Could a liver drug help kids and adults with rare metabolic disorder?
NCT ID NCT06773026
First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026
Summary
This study tests whether sodium phenylbutyrate (ACER-001), a drug already approved for another condition, can help people with MCAD deficiency caused by a specific gene mutation. About 24 participants aged 4 and older will take the drug and be monitored for safety and how well it keeps their blood sugar stable. The goal is to see if this drug can reduce the risk of dangerous low blood sugar episodes.
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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 24 people
The number the study aims to enrol. It can still change while the study runs.
- Started
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Jun 2025
- Expected to finish
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Jul 2027
An estimate. End dates often move.
- Lead sponsor
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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
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4 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: 1. A diagnosis of MCADD and molecular confirmation of at least one copy of the common c.985A\>G mutation. 2. ≥4 years of age 3. Able to perform and comply with study activities placement of a continuous glucose monitor, IV catheter, and all blood draws. 4. Negative pregnancy test for all female subjects of childbearing age. 5. Signed informed consent by the subject or parent/guardian of minors. 6. All females of childbearing age and all sexually active males must agree to use an acceptable method of contraception throughout the study. Appropriate contraceptive methods include hormonal contraceptives (oral, injected, implanted, or transdermal), tubal ligation, intrauterine device, hysterectomy, vasectomy, or double barrier methods. Abstinence is an acceptable form of birth control, though appropriate contraception must be used if the subject becomes sexually active. 7. Willing and able to adhere to requirements for maintaining continuous glucose monitoring. Exclusion Criteria: 1. Use of any investigational drug within 30 days of Day 1. 2. Active infection (viral or bacterial) or any other intercurrent condition as reported by the subject or noted on physical exam at screening. 3. Any clinical or laboratory abnormality of Grade 3 or greater severity according to the CTCAE v5.0, or Grade 3 elevations in liver enzymes, defined as levels 5-20 times ULN in alanine aminotransferase (ALT/SGPT), or aspartate aminotransferase (AST/SGOT) in a clinically stable subject. 4. Any clinical or laboratory abnormality or medical condition that, at the discretion of the investigator, may put the subject at increased risk by participating in this study. 5. Use of any medication known to significantly affect renal clearance (e.g., probenecid) or to increase protein catabolism (e.g., corticosteroids), or other medication known to increase ammonia levels (e.g., valproic acid or haloperidol), within the 48 hours prior to Day 1 and throughout the study. 6. Subjects with renal insufficiency will be excluded from the study. Cutoff eGFR \<60 mL/min/1.73m2 (GFR categories G3a-G5) will be used as measure of renal insufficiency. 7. Use of sodium benzoate within one week of Day 1. 8. Known hypersensitivity to PAA or PBA. 9. Breastfeeding or lactating females. 10. Subjects at risk of hypokalemia due to pre-existing diagnosis or on medications that can cause hypokalemia. 11. Subjects with type 1 or type 2 diabetes, or who take medications as part of their routine care that can cause hypoglycemia 12. A positive urine drug screen at screening for drugs without a prescription 13. Subjects who are taking medications in the antimetabolite drug class (e.g., hydroxyurea, 5-fluorouracil (5-FU), methotrexate) will be excluded; these medications can interfere with the DEXCOM sensor and cause inaccurate glucose readings
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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 places running it
1 site. 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
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
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UPMC Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh
RECRUITINGPittsburgh, Pennsylvania, 15224, United States
More trials for these conditions
Other studies related to the condition(s) this trial covers.
- Newborn screening study aims to catch rare diseases at birth
- Small study tests exercise safety in kids with MCADD
- Fatty acid study aims to unlock secrets of rare metabolic disease
- Could a fatty acid drug stop dangerous sugar crashes in rare disease?
- Could a fatty acid drug stop dangerous sugar crashes in rare disease?
- Could a urea cycle drug help MCAD patients fast longer?