ZILRETTA for Shoulder Osteoarthritis

Recruiting at 33 trial locations

Overseen By Christy Shultz

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Travel: May Be Covered

Time Reimbursement: Varies

Trial Phase: Phase 3

Recruiting

Sponsor: Pacira Pharmaceuticals, Inc

Must not be taking: Opioids, Analgesics, THC/CBD, SSRIs/SNRIs

Disqualifiers: Symptomatic arthritis, Rotator cuff pathology, Chronic shoulder pain, others

Pivotal Trial (Near Approval)

Prior Safety Data

Approved in 1 Jurisdiction

Trial Summary

What is the purpose of this trial?

Primary Objective: To assess the efficacy of ZILRETTA on pain following an intra-articular (IA) injection in subjects with glenohumeral osteoarthritis (OA) relative to normal saline placebo Secondary Objective: * To assess the efficacy of ZILRETTA on pain following an IA injection in subjects with glenohumeral OA relative to triamcinolone acetonide injectable suspension, immediate release (TCA-IR) and normal saline placebo * To assess the safety of ZILRETTA in subjects with glenohumeral OA relative to normal saline placebo and TCA-IR

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

The trial requires participants to stop taking certain medications, such as opioids, other pain relievers, and products containing THC or CBD. If you are on these or other restricted medications, you may need to stop them before joining the study.

What data supports the effectiveness of the drug ZILRETTA for shoulder osteoarthritis?

Research shows that Triamcinolone Acetonide Extended-Release (ZILRETTA) is effective in reducing pain and improving function in knee osteoarthritis, with a similar formulation being studied for shoulder osteoarthritis. The extended-release formulation allows for prolonged presence in the joint, potentially offering longer-lasting relief compared to standard treatments. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Is ZILRETTA safe for use in humans?

ZILRETTA, a form of triamcinolone acetonide, has been shown to be generally well tolerated in clinical trials for osteoarthritis pain in the knee, with a safety profile similar to placebo and other forms of triamcinolone acetonide. It reduces systemic exposure, which lessens the risk of side effects like blood sugar increases. Studies on shoulder osteoarthritis also evaluated its safety, indicating it is generally safe for human use. ^{1 2 3 6 7}

How is the drug ZILRETTA different from other treatments for shoulder osteoarthritis?

ZILRETTA is unique because it uses a special microsphere technology to slowly release the medication directly into the joint, providing longer-lasting pain relief with reduced side effects compared to standard treatments. This extended-release formulation helps keep the drug in the joint longer, minimizing its presence in the rest of the body and reducing potential side effects like blood sugar spikes. ^{1 2 3 8 9}

Research Team

Nino Joy, MD

Principal Investigator

Pacira Pharmaceuticals, Inc

Eligibility Criteria

This trial is for individuals with shoulder osteoarthritis, specifically in the glenohumeral joint. Participants should have a history of pain due to their condition and be suitable candidates for intra-articular injection treatments.

Inclusion Criteria

I have had shoulder pain or symptoms for 3 months or more.

I am using or willing to use effective birth control during the study.

Body Mass Index (BMI) ≤40 kg/m2

Exclusion Criteria

I have shoulder pain or damage due to a rotator cuff issue.

I had a shoulder or upper arm bone fracture in the last 2 years.

I had a shoulder injury that limited my movement for over a month.

Trial Timeline

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

10-35 days

1 visit (in-person)

Pre-treatment

Participants undergo pre-treatment assessments and training, including eDiary registration and training for accurate pain reporting

Up to 35 days

Treatment

Participants receive a single intra-articular injection of either ZILRETTA, TCA-IR, or placebo

Single day (Baseline/Day 1)

1 visit (in-person)

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for safety and effectiveness with outpatient visits and daily eDiary entries

24 weeks

8 visits (in-person) at Weeks 2, 4, 8, 12, 16, 18, 20, and 24

Treatment Details

Interventions

• TCA-IR (Corticosteroid)
• ZILRETTA (Corticosteroid)

Trial Overview The study aims to compare the effectiveness and safety of ZILRETTA (an extended-release corticosteroid) against a placebo (normal saline) and an immediate-release steroid (TCA-IR), all administered through single-dose injections directly into the shoulder joint.

