Cystic fibrosis drug repurposed: can a liver medication fix lung function?
NCT ID NCT02323100
First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026
Summary
This early-phase trial tested whether glycerol phenylbutyrate (Ravicti), a drug already used for urea cycle disorders, could help restore chloride transport in the nasal cells of adults with cystic fibrosis. The study enrolled 16 participants and compared low-dose Ravicti to a placebo. However, the trial was terminated early, so the full results are not available.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- glycerol phenylbutyrate (Ravicti)
- What this could lead to
- If it worked, this could point toward a new way to improve CFTR function in people with cystic fibrosis who still produce some CFTR protein.
- What could go wrong
- The trial was terminated early with only 16 participants, so results are very limited. It was a small, early-phase study testing a repurposed drug, so even if promising, much more research would be needed.
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
-
Phase 1/2
Runs two stages together: safety and dose first, then whether the treatment works.
- Participants
-
16 people
The number who actually took part.
- Started
-
Dec 2018
- Finished
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Mar 2022
- Lead sponsor
-
Other sponsor
The registry's catch-all category, for sponsors it does not file as a company, a government agency, or a research network.
Who can take part
This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.
- Ages
-
18 years and older
- Sex
-
Anyone
- Healthy volunteers
-
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: 1. Male or female ≥ 18 years of age. 2. Confirmed diagnosis of CF based on the following criteria: any CFTR genotype combination EXCEPT two stop codons, and one or more clinical features consistent with the CF phenotype. 3. Taking pancreatic enzyme replacement therapy (PERT), or have documented pancreatic sufficiency. 4. Ability to perform acceptable spirometry. 5. Ability to understand and sign a written informed consent and comply with the requirements of the study. 6. FEV1 ≥30% of predicted normal for age, gender, and height (Hankinson standards): pre or post-bronchodilator at Screening. 7. Oxygen saturation by pulse oximetry ≥90% breathing either ambient air or regular oxygen regimen at screening and Day 1. 8. Hematology and clinical chemistry of blood and urine results with no clinically significant abnormalities that would interfere with the study assessments (as judged by the principal investigator) at screening. If electrolyte abnormality at screening, values must be corrected prior to dosing. 9. Subjects on chronic inhaled antibiotic therapy are eligible if they can continue their usual antibiotic regimen, or remain on their off-cycle period, for the duration of study drug exposure 10. Negative pregnancy test for women of child-bearing potential. 11. If of childbearing potential, agree to use one highly effective method of contraception from the time of consent through the Visit 4 study visit, per section 9.1.13 of the protocol. Exclusion Criteria: 1. Administration of any investigational drug or device within 30 days of Screening or within 6 half-lives of the investigational drug (whichever is longer). 2. History of any illness or condition that in the opinion of the investigator could confound the results of the study or pose additional risk in administering study drug to subjects. 3. Any change in chronic therapies for CF lung disease (e.g., Ibuprofen, Pulmozyme®, hypertonic saline, Azithromycin, TOBI®, Cayston®) within 4 weeks of Study Day 1. 4. Pregnant, planned pregnancy or breast feeding at Screening. 5. Clinically significant cardiac, liver or kidney disease. 6. Seizure disorder. 7. Acute upper respiratory infection within 2 weeks or acute pulmonary exacerbation requiring intravenous antibiotics within 4 weeks of Screening Visit. 8. Sinus surgery within 6 weeks of Screening Visit. 9. Abnormal renal function. 10. Abnormal liver function, defined as ≥3x upper limit of normal (ULN), of serum aspartate transaminase (AST) or serum alanine transaminase (ALT), or known cirrhosis. 11. Screening laboratory results which in the judgment of the investigator would interfere with completion of the study. 12. History of or listed for solid organ or hematological transplantation.
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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.
Contacts and locations
Locations
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Children's Hospital of Philadelphia
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 19104, United States
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Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine
Baltimore, Maryland, 21205, United States
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National Jewish Health
Denver, Colorado, 80206, United States
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