Biomarker-Linked Outcomes of Cellcept in Lupus Arthritis
Systemic Lupus Erythematosus, Arthritis
About this trial
This is an interventional treatment trial for Systemic Lupus Erythematosus focused on measuring lupus, arthritis, mycophenolate, biomarkers
Eligibility Criteria
Inclusion Criteria:
- Diagnosis of SLE by the 1995 modification of revised ACR criteria (includes antiphospholipid antibodies)
- BILAG A arthritis or BILAG B arthritis with at least 6 tender and 4 swollen joints at screening and baseline
- Stable prednisone dose at 20 mg of less for one month at baseline.
- If on antimalarials must be stable for at least one month at baseline
- If on NSAIDS must be on a stable regimen for at least one month but can be prn dosing
- Must be willing to withdraw from azathioprine or MTX at the time of screening.
- Between ages 14 and 70
- Women of childbearing potential must have a negative pregnancy test at screening and at each month during the study.
All participants (male and female) must, if fertile, agree to practice contraception during the entire course of the study. This may include barrier, oral contraceptives, depo-provera, intrauterine device and/or abstinence.
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Exclusion Criteria:
- Inability to understand informed consent
- Drug or alcohol abuse within the past six months
- In the opinion of the investigator, it is not likely the patient can comply with the protocol for any reason, or participation in the protocol is not in the patient's best interest.
- Unstable medical condition that, in the opinion of the investigator would contraindicate study participation
- History of malignancy (except for basal cell carcinoma at any time and/or cervical cancer or squamous cell cancer at least five years previous to screening).
- Use of cyclosporine, leflunomide, cyclophosphamide or ay biologic agent within three months prior to screening.
- Participation in any clinical study of an investigational agent within three months of screening -
Sites / Locations
- Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation
Arms of the Study
Arm 1
Arm 2
Active Comparator
Placebo Comparator
Arm I:
Arm 2
Participants randomly assigned to Arm I will receive mycophenolate mofetil in ascending doses during Month 1, and 3 grams/day (or less if there are tolerance issues) for Months 2 through 6. During Month 1 these participants receive the same number of pills as every other month, but with ascending doses of mycophenolate mofetil and descending numbers of placebo pills. Week one for a total of 1.5 gm/day of mycophenolate mofetil, Week two 2.0 gm/day, Week three 2.5 gm/day and Week 4 3 gm/day. Dose can be held or decreased for tolerance issues at any time.
Patients Randomly Assigned to Arm 2 will receive a placebo comparator. The placebo treatment will be structured so that they will undergo the same type of dosing in Month 1 that the ascending dose patient from Arm 1 undergo, but will have placebo in both bottles of pills. At the end of three months, after assessment of primary outcome, these patients enter open label treatment for three more months. During the fourth month this group continues to receive the same number of pills as they received before, with ascending doses of mycophenolate mofetil given vs descending placebo pills so that their induction is the same as those in Arm 1 at the first month.