A Phase 2/3 interventional study of COVID-19 vaccine in Rheumatoid Arthritis, Autoimmune Rheumatologic Disease and Systemic Lupus Erythematosus, sponsored by Paul R Fortin. Status unknown at 2 sites in Canada. Open to participants aged 18 Years and older. Per ClinicalTrials.gov, last updated 2023-01-17.
Sponsored by Paul R Fortin · Phase 2/3, Interventional, and Prevention
People living with Systemic autoimmune rheumatic diseases (SARDs) face a new and urgent dilemma: immunosuppression increases risk for worse COVID-19 infection, yet an immune stimulation, such as vaccination, could re-activate their disease. Fear of vaccine-related disease reactivation is not of concern in other immunosuppressed groups (e.g. patients receiving chemotherapy or hemodialysis) but in SARDs, disease flare could lead to organ failure or even death. Specific research in this population is therefore critical. Moreover, among SARD patients, those on anti-CD-20 monoclonal antibody (mAb) (i.e. rituximab (anti-CD-20 mAb)), a medication used to treat inflammatory types of arthritis, have extremely low immunity post-COVID-19 mRNA vaccine. This study will test the hypothesis that a booster dose of a COVID-19 vaccine is safe and enhances post-vaccine humoral and cellular responses in SARDs patients on anti-CD-20 mAb treatment. The magnitude of this response depends on the type of COVID-19 vaccine administered and is optimal when the booster dose is a vaccine from a different group than the one used for primary immunization (mix-and-match approach).
Systemic autoimmune rheumatic diseases (SARDs) include rheumatoid arthritis (RA), systemic lupus (SLE), systemic vasculitis, and related diseases where immune system activity causes widespread inflammation in organs, leading to sickness, organ damage, disability, high health costs, and even death. With no cure, SARDs require life-long immunosuppression. People living with SARDs now face a new and urgent dilemma: immunosuppression increases risk for worse COVID-19 infection, yet an immune stimulation, such as vaccination, could re-activate their disease. Fear of vaccine-related disease reactivation is not of concern in other immunosuppressed groups (e.g. patients receiving chemotherapy or hemodialysis) but in SARDs, disease flare could lead to organ failure or even death. Specific research in this population is therefore critical. Moreover, among SARD patients, those on anti-CD-20 monoclonal antibody (mAb) (i.e. rituximab (anti-CD-20 mAb)) have extremely low humoral immunity post-COVID-19 mRNA vaccine. As of mid-July 2021, 1489 SARDs patients were actively treated with anti-CD-20 mAb in the province of Quebec (personal communication).
This study will test the hypothesis that a booster dose of a COVID-19 vaccine is safe and enhances post-vaccine humoral and cellular responses in SARDs patients on anti-CD-20 mAb treatment. The magnitude of this response depends on the type of COVID-19 vaccine administered and is optimal when the booster dose is a vaccine from a different group than the one used for primary immunization (mix-and-match approach).
Our goal is to recruit 287 adults with SARDs on anti-CD-20 mAb treatment post-three doses of an approved mRNA-COVID-19 vaccine in a non-randomized, open label, comparative clinical trial with pragmatic features. This includes persons with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), systemic sclerosis (SSc), inflammatory immune myopathies (IIM), overlap and undifferentiated connective tissue diseases (OCTD and UCTD) and ANCA-associated vasculitis (AAV). We will test at entry all participants for their anti-SARS-CoV-2-spike receptor binding domain (anti-RBD) antibody response to their previous doses of mRNA-COVID-19 vaccines. For participants who have received 3 doses of an mRNA vaccine, we will offer them a choice between a fourth dose of an mRNA (vaccine and a dose of a protein subunit vaccine (PSV). For participants who have already received 4 doses of an mRNA vaccine in the community, they will be offered a dose of a protein subunit vaccine (PSV) as a fifth dose.
The primary study outcome will be the assessment of the safety and reactogenicity of a booster dose of COVID-19 vaccine using a mix-and-match strategy in immunocompromised rheumatic disease patients on an anti-CD-20 mAb. The secondary study outcome will be the humoral responses as measured by the anti-RBD Ab 28 days post vaccination. Exploratory outcomes include the cellular response at 28 days; the delayed humoral responses at 6 months; a comparison of the immunogenicity between types of vaccine (mRNA vs PSV); the evaluation of the effects of concomitant treatments on immunogenicity post-COVID-19 vaccine; the description of the rates of disease flares post booster dose of COVID-19 vaccine; and a description of the decision process for vaccine selection.