Participant Groups

Group I: ZILRETTA Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

100 subjects will receive 32 mg ZILRETTA

Group II: TCA-IR Active Control 1 Intervention

100 subjects will receive 40 mg TCA-IR

Group III: Placebo Placebo Group 1 Intervention

50 subjects will receive normal saline placebo

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

Pacira Pharmaceuticals, Inc

Lead Sponsor

Trials

142

Recruited

14,300+

Headquarters

Tampa, USA

Known For

Non-opioid Pain Management

Top Products

Exparel, Zilretta, iovera

Dr. Jonathan Slonin

Pacira Pharmaceuticals, Inc

Chief Medical Officer since 2020

BSc in Biomedical Engineering and MD from University of Miami, MBA from George Washington University

Frank D. Lee

Pacira Pharmaceuticals, Inc

Chief Executive Officer since 2024

BSc in Chemical Engineering from Vanderbilt University, MBA from Wharton Graduate School of Business

Findings from Research

Triamcinolone acetonide extended-release (ER) 32 mg significantly reduces knee osteoarthritis pain over 24 weeks compared to placebo, while also improving stiffness and physical function, demonstrating its efficacy as a treatment option.

The formulation of triamcinolone acetonide ER in PLGA microspheres allows for prolonged release in the joint, minimizing systemic exposure and related side effects, making it a safer alternative to traditional corticosteroid injections.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Triamcinolone Acetonide Extended-Release: A Review in Osteoarthritis Pain of the Knee. Paik, J., Duggan, ST., Keam, SJ.[2023]

In a Phase-3 study involving 484 adults with knee osteoarthritis, FX006 (32 mg) significantly reduced average daily pain intensity compared to saline placebo, achieving about a 50% improvement by week 12.

FX006 also showed favorable results in secondary and exploratory measures of osteoarthritis symptoms compared to placebo, while its efficacy was similar to that of standard triamcinolone acetonide (TAcs) in terms of pain reduction.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Effects of a Single Intra-Articular Injection of a Microsphere Formulation of Triamcinolone Acetonide on Knee Osteoarthritis Pain: A Double-Blinded, Randomized, Placebo-Controlled, Multinational Study. Conaghan, PG., Hunter, DJ., Cohen, SB., et al.[2019]

In a phase 2 study involving 25 patients with shoulder osteoarthritis, triamcinolone acetonide extended-release (TA-ER) demonstrated a lower systemic exposure compared to the crystalline suspension (TAcs), suggesting a potentially improved safety profile for TA-ER.

Both formulations were well-tolerated, with no serious adverse events reported, indicating that TA-ER may provide effective treatment with reduced risk of systemic side effects.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Safety and Systemic Exposure of Triamcinolone Acetonide Following Ultrasound-Guided Intra-Articular Injection of Triamcinolone Extended-Release or Standard Triamcinolone Acetonide in Patients with Shoulder Osteoarthritis: An Open-Label, Randomized Study. Hanson, P., Kivitz, A., Mehra, P., et al.[2023]

In a study of 135 patients with frozen shoulder, both triamcinolone acetonide and methylprednisolone acetate were found to be equally effective for primary frozen shoulder, with success rates of 81.8% and 83.3%, respectively.

Triamcinolone acetonide was particularly effective for diabetic frozen shoulder, showing a significant improvement rate of 69% compared to 39% for methylprednisolone acetate, and required fewer injections for similar or better outcomes.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Comparison between intraarticular triamcinolone acetonide and methylprednisolone acetate injections in treatment of frozen shoulder. Sakeni, RA., Al-Nimer, MS.[2018]

In a study involving 84 patients with adhesive capsulitis, both 40 mg and 10 mg doses of triamcinolone acetonide (TA) used in ultrasound-guided hydrodilatation showed similar improvements in shoulder pain, disability, and range of motion over 12 weeks.

Given that both doses were equally effective and no adverse events were reported, using the lower dose of 10 mg TA may be preferable to minimize potential negative effects on surrounding cartilage and tendons.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Comparative Effectiveness of Corticosteroid Dosages for Ultrasound-Guided Glenohumeral Joint Hydrodilatation in Adhesive Capsulitis: A Randomized Controlled Trial. Wang, JC., Hsu, PC., Wang, KA., et al.[2023]

In a study involving 30 patients with hip osteoarthritis, the extended-release formulation of triamcinolone acetonide (TA-ER) was found to have a comparable safety profile to the conventional crystalline suspension (TAcs), with fewer treatment-emergent adverse events (TEAEs) reported (26.7% for TA-ER vs. 46.7% for TAcs).

