Active clinical trials for "Dermatomyositis"

The use of lipid lowering agents in patients with idiopathic inflammatory myopathies is controversial. Therefore, the aim of the present study is to assess clinically and laboratory the impact of lipid-lowering agents in this population.

Polymyositis (PM), dermatomyositis (DM) and inclusion body myositis (IBM)belong to a group of inflammatory muscle disorders, of unknown cause, that are characterised by skeletal muscle inflammation and progressive muscular weakness, which can be debilitating and chronic in nature (occasionally fatal). The current treatment options for these conditions are steroids and various other immunosuppressive drugs. However, these are usually only partially effective at reducing symptoms, and their toxic side effects also limit their usefulness. In order to develop more specific treatments for myositis in the future (and therefore more effective), it is important to understand the exact mechanisms that cause the disease in the first instance. In other similar inflammatory diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and systemic lupus (SLE), it is known that changes to the Human Leukocyte Antigen(HLA), as well as certain inflammatory cytokines, are involved in both the development and expression of the disease. As many of the inflammatory mechanisms that cause damage in PM, DM and IBM are similar to those in RA and SLE, it seems likely that similar genetic factors will also be involved in the development and expression of PM, DM and IBM. In order to understand the genetic aspects / causes of myositis, and ultimately develop more effective treatment therapies in the future, patients with PM, DM or IBM, will be asked to give 20 mls of blood. These blood samples, along with the patient's clinical details, will then be sent to the Centre for Integrated Genomic Medical Research (CIGMR), at The University of Manchester, where all of the genetic analyses will take place. By understanding the genetic cause of the disease, it should be possible to design specific drugs for treating the condition in the future.

Background: Myositis is a rare disease in which the body s immune cells attack the muscle tissue. It can cause muscle weakness, swelling, and pain. It can develop in people with no history of muscle problems. Environmental exposures may determine who develops myositis. Genes may also affect development of the disease. Some people who serve in the military develop myositis. However, other military personnel do not. Researchers want to compare military personnel with and without myositis. They will look for common factors that might have led to the disease. Objectives: - To study environmental risk factors for myositis in military personnel. Eligibility: Military personnel who developed myositis during their period of service. Healthy military personnel who do not have myositis or another autoimmune disease. Design: Participants will have a physical exam and medical history. Participants will fill out forms about environmental exposures, particularly while in the military. The questions will ask about past infections, vaccines and medications, and personal habits. They will also ask about participants occupations during military service and their deployments. Participants will also provide blood samples for study. No treatment will be provided as part of this study.

Trial to Evaluate the Efficacy and Safety of Abatacept subcutaneous (SC) in Combination With Standard Therapy Compared to Standard Therapy Alone in Improving Disease Activity in Adults With Active Idiopathic Inflammatory Myopathy

The purpose of the study is to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of human immunoglobulin SCIg in the form of Hizentra (Immune globulin Subcutaneous) in patients with Dermatomyositis. Hizentra provides effective protection against infection by maintaining a steady and normal level of immunoglobulin in the body) in patients with primary immunodeficiency. At present, patients with steroid resistant dermatomyositis can only be treated with IVIg (The healthy antibodies in IVIG can block the damaging antibodies that attack muscle and skin in dermatomyositis) treatment. An evaluation can then be made to see if SCIg is a suitable replacement and exerts immunomodulatory effect on complement antibodies.

This study is designed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of an oral medicine (called apremilast) for treating skin involvement in patients with the disease dermatomyositis.

Juvenile dermatomyositis (JDMS) is one of the most serious of the childhood rheumatic diseases. The theory behind this trial is that early introduction of etanercept or methotrexate will prove to be effective in the treatment of JDMS. Pretreatment muscle biopsies, we believe there will be abnormalities in the blood vessels that will be correlated with worse physical strength and daily functional ability. The long-term goal is to improve the treatment of this serious childhood onset rheumatic disease and to better understand the pathogenic mechanism for the development of the vasculopathy (disorder of blood vessels) of JDMS. Identification of the specific mechanism of the vasculopathy may allow for the rational introduction of biologic treatments focused on vascular growth.

Objective: To compare the efficacy of topical 10% nifedipine versus 5% sildenafil in patients with secondary Raynaud's phenomenon (RP). Methods: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled pilot study took place in 10 patients with secondary RP. Topical 10% nifedipine on one hand and 5% sildenafil on the other hand were applied. The thumbs didn't receive any cream and served as a control group. The primary outcome was the improvement of blood flow and vessel diameter of the digital arteries measured by high frequency color Doppler ultrasound before and 1 hour after treatment.

Prospective, Double-blind, Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Phase III Study Evaluating Efficacy and Safety of Octagam 10% in Patients With Dermatomyositis ("ProDERM study")

To evaluate the safety and tolerability of escalating, single subcutaneous doses of MEDI7734 in adult subjects with type I interferon-mediated autoimmune diseases.