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Recruiting Phase 1, Phase 2 NCT05359653

NCT05359653 Assessing Changes in Multi-parametric MRI in MS Patients Taking Clemastine Fumarate as a Myelin Repair Therapy

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Clinical Trial Summary
NCT ID NCT05359653
Status Recruiting
Phase Phase 1, Phase 2
Sponsor University of California, San Francisco
Condition Multiple Sclerosis (MS)
Study Type INTERVENTIONAL
Enrollment 74 participants
Start Date 2023-08-01
Primary Completion 2027-06-01

Eligibility & Interventions

Sex All sexes
Min Age 18 Years
Max Age 55 Years
Study Type INTERVENTIONAL
Interventions
Clemastine FumaratePlacebo

Eligibility Fast-Check

Enter your details for a quick preliminary check. This does not replace medical advice.

What to Expect as a Participant

You will actively receive the study intervention — which may be a drug, biologic, device, or procedure.

Phase 1 is the earliest stage of human testing — safety and dosage are the primary focus. Visits are frequent and medical supervision is intensive. You will be among the first people to receive this treatment.

This trial targets 74 participants in total. It began in 2023-08-01 with a primary completion date of 2027-06-01.

⚠ This information is for research awareness only. Always consult your physician before joining any clinical trial. Participation is voluntary and you may withdraw at any time.

Brief Summary

The clinical trial is intended to assess for clinical evidence of Clemastine Fumarate as a myelin repair therapy in patients with chronic inflammatory injury-causing demyelination as measured by multi-parametric MRI assessments. No reparative therapies exist for the treatment of multiple sclerosis. Clemastine fumarate was identified along with a series of other antimuscarinic medications as a potential remyelinating agent using the micropillar screen (BIMA) developed at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF). Following in vivo validation, an FDA IND exemption was granted to investigate clemastine for the treatment of multiple sclerosis in the context of chronic optic neuropathy. That pilot study was recently completed and is the first randomized control trial documenting efficacy for a putative remyelinating agent for the treatment of MS. The preselected primary efficacy endpoint (visual evoked potential) was met and a strong trend to benefit was seen for the principal secondary endpoint assessing function (low contrast visual acuity). That trial number was 13-11577. This study seeks to follow up on that study and examine clemastine fumarate's protective and reparative effects in the context of chronic demyelinating brain lesions as imaged by multi-parametric MRI assessments. The investigators will be assessing the effects of clemastine fumarate as a remyelinating therapy and assessing its effect on MRI metrics of chronic lesions found in patients with a confirmed diagnosis of relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis. In addition to using conventional multi-parametric MRI assessments, this study will also evaluate a new MRI technique called Ultrashort Echo Time (UTE) MRI to assess the effects of clemastine fumarate as a remyelinating therapy of chronic lesions found in patients with a confirmed diagnosis of relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis and compare it to the other assessments.

Eligibility Criteria

Inclusion Criteria: * Written informed consent must be obtained prior to any assessment being performed. * Patients diagnosed with relapsing remitting multiple sclerosis and a disease duration of \< 15 years * Male or female patients aged 18-55 years (inclusive) * Use of appropriate contraception during period of trial (women). Before entry women must be: * Post-menopausal for at least 1 year OR * Surgically sterile (have had a hysterectomy or bilateral oophorectomy, tubal ligation, male partner vasectomy or otherwise incapable of pregnancy) OR * Practicing a highly effective method of birth control if sexually active, including hormonal prescription oral contraceptives, contraceptive injections, contraceptive patch, intrauterine device, double barrier method (e.g., condoms, diaphragm or cervical cap with spermicidal foam, cream or gel), or male partner sterilization consistent with local regulations regarding use of birth control methods for patients participating in clinical trials, for the duration of their participation in the study OR * Not heterosexually active (patients who are not heterosexually active at screening must agree to utilize a highly effective method of birth control if they become heterosexually active during their participation in the study) OR * Practicing true abstinence (when this is in line with the preferred and usual lifestyle of the subject) Period abstinence (e.g., calendar, ovulation, symptothermal, post ovulation methods) is not an acceptable method. Exclusion Criteria: * Radiologic identification of marked brain atrophy relative to patients age based on recent MRI and interpretation of expert neuroradiologist or PI * New lesion in most recent MRI (within 3 months) * Hypersensitivity to clemastine or other arylalkylamine antihistamines, or any of the excipients. * Treatment with corticosteroids within 30 days prior to screening. * Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) ≥ 4.5 * History of significant cardiac conduction block. * History of cancer. * Suicidal ideation or behavior in 6 months prior to baseline. * Pregnancy, breastfeeding or planning to become pregnant. * Involved with other study protocols simultaneously without prior approval. * Concomitant use of any other putative remyelinating therapy as determined by the investigator. * Prior treatment with total lymphoid irradiation, T cell or T cell receptor vaccination. * Prior treatment with alemtuzumab, mitoxantrone, or cyclophosphamide. * Serum creatinine \> 1.5 mg/dL; aspartate transaminase (AST), alanine transaminase (ALT), or alkaline phosphatase \> 2 times the upper limit of normal. (Reported within 72 hours) * History of drug or alcohol abuse within the past year. * Untreated B12 deficiency (as determined by B12 serological assessments and metabolites including methylmalonic acid \[MMA\] and homocysteine) or untreated hypothyroidism. * Clinically significant cardiac, metabolic, hematologic, hepatic, immunologic, urologic, endocrinologic, neurologic, pulmonary, psychiatric, dermatologic, allergic, renal, or other major diseases that in the PI's judgment may affect the interpretation of study results or patient safety. * History of or presence of clinically significant medical illness or laboratory abnormality that, in the opinion of the investigator would preclude participation in the study * Inability to participate in MRI, including extreme claustrophobia. * Any dental braces or permanent or undetachable metals in the jaw or face.

Contact & Investigator

Central Contact

Harkeerat Halait, BS

✉ Harkeerat.Halait@ucsf.edu

📞 415-745-1304

Principal Investigator

Ari J Green, MD, MCR

PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

University of California, San Francisco

Frequently Asked Questions

Who can join the NCT05359653 clinical trial?

This trial is open to participants of all sexes, aged 18 Years or older, up to 55 Years, studying Multiple Sclerosis (MS). Full inclusion and exclusion criteria are listed in the Eligibility Criteria section. Always confirm your eligibility with the research team before applying.

What phase is the NCT05359653 trial and what does that mean for participants?

Phase 1 trials are the first stage of human testing. The primary goal is to assess safety and determine appropriate dosage levels. Participants are closely monitored. These trials typically involve a small number of volunteers.

Is NCT05359653 currently recruiting?

Yes, NCT05359653 is actively recruiting participants. Contact the research team at Harkeerat.Halait@ucsf.edu for enrollment information.

Where is the NCT05359653 trial being conducted?

This trial is being conducted at San Francisco, United States.

Who is sponsoring the NCT05359653 clinical trial?

NCT05359653 is sponsored by University of California, San Francisco. The principal investigator is Ari J Green, MD, MCR at University of California, San Francisco. The trial plans to enroll 74 participants.

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ClinicalMetric — Independent clinical trial intelligence platform. Not affiliated with NIH, ClinicalTrials.gov, the U.S. FDA, or any pharmaceutical company, hospital, or clinical research organization. Trial data is sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Do not make any treatment, enrollment, or health decisions based solely on information found here — always consult a qualified healthcare professional. Full Disclaimer  ·  Last Reviewed: April 2026  ·  Data Methodology