Immune Modulation During Palynziq® Treatment in Adults (IMPALA)
Phenylketonuria
What this study involves
The registry says this study is recruiting. Individual locations may have different availability.
- Study type
- Interventional
- Phase
- Phase 4
- Age range
- 18 years - 65 years
- Sex eligible
- All sexes
- Healthy volunteers
- Not accepted
- Participants
- 12 Estimated
These are starting points, not an eligibility decision. The research team must review the full requirements.
About the research
Study 165-401 is a Phase 4, open-label study designed to examine the concomitant use of methotrexate (MTX) to suppress immune responses to Palynziq and improve tolerability and efficacy in adults with PKU.
Read the full description
The overall objective of the study is to evaluate the ability of MTX, when co-administered with Palynziq, to suppress immune responses to Palynziq and thus improve the tolerability and efficacy of Palynziq in adults with phenylketonuria (PKU). Up to 12 participants will be enrolled into the study across 2 cohorts, with a target enrollment of 6 participants into each cohort:
- Cohort A: Individuals with uncontrolled blood phenylalanine (Phe) \> 600 μmol/L on existing management who have never been treated with Palynziq (Palynziq naïve)
- Cohort B: Individuals who have uncontrolled blood Phe \> 600 μmol/L after ≥ 24 consecutive weeks of treatment with Palynziq, are on a current dose of≥ 20mg/day, and are unable to further dose escalate (Palynziq experienced)
Palynziq will be initiated (Cohort A) or will continue (Cohort B) as indicated in the Palynziq United States Prescribing Information (USPI) and as prescribed by the participant's treating physician. The decision to initiate or continue Palynziq must be made independently of participation in this study. Palynziq and MTX will not be supplied by BioMarin as part of participation in this study.
All participants will be administered MTX at an oral dose of 15 mg/week concurrent with Palynziq:
- Cohort A participants will have a 4-week Screening Period, followed by a 4-week MTX Tolerability Period during which only MTX will be administered. If MTX is tolerated during the MTX Tolerability Period, the participant will then enter the 24-week Combination Treatment Period during which MTX + Palynziq will be administered concurrently.
- Cohort B participants will have a 4-week Screening Period. Participants will then have 24 weeks of concurrent MTX + Palynziq treatment (Combination Treatment Period): participants will be assessed for MTX tolerability during the first 4 weeks of MTX + Palynziq (MTX Tolerability Period) and then receive another 20 weeks of MTX + Palynziq.
After completion of Week 24 (Combination Treatment Period), MTX will be discontinued for both cohorts and Palynziq only will continue for another 24 weeks (to Week 49; Follow-up Period).
Participants will be assessed for safety and MTX tolerability. If a participant in either Cohort A or B is unable to tolerate MTX, the participant will be discontinued from MTX treatment. Participants who discontinue from MTX early should continue to complete the remaining study assessments until as long as such continued participation will not detrimentally affect the health, safety, and welfare of the participant per investigator determination
Who may be able to participate?
The list below is the sponsor’s full registry wording. It can include conditions, prior treatment, test results and other requirements. A match in search does not mean you qualify.
Inclusion Criteria:
- Adults between 18 and 65 years old
- Have a confirmed diagnosis of phenylketonuria (PKU)
- Are in generally good health based on medical evaluation
- Are willing and medically eligible to receive Palynziq and methotrexate (MTX) Cohort A: Have never taken Palynziq before and are willing to start it during the study Cohort B: Have blood \> 600 μmol/L after taking Palynziq for at least 24 weeks, are on a daily dose of at least 20mg and unable to increase the dose further
- Agree to use required contraception if they or their partner could become pregnant
- Are willing to carry two epinephrine devices at all times during Palynziq treatment
Exclusion Criteria:
- Pregnant, breastfeeding, planning to become pregnant, planning to father a child, or not using effective birth control if applicable
- Have a known severe allergy or hypersensitivity reaction to methotrexate (MTX), Palynziq, or other PEG-containing medications
- Have a serious active infection or a history of severe or recurrent infections
- Have significant medical conditions that may affect safety or participation (such as serious heart, lung, liver, kidney, immune, neurological, psychiatric, or cancer-related conditions)
- Have a history of substance or alcohol abuse within the past 12 months
- Have had an organ transplant or are taking chronic immunosuppressive medications
- Are currently taking medications that are not allowed in the study, including other PKU treatments besides Palynziq
- Are using, or plan to use, injectable PEG-containing medications other than Palynziq during the study
- Have major surgery planned during the study participation period
- Are currently participating in another clinical study involving Palynziq
- In the opinion of the study doctor, are not a suitable candidate for the study or may have difficulty complying with study requirements
Treatment, groups and participation
The registry may describe treatments and study duration without a complete visit calendar. Ask the study team for the exact schedule, procedures, risks, costs and alternatives. Keep your usual care plan unless your treating clinician tells you otherwise.
- Assignment
- Not randomized
- Masking
- No masking
Palynziq naïve
Individuals with uncontrolled blood phenylalanine (Phe) \> 600 μmol/L on existing management who have never been treated with Palynziq. Participants will have a 4-week Screening Period, followed by a 4-week MTX Tolerability Period during which only MTX will be administered. If MTX is tolerated during the MTX Tolerability Period, the participant will then enter the 24-week Combination Treatment Period during which MTX + Palynziq will be administered concurrently. After completion of Week 24 (Combination Treatment Period), MTX will be discontinued for both cohorts and Palynziq only will continue for another 24 weeks (to Week 49).
