The Safety and Efficacy of a Tumor Necrosis Factor Receptor Fusion Protein on Uveitis Associated With Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis

June 23, 2005 updated by: National Eye Institute (NEI)
This study will investigate the safety and effectiveness of the drug Enbrel (TNFR:Fc) to treat uveitis (eye inflammation) in patients with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis.

Study Overview

Status

Unknown

Conditions

Intervention / Treatment

Detailed Description

In other studies, TNFR:Fc significantly reduced joint pain and swelling in adult patients with rheumatoid arthritis, and the Food and Drug Administration has approved the drug for that use. Because medicines for arthritis often help patients with eye inflammation, this study will examine whether TNFR:Fc can help patients with uveitis.

Patients with uveitis who are not responding well to standard treatment, such as steroids, and patients who have side effects from other medicines used to treat their uveitis or have refused treatment because of possible side effects may be eligible for this study. Candidates will be screened with a medical history, physical examination, and eye examination. The eye exam includes a check of vision and eye pressure, examination of the back of the eye (retina), and front of the eye, including measurements of protein and inflammation. Candidates will also undergo fluorescein angiography-a procedure in which photographs are taken of the retina to see if there is any leakage in the eye's blood vessels. A blood test and joint evaluation will also be done.

Study participants will be given an injection of TNFR:Fc twice a week for up to 12 months and may continue other medicines they may be taking, such as prednisone or methotrexate. They will have follow-up examinations at week two and months one, two, three and four. Those who wish to continue treatment after the fourth month can receive the drug for another eight months and will have follow-up exams at months six, nine and 12, and one month after treatment ends. Each follow-up visit will include a repeat of the screening exams and an evaluation of side effects or discomfort from the medicine.

Study Type

Interventional

Phase

  • Phase 3

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

  • United States
    • Maryland
      • Bethesda, Maryland, United States, 20892
        • Recruiting
        • National Institutes of Health
        • Contact:
        • Principal Investigator:
          • Janine A Smith, M.D.

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

2 years to 18 years (Child, Adult)

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Genders Eligible for Study

All

Description

Must meet American College of Rheumatology Criteria for JRA.

Must have active anterior uveitis defined as the presence of inflammatory cells (Grade 1+ or higher) in the anterior chamber of at least one eye or the current use of topical corticosteroids to control exacerbation of disease at a frequency of TID or higher.

Age between 2 and 18 years, inclusive.

Ability to undergo slit lamp biomicroscopy for assessment of anterior chamber cells.

Ability to comply with study requirements.

Be up to date on all recommended childhood immunizations.

Using current arthritis regimen for at least 8 weeks prior to enrollment.

No media opacity that precludes assessment of anterior chamber inflammation.

No periocular injection of corticosteroids within 2 months of baseline, or used a systemic experimental therapy within one month of baseline evaluation.

Not currently receiving disease modifying antirheumatic therapy (DMARD), with the exception of prednisone at a dose no greater than 1.0 mg/kg/day, or methotrexate at a dose no greater than 15 mg/m(2)/week.

No active eye or joint inflammation requiring immediate addition or increase in systemic anti-inflammatory medications.

No females who are pregnant or lactating.

No refusal to use contraception during the study and 6 months after termination of active study therapy, if child-bearing or fathering potential exists.

No use of Latanoprost within two weeks prior to enrollment, or have a current or likely need for Latanoprost during the course of the study.

No hypersensitivity to fluorescein dye.

No active serious infections or history of recurring serious infections.

No evidence of spondyloarthropathy or entheseopathy.

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

  • Primary Purpose: Treatment

Collaborators and Investigators

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

Sponsor

National Eye Institute (NEI)

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 Registration Dates

First Submitted

March 10, 2001

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

March 9, 2001

First Posted (Estimate)

March 12, 2001

Study Record Updates

Last Update Posted (Estimate)

June 24, 2005

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

June 23, 2005

Last Verified

March 1, 2001

More Information

Terms related to this study

Additional Relevant MeSH Terms

Other Study ID Numbers

  • NEI-82

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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