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Efficacy and Safety of Fecal Microbiota Transplantation in Patients With Rheumatoid Arthritis Refractory to Methotrexate (FARM)

Primary Purpose

Rheumatoid Arthritis

Status
Unknown status
Phase
Phase 2
Locations
China
Study Type
Interventional
Intervention
FMT+MTX
Sponsored by
Peking Union Medical College Hospital
About
Eligibility
Locations
Arms
Outcomes
Full info

About this trial

This is an interventional treatment trial for Rheumatoid Arthritis focused on measuring fecal microbiota transplantation, methotrexate, rheumatoid arthritis

Eligibility Criteria

18 Years - 65 Years (Adult, Older Adult)All SexesDoes not accept healthy volunteers

Inclusion Criteria:

  • Age 18-65 years with informed consent
  • Fulfill the 2010 ACR/EULAR classification criteria for rheumatoid arthritis
  • Positive RF or anti-CCP antibody on screening
  • Have active RA shown by swollen joint count(SJC)≥4 and tender joint count(TJC)≥4 and ESR >28 mm/hr or C-reactive protein > 1.5 ULN
  • Have received methotrexate for 3 months or longer and at a stable dose of 7.5 to 25 mg/week (extremes included) for at least four weeks prior to screening and willing to continue on this regimen for the duration of the study.
  • Class I, II or III of the ACR 1991 Revised Criteria for Global Functional Status in RA
  • If taking oral steroids, these should be at a dose ≤10 mg/day of prednisone or prednisone equivalent and stable for at least four weeks prior to screening;
  • If taking non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), these must be at a stable dose for at least two weeks prior to screening;
  • Female subjects must have a negative pregnancy test unless they are surgically sterile or have been post-menopausal for at least one year (12 consecutive months without menses);
  • Women of childbearing potential must use a medically acceptable means of birth control and agree to continue its use during the study and for at least four weeks after the last dose of study drug. Sexually active men must agree to use a medically acceptable form of contraception during the study and continue its use for at least 3 months after the last dose of study drug; and
  • Willing to suspend the use of other adjuvant treatment for the duration of the study including acupuncture, massage, etc.

Exclusion Criteria:

  • Pregnant, lactating or further fertility requirements
  • History of any inflammatory rheumatological disorders other than RA;
  • Previously received any biologic agents.
  • Treatment with disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs), other than background methotrexate;
  • Receipt of an intra-articular or parenteral corticosteroid injection within four weeks prior to screening;
  • Active or chronic infection, including HIV, HCV, HBV, tuberculosis.
  • Malignancy or history of malignancy.
  • Severe, progressive, or uncontrolled cardiac, pulmonary, renal, hepatic, gastrointestinal, hematologic, metabolic, endocrine or neurologic disease
  • unable to undergo colonoscopy.

Sites / Locations

  • Peking Union Medical College HospitalRecruiting

Arms of the Study

Arm 1

Arm 2

Arm Type

Experimental

Placebo Comparator

Arm Label

FMT+MTX

autologous FMT+MTX

Arm Description

FMT One FMT is performed at baseline by gastroscopic guidance. The same FMT is repeated 4 weeks later. The transplant consists of 50 g mixed feces obtained from 3-5 non-related healthy donors. The donor feces is suspended into NaCl (0.9%) and glycerol (10%), and will be stored at minus 80 degrees celsius until use. The total volume of the suspension is 150 mL and its temperature will be 37 degrees celsius when infused into ileus of the recipient. Drug: Methotrexate (MTX) Weekly methotrexate

autologous FMT (the feces used in FMT is from participant themselves) One identical FMT is performed at baseline using gastroscopic guidance and is repeated 4 weeks later. The corresponding participant's feces is suspended into NaCl (0.9%) and glycerol (10%), and will be stored at minus 80 degrees celsius until use. The total volume of the suspension is 150 mL and its temperature will be 37 degrees celsius when infused into ileus of the participant himself or herself. Drug: Methotrexate (MTX) Weekly methotrexate

Outcomes

Primary Outcome Measures

The American College of Rheumatology 20 (ACR20) response at 16 weeks
The difference of ACR20 between Arm 1 (FMT+MTX) and Arm 2 (autologous FMT+MTX)

