Experimental drug ampligen takes on chronic fatigue
NCT ID NCT00215813
First seen Jun 25, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 2 times
Summary
This study tests an experimental drug called Ampligen (rintatolimod) in people with severe chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS). Participants receive twice-weekly IV infusions over several months. The goal is to see if the drug can ease symptoms and improve quality of life for those who have been sick for at least a year.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- Ampligen (rintatolimod)
- What this could lead to
- If it works, this could point toward a treatment option for severe chronic fatigue syndrome, potentially reducing symptoms and improving daily function.
- What could go wrong
- This is an early open-label study with no placebo group, so results may be biased. The drug is not yet approved for CFS, and side effects or lack of benefit are possible.
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.
- Lead sponsor
-
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
-
18 to 70 years
- Sex
-
Anyone
- Healthy volunteers
-
Accepted
You do not need to have the condition being studied to take part.
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: 1. Diagnosis of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (\>= 12 months) as defined by the 1988 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention CDC case definition for CFS or as defined only by the 1994 CDC case definition of CFS (Fukuda et al., Ann Intern Med. 1994; 121:953-959) (other clinical conditions which could present with similar symptoms must be excluded.). 2. Age Range: \>= 18 years old, \<= 70 years old. 3. Males or non-pregnant, non-lactating females: Females must be of non-child bearing potential (either post-menopausal for two years or surgically sterile including tubal ligation) or using an effective means of contraception (birth control pills, intrauterine device, diaphragm). Alternatively, female patients with a male partner having a successful vasectomy (considered successful if a volunteer reports that a male partner has either documentation of azoospermia by microscopy or a vasectomy more than 2 years ago with no resultant pregnancy despite sexual activity post-vasectomy).Females who are less than two (2) years post-menopausal, those with tubal ligations and those using contraception must have a negative serum pregnancy test at baseline within the four (4) weeks prior to the first study medication infusion. Every four weeks, and at study termination a pregnancy test should be performed, either serum or urine stick test. However, if the urine result is positive, a serum pregnancy test will be performed. Females of child bearing potential agree to use an effective means of contraception from four (4) weeks prior to the baseline pregnancy test until four (4) weeks after the last study medication infusion. All male patients agree not to be a sperm donor and to use an effective means of contraception while on study medication and until 90 days after the last study medication infusion. 4. A reduced quality of life as determined by a Karnofsky performance score (KPS) of \>= 20 and \<= 60. The KPS must be rounded in increments of ten (10). 5. Ability to provide written informed consent indicating awareness of the investigational nature of this study. 6. Documentation (during baseline or historically following the onset of CFS) of a negative ANA or a negative anti-ds (double-stranded) DNA, a negative Rheumatoid Factor, and an erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR). Documentation during baseline of a normal T4 (or other laboratory evidence that subject is euthyroid) is also required. 7. Laboratory confirmed negative SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) infection by a government approved test / kit within 2 weeks prior to starting study drug dosing. 8. Patients with post-COVID-19 chronic fatigue (PCCF) must meet the 1988 or 1994 CFS CDC Definition for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome except for the duration of the fatiguing illness which must have continued for at least 3 months and must not have preceded the onset of the COVID-19 symptoms. The patient must also have at least one of the following "Long Hauler" symptoms which must have persisted or recurred during 3 or more consecutive months of illness and must not have preceded the onset of the COVID-19 symptoms (fever or chills, cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, new loss of taste or smell or chest pain). Since many patients with mild or no COVID-19 symptoms were not tested for the presence of SARS-CoV-2, many patients with post-COVID-19 chronic fatigue (PCCF) also called "Long Haulers", will not have a history of a positive SARS-CoV-2 test result. A positive serum antibody test for SARS-CoV-2 will be sufficient in these cases. Exclusion Criteria: 1. Inability to return for scheduled treatment and assessments. 2. Chronic or intercurrent acute medical disorder or disease making implementation or interpretation of the protocol or results difficult or unsafe. 3. Pregnant or lactating females. 4. Therapy with interferons, interleukins, or other cytokines or investigational drugs within 6 weeks of beginning study medication. Subjects must give written informed consent prior to discontinuation of investigational drugs.
Get updates
Get notified about this study
Sign up to get updates when this study changes or when new studies for Chronic fatigue syndrome are added.
Genom att skicka in godkänner du våra Användarvillkor
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.
-
The places running it
2 sites. The list below names each one and where it is.
-
The official record
The full official record for this study. This one lists no contact details, but it is the first place any would appear.
-
A doctor treating you
A doctor who knows your case can contact a study site on your behalf, and can tell you whether this study is worth pursuing at all.
Contacts and locations
Locations
-
Hunter-Hopkins Center, PA
Charlotte, North Carolina, 28210, United States
-
Sierra Internal Medicine
Incline Village, Nevada, 89451, United States
More trials for these conditions
Other studies related to the condition(s) this trial covers.
- Ear device zaps vagus nerve in bid to quiet long COVID fatigue and brain fog
- Could a nerve pain drug and exercise ease long COVID fatigue?
- Could pressurized oxygen ease chronic fatigue? new trial aims to find out
- Could a tiny ear zap boost exercise recovery in chronic fatigue?
- Could your voice reveal chronic fatigue syndrome? mayo clinic launches study
- Could fluvoxamine and metformin beat long COVID fatigue?