New drug combo aims to tame cirrhosis complications
NCT ID NCT06269484
First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026
Summary
This study tested whether a combination of two drugs, zibotentan and dapagliflozin, is safe for people with cirrhosis, a serious liver condition. 73 adults with cirrhosis took part, receiving either the drug combo, zibotentan alone, or a placebo. The main goal was to check for side effects like fluid retention, which can worsen cirrhosis.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- Zibotentan and dapagliflozin
- What this could lead to
- If successful, this could point toward a safer treatment option for cirrhosis, potentially reducing fluid buildup and complications.
- What could go wrong
- This is an early Phase 2 safety study with only 73 participants, so results may not apply to all patients. The drugs may cause side effects like fluid retention.
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 2
Tests whether the treatment actually works, and watches for side effects, in a larger group.
- Participants
-
73 people
The number who actually took part.
- Started
-
Feb 2024
- Finished
-
Dec 2024
- 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 80 years
- 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: ≥ 18 and ≤ 80 years of age at the time of signing the informed consent. Clinical and/or histological diagnosis of cirrhosis. Note: Either history of decompensation or compensated cirrhosis with signs of CSPH, including varices at endoscopy or collaterals at imaging (within 12 months prior to screening), and/or liver stiffness using vibration controlled elastography, liver stiffness \> 25 kPa or \> 21 kPa, and platelets \< 150 × 10\^99 (at time of screening). Model for end stage liver disease score (MELD) \< 15. Child-Pugh score \< 10. No ascites or ascites up to grade 2 without change in diuretic treatment within the last month prior to first dose of study intervention and no paracentesis within the last month. No evidence of worsening of hepatic function (eg, no clinically significant change in signs, symptoms, or laboratory parameters of hepatic disease status) within the last month prior to dosing, as determined by the investigator or usual practitioner. No current or prior (within 1 month of enrolment) medical treatment with an SGLT2 inhibitor or endothelin receptor antagonist. On no or a stable dose of beta blockers, with no major dose changes within 1 month prior to the first dose of study intervention. Males or females of non-childbearing potential: Male participants must be surgically sterile, abstinent, or must use in conjunction with their female partner a highly effective method of contraception from the time they sign the informed consent document and for 3 months after the last dose of study intervention to prevent pregnancy in a partner. In addition, the male participant should use a condom for the duration of the study and for 3 months after the last dose of study intervention. Male participants must not donate or bank sperm during the same period. Highly effective birth control methods are defined as those that can achieve a failure rate of less than 1% per year when used consistently and correctly. Female participants must be of non-childbearing potential confirmed at screening by fulfilling one of the following criteria: Post-menopausal: defined as amenorrhoea for at least 12 months or more following cessation of all exogenous hormonal treatments; and also FSH levels in the post-menopausal range by central laboratory (Note: The post-menopausal range must be checked against the specific FSH assay used). In the absence of 12 months of amenorrhoea, a single FSH measurement is insufficient to define post-menopausal criteria. In case of perimenopause or infrequent periods with variable levels of FSH, women should be considered of childbearing potential and, therefore, not eligible for participation in this study. Documentation of irreversible surgical sterilisation by hysterectomy, bilateral oophorectomy, or bilateral salpingectomy but not tubal ligation. Female participants must have a negative pregnancy test at screening and must not be lactating. Capable of giving signed informed consent as described in Appendix A, which includes compliance with the requirements and restrictions listed in the ICF and in this protocol. Provision of signed and dated, written ICF prior to any mandatory study-specific procedures, sampling, and analyses. Provision of signed and dated written Optional Genomics Initiative Research Information and Consent Form prior to collection of samples for optional genomics initiative research that supports Genomic Initiative. Exclusion criteria: Any evidence of a clinically significant disease, which in the investigator's opinion makes it undesirable for the participant to participate in the study. Alanine aminotransferase/transaminase or AST ≥ 150 U/L and/or total bilirubin ≥ 3 × ULN. International normalised ratio \> 1.7. Serum/plasma levels of albumin ≤ 28 g/L. Platelet count \< 50 × 109L. Acute kidney injury (AKI) within 3 months of screening. History of encephalopathy of West Haven Grade 2 or higher History of variceal haemorrhage within 6 months prior to screening. Any history of hepatocellular carcinoma. Any history of portal venous thrombosis. Liver transplant or expected liver transplantation within 6 months of screening. History of TIPS or a planned TIPS within 6 months from enrolment