Secondary Outcome Measures

The American College of Rheumatology 50/70 (ACR50/ACR70) response at 16 weeks
The difference of ACR50/70 between Arm 1 (FMT+MTX) and Arm 2 (autologous FMT+MTX)
The American College of Rheumatology 20/50/70 (ACR20/ACR50/ACR70) response at 24 weeks
The difference of ACR20, ACR50 and ACR70 between Arm 1 (FMT+MTX) and Arm 2(autologous FMT+MTX) at week 24
The Disease Activity Score-28 (DAS28) response at 16 weeks
The change in DAS28 score from baseline to week 16 between Arm 1 (FMT+MTX) and Arm 2(autologous FMT+MTX). DAS28 = 0.56*SQRT(TJC28) + 0.28*SQRT(SJC28) + 0.36*ln(CRP + 1) + 0.014*GH + 0.96 TJC28: The number of tender joints (0-28). SJC28: The number of swollen joints (0-28). CRP: The C-Reactive Protein level (in mg/l). GH: The patient global health assessment (from 0=best to 100=worst). The 28 joint: shoulders, elbows, wrists, metacarpophalangeal joints, proximal interphalangeal joints and the knees.
The Disease Activity Score-28 (DAS28) response at 24 weeks
The change in DAS28 score from baseline to week 24 between Arm 1 (FMT+MTX) and Arm 2(autologous FMT+MTX). DAS28 = 0.56*SQRT(TJC28) + 0.28*SQRT(SJC28) + 0.36*ln(CRP + 1) + 0.014*GH + 0.96 TJC28: The number of tender joints (0-28). SJC28: The number of swollen joints (0-28). CRP: The C-Reactive Protein level (in mg/l). GH: The patient global health assessment (from 0=best to 100=worst). The 28 joint: shoulders, elbows, wrists, metacarpophalangeal joints, proximal interphalangeal joints and the knees.
The European League Against Rheumatism (EULAR) response at 16 weeks
The difference of proportions of patients meeting EULAR response between Arm 1(FMT+MTX) and Arm 2 (autologous FMT+MTX) at week 16
Health Assessment Questionnaire without Didability Index (HAQ-DI) at 16 weeks
The change in HAQ-DI score from baseline to week 16 between Arm 1(FMT+MTX) and Arm 2 (autologous FMT+MTX). HAQ-DI is an index measuring the quality of life related to health, which includes 20 questions in terms of three categories: from 0 to 1: mild difficulties to moderate disability, from 1 to 2: disability moderate to severe, from 2 to 3: severe to very severe disability. The mean score is recorded as the result.
Incidence of adverse events and sever adverse events (SAE) during the study
Safety profile

Full Information

First Posted
May 8, 2019
Last Updated
May 21, 2019
Sponsor
Peking Union Medical College Hospital
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1. Study Identification

Unique Protocol Identification Number
NCT03944096
Brief Title
Efficacy and Safety of Fecal Microbiota Transplantation in Patients With Rheumatoid Arthritis Refractory to Methotrexate
Acronym
FARM
Official Title
Efficacy and Safety of Faecal Microbiota Transplantation in Patients With Rheumatoid Arthritis Refractory to Methotrexate: a 24-week, Double-Blind, Randomised Trial
Study Type
Interventional

2. Study Status

Record Verification Date
May 2019
Overall Recruitment Status
Unknown status
Study Start Date
April 30, 2019 (Actual)
Primary Completion Date
March 31, 2020 (Anticipated)
Study Completion Date
July 31, 2020 (Anticipated)

3. Sponsor/Collaborators

Responsible Party, by Official Title
Principal Investigator
Name of the Sponsor
Peking Union Medical College Hospital

4. Oversight

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated Drug Product
No
Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated Device Product
No
Data Monitoring Committee
Yes

5. Study Description

Brief Summary
In this 24-week, single center, randomized, double-blind study, the investigators will evaluate the efficacy and safety of fecal microbiota transplantation in patients with active rheumatoid arthritis refractory to methotrexate
Detailed Description
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic autoimmune disease, characterized by painful synovium inflammation, bony erosions, immune activation. Gut microbiota plays an important role in pathophysiology of RA. FMT(fecal microbiota transplantation) is the engraftment of microbiota from a healthy donor into a recipient to achieve restoration of the normal gut microbial community structure.This study evaluates the efficacy and safety of FMT with methotrexate in patients with active RA refractory to methotrexate Objectives: To evaluate the efficacy of FMT with MTX for the treatment of signs and symptoms of RA in patients refractory to MTX. To evaluate the safety of FMT with MTX for the treatment of signs and symptoms of RA in patients refractory to MTX DESIGN This is a Phase 2, randomized, 24-week, double-blind, parallel group study, and 30 patients with active RA refractory to MTX will be randomized in a 1:1 ratio to one of the following 2 parallel treatment arms: FMT from healthy donor plus methotrexate autologous FMT(from the participant himself/herself) plus methotrexate Escape: On week 16, all participants with inadequate response, defined as a <20% improvement of swollen and tender joint counts from baseline can switch type and dose of DMARDs. Endpoints : Primary endpoint: ACR20 response rates at 16 weeks. Secondary endpoint: 1)ACR50 and ACR70 response at 16, 24 weeks,ACR20 response at 24 weeks. 2)DAS 28 (CRP) and DAS 28 (ESR) at 16 and 24 weeks. 3) EULAR response rates at 16 and 24 weeks. 4) Health assessment questionnaire (HAQ) at 16 and 24 weeks. 5) Patient assessment of arthritis pain at 16 and 24 weeks. 6) Patient and physician global assessment of arthritis at 16 and 24 weeks