TA-ER resulted in significantly lower peak plasma concentrations and overall systemic exposure compared to TAcs, suggesting a potentially safer profile with gradual elimination from the body, which may reduce the risk of systemic side effects.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

A Randomized, Open-Label, Single-Dose Study to Assess Safety and Systemic Exposure of Triamcinolone Acetonide Extended-Release in Patients With Hip Osteoarthritis. Kivitz, A., Mehra, P., Hanson, P., et al.[2022]

Triamcinolone acetonide (TA) loaded polycaprolactone (PCL) implants can effectively release the drug over 180 days, with filament-shaped implants showing the highest release rate, which could improve treatment for eye diseases while reducing the need for frequent injections.

The implants demonstrated over 90% cell viability in biocompatibility studies, indicating they are safe for use in ocular applications, potentially enhancing patient compliance and reducing side effects associated with traditional intravitreal injections.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Fabrication and Characterisation of 3D-Printed Triamcinolone Acetonide-Loaded Polycaprolactone-Based Ocular Implants. Annuryanti, F., Domínguez-Robles, J., Anjani, QK., et al.[2023]

A single intra-articular injection of triamcinolone acetonide extended-release (TA-ER) showed prolonged presence in the joint compared to the standard crystalline suspension, indicating its potential for sustained therapeutic effects in knee osteoarthritis.

The study found that while TA-ER and the crystalline form had similar mild effects on cartilage, the transient nature of these effects suggests that TA-ER's benefits may be more pronounced in diseased joints rather than in healthy ones.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Local Effects Following Single and Repeat Intra-Articular Injections of Triamcinolone Acetonide Extended-Release: Results from Three Nonclinical Toxicity Studies in Dogs. Bodick, N., Williamson, T., Strand, V., et al.[2020]

In a study of 26 patients with frozen shoulder syndrome, those receiving a 40 mg intra-articular injection of triamcinolone had a 'cured' rate 5.8 times higher after one week compared to those taking oral triamcinolone tablets.

Sixty-two percent of patients in the injection group achieved a 'cured' condition within a week, while only 14% in the oral tablet group did, indicating that intra-articular corticosteroid injections provide faster relief from symptoms.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Frozen shoulder syndrome: comparison of oral route corticosteroid and intra-articular corticosteroid injection. Widiastuti-Samekto, M., Sianturi, GP.[2013]

References

1. New Zealand pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Triamcinolone Acetonide Extended-Release: A Review in Osteoarthritis Pain of the Knee. [2023]

2. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Effects of a Single Intra-Articular Injection of a Microsphere Formulation of Triamcinolone Acetonide on Knee Osteoarthritis Pain: A Double-Blinded, Randomized, Placebo-Controlled, Multinational Study. [2019]

3. New Zealand pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Safety and Systemic Exposure of Triamcinolone Acetonide Following Ultrasound-Guided Intra-Articular Injection of Triamcinolone Extended-Release or Standard Triamcinolone Acetonide in Patients with Shoulder Osteoarthritis: An Open-Label, Randomized Study. [2023]

4. Saudi Arabia pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Comparison between intraarticular triamcinolone acetonide and methylprednisolone acetate injections in treatment of frozen shoulder. [2018]

5. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Comparative Effectiveness of Corticosteroid Dosages for Ultrasound-Guided Glenohumeral Joint Hydrodilatation in Adhesive Capsulitis: A Randomized Controlled Trial. [2023]

6. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

A Randomized, Open-Label, Single-Dose Study to Assess Safety and Systemic Exposure of Triamcinolone Acetonide Extended-Release in Patients With Hip Osteoarthritis. [2022]

7. Switzerland pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Fabrication and Characterisation of 3D-Printed Triamcinolone Acetonide-Loaded Polycaprolactone-Based Ocular Implants. [2023]

8. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Local Effects Following Single and Repeat Intra-Articular Injections of Triamcinolone Acetonide Extended-Release: Results from Three Nonclinical Toxicity Studies in Dogs. [2020]

9. Malaysia pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Frozen shoulder syndrome: comparison of oral route corticosteroid and intra-articular corticosteroid injection. [2013]