Status:

TERMINATED

Safety Study of Rituximab (Rituxan®) in Chronic Urticaria

Lead Sponsor:

Johns Hopkins University

Collaborating Sponsors:

Genentech, Inc.

Conditions:

Urticaria

Eligibility:

All Genders

18-70 years

Phase:

PHASE1

PHASE2

Brief Summary

This study is being done to find out if a drug called Rituxan (Rituximab) is safe and effective in treating people with chronic urticaria (hives) with persistent symptoms in spite of taking antihistam...

Detailed Description

Rituximab (Rituxan®) is a recombinant chimeric monoclonal antibody that binds to a molecule (CD20) that is present on the surface of B lymphocytes. The product is approved for the treatment of non-Hod...

Eligibility Criteria

Inclusion

  • Major
  • Chronic urticaria defined as symptoms \>50% of the days or 3 days per week for more than 12 weeks
  • Previous requirement for sustained or recurrent use of corticosteroids OR requirement for immunomodulatory treatment for urticaria (eg hydroxychloroquine, sulfasalazine, dapsone, cyclosporine, IVIg, etc) OR ongoing symptoms for at least 6 months duration with failure to respond at least maximally approved dosages of 2 different antihistamine therapies
  • Chronic therapy with stable doses of antihistamines for at least 4 weeks. Patients may be taking more than one antihistamine or be taking combinations of antihistamines and leukotriene receptor antagonists
  • High baseline score for pruritis (at least 2 on a 3 point scale)
  • No underlying etiology clearly defined for urticaria
  • Evidence of underlying autoimmunity as evidenced by clinical and laboratory criteria
  • Concomitant use of hydroxychloroquine, sulfasalazine, or dapsone permitted if doses stable for at least 12 weeks
  • Negative serum pregnancy test (for women of child-bearing age)
  • Men and women of reproductive potential must agree to use an acceptable method of birth control during treatment and for twelve months (1 year) after completion of treatment.
  • No planned elective surgical procedures for at least 6 months
  • Major

Exclusion

  • Concomitant use of corticosteroids
  • Current use of immunosuppressive medication (cyclosporine, IVIg, methotrexate, cyclophosphamide). Any such medication will be discontinued for at least 6 weeks before screening.
  • Treatment with any investigational agent within 4 weeks of screening or 5 half-lives of the investigational drug (whichever is longer)
  • Receipt of a live vaccine within 4 weeks prior to randomization
  • Previous treatment with Rituximab (MabThera® / Rituxan®)
  • Prior antibody therapy
  • History of severe allergic or anaphylactic reactions to humanized or murine monoclonal antibodies
  • Known history of HIV seropositivity (testing will be performed at screening)
  • History of Hepatitis B and/or Hepatitis C (Hep BsAg and Hep C Ab will be obtained at screening)
  • History of recurrent significant infection or history of recurrent bacterial infections
  • Known active bacterial, viral, fungal, mycobacterial, or other infection (including tuberculosis or atypical mycobacterial disease, but excluding fungal infections of nail beds)
  • Any major episode of infection requiring hospitalization or treatment with i.v. antibiotics within 4 weeks of screening or oral antibiotics within 2 weeks prior to screening
  • Known immunodeficiency syndrome, hypogammaglobulinemia, etc.
  • Systemic lupus erythematosus
  • Pregnancy (a negative serum pregnancy test will be performed for all women of childbearing potential within 7 days of treatment) or lactation
  • Malignancies within the last five years, with the exception of adequately treated basal or squamous cell carcinoma of the skin or carcinoma in situ of the cervix.
  • Atopic dermatitis
  • Clinically relevant medical conditions (cardiovascular including poorly controlled hypertension or coronary artery disease, pulmonary, metabolic, renal, hepatic, psychiatric) or clinical laboratory finding giving reasonable suspicion of a disease or condition that contraindicates the use of an investigational drug or that may affect the interpretation of the results or render the patient at high risk from treatment complications
  • Plans or need to receive live viral vaccination over course of the study (e.g. Flu-Mist TM)

Key Trial Info

Start Date :

January 1 2006

Trial Type :

INTERVENTIONAL

Allocation :

ESTIMATED

End Date :

May 1 2007

Estimated Enrollment :

15 Patients enrolled

Trial Details

Trial ID

NCT00216762

Start Date

January 1 2006

End Date

May 1 2007

Last Update

September 2 2015

Active Locations (1)

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Page 1 of 1 (1 locations)

1

Johns Hopkins University, Bayview Medical Center

Baltimore, Maryland, United States, 21224