6. Conditions and Keywords

Primary Disease or Condition Being Studied in the Trial, or the Focus of the Study
Rheumatoid Arthritis
Keywords
fecal microbiota transplantation, methotrexate, rheumatoid arthritis

7. Study Design

Primary Purpose
Treatment
Study Phase
Phase 2
Interventional Study Model
Parallel Assignment
Masking
ParticipantCare ProviderOutcomes Assessor
Allocation
Randomized
Enrollment
30 (Anticipated)

8. Arms, Groups, and Interventions

Arm Title
FMT+MTX
Arm Type
Experimental
Arm Description
FMT One FMT is performed at baseline by gastroscopic guidance. The same FMT is repeated 4 weeks later. The transplant consists of 50 g mixed feces obtained from 3-5 non-related healthy donors. The donor feces is suspended into NaCl (0.9%) and glycerol (10%), and will be stored at minus 80 degrees celsius until use. The total volume of the suspension is 150 mL and its temperature will be 37 degrees celsius when infused into ileus of the recipient. Drug: Methotrexate (MTX) Weekly methotrexate
Arm Title
autologous FMT+MTX
Arm Type
Placebo Comparator
Arm Description
autologous FMT (the feces used in FMT is from participant themselves) One identical FMT is performed at baseline using gastroscopic guidance and is repeated 4 weeks later. The corresponding participant's feces is suspended into NaCl (0.9%) and glycerol (10%), and will be stored at minus 80 degrees celsius until use. The total volume of the suspension is 150 mL and its temperature will be 37 degrees celsius when infused into ileus of the participant himself or herself. Drug: Methotrexate (MTX) Weekly methotrexate
Intervention Type
Procedure
Intervention Name(s)
FMT+MTX
Intervention Description
FMT is performed at the beginning of the study and is repeated after 4 weeks plus MTX in the same dose.
Primary Outcome Measure Information:
Title
The American College of Rheumatology 20 (ACR20) response at 16 weeks
Description
The difference of ACR20 between Arm 1 (FMT+MTX) and Arm 2 (autologous FMT+MTX)
Time Frame
week 16
Secondary Outcome Measure Information:
Title
The American College of Rheumatology 50/70 (ACR50/ACR70) response at 16 weeks
Description
The difference of ACR50/70 between Arm 1 (FMT+MTX) and Arm 2 (autologous FMT+MTX)
Time Frame
week 16
Title
The American College of Rheumatology 20/50/70 (ACR20/ACR50/ACR70) response at 24 weeks
Description
The difference of ACR20, ACR50 and ACR70 between Arm 1 (FMT+MTX) and Arm 2(autologous FMT+MTX) at week 24
Time Frame
week 24
Title
The Disease Activity Score-28 (DAS28) response at 16 weeks
Description
The change in DAS28 score from baseline to week 16 between Arm 1 (FMT+MTX) and Arm 2(autologous FMT+MTX). DAS28 = 0.56*SQRT(TJC28) + 0.28*SQRT(SJC28) + 0.36*ln(CRP + 1) + 0.014*GH + 0.96 TJC28: The number of tender joints (0-28). SJC28: The number of swollen joints (0-28). CRP: The C-Reactive Protein level (in mg/l). GH: The patient global health assessment (from 0=best to 100=worst). The 28 joint: shoulders, elbows, wrists, metacarpophalangeal joints, proximal interphalangeal joints and the knees.
Time Frame
week 16
Title
The Disease Activity Score-28 (DAS28) response at 24 weeks
Description
The change in DAS28 score from baseline to week 24 between Arm 1 (FMT+MTX) and Arm 2(autologous FMT+MTX). DAS28 = 0.56*SQRT(TJC28) + 0.28*SQRT(SJC28) + 0.36*ln(CRP + 1) + 0.014*GH + 0.96 TJC28: The number of tender joints (0-28). SJC28: The number of swollen joints (0-28). CRP: The C-Reactive Protein level (in mg/l). GH: The patient global health assessment (from 0=best to 100=worst). The 28 joint: shoulders, elbows, wrists, metacarpophalangeal joints, proximal interphalangeal joints and the knees.
Time Frame
week 24
Title
The European League Against Rheumatism (EULAR) response at 16 weeks
Description
The difference of proportions of patients meeting EULAR response between Arm 1(FMT+MTX) and Arm 2 (autologous FMT+MTX) at week 16
Time Frame
week 16
Title
Health Assessment Questionnaire without Didability Index (HAQ-DI) at 16 weeks
Description
The change in HAQ-DI score from baseline to week 16 between Arm 1(FMT+MTX) and Arm 2 (autologous FMT+MTX). HAQ-DI is an index measuring the quality of life related to health, which includes 20 questions in terms of three categories: from 0 to 1: mild difficulties to moderate disability, from 1 to 2: disability moderate to severe, from 2 to 3: severe to very severe disability. The mean score is recorded as the result.
Time Frame
week 16
Title
Incidence of adverse events and sever adverse events (SAE) during the study
Description
Safety profile
Time Frame
week 24

