EcoR1 Capital, LLC. Dr. Dimachkie has received personal compensation in the range of $500-$4,999 for serving as a Consultant for Cello Health BioConsulting, previously Defined Health. Dr. Dimachkie has received personal compensation in the range of $10,000-$49,999 for serving as a Consultant for Sanofi. Dr. Dimachkie has received personal compensation in the range of $10,000-$49,999 for serving as a Consultant for CSL Behring. Dr. Dimachkie has received personal compensation in the range of $10,000-$49,999 for serving as a Consultant for Octapharma. Dr. Dimachkie has received personal compensation in the range of $5,000-$9,999 for serving as a Consultant for ArgenX. Dr. Dimachkie has received personal compensation in the range of $500-$4,999 for serving as a Consultant for Spark Therapeutics. Dr. Dimachkie has received personal compensation in the range of $10,000-$49,999 for serving as a Consultant for RAF-5. Dr. Dimachkie has received personal compensation in the range of $500-$4,999 for serving as a Consultant for Houston NeuroCare. Dr. Dimachkie has received personal compensation in the range of $10,000-$49,999 for serving as a Consultant for Shire. Dr. Dimachkie has received personal compensation in the range of $50,000-$99,999 for serving as a Consultant for Catalyst. Dr. Dimachkie has received personal compensation in the range of $500-$4,999 for serving as a Consultant for Kezar. Dr. Dimachkie has received personal compensation in the range of $10,000-$49,999 for serving as a Consultant for RaPharma/UCB. Dr. Dimachkie has received personal compensation in the range of $10,000-$49,999 for serving as a Consultant for ArgenX. Dr. Dimachkie has received personal compensation in the range of $10,000-$49,999 for serving as a Consultant for Sanofi. An immediate family member of Dr. Dimachkie has received personal compensation in the range of $500-$4,999 for serving as a Consultant for Kezar. Dr. Dimachkie has received personal compensation in the range of $10,000-$49,999 for serving as a Consultant for Catalyst. Dr. Dimachkie has received personal compensation in the range of $5,000-$9,999 for serving as a Consultant for Takeda. Dr. Dimachkie has received personal compensation in the range of $500-$4,999 for serving as a Consultant for SCHOLAR Rock. Dr. Dimachkie has received personal compensation in the range of $500-$4,999 for serving as a Consultant for Jenssen. Dr. Dimachkie has received personal compensation in the range of $500-$4,999 for serving as a Consultant for Amazentis / Vandria. Dr. Dimachkie has received personal compensation in the range of $500-$4,999 for serving as a Consultant for Spark Therapeutics. Dr. Dimachkie has received personal compensation in the range of $500-$4,999 for serving as a Consultant for Roivant. Dr. Dimachkie has received personal compensation in the range of $500-$4,999 for serving as a Consultant for SANEM. Dr. Dimachkie has received personal compensation in the range of $500-$4,999 for serving as a Consultant for Medlink. Dr. Dimachkie has received personal compensation in the range of $5,000-$9,999 for serving as a Consultant for CSL Behring. Dr. Dimachkie has received personal compensation in the range of $500-$4,999 for serving as a Consultant for Third Rock. Dr. Dimachkie has received personal compensation in the range of $500-$4,999 for serving as a Consultant for Orphazyme . Dr. Dimachkie has received personal compensation in the range of $5,000-$9,999 for serving as a Consultant for Astellas. Dr. Dimachkie has received personal compensation in the range of $500-$4,999 for serving as a Consultant for Janssen. Dr. Dimachkie has received personal compensation in the range of $500-$4,999 for serving as a Consultant for Roivant . Dr. Dimachkie has received personal compensation in the range of $500-$4,999 for serving as a Consultant for Dianthus. Dr. Dimachkie has received personal compensation in the range of $500-$4,999 for serving as a Consultant for TACT / Treat NMD. Dr. Dimachkie has received personal compensation in the range of $500-$4,999 for serving as a Consultant for Cabaletta Bio. Dr. Dimachkie has received personal compensation in the range of $500-$4,999 for serving as a Consultant for Clinical Neurological Society of America, Inc . Dr. Dimachkie has received personal compensation in the range of $500-$4,999 for serving as a Consultant for Ig Society, Inc. Dr. Dimachkie has received personal compensation in the range of $500-$4,999 for serving as a Consultant for Abcuro. Dr. Dimachkie has received personal compensation in the range of $10,000-$49,999 for serving on a Scientific Advisory or Data Safety Monitoring board for Covance / Labcorp. The institution of Dr. Dimachkie has received research support from CSL Behring. The institution of Dr. Dimachkie has received research support from Orphazyme. The institution of Dr. Dimachkie has received research support from FDA-OOPD. The institution of Dr. Dimachkie has received research support from NIH. Dr. Dimachkie has received intellectual property interests from a discovery or technology relating to health care. Dr. Dimachkie has received publishing royalties from a publication relating to health care.
Richard J. Barohn, MD, FAAN (University of Missouri)	Dr. Barohn has received personal compensation in the range of $50,000-$99,999 for serving as a Consultant for NuFactor. The institution of Dr. Barohn has received research support from FDA OPD R01. Dr. Barohn has received intellectual property interests from a discovery or technology relating to health care.
Jeffrey Statland, MD (University of Kansas Medical Center)	Dr. Statland has received personal compensation in the range of $500-$4,999 for serving as a Consultant for Arrowhead. Dr. Statland has received personal compensation in the range of $500-$4,999 for serving as a Consultant for ML Bio. Dr. Statland has received personal compensation in the range of $500-$4,999 for serving as a Consultant for MT Pharma. Dr. Statland has received personal compensation in the range of $500-$4,999 for serving as a Consultant for Epic Bio. Dr. Statland has received personal compensation in the range of $500-$4,999 for serving as a Consultant for Armatus . Dr. Statland has received personal compensation in the range of $10,000-$49,999 for serving on a Scientific Advisory or Data Safety Monitoring board for Dyne Therapeutics. Dr. Statland has received personal compensation in the range of $500-$4,999 for serving on a Scientific Advisory or Data Safety Monitoring board for Avidity . Dr. Statland has received personal compensation in the range of $5,000-$9,999 for serving on a Scientific Advisory or Data Safety Monitoring board for Fulcrum Therapeutics. Dr. Statland has received personal compensation in the range of $5,000-$9,999 for serving on a Scientific Advisory or Data Safety Monitoring board for Roche. The institution of Dr. Statland has received research support from NIH. The institution of Dr. Statland has received research support from FSHD Society. The institution of Dr. Statland has received research support from Friends of FSH Research. The institution of Dr. Statland has received research support from FSHD Canada. The institution of Dr. Statland has received research support from MDA.