3,332 studies on the registry are indexed under Arthritis, Rheumatoid; 443 are open to participants now.
This study's planned enrollment of 287 is above the median of 96 across 2,220 interventional studies indexed under Arthritis, Rheumatoid.
Browse Arthritis, Rheumatoid studies →This is the only study on the registry with Paul R Fortin as lead sponsor.
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Exclusion Criteria
Underlined terms in the criteria open these too. Explained by clinicaltrials.gg, not part of the registry record. The study team decides who can take part.
Before you join, the study team explains what taking part involves — its purpose, what happens, the risks and possible benefits — and answers your questions, so you can decide freely. Consent is usually recorded on a form (the informed consent form, ICF) signed by you or, where the law allows, by someone legally authorised to decide for you.
You can keep asking questions during the study, you are told of new information that matters, and you can choose to leave at any time.
Hepatitis B is a virus that infects the liver. These are separate tests: HBsAg positive usually means a current infection (a recent vaccination can briefly cause it too); total anti-HBc (HBcAb) positive means an infection now or in the past; HBV DNA measures how much virus is in the blood.
Some studies accept a past infection if HBV DNA is undetectable, sometimes with antiviral medicine during the study. Check what this study allows.
Hepatitis C is a virus that infects the liver. An HCV antibody test can stay positive after an infection has cleared (and is occasionally positive without one); an HCV RNA test shows whether the virus is there now.
After treatment, hepatitis C counts as cured when HCV RNA is still undetectable 12 weeks or more after the treatment ended. Studies often accept people cured this way.
The human immunodeficiency virus, which weakens the immune system.
Many studies now accept people whose HIV is controlled on treatment, judged by the viral load and the CD4 count. Check the limits this study sets.
An allergy, or another reaction of the immune system, to a substance. “Hypersensitivity to the study drug” means a known allergic reaction to it — not every side effect a medicine can have.
Informed consent
Before you join, the study team explains what taking part involves — its purpose, what happens, the risks and possible benefits — and answers your questions, so you can decide freely. Consent is usually recorded on a form (the informed consent form, ICF) signed by you or, where the law allows, by someone legally authorised to decide for you.
You can keep asking questions during the study, you are told of new information that matters, and you can choose to leave at any time.
Explained by clinicaltrials.gg, not part of the registry record. The study team decides who can take part.
Hepatitis B tests
Hepatitis B is a virus that infects the liver. These are separate tests: HBsAg positive usually means a current infection (a recent vaccination can briefly cause it too); total anti-HBc (HBcAb) positive means an infection now or in the past; HBV DNA measures how much virus is in the blood.
Some studies accept a past infection if HBV DNA is undetectable, sometimes with antiviral medicine during the study. Check what this study allows.
Explained by clinicaltrials.gg, not part of the registry record. The study team decides who can take part.
Hepatitis C tests
Hepatitis C is a virus that infects the liver. An HCV antibody test can stay positive after an infection has cleared (and is occasionally positive without one); an HCV RNA test shows whether the virus is there now.
After treatment, hepatitis C counts as cured when HCV RNA is still undetectable 12 weeks or more after the treatment ended. Studies often accept people cured this way.
Explained by clinicaltrials.gg, not part of the registry record. The study team decides who can take part.
HIV
The human immunodeficiency virus, which weakens the immune system.
Many studies now accept people whose HIV is controlled on treatment, judged by the viral load and the CD4 count. Check the limits this study sets.
Explained by clinicaltrials.gg, not part of the registry record. The study team decides who can take part.
Hypersensitivity
An allergy, or another reaction of the immune system, to a substance. “Hypersensitivity to the study drug” means a known allergic reaction to it — not every side effect a medicine can have.
Explained by clinicaltrials.gg, not part of the registry record. The study team decides who can take part.
