A Phase 2 interventional study of Bortezomib and Placebo in Autoimmune Encephalitis, sponsored by Jena University Hospital. Recruiting at 17 sites in Germany. Open to participants aged 18 Years and older. Per ClinicalTrials.gov, last updated 2025-09-04.
Sponsored by Jena University Hospital · Phase 2, Interventional, and Treatment
Autoimmune Encephalitis is a disorder of the central nervous system caused by bodily substances, called antibodies. Antibodies normally help the body to prevent infections. However, in this disorder, the antibodies turn against the body itself and especially against cells in the brain and disturb the normal brain function. They are therefore called autoantibodies.
There is no specific therapy for patients with autoimmune encephalitis so far. At the moment, the symptoms are treated with approved medications such as cortisone and immunotherapies also used in oncology. These therapies are unspecified and aim to reduce the number of autoantibodies and to contain the autoimmune process. In this trial we aim to test a new therapy option: in this therapy the body cells producing autoantibodies will be specifically targeted by a substance called bortezomib.
The trial addresses patients with severe autoimmune encephalitis. The aim of the trial is to evaluate the efficacy and safety of bortezomib in patients with severe autoimmune encephalitis.
Autoimmune encephalitis is characterized by autoantibodies against neuronal surface antigens like the NMDA (N-methyl-D-aspartate) receptor or LGI1 (Leucin-rich glioma inactivated protein 1). So far, no specific therapy exists for this disease. Actual treatment includes combination therapies aiming for a reduction of pathogenic antibodies and containing the autoimmune process. In first line, patients are treated with plasmapheresis and cortisone. In second line, Rituximab and/or cyclophosphamide are administered. The response to these treatments are, however, often delayed and insufficient.
Therefore, we need a specific therapy aiming at the antibody-producing plasma cells.
Bortezomib is a proteasome inhibitor which interferes with NF-kB (nuclear factor kB) and the ubiquitin proteasome signaling pathway. Bortezomib acts preferably on cells with high protein synthesis - like plasma cells - and induces cell death in these cells. Bortezomib is used since more than a decade in chemotherapy of the multiple myeloma. Additionally, it is reported for systemic autoimmune diseases like lupus erythematodes that bortezomib leads to a depletion of plasma cells and therefore reduces the number of pathogenic antibodies and improves clinical outcome. The therapeutic potential of bortezomib for NMDAR encephalitis is described in a first case series with 5 patients.
Exclusion Criteria:
1 to 3 cycles Bortezomib with 1,3mg/m2 body surface s.c. + 20mg dexamethasone p.o. on days 1, 4, 8 and 11 (= 1 cycle)
Drug: Bortezomib
1 to 3 cycles placebo (NaCl solution) s.c. + 20mg dexamethasone p.o. on days 1, 4, 8 and 11 (= 1 cycle)
Drug: Placebo
1 to 3 cycles Bortezomib with 1,3mg/m2 body surface s.c. + 20mg dexamethasone p.o. on days 1, 4, 8 and 11 (= 1 cycle)
1 to 3 cycles placebo (NaCl solution) s.c. + 20mg dexamethasone p.o. on days 1, 4, 8 and 11 (= 1 cycle)
Also known as: isotonic NaCl solution
modified Rankin-Score (mRS)
modified Rankin-Score from 0 = no symptoms to 6 = death
Time frame: 17 weeks after first administration of the study drug
modified Rankin-Score (mRS)
modified Rankin-Score from 0 = no symptoms to 6 = death
Time frame: 3, 6, 9 and 13 weeks after first administration of the study drug; GCS Score also 17 weeks after first administration of the study drug
Length of in-hospital stay / length of ICU stay
Number of days in hospital or on ICU for each patient from first administration of the study drug until 17 weeks after first administration of the study drug
Time frame: until 17 weeks after first administration of the study drug
Immune response
Antibody titer (in serum and liquor) and cellular immune response (FACS analysis of liquor)
Time frame: at study start and 17 weeks after first administration of the study drug
neurocognitive function assessed by Montreal Cognitive Assessment
total score of the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) (0 to max. 30 points = best possible result)
Time frame: at study start and 17 weeks after first administration of the study medication
neurocognitive function assessed by Mini-Mental Status Test
total score of the Mini-Mental Status Test (MMST) (0 to max 30 points = best possible result)
Time frame: at study start and 17 weeks after first administration of the study medication
neurocognitive function assessed by Rey Auditory Verbal Learning Test
total score of the Rey Auditory Verbal Learning Test (RAVLT) (memory performance assessed by 3 word lists which are read to the patient and should be recalled and repeated by the patient; different proceeding for the 3 word lists)
Time frame: at study start and 17 weeks after first administration of the study medication
neurocognitive function assessed by Neuropsychiatric Inventory Questionnaire
total score of the Neuropsychiatric Inventory Questionnaire (NPI) (0 = best score to max 36 (patient) or 60 (caregiver)
Time frame: at study start and 17 weeks after first administration of the study medication
safety of Bortezomib regarding polyneuropathy, increase of liver enzymes and secondary infections
number of polyneuropathy cases, number of increased liver enzymes, number of secondary infections
Time frame: until 17 weeks after first administration of the study drug
safety of Bortezomib regarding polyneuropathy
number of polyneuropathy cases
Time frame: until 17 weeks after first administration of the study drug
safety of Bortezomib regarding increase of liver enzymes
number of increased liver enzyme values
Time frame: until 17 weeks after first administration of the study drug
Secondary infections due to Bortezomib
number of secondary infections
Time frame: until 17 weeks after first administration of the study drug
Hematotoxicity events due to Bortezomib
number of hematotoxicity events
Time frame: until 17 weeks after first administration of the study drug
Gastrointestinal toxicity due to Bortezomib
number of gastrointestinal toxicity events
Time frame: until 17 weeks after first administration of the study drug
total Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS)
GCS from 3 to 15 points (sum of 3 subscores eye response (1 to 4 points), motor response (1 to 6 points), verbal response (1 to 5 points); highest score = best score; 1= worst score)
Time frame: 3, 6, 9, 13 and 17 weeks after first administration of the study drug
Destruction marker UCH-L1 (Ubiquitin carboxy-terminal hydrolase L1) in serum and liquor
Analysis of destruction marker UCH-L1 in serum and liquor
Time frame: at baseline visit and 17 weeks after first administration of the study drug
Destruction marker Neurofilament light chain (in serum and liquor)
Analysis of destruction marker Neurofilament light chain in serum and liquor
Time frame: at baseline visit and 17 weeks after first administration of the study drug
Destruction markers GFAP (glial fibrillary acidic protein) in serum and liquor
Analysis of destruction marker GFAP in serum and liquor
Time frame: at baseline visit and 17 weeks after first administration of the study drug
Destruction marker TAU proteins in serum and liquor
Analysis of destruction marker TAU in serum and liquor
Time frame: at baseline visit and 17 weeks after first administration of the study drug
Plan to share: Undecided — It is not yet decided in which way and which data exactly will be shared with other researchers.
Eligibility is decided by the study team. Share this record with your doctor or contact the team directly.
Contact study teamGet an email when the registry record changes — status, dates, results — or when someone posts here.
Sign in to followQuestions and observations about this study, from anyone following it. Not medical advice, and not a channel to the study team — their contact details are on the registry record.
Sign in to join the discussion. Reading takes no account; posting does. You choose a display name, and a pseudonym is the default.
Nothing here yet. If you are running this trial, taking part in it, or weighing whether to, this is the place to say so.
Autoimmune Diseases of the Nervous System→
Jena University Hospital