Biological: Pegvaliase · Drug: Methotrexate
Palynziq experienced
Individuals who have uncontrolled blood Phe \> 600 μmol/L after ≥ 24 consecutive weeks of treatment with Palynziq, are on a current dose of ≥ 20mg/day and are unable to further dose escalate (Palynziq experienced). Participants will have a 4-week Screening Period. Participants will then have 24 weeks of concurrent MTX + Palynziq treatment (Combination Treatment Period): participants will be assessed for MTX tolerability during the first 4 weeks of MTX + Palynziq (MTX Tolerability Period) and then receive another 20 weeks of MTX + Palynziq. After completion of Week 24 (Combination Treatment Period), MTX will be discontinued for both cohorts and Palynziq only will continue for another 24 weeks (to Week 49).
Biological: Pegvaliase · Drug: Methotrexate
Pegvaliase BIOLOGICAL
Pegvaliase (Palynziq) administered by subcutaneous injection. Dosing follows U.S. Prescribing Information and investigator judgement.
Methotrexate DRUG
Oral methotrexate 15 mg administered once weekly during the Tolerability Period and the Combination Treatment Period.
What researchers are measuring
Outcome measures describe what is being studied. They are not proof that a treatment works.
Primary measures
Change in blood Phe levels from baseline to Week 25 and Week 49
Time frame: Baseline to Week 25 and Baseline to Week 49
To evaluate blood Phe response in adults with PKU co-administered Palynziq with MTX for 6 months
Anti-PEG IgG, IgM, anti-PAL IgG, IgM levels at Weeks 5, 9, 25, and 49
Time frame: Baseline to Week 5, Week 9, Week 25, and Week 49
To evaluate the ability of MTX to modulate the immune response to Palynziq in adults with PKU
Secondary measures
Incidence of TEAEs
Time frame: Baseline through Week 49
To evaluate the safety of co-administration of Palynziq with MTX in adults with PKU. A TEAE is defined as any AE that newly appeared, increased in frequency, or worsened in severity following initiation of the study drugs (MTX or Palynziq) administration. Incidence of TEAEs will be defined as (number of TEAEs)/(total exposure time in person-years) \*100
Trough Palynziq plasma PK
Time frame: Baseline through Week 49
To characterize the PK of Palynziq during co-administration with MTX in adults with PKU
Other measures
Change in IgG-C3d CIC, C3, C4 levels from baseline to Weeks 9, 25, and 49
Time frame: Baseline to Weeks 9, 25, and 49
To evaluate formation of CIC and activation of complement pathway. Change from baseline to time t for each participant will be defined as (blood level at time t) - (blood level at baseline)
Percentage of participants in Cohort B that have escalated from dose at enrollment
Time frame: Baseline to Week 24 and Week 48
To evaluate ability to dose escalate in Cohort B participants following co-administration of Palynziq with MTX
Review the complete result tables and limitations in the official record.
Open official results ↗Research locations (12)
The overall study status and a local site’s status can differ. Confirm that location’s availability before traveling.
12 locations
UCLA Dept. of Human GeneticsLos Angeles, California, United StatesRecruiting
Children's Hospital ColoradoAurora, Colorado, United StatesRecruiting
University Of South Florida Medical CenterTampa, Florida, United StatesRecruiting
Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of ChicagoChicago, Illinois, United StatesRecruiting
Indiana University School of MedicineIndianapolis, Indiana, United StatesRecruiting
University of Minnesota Medical SchoolMinneapolis, Minnesota, United StatesRecruiting
University of Rochester Medical Center (URMC)Rochester, New York, United StatesRecruiting
Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU) - PARENTPortland, Oregon, United StatesRecruiting
University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC) - Children's Hospital of PittsburghPittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United StatesNot yet recruiting
UT Southwestern Medical CenterDallas, Texas, United StatesRecruiting
University of Utah HospitalSalt Lake City, Utah, United StatesNot yet recruiting
Children's Hospital of WisconsinMilwaukee, Wisconsin, United StatesRecruiting
Study team and timeline
- Lead sponsor
- BioMarin Pharmaceutical
- Study start
- May 29, 2026 Actual
- Primary completion
- Sep 30, 2027 Estimated
- Study completion
- Sep 30, 2027 Estimated
- First posted
- Mar 17, 2026 Actual
- Last updated
- Nov 10, 2026 Actual
Official study contacts
Official study title
A Phase 4 Study of Immune Modulation During Palynziq® Treatment in Adults With Phenylketonuria (PKU)
Ask Wellness Clinical Research
Your message goes to WCR, including when this study is run by another organization. WCR may offer general guidance but may not operate this trial, have access to its team or be able to enroll you.
Source: ClinicalTrials.gov API v2. Information is submitted by sponsors and investigators. NLM does not approve the safety or science of all listed studies. Registry disclaimer.
Retrieved: Nov 12, 2026 · Last registry update: Nov 10, 2026
