Myasthenia Graves Research Group

 

MG Research

A Phase II Trial of Rituximab in Myasthenia Gravis

Sponsor NeuroNEXT
Site-PI Michael Benatar, MD, PhD
Summary The University of Miami is currently looking for people with Myasthenia Gravis (MG) for a research study conducted by the Network for Excellence in Neuroscience Clinical Trials (NeuroNEXT). We are working with Dr. Richard J. Nowak at Yale University School of Medicine who is the Protocol Principal Investigator and leading this national study.  The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS), a division of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), is supporting this trial.

The purpose of the research study is to learn whether rituximab vs. placebo is a safe therapy and helpful for people with MG.  Fifty people will be enrolled and will take part in the study for 52 weeks. 25 participants will receive rituximab and 25 participants will receive placebo (an inactive salt-water substance).  Neither participants nor the study team will know if who is receiving the study drug or the placebo.

Participants must have a diagnosis of generalized MG, be at least 21 years old, and be taking prednisone in order to be in the study.
Eligibility criteria
  • Male or female 21 to 90 years old
  • Diagnosis of generalized myasthenia gravis
  • Elevated AChR antibody titer
  • Prednisone dose of at least 15 mg/day
  • No recent treatment with IVIg or PLEX within the last 4 weeks
  • No recent treatment with azathioprine, cyclosporine, cyclophosphamide, mycophenolate mofetil, methotrexate, or other immunosuppressive drugs within the last 8 weeks
  • No previous treatment with rituximab (MabThera® / Rituxan®) or natalizumab (Tysabri®)
  • No history of thymectomy in the last 6 months
  • No history of thymoma, tumor, infection, or interstitial lung disease on chest CT, MRI, or chest x-ray
Funding agency NINDS and Genentech Pharmaceuticals
Collaborators  
Project manager
Contact information Sara-Claude Michon
Email:
Phone: (305) 243-6481
Links http://www.clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02110706
http://www.neuronext.org/neuronext-pleased-announce-funding-our-third-approved-trial-rituximab-myasthenia-gravis
Presentations / Publications