Dexamethasone Irrigation of the Parotid Glands in Primary Sjögren's Syndrome Subjects

Stopped early · Phase 2 · Has a placebo group

Conditions studied: Sjögren's Syndrome, Xerostomia

In brief

Background: Sjögren's syndrome is an autoimmune disease (where the immune system attacks normal body tissues) that affects the salivary glands. Many people with Sjögren's syndrome are not able to make enough saliva because their salivary glands are inflamed. The dry mouth that results can interfere with daily activities and can lead to dental cavities, mouth sores, and infections. Injections of corticosteroids into the parotid glands can improve saliva production in people with Sjögren's syndrome, but current treatment practices may provide only temporary relief. Researchers are interested in studying the effectiveness of stronger corticosteroid injections (using dexamethasone) to determine how the corticosteroid treatment actually works. Objectives: \- To evaluate the effectiveness and mechanics of dexamethasone injections to improve saliva production in individuals with primary Sjögren's syndrome. Eligibility: \- Women between 18 and greater of age who have been diagnosed with primary Sjögren's syndrome, and have had a biopsy of the minor salivary glands in the past 5 years that shows a moderate level of inflammation. Design: * Participants will be screened with a full medical history and physical examination, blood and urine tests, and salivary gland biopsies. Participants will also be screened with tests of saliva flow production and evaluation of the salivary ducts and glands, and will complete questionnaires about dry mouth symptoms. * At the first treatment visit, participants will receive an injection of dexamethasone into one parotid gland and an injection of saline into the other gland. After the injections, participants will provide a blood sample to test the level of dexamethasone in the blood. * Two weeks after the first treatment, participants will return for an evaluation visit to have saliva flow rate measurements taken, and will complete a questionnaire about dry mouth symptoms. * Four weeks after the first treatment, participants will have a second treatment for each parotid gland, with the same tests and questionnaires as before. * Participants will have additional evaluation visits 6 and 8 weeks after the first treatment visit, with a followup telephone call approximately 6 weeks after the last dexamethasone treatment visit.

Key facts

Study ID

NCT01316770

Run by

National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR)

People needed

14

Starts

2011-05-01

Expected to finish

2017-04-17

Last updated by the study team

2018-11-02

Who can join

Age: 18 and older. Sex: female. Healthy volunteers: not accepted.

You may not qualify if…

• History of lymphoma.
• History of mycosis, aspergillosis, or other deep fungal infection of the parotid gland.
• History of salivary gland malignancy (primary or metastatic to the salivary gland).
• History of secondary Sjögren's syndrome.
• Parotid infection that does not resolve at least 4 weeks before the start of the Screening Period.
• Any active viral infection that does not resolve by the start of the Screening Period.
• Pregnancy or lactation.
• Use of biologics within 3 months of the start of the Screening Period.
• Any experimental therapy within 3 months before the start of the Screening Period.
• Use of immunosuppressants such as methotrexate, leflunomide, azathioprine, cyclophosphamide, systemic cyclosporine, or systemic corticosteroids within 3 months prior to the start of the Screening Period.
• Use of inhaled corticosteroids within 3 months prior to the start of the Screening Period.
• Use of antimalarials and regular use of NSAIDs unless the dose has been stable (or decreased) for at least 2 months.
• Inability to discontinue the use of saliva stimulants such as pilocarpine and cevimeline for 24 hours before each study visit.
• Parotid intraductal irrigation or instillation with steroids within the past year.
• Use of rituximab within 6 months prior to the start of the Screening Period.
• Allergy to steroids or technetium, or any components of the formulations.
• Current use of warfarin or heparin.
• History of bleeding disorder.
• Both severe atrophy and fibrosis of the MSG noted on the pathology report of the MSG biopsy.
• Inability to comply with protocol procedures and the number of required visits.
• Inability to cannulate one or both parotid glands.
• Parotid fill volume less than 0.5 mL in one or both parotid glands.
• Significant concurrent medical condition or other circumstances that, in the opinion of the principal investigator, could affect the subject's ability to tolerate or complete the study.
• Unable to understand written English for completion of study questionnaires.

Where it is running

• National Institutes of Health Clinical Center, 9000 Rockville Pike — Bethesda, Maryland, United States

Full record on ClinicalTrials.gov

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