---
title: Pilot Study of the Safety and Efficacy of Anakinra in Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension
nct_id: NCT03057028
overall_status: COMPLETED
phase: PHASE1
sponsor: Virginia Commonwealth University
study_type: INTERVENTIONAL
primary_condition: Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension
countries: United States
canonical_url: "https://parkinsonspathways.com/agent/trials/NCT03057028.md"
clinicaltrials_gov: "https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT03057028"
ct_last_update_post_date: 2019-04-05
last_seen_at: "2026-05-12T07:17:42.885Z"
source: ClinicalTrials.gov (mirrored, no enrichment)
---
# Pilot Study of the Safety and Efficacy of Anakinra in Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension

**NCT ID:** [NCT03057028](https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT03057028)

## Key Facts

- **Status:** COMPLETED
- **Phase:** PHASE1
- **Study Type:** INTERVENTIONAL
- **Target Enrollment:** 7
- **Lead Sponsor:** Virginia Commonwealth University
- **Conditions:** Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension
- **Start Date:** 2016-04
- **Completion Date:** 2018-06-07
- **CT.gov Last Update:** 2019-04-05

## Brief Summary

Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) can result in right ventricular failure and death. Anakinra has been used in patients with left sided heart failure, and the present study looks to determine if anakinra is safe and effective in patients with PAH. To accomplish this goal, we plan to evaluate for exercise improvement (as assessed by cardiopulmonary exercise testing) in 10 patients with PAH on anakinra.

## Detailed Description

Patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension will undergo cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET) at baseline and at 2 weeks. After the initial CPET, all patients will receive anakinra as a daily injection for 2 weeks. Patients will be instructed in the use of anakinra during their initial visit. Our primary outcome will be the difference in the exercise capacity of patients with PAH, as measured by maximal uptake of oxygen on CPET.

## Eligibility

- **Minimum age:** 18 Years
- **Sex:** ALL
- **Healthy Volunteers:** No

```
Inclusion Criteria:

* age over 18
* functional class II or III symptoms of right ventricular failure despite optimal PAH therapy
* mean pulmonary artery pressure \>25mmHg on previous right heart catheterization
* pulmonary arterial wedge pressure \<15mmHg on previous right heart catheterization
* pulmonary vascular resistance \>3 wood units on previous right heart catheterization

Exclusion Criteria:

* PAH due to connective tissue disease
* angina or electrocardiograph changes that limit maximum exertion during cardiopulmonary exercise testing or baseline EKG changes that limit the ability to detect ischemia
* recent (\<14 days) use of anti-inflammatory drugs (not including NSAIDs), chronic inflammatory disorder, malignancy, active infection, or any comorbidity limiting survival or ability to complete the study
* sever kidney dysfunction (eGFR \<30mL/min)
* thrombocytopenia (\<50,000/mm3), or neutropenia (absolute neutrophil count \<1500/mm3)
* refusal by a woman of childbearing potential to use a medically acceptable form of birth control
* history of hypersensitivity to anakinra or E. coli products
* latex or rubber allergy
* inability to give informed consent
* non-English speaking
```

## Arms

- **anakinra** (EXPERIMENTAL) — Patients will be treated with anakinra, injected SQ daily in a dose of 100mg for 14 days. Before and after this intervention, patients will undergo cardiopulmonary exercise testing (as well as echocardiography, EKG analysis, and serologic analysis). Subjects will be assessed for changes in exercise capacity, as determined by peak oxygen uptake and ventilatory efficiency to CO2 production slope.

## Interventions

- **Anakinra** (DRUG)

## Primary Outcomes

- **Change in exercise capacity, as determined by peak oxygen consumption and ventilatory efficiency on cardiopulmonary exercise testing** _(time frame: 14 days)_

## Secondary Outcomes

- **Effect of anakinra on serum high sensitivity C-reactive protein** _(time frame: 14 days)_
- **Effect of anakinra on serum NT-pro-BNP.** _(time frame: 14 days)_
- **Effect of anakinra on serum interleukin-6** _(time frame: 14 days)_
- **Change in symptoms of heart failure (as assessed by questionnaire with the Duke Activity Status Index and Minnesota Living With Heart Failure Questionnaire).** _(time frame: 14 days)_
- **Correlate between biomarkers (serum high sensitivity C reactive protein, interluekin-6, and NT-pro BNP) and measures of exercise capacity (peak oxygen consumption and ventilatory efficiency on cardiopulmonary exercise testing)** _(time frame: 14 days)_
- **Number of patients with treatment related adverse events related to anakinra in patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension** _(time frame: 14 days)_

## Locations (1)

- Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia, United States

## Recent Field Changes (last 30 days)

- `status.overallStatus` — added _(2026-05-12)_
- `status.primaryCompletionDate` — added _(2026-05-12)_
- `status.completionDate` — added _(2026-05-12)_
- `status.lastUpdatePostDate` — added _(2026-05-12)_
- `design.phases` — added _(2026-05-12)_
- `design.enrollmentCount` — added _(2026-05-12)_
- `eligibility.criteria` — added _(2026-05-12)_
- `eligibility.minAge` — added _(2026-05-12)_
- `eligibility.sex` — added _(2026-05-12)_
- `outcomes.primary` — added _(2026-05-12)_
- `outcomes.secondary` — added _(2026-05-12)_
- `armsInterventions.arms` — added _(2026-05-12)_
- `armsInterventions.interventions` — added _(2026-05-12)_
- `sponsor.lead` — added _(2026-05-12)_
- `results.hasResults` — added _(2026-05-12)_
- `locations.virginia commonwealth university|richmond|virginia|united states` — added _(2026-05-12)_

---

*Canonical: https://parkinsonspathways.com/agent/trials/NCT03057028.md*  
*Source data (authoritative): https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT03057028*  
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