10. Eligibility

Sex
All
Minimum Age & Unit of Time
18 Years
Maximum Age & Unit of Time
65 Years
Accepts Healthy Volunteers
No
Eligibility Criteria
Inclusion Criteria: Age 18-65 years with informed consent Fulfill the 2010 ACR/EULAR classification criteria for rheumatoid arthritis Positive RF or anti-CCP antibody on screening Have active RA shown by swollen joint count(SJC)≥4 and tender joint count(TJC)≥4 and ESR >28 mm/hr or C-reactive protein > 1.5 ULN Have received methotrexate for 3 months or longer and at a stable dose of 7.5 to 25 mg/week (extremes included) for at least four weeks prior to screening and willing to continue on this regimen for the duration of the study. Class I, II or III of the ACR 1991 Revised Criteria for Global Functional Status in RA If taking oral steroids, these should be at a dose ≤10 mg/day of prednisone or prednisone equivalent and stable for at least four weeks prior to screening; If taking non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), these must be at a stable dose for at least two weeks prior to screening; Female subjects must have a negative pregnancy test unless they are surgically sterile or have been post-menopausal for at least one year (12 consecutive months without menses); Women of childbearing potential must use a medically acceptable means of birth control and agree to continue its use during the study and for at least four weeks after the last dose of study drug. Sexually active men must agree to use a medically acceptable form of contraception during the study and continue its use for at least 3 months after the last dose of study drug; and Willing to suspend the use of other adjuvant treatment for the duration of the study including acupuncture, massage, etc. Exclusion Criteria: Pregnant, lactating or further fertility requirements History of any inflammatory rheumatological disorders other than RA; Previously received any biologic agents. Treatment with disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs), other than background methotrexate; Receipt of an intra-articular or parenteral corticosteroid injection within four weeks prior to screening; Active or chronic infection, including HIV, HCV, HBV, tuberculosis. Malignancy or history of malignancy. Severe, progressive, or uncontrolled cardiac, pulmonary, renal, hepatic, gastrointestinal, hematologic, metabolic, endocrine or neurologic disease unable to undergo colonoscopy.
Central Contact Person:
First Name & Middle Initial & Last Name or Official Title & Degree
Yue Li, MD
Phone
+8618601309256
Email
yuelee76@gmail.com
Overall Study Officials:
First Name & Middle Initial & Last Name & Degree
Xuan Zhang, MD
Organizational Affiliation
Peking Union Medical College Hospital
Official's Role
Principal Investigator
Facility Information:
Facility Name
Peking Union Medical College Hospital
City
Beijing
State/Province
Beijing
ZIP/Postal Code
100032
Country
China
Individual Site Status
Recruiting
Facility Contact:
First Name & Middle Initial & Last Name & Degree
Yue Li, MD
Phone
+8618601309256
Email
yuelee76@gmail.com
First Name & Middle Initial & Last Name & Degree
Xuan Zhang, MD

12. IPD Sharing Statement

Plan to Share IPD
Undecided

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Efficacy and Safety of Fecal Microbiota Transplantation in Patients With Rheumatoid Arthritis Refractory to Methotrexate

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