NEWS HIGHLIGHTS
Clinical Trials Related to Levocarnitine
Levocarnitine in Treating Fatigue in Cancer Patients [Completed]
RATIONALE: Levocarnitine may help improve energy levels in cancer patients.
PURPOSE: This randomized phase III trial is studying how well levocarnitine works compared to
a placebo in treating fatigue in cancer patients.
Valproic Acid and Carnitine in Patients With Spinal Muscular Atrophy [Completed]
This is a multi-center trial to assess safety and efficacy of a combined regimen of oral
valproic acid (VPA) and carnitine in patients with Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) 2 to 17
years of age. Cohort 1 is a double-blind placebo-controlled randomized intention to treat
protocol for SMA "sitters" 2 - 8 years of age. Cohort 2 is an open label protocol for SMA "standers and walkers" 3 - 17 years of age to explore responsiveness of efficacy outcomes.
Outcome measures will include blood chemistries, functional testing, pulmonary function
testing, electrophysiological evaluations, PedsQL quality of life assessment, quantitative
assessments of survival motor neuron (SMN) mRNA from blood samples, growth and vital sign
parameters. Six centers will enroll a total of 90 patients.
Evaluation of Cilostazol in Combination With L-Carnitine [Recruiting]
The purpose of this study is to see how safe and effective L carnitine taken with cilostazol
is compared to placebo taken with cilostazol for people with intermittent claudication. A
second purpose of the study is to see if L-carnitine is absorbed into the blood stream.
Ability of L-carnitine to Prevent Heart Damage in Breast Cancer Patients Receiving Anthracycline Chemotherapy [Recruiting]
Breast cancer is very common and afflicts 1 in 9 North American women. The treatment of
breast cancer often requires the use of chemotherapy including "anthracyclines".
Anthracyclines can damage the heart resulting in heart failure and even death. Clinicians
and researchers are continually seeking methods that will reduce the toxic effects of
anthracycline treatment.
L-carnitine is a substance that is produced naturally in the body and is required for normal
heart function. Animal studies have suggested that L-carnitine protects the heart from the
effects of anthracyclines, however this has not been verified in humans.
This study will assess the potential role of L-carnitine in the prevention of anthracycline
induced heart damage. The investigators will enroll 144 patients into this study. Patients
will be randomly assigned to L-carnitine therapy or to standard care (no L-carnitine
therapy). Patients in the L-carnitine group will receive oral and intravenous L-carnitine
prior to and after their anthracycline therapy. Patients will undergo regular follow up and
testing to assess heart function. The investigators believe that patients treated with
L-carnitine will benefit and have fewer complications associated with anthracycline
treatment.
Early Administration of L-Carnitine in Hemodialysis Patients [Recruiting]
Hemodialysis is a cause of carnitine deficiency. The deficiency of carnitine induces an
anemia by an increase fragility of the red blood cells, a muscular fatigue and a cardiac
dysfunction. We proposed to evaluate the benefit of an early administration of L-carnitine
in hemodialysis patients. The patients should be included in the first month after the start
of chronic hemodialysis, randomized to receive L-carnitine or placebo and should be
followed-up during one year.
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