Could a cystic fibrosis drug boost brain blood flow in heart failure?
NCT ID NCT07695090
First seen Jul 10, 2026 · Last updated Jul 17, 2026 · Updated 1 time
Summary
This study tests whether lumacaftor, a drug used for cystic fibrosis, can improve blood flow to the brain and thinking abilities in people with stable heart failure and reduced pumping function. About 60 participants will receive either lumacaftor or a placebo for one month. The goal is to see if restoring a specific protein function can help protect the brain in heart failure patients.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- lumacaftor
- What this could lead to
- If it works, this could point toward a treatment for cognitive decline in heart failure patients, addressing a currently unmet need.
- What could go wrong
- This is a small, early-phase proof-of-concept study. It may not show benefit, and side effects are possible. Success in this trial does not guarantee a future approved therapy.
This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.
Study facts
What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.
- Phase
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Phase 2
Tests whether the treatment actually works, and watches for side effects, in a larger group.
- Participants
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About 60 people
The number the study aims to enrol. It can still change while the study runs.
- Expected to start
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Jul 2026
An estimate. Start dates often move.
- Expected to finish
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Sep 2027
An estimate. End dates often move.
- Lead sponsor
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A company
The lead sponsor is a pharmaceutical, biotech, or medical-device company.
Who can take part
This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.
- Ages
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18 years and older
- Sex
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Anyone
- Healthy volunteers
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Not accepted
This study is not open to healthy volunteers. The entry requirements below say who it is open to.
Show the full entry requirements Hide the full entry requirements
Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.
Inclusion Criteria Participants screened for enrolment must meet all of the following criteria to be eligible for study participation: 1. Provide written informed consent 2. Aged 18 years or older with stable heart failure NYHA class II-III, with reduced cardiac output and an EF of \<40% on optimal goal directed medical therapy as per CCS Guidelines and the AHA/ACC/HFSA Guidelines for the Management of Heart Failure 3. No hospital admissions for inpatient care in 3 months prior to study 4. CBF at screening of ≤45 mL/100g/min 5. Able to comply with study procedures 6. Female participants must fulfill at least one of the following: 1. Negative serum pregnancy (β-hCG) test at screening if participant is of childbearing potential (defined as having gone through menarche and not postmenopausal) 2. Post-menopausal for a minimum of 1 year (defined as 12 consecutive months with no menses without an alternative medical cause) Be surgically sterile for a minimum of 6 months (achieved through partial/total hysterectomy, bilateral oophorectomy, or bilateral salpingectomy; note that tubal ligation is not considered a method of permanent sterilization) 7. Agree to avoid pregnancy and be willing to use medically acceptable methods of contraception for the duration of study and for 1 month after the last dose of the IMP (for females) and for 3 months after the last dose (for males) Exclusion criteria Participants screened for enrolment, meeting any of the following criteria are not eligible for study participation: 1. Participants with symptomatic HF who have non-MRI compatible cardiac implantable electronic devices (CIEDs), such as a cardiac defibrillator or pacemaker, or in whom this is required within 3 months of the study 2. Those requiring coronary revascularisation in 6 months following the study 3. Participants with cystic fibrosis (CF) or any other condition that may require use of CFTR modulating agents 4. Participants using antiallergics (e.g., montelukast), antibiotics (e.g., clarithromycin), anticoagulants (e.g., warfarin), anticonvulsants (e.g., carbamazepine), antidepressants (e.g., citalopram), antifungals (e.g., fluconazole), anti-mycobacterials (e.g., rifabutin), barbituates, benzodiazepines (e.g., midazolam), immunosuppressants (e.g., cyclosporine), proton pump inhibitors (e.g., esomeprazole) within 30 days of trial start 5. A history of or known seropositivity for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and active hepatitis B and/or C infection 6. Participants with moderate or severe hepatic disease (such as cirrhosis), or impaired liver function tests defined as serum ALT and/or AST \>3 x the upper limit of normal (ULN) or total bilirubin \>2 x ULN 7. Resting heart rate of \>100 bpm 8. Symptomatic blood pressure \<90 mmHg systolic 9. Any major deviation in clinical lab values and/or electrocardiograms deemed clinically significant at baseline that in the opinion of the investigator would compromise the outcome of the trial as it relates to the active therapy 10. Any clinically significant abnormalities in physical examination, neurological examination, vital signs, safety laboratory tests, and/or electrocardiograms that may impact the safety of the participant, in the opinion of the investigator 11. Any suicidal behaviour in the past 2 years (i.e., actual attempt, interrupted attempt, aborted attempt, or preparatory acts or behaviour), or any suicidal ideation (type 4 or 5) in the last 6 months (i.e., active suicidal thought with intent but without specific plan, or active suicidal thought with plan and intent), as defined by the C-SSRS 12. Participants currently experiencing any clinically significant or unstable medical condition that in the opinion of the investigator might limit their ability to complete the study, or to comply with the requirements of the protocol, including dermatologic disease, haematological disease, pulmonary disease, kidney disease, hepatic disease, gastrointestinal disease, genitourinary disease, endocrine disease, neurological disease, and psychiatric disease 13. Participants with severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), or demonstrating a significant degree of pulmonary obstruction with a forced expiratory volume in the first second (FEV1) or forced vital capacity (FVC) that is \<70% of the predicted normal value, or FEV/FVC ratio that is \<65% 14. Females having used implanted, injected, intravaginal, or intrauterine hormonal contraceptive within 6 months prior to first study drug administration. 15. Females taking oral or transdermal hormonal contraceptives within 30 days prior to first study drug administration 16. Female participants who are currently breastfeeding or planning to breastfeed 17. Any malignancy not considered cured (except basal cell carcinoma of the skin). A participant is considered cured if there has been no evidence of cancer recurrence for the 5 years prior to screening 18. Unstable coronary syndromes 19. Moderate or severe valvular disease 20. Body mass index \>40 kg/m2 21. Estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) of \<30 ml/m2 22. Participants with a ferro-magnetic aneurysm clip or vascular clamp that is non-MRI compatible 23. Claustrophobia or inability to undergo MRI without sedation 24. Any other recognized CMRI contraindication as per local guidelines 25. Participants that have participated in a clinical study during the 3 months prior to screening, or that plan to participate in another clinical study
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Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
How to take part
Only the study team decides who joins. These are the ways to reach them.
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The study's own enquiry address
This study publishes an address for enquiries. See it below .
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The places running it
2 sites. The list below names each one and where it is.
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The official record
ClinicalTrials.gov lists the study team's own contact details, including names and phone numbers. We don't republish those.
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A doctor treating you
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Contacts and locations
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Study contacts
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Contact
Email: •••••@•••••
Locations
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St. Michael's Hospital
RECRUITINGToronto, Ontario, M5B 1M8, Canada
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University Health Network (UHN) Peter Munk Cardiac Centre
NOT_YET_RECRUITINGToronto, Ontario, M5G2N2, Canada
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