Participants who have received 3 doses of an mRNA vaccine, will be offered a choice between a fourth dose of an mRNA vaccine and a dose of a protein subunit vaccine (PSV) (Novavax NUVAXOVID) For the Moderna SPIKEVAX Bivalent Original/Omicron BA.4/5: participants will receive one (1) intramuscular injection of 0.5 mL (50 mcg). For the Novavax Nuvaxovid vaccine: participants will receive one (1) intramuscular injection of 0.5 mL (5 mcg) of Novavax Nuvaxovid.
Biological: COVID-19 vaccine
Participants who have already received a 4 doses or more of COVID-19 vaccine in the community at inclusion and do not wish to receive a 5th dose of vaccine in the study.
Participants who have received 4 doses of an mRNA vaccine at inclusion and wish to receive a dose of a protein subunit vaccine (PSV) (Novavax NUVAXOVID) as a fifth dose. For the Novavax Nuvaxovid vaccine: participants will receive one (1) intramuscular injection of 0.5 mL (5 mcg) of Novavax Nuvaxovid.
Biological: COVID-19 vaccine
Participants are to receive a booster dose of a COVID-19 vaccine.
Safety of a booster dose of COVID-19 vaccine in patients on anti-CD-20 mAb.
Assessment of SARDs flares (self-reported and physician-confirmed) in relation to the time of the last dose of vaccine received. The frequency of 'significant flares' will be defined as worsening of RA symptoms (i.e., increase in DAS28 \>1.2 or \>0.6 if DAS28 at baseline was ≥3.2) with an increase in the number of swollen joints confirmed by a rheumatologist that is actionable (requires treatment intensification). For SLE, a flare will be defined as mild/moderate when the index SLEDAI increases by \>3 and severe when it increases by \>10. The need for treatment intensification (e.g., increase in the dose of steroids) will also be recorded as an indication of SLE flare. For AAV and other SARDs that do not have standard instruments to define flares, we will use the physician's assessment of the presence of a clinically significant flare to the general question " Has this patient experienced a clinically significant flare of their SARD? " and document relevant change in medication.
Time frame: 28 days
Reactogenicity of a booster dose of COVID-19 vaccine in patients on anti-CD-20 mAb.
Documentation of the reactogenicity to the booster dose of the vaccine. Reactogenicity post-booster dose will be based on the patient's diary and questionnaire collected at visit 28 days post booster dose vaccination.
Time frame: 28 days
Humoral response
We will define vaccine-induced humoral response as a positive (as defined by the cut-off of the assay) serum antibody response against the viral spike RBD protein 28 days post booster dose. We will measure 1)anti-RBD and anti-N antibodies in all participants at a minimum of three time points using the Héma-Québec assay (Dr Bazin) and 2)neutralization antibodies (NAbs) using the assay developed by Dr Flamand. In addition, we will use a panel of assays developed by Dr Finzi's group including assays to recognized variants of concern and antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity (ADCC) and antibody-dependent cellular phagocytosis (ADCP) assays.
Time frame: 28 days post vaccination
Humoral response
We will define vaccine-induced humoral response as a positive (as defined by the cut-off of the assay) serum antibody response against the viral spike RBD protein 28 days post booster dose. We will measure 1)anti-RBD and anti-N antibodies in all participants at a minimum of three time points using the Héma-Québec assay (Dr Bazin) and 2)neutralization antibodies (NAbs) using the assay developed by Dr Flamand. In addition, we will use a panel of assays developed by Dr Finzi's group including assays to recognized variants of concern and antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity (ADCC) and antibody-dependent cellular phagocytosis (ADCP) assays.
Time frame: 180 days post vaccination
Humoral response
We will define vaccine-induced humoral response as a positive (as defined by the cut-off of the assay) serum antibody response against the viral spike RBD protein 28 days post booster dose. We will measure 1)anti-RBD and anti-N antibodies in all participants at a minimum of three time points using the Héma-Québec assay (Dr Bazin) and 2)neutralization antibodies (NAbs) using the assay developed by Dr Flamand. In addition, we will use a panel of assays developed by Dr Finzi's group including assays to recognized variants of concern and antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity (ADCC) and antibody-dependent cellular phagocytosis (ADCP) assays.
Time frame: 335 days post vaccination
Plan to share: No
No publications or documents are linked to this record.
Started Mar 2022 (actual). Primary completion is estimated for Jun 2023, 15 months after the start.
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