Microbial Dysbiosis in Rheumatoid Arthritis (MyRA)

June 17, 2020 updated by: Quadram Institute Bioscience

Microbial Dysbiosis in the Pathogenesis of Rheumatoid Arthritis: Using Metagenomics to Predict Methotrexate Efficacy

The MyRA study will primarily investigate whether there are associations between the structure and function of the gut microbiome and response to methotrexate in early rheumatoid arthritis patients. The microbiome will be characterised via shotgun metagenomic sequencing of microbial DNA present in stool samples taken during the participant's first 6 months of taking methotrexate.

Study Overview

Status

Unknown

Conditions

Detailed Description

Methotrexate is often the first drug of choice for patients with early rheumatoid arthritis (RA), but its efficacy is highly variable and it can lead to severe side effects. There are currently no reliable predictors of methotrexate efficacy for people with early RA.

Microbial dysbiosis (an imbalanced microbiome) has recently been implicated in RA, with associations between specific microbes and RA biomarkers or disease activity. Gut microbes have extensive capabilities in terms of xenobiotic (e.g. drug) metabolism. Several gut microbes are able to alter the drug methotrexate in vitro, and it is possible this could effect drug efficacy in vivo. Alternatively methotrexate efficacy could be affected by baseline microbial composition or alterations to microbial composition over the course of treatment.

Study Type

Observational

Enrollment (Anticipated)

30

Contacts and Locations

This section provides the contact details for those conducting the study, and information on where this study is being conducted.

Study Locations

    • Norfolk
      • Norwich, Norfolk, United Kingdom, NR4 7UY
        • Norfolk and Norwich University Hospitals Nhs Foundation Trust

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

Eligibility Criteria

Ages Eligible for Study

18 years to 65 years (ADULT, OLDER_ADULT)

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Genders Eligible for Study

All

Sampling Method

Non-Probability Sample

Study Population

Early rheumatoid arthritis commencing methotrexate monotherapy

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

  • 18-65 years of age
  • RA diagnosis based on ACR 2010 classification criteria with symptoms starting within the last 2 years
  • Referred by GP to the Early Arthritis Clinic at the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospitals NHS trust
  • Commencing methotrexate monotherapy for the first time

Exclusion Criteria:

  • Initially commencing combination therapy (prior to first stool sample) rather than methotrexate monotherapy i.e. MTX combined with another DMARD or prednisolone
  • Commencement of MTX therapy prior to first stool sample or cessation of MTX therapy at any point during the study
  • History of psoriasis
  • Those currently suffering from, or have ever suffered from, any diagnosed gastrointestinal disease, gastrointestinal disorders including regular diarrhoea and constipation (excluding hiatus hernia unless symptomatic) and/or have undergone gastrointestinal surgery.
  • Those regularly (3+ times/week) taking self-prescribed over the counter medications for digestive/gastrointestinal conditions
  • Use of laxatives within 7 days prior to sampling unless these have been used on a regular basis (3+ times/week) for more than one month prior to the study and will continue to be used throughout the study period
  • The use of over-the-counter medications or food/drinks containing pre and/or probiotics within 7 days prior to sampling, unless these have been used on a regular basis (3+ times/week) for more than one month prior to the study and will continue to be used throughout the study period
  • Significant alteration of the participant's normal diet at any point during the study (e.g. adoption of the 5:2 fasting diet)
  • Regular (3+ times/week) or recent (within 3 months) use of colonic irrigation or other bowel cleansing techniques
  • Recently returned to the UK following a period abroad, and who have suffered gastric symptoms during the period abroad or on return to the UK. These will be assessed on an individual basis
  • Currently taking or finished a course of antibiotics within the last 3 months
  • Currently pregnant or lactating
  • Living with or related to any member of the Study Team
  • Those who have limited or no understanding of spoken and written English

Study Plan

This section provides details of the study plan, including how the study is designed and what the study is measuring.

How is the study designed?

Design Details

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Change in DAS28-CRP score
Time Frame: 0-6 months
Disease Activity Score using 28 joints and C-reactive Protein
0-6 months

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Change in SDAI score
Time Frame: 0-6 months
Simplified Disease Activity Index
0-6 months
Concentration of CRP in blood
Time Frame: 0-6 months
C-reactive Protein (an inflammatory biomarker)
0-6 months
ESR value (blood)
Time Frame: 0-6 months
Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate (an inflammatory biomarker)
0-6 months
Concentration of anti-CCP in blood
Time Frame: 0-6 months
Anti-Cyclic Citrullinated peptide (disease-specific antibody)
0-6 months
Concentration of RF in blood
Time Frame: 0-6 months
Rheumatoid Factor (disease-specific antibody)
0-6 months

Collaborators and Investigators

This is where you will find people and organizations involved with this study.

Sponsor

Collaborators

Investigators

  • Study Chair: Simon Carding, Prof, Quadram Institute Bioscience

Study record dates

These dates track the progress of study record and summary results submissions to ClinicalTrials.gov. Study records and reported results are reviewed by the National Library of Medicine (NLM) to make sure they meet specific quality control standards before being posted on the public website.

Study Major Dates

Study Start (ACTUAL)

February 1, 2019

Primary Completion (ANTICIPATED)

April 30, 2021

Study Completion (ANTICIPATED)

July 30, 2021

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

January 10, 2019

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

January 10, 2019

First Posted (ACTUAL)

January 14, 2019

Study Record Updates

Last Update Posted (ACTUAL)

June 18, 2020

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

June 17, 2020

Last Verified

June 1, 2020

More Information

Terms related to this study

Other Study ID Numbers

  • QIB01/2018

Drug and device information, study documents

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product

No

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product

No

This information was retrieved directly from the website clinicaltrials.gov without any changes. If you have any requests to change, remove or update your study details, please contact register@clinicaltrials.gov. As soon as a change is implemented on clinicaltrials.gov, this will be updated automatically on our website as well.

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