into the study. Positive alcohol breath test or screen for drugs of abuse (excluding drugs prescribed by the participants' usual physician) at screening. Ongoing or history of significant use of alcohol expected to preclude correct adherence to study procedures (For details, refer to Section 5.3.2). Active treatment for HCV within the last 1 year or HBV anti-viral therapy for less than 1 year. Active urinary tract infection or genital infection. Uncontrolled diabetes mellitus (HbA1c \> 8.5% or \> 69 mmol/mol within the last month). Participants with T1DM. Renal transplant or chronic renal replacement therapy or short-term dialysis within the previous 6 months. eGFR \< 60 mL/min/1.73m2 (eGFRcr\[AS\]). Acute coronary syndrome events within 3 months prior to screening. Orthostatic hypotension or hypotension (systolic blood pressure \< 95 mmHg or diastolic blood pressure \< 60 mmHg). New York Heart Association functional heart failure Class III or IV or patients with unstable heart failure requiring hospitalisation for optimisation of heart failure treatment and who are not yet stable on heart failure therapy within 6 months prior to screening. Heart failure due to cardiomyopathies that would primarily require specific other treatment. High output heart failure (eg, due to hyperthyroidism or Paget's disease). Heart failure due to primary cardiac valvular disease/dysfunction, severe functional mitral or tricuspid valve insufficiency, or planned cardiac valve repair/replacement. Participants treated with strong CYP3A4 inhibitor or strong or moderate CYP3A4 inducer within 14 days (St. John's Wort: 21 days) of study intervention administration; this includes grapefruit and grapefruit juice, if consumed more often than occasionally, or, in larger quantities. History or ongoing allergy/hypersensitivity, as judged by the investigator, to SGLT2 inhibitors (eg, dapagliflozin, canagliflozin, empagliflozin), zibotentan, or drugs with a similar chemical structure to zibotentan. Any clinically significant chronic disease or disorder (eg, cardiovascular, gastrointestinal, liver, renal, neurological, musculoskeletal, endocrine, metabolic, psychiatric, major physical impairment) which, as judged by the investigator, might put the participant at risk because of participation in the study, or probable alternative primary reason for participant's symptoms in judgment of investigator. Acute liver injury caused by drug toxicity or by an infection. Implanted electronic device such as pacemaker. Involvement in the planning and/or conduct of the study (applies to both AstraZeneca staff and/or staff at the study centre). Judgment by the investigator that the participant should not participate in the study if the participant is unlikely to comply with study procedures, restrictions, and requirements. Male participant in a sexually active relation with pregnant or breastfeeding partner. Vulnerable participants, eg, kept in detention, protected adults under guardianship, trusteeship, or committed to an institution by governmental or juridical order. Exclusion Criteria for Participants Consenting to Optional Genetic Sampling: Previous allogeneic bone marrow transplant. Non-leukocyte depleted whole blood transfusion in 120 days of genetic sample collection.
Get updates
Get notified about this study
Sign up to get updates when this study changes or when new studies for Liver cirrhosis 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.
Contacts and locations
Locations
-
Research Site
Englewood, Colorado, 80113, United States
-
Research Site
Charleston, South Carolina, 29425, United States
-
Research Site
San Antonio, Texas, 78215, United States
-
Research Site
Adelaide, 5000, Australia
-
Research Site
Kogarah, 2217, Australia
-
Research Site
Mitcham, 3132, Australia
-
Research Site
Mechelen, 2800, Belgium
-
Research Site
Liberec, 460 63, Czechia
-
Research Site
Mladá Boleslav, 293 01, Czechia
-
Research Site
Prague, 140 21, Czechia
-
Research Site
Leipzig, 04103, Germany
-
Research Site
Tübingen, 72076, Germany
-
Research Site
Milan, 20122, Italy
-
Research Site
Padova, 35128, Italy
-
Research Site
Roma, 00168, Italy
-
Research Site
Gifu, 500-8513, Japan
-
Research Site
Kawasaki-shi, 215-0026, Japan
-
Research Site
Kitakyusyu-shi, 806-8501, Japan
-
Research Site
Nagaoka-shi, 940-2085, Japan
-
Research Site
Niigata, 951-8520, Japan
-
Research Site
Sapporo, 006-8555, Japan
-
Research Site
Yokohama, 236-0004, Japan
-
Research Site
Bydgoszcz, 85-794, Poland
-
Research Site
Katowice, 40-081, Poland
-
Research Site
Mysłowice, 41-400, Poland
-
Research Site
Poznan, 61-848, Poland
-
Research Site
Bratislava, 83104, Slovakia
-
Research Site
Nitra, 950 01, Slovakia
-
Research Site
Trnava, 91702, Slovakia
-
Research Site
Aberdeen, AB25 2ZN, United Kingdom
-
Research Site
Hull, HU3 2KZ, United Kingdom
-
Research Site
Ipswich, IP4 5PD, United Kingdom
-
Research Site
London, SE5 9RS, United Kingdom
-
Research Site
Nottingham, NG7 2UH, United Kingdom
More trials for these conditions
Other studies related to the condition(s) this trial covers.
- Can a sleep drug help cirrhosis patients rest and think clearer?
- Can nurse practitioners fill the gaps in overstretched hospitals?
- Gut bacteria in a capsule: a new attempt to calm a brain complication of cirrhosis
- Can a digital platform catch liver cancer sooner?
- Can a Two-Drug combo keep cirrhosis patients out of the hospital?
- Can removing the spleen help the liver fight cancer?