The Huntington Disease Service at Westmead Hospital has been approved to participate in two new drug trials, called PRECISION-HD1 and PRECISION-HD2. Each study tests a separate Huntingtin-lowering (also known as gene silencing) agent. They are run by a company called Wave Life Sciences based in Massachusetts, USA. The studies involve lumbar punctures, MRI scans, assessments and questionnaires.
These are Phase 1b/2a trials, meaning that they are testing an experimental treatment in humans for the first time. The main goal is to assess whether the treatments are safe and well tolerated in the treatment of Huntington’s disease when compared with a placebo control. Participants must be between the ages of 25-65, have early stage Huntington’s disease, and meet additional criteria.
The study has already commenced overseas. Information can be found at https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03225833?recrs=a&cond=huntington%27s+disease&draw=2&rank=16 and https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03225846?recrs=a&cond=huntington%27s+disease&draw=2&rank=15. It is expected that together the two studies will involve approximately 96 people worldwide.
If you would like more information, you can call the Huntington Disease Service at Westmead on 0456 740 612. The phone will be monitored on Mondays and Thursdays. Please leave a message if we do not answer when you call.
Huntington’s NSW & ACT and the Huntington Disease Service at Westmead will continue to provide updates on HD research through the Huntington’s NSW & ACT website and Facebook page