Active clinical trials for "Autoimmune Diseases"

The purpose of this study is to retrieve and cryopreserve ovarian tissue from females undergoing a treatment that may lead to irreversible loss of ovarian function.

The purpose of this pilot trial is to determine whether a conversion from calcineurin inhibitors (CNI) and mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) to a regimen consisting of efalizumab and sirolimus is associated with an increase in T regulatory cells, white cells that control the immune system and can prevent autoimmune diseases like arthritis or rejection of foreign organs,and does not result in an increase in acute rejection.

Glucocorticoid is widely used in clinical treatment. Recently, there was research about glucose fluctuations under low-dose and pulse steroid therapy in elderly patients with active autoimmune diseases. Through this prospective trial, the investigators wanted to know the blood glucose characteristics under high dosage glucocorticoid (1-2 mg/kg/day prednisone or equivalent) in young patients (30-40 years) with active autoimmune diseases with or without low-dose glucocorticoid maintenance. The investigators used continuous glucose monitoring for 72 hours to get a better understanding of the glucose levels.

Effectiveness of fasting or fasting-mimicking diet has been proved an effective approach to treat metabolic and autoimmune diseases in mice. However, clinical trials performing prolonged fasting with more than 7 days have not been reported. Investigators conduct an open label, phase I/II clinical trial to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of the 21-day fasting-like diet in the treatment of metabolic and autoimmune diseases.

The pathogenic role of type I interferons (IFNs) in the development of different autoimmune diseases has been extensively described in the literature. Since plasmacytoid dendritic cells (pDCs) are the main source of type I IFNs, there is evidence of the involvement of pDCs in autoimmune diseases. The CD303 surface protein (also called BDCA-2) is specifically expressed by the pDCs. The hypothesis leading to the realization of this study is to observe, in vitro, an inhibition of the secretion of the type I IFNs by pDCs in the peripheral blood in patients with autoimmune disease, thanks to the action of the anti-CD303 antibody Developed by the LFB Group, which could reduce the inflammatory response and improve patients with autoimmune disease

This study is designed to address the evidence gaps in a real-world setting and help patients with MG choose treatments that are best suited to them. It is a prospective, multicenter observational cohort study of comparative effectiveness of MG treatments, with a patient-centered primary outcome measure, to guide clinicians, patients and payers regarding the choice of treatment options for this chronic and serious disease. Primary: To compare the effectiveness of azathioprine (AZT) and mycophenolate mofetil (MMF). Secondary: To compare the outcomes in patients receiving an adequate dose and duration of AZT or MMF over the 2-3 year study period, vs. patients not receiving adequate doses and duration of these agents

This study evaluates the immunomodulatory effects of subcutaneous progesterone in patients undergoing IVF by determination of anti-nuclear antibodies (ANA),extractable nuclear antigen antibodies (ENA),anti- neutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies(ANCA),anti-DNA antibodies, anti-cardiolipin antibodies (ACA),Lupus anticoagulant antibodies (LAC) and C3 and C4 fractions of complement on the day of beta hCG dosage and during the eigth week of gestation.

The objective of this study is to evaluate the effect of Tumor Necrosis Factor (TNF) inhibition on oral parameters in patients with RA and to examine changes in levels of proinflammatory cytokines in serum, gingival crevicular fluid (GCF), and saliva at an early time point (6-8 wk) and a later time point (14-16 wk) after the initiation of therapy in relation to concomitant assessment of Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and oral clinical variables. The purposes of the study are to: Determine if oral periodontal parameters are affected by TNF inhibition; Examine relationships between periodontal variables and RA variables with TNF inhibition; Determine if there may be potential early response markers of clinical RA response seen using ultrasensitive analysis of oral or serum cytokines.

The objective of the proposed study is to assess the role of smoking and complex gene-smoking interactions in two understudied Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA)groups.

No therapy for infertile patients with premature ovarian failure has been proven effective. Some anecdotal reports have suggested that high dose, long term prednisone (steroid) therapy may be useful in treating autoimmune ovarian failure. However, prednisone, when used in high-doses for long periods of time has substantial side effects, including aseptic necrosis of bone where portions of bone die without the presence of infection and are surrounded by healthy tissue. Aseptic necrosis of bone often requires major surgical treatment. Even with this known level of risk, patients with premature ovarian failure are being treated based on this anecdotal evidence. This study will test the hypothesis that a lower risk therapy (alternate-day, lower dose, shorter-term prednisone) will cause a remission of autoimmune ovarian failure. There is no reliable blood test to identify patients who have premature ovarian failure. Therefore, all patients must undergo a laparoscopic ovarian biopsy to confirm the presence of an auto immune reaction in the ovaries (autoimmune oophoritis). Laparoscopy is a surgical procedure that allows doctors to explore the abdomen using a camera-like device called a laparoscope. The procedure has been used clinically by some reproductive endocrinologists to identify patients with premature ovarian failure who have an autoimmune mechanism for the disorder. The treatment will be deemed successful based on the return of ovulation as determined by weekly serum progesterone levels.