Trial of Adalimumab in Progressive Sarcoidosis

Stopped early · Phase 2

Conditions studied: Sarcoidosis

In brief

Sarcoidosis is a rare disease that can affect any organ in the body. It is characterized by the buildup of immune-system (fights off infection in the body) cells in organs. These cells form small groups called granulomas, which lead to inflammation of the surrounding tissue. Sarcoidosis most commonly affects the lung and the lymph nodes (part of the immune system). The signs usually include shortness of breath, fever, dry cough, and chest pain. Other signs in many patients can include redness and painful lumps on the skin, reduced eyesight, joint pain, and rarely, nervous system damage. Sarcoidosis commonly affects young and middle-aged adults. There are no approved therapies for the treatment of sarcoidosis. Corticosteroid (steroid hormone) therapy is considered the standard treatment. Only limited benefit has been shown when using corticosteroid therapy to ease lung symptoms or improve lung function in patients with sarcoidosis. Also, the effects of other therapies (for example: methotrexate, cyclophosphamide, anti-malarial drugs, thalidomide) and other immunosuppressants (drugs that suppress a body's natural defense system \[immune system\]) which have been used in a small number of patients are not well known and can cause long term problems. The drug used in this study is called adalimumab. Adalimumab is FDA (Food and Drug Administration) approved for patients with moderately to severely active rheumatoid arthritis. However, adalimumab is not approved for the treatment of sarcoidosis. Adalimumab is experimental in this study. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of adalimumab in the treatment of patients with sarcoidosis with pulmonary (lung) involvement who show symptoms of the disease even though they are currently being treated with medication.

Key facts

Study ID: NCT00311246
Run by: University of Chicago
People needed: 11
Starts: 2006-04-01
Expected to finish: 2008-09-01
Last updated by the study team: 2020-08-25

Who can join

Age: 18 and older, up to 85. Sex: any. Healthy volunteers: not accepted.

You may qualify if…

Men and women > 18 years of age.
Sarcoidosis diagnosed at least 1 year prior to screening.
Histologically proven sarcoidosis prior to screening.
Have a diagnosis of sarcoidosis with evidence of parenchymal disease on chest radiograph (Stage II or III) or Stage I disease by chest radiographs and evidence of abnormal PFT as below or normal chest radiograph; or abnormal PFT, with abnormal chest computed tomography (CT) and evidence of sarcoid lung involvement by histology. Subjects with concurrent extrapulmonary sarcoidosis, particularly skin and eye involvement, are encouraged to be enrolled.
Have forced vital capacity (FVC) > 40 and < 80% of predicted.
Have an American Thoracic Society (ATS) dyspnea score of > Grade 1.
Have been receiving pre-study treatment that includes at least 10 mg/day prednisone (or equivalent dose of corticosteroid) as a single agent, or 1 or more immunosuppressant (e.g., methotrexate, azathioprine, cyclophosphamide, chloroquine, leflunomide, hydroxychloroquine, mycophenolate mofetil, cyclosporine, tacrolimus, corticosteroids) for at least the 3-month period immediately prior to screening. Subjects must be on a stable dose of these medications for > 4 weeks before starting the study medication.
Adequate birth control measures (e.g., abstinence, oral contraceptives, intrauterine device, barrier method with spermicide, or surgical sterilization) must be used for the duration of the study and such precautions should be continued for 6 months after receiving the last study agent injection.
Are considered eligible based on TB screening

You may not qualify if…

Have used any investigational drug within 1 month prior to screening.
Have received previous administration of a treatment with any other therapeutic agent targeted at reducing tumor necrosis factor [TNF] (e.g., pentoxifylline, thalidomide, etanercept, infliximab) within 3 months prior to screening.
Have received previous administration of adalimumab.
Have received any live virus or bacterial vaccinations within the 3 months before the first dose of the study agent or are expected to receive any live virus or bacterial vaccinations during the trial or up to 3 months after the last dose of the study agent.
Have had any previous adverse reactions or allergic reactions (e.g., anaphylaxis) associated with the administration of monoclonal antibodies.
Have New York Heart Association (NYHA) Class III or IV congestive heart failure (CHF).
Have a history of severe right-sided heart failure or cor pulmonale.
Have had serious infections within 2 months of screening. Less serious infections (such as acute upper respiratory tract infection [colds] or a simple urinary tract infection) need not be considered as exclusion at the discretion of the investigator.
Are considered ineligible according to the United States of America (USA)-specific TB screening.
Have or have had an opportunistic infection (e.g., herpes zoster [shingles], cytomegalovirus, Pneumocystis carinii, aspergillosis and aspergilloma, histoplasmosis, or mycobacteria other than TB) within 6 months prior to screening.
Have a known infection with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).
Have current signs and symptoms of systemic lupus erythematosus, or severe, progressive, or uncontrolled renal, hepatic, hematologic, endocrine, pulmonary, cardiac, neurologic, or cerebral diseases (with the exception of sarcoidosis).
Presence of a transplanted organ (with the exception of a corneal transplant) > 3 months prior to screening.
Have any known malignancy or history of malignancy within 5 years prior to screening.
Have a history of lymphoproliferative disease including lymphoma, or signs and symptoms suggestive of possible lymphoproliferative disease.
Are pregnant, nursing, or planning pregnancy (both men and women) during the trial or within the 6-month period thereafter.
Have had a known substance abuse or dependency, drug or alcohol within 3 years of screening.
Have poor tolerability of subcutaneous injection or lack of adequate venous access for required blood sampling.
Have a known history of demyelinating disease such as multiple sclerosis or optic neuritis.
Presence of a non-sarcoidosis condition affecting survival.
Have mental health problems interfering with participation.

Where it is running

The University of Chicago — Chicago, Illinois, United States

Full record on ClinicalTrials.gov

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