Rituximab Versus Cyclophosphamide in Connective Tissue Disease-ILD

Summary

Interstitial lung disease (ILD) is characterised by inflammation and scarring of the lung and is the leading cause of death in patients with systemic sclerosis, and contributes significantly to morbidity and mortality in many other connective tissue diseases (CTDs) such as polymyositis/dermatomyositis and mixed connective tissue disease. When ILD is extensive and/or progressive, immunosuppressive medication is often required to stabilize lung disease and alleviate symptoms. Current standard care for CTD associated ILD is extrapolated from studies performed in individuals with systemic sclerosis and comprises low dose corticosteroids and intravenous cyclophosphamide followed by oral azathioprine. In some individuals even this intensive immunosuppression is insufficient to prevent deterioration, and in a significant minority of affected individuals this results in respiratory failure and death. Rituximab has recently been reported as an effective 'rescue therapy' for stabilizing and even improving ILD in this patient group. Based on observations gained from this experience, the investigators believe that rituximab is a potential important alternative to current best therapy for this patient group. This study has therefore been initiated to evaluate the efficacy of rituximab (compared with standard therapy) in patients with progressive CTD related ILD.

Timeline

Start

2014-11

Primary completion

2021-01

Completion

2021-01

Publications

• Background Tyndall AJ, Bannert B, Vonk M, Airo P, Cozzi F, Carreira PE, Bancel DF, Allanore Y, Muller-Ladner U, Distler O, Iannone F, Pellerito R, Pileckyte M, Miniati I, Ananieva L, Gurman AB, Damjanov N, Mueller A, Valentini G, Riemekasten G, Tikly M, Hummers L, Henriques MJ, Caramaschi P, Scheja A, Rozman B, Ton E, Kumanovics G, Coleiro B, Feierl E, Szucs G, Von Muhlen CA, Riccieri V, Novak S, Chizzolini C, Kotulska A, Denton C, Coelho PC, Kotter I, Simsek I, de la Pena Lefebvre PG, Hachulla E, Seibold JR, Rednic S, Stork J, Morovic-Vergles J, Walker UA. Causes and risk factors for death in systemic sclerosis: a study from the EULAR Scleroderma Trials and Research (EUSTAR) database. Ann Rheum Dis. 2010 Oct;69(10):1809-15. doi: 10.1136/ard.2009.114264. Epub 2010 Jun 15.
• Background Hoyles RK, Ellis RW, Wellsbury J, Lees B, Newlands P, Goh NS, Roberts C, Desai S, Herrick AL, McHugh NJ, Foley NM, Pearson SB, Emery P, Veale DJ, Denton CP, Wells AU, Black CM, du Bois RM. A multicenter, prospective, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of corticosteroids and intravenous cyclophosphamide followed by oral azathioprine for the treatment of pulmonary fibrosis in scleroderma. Arthritis Rheum. 2006 Dec;54(12):3962-70. doi: 10.1002/art.22204.
• Background Keir GJ, Maher TM, Hansell DM, Denton CP, Ong VH, Singh S, Wells AU, Renzoni EA. Severe interstitial lung disease in connective tissue disease: rituximab as rescue therapy. Eur Respir J. 2012 Sep;40(3):641-8. doi: 10.1183/09031936.00163911. Epub 2012 Jan 26.
• Background Goh NS, Desai SR, Veeraraghavan S, Hansell DM, Copley SJ, Maher TM, Corte TJ, Sander CR, Ratoff J, Devaraj A, Bozovic G, Denton CP, Black CM, du Bois RM, Wells AU. Interstitial lung disease in systemic sclerosis: a simple staging system. Am J Respir Crit Care Med. 2008 Jun 1;177(11):1248-54. doi: 10.1164/rccm.200706-877OC. Epub 2008 Mar 27.
• Maher TM, Tudor VA, Saunders P, Gibbons MA, Fletcher SV, Denton CP, Hoyles RK, Parfrey H, Renzoni EA, Kokosi M, Wells AU, Ashby D, Szigeti M, Molyneaux PL; RECITAL Investigators. Rituximab versus intravenous cyclophosphamide in patients with connective tissue disease-associated interstitial lung disease in the UK (RECITAL): a double-blind, double-dummy, randomised, controlled, phase 2b trial. Lancet Respir Med. 2023 Jan;11(1):45-54. doi: 10.1016/S2213-2600(22)00359-9. Epub 2022 Nov 11.
• Saunders P, Tsipouri V, Keir GJ, Ashby D, Flather MD, Parfrey H, Babalis D, Renzoni EA, Denton CP, Wells AU, Maher TM. Rituximab versus cyclophosphamide for the treatment of connective tissue disease-associated interstitial lung disease (RECITAL): study protocol for a randomised controlled trial. Trials. 2017 Jun 15;18(1):275. doi: 10.1186/s13063-017-2016-2.

Drugs

Indications