Clinical Research Directory

Study of Ravulizumab in Pediatric Participants With Primary IgAN

The primary objectives of this study are to characterize ravulizumab pharmacokinetics (PK) and pharmacodynamics (PD), and to evaluate safety and efficacy following ravulizumab IV dosing in pediatric participants with IgAN or IgAVN.

Vasculitis Pregnancy Registry

The purpose of this study is to learn about the experience of women with vasculitis who become pregnant. In particular, the study will consist of several online surveys to assess 1. each woman's vasculitis severity and pregnancy-related experiences, and 2. pregnancy outcomes.

A Randomized Multicenter Study for Isolated Skin Vasculitis

Multi-center sequential multiple assignment randomized trial comparing the effectiveness of three different standard of care treatment options for patients with isolated skin vasculitis.

VCRC Tissue Repository

The purpose of this study is to collect existing tissue specimens from subjects enrolled in Vasculitis Clinical Research Consortium (VCRC) studies. Analysis of these tissue specimens and linked clinical data collected through VCRC studies may lead to the identification and development of a series of translational research projects. Results of these studies will provide vasculitis researchers with insight into the causes of these diseases and generate new ideas for diagnostic tests and therapies, and will be of great interest to the larger communities of researchers investigating vasculitis and other autoimmune, inflammatory, and vascular diseases.

Clinical Transcriptomics in Systemic Vasculitis (CUTIS)

Multi-center observational study to evaluate the histopathology and transcriptome of cutaneous lesions in patients with several different types of vasculitis.

Telitacicept in the Treatment of Pediatric IgA Vasculitis-Associated Nephritis

To further evaluate the efficacy and safety of Telitacicept in the treatment of pediatric IgA vasculitis nephritis (IgAVN) within real-world settings, this study employs a multicenter, retrospective and prospective observational research design. It aims to compare the efficacy of Telitacicept with that of glucocorticoids, thereby providing clinicians with a reference for the rational and standardized application of Telitacicept.

Study of Sparsentan Treatment in Pediatrics With Proteinuric Glomerular Diseases

To evaluate the safety, efficacy and tolerability of sparsentan oral suspension and tablets, and assess changes in proteinuria after once-daily dosing over 108 weeks.

Which of the Commonly Available and Approved Drugs in Addition to Standard of Care Can Significantly Improve the Slope of Estimated Glomerular Filtration Rate at Two Years When Compared to Standard of Care Alone in South-Asian Kidney Biopsy-proven Adult (≥18 Years) Primary IgA Nephropathy?

Global Burden of Diseases ranks chronic kidney disease (CKD) as the 12th leading cause of death, with an estimated 20% increase from 2010 to 2019. India is the most populous country in South Asia, with one-fourth of the global population. CKD prevalence has reached epidemic proportions in South Asia, with 1 in 7 adults affected by it. Glomerular diseases are the most common cause of CKD after diabetes and hypertension. IgAN is the most common primary glomerular disease in adults. In the Caucasian and East Asian populations, IgAN results in end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) in 15-20% of patients within 15-20 years after the first clinical presentation. Our first prospective observational (GRACE-IgANI) cohort since 2015 showed that South Asians have severe and progressive IgAN, with 39% having a rapid fall in eGFR, 25% having non-remission of proteinuria, and 36% reaching an adverse kidney outcome at three years. Our group has shown that South Asian ethnicity is associated with a severe phenotype, rapid progression, and significant ethnic differences in biomarkers. Over the last few years, newer anti-proteinuric agents and immunomodulatory drugs have either been approved by the FDA or are in the late phases of clinical trials for various proteinuric kidney diseases. The results of the STOP-IgAN and the recent TESTING trial have shown that the short-term beneficial effects of steroids on proteinuria and eGFR slope at six months wane over time, and there is a need for effective longer-term agents. The KDIGO guidelines development body on glomerular diseases has actively advocated enrolling patients prospectively in 'Clinical Trials'. Platform trials are Multi-Arm and Multi-Stage (MAMS) randomised CTs comparing multiple parallel interventional groups against standardised common control groups with central coordination. It allows new interventions to be added, the control group to be updated throughout the trial, and the use of prespecified interim analysis plans for statistical efficiencies. Interventional groups can be introduced after the trial has started based on pre-specified criteria, and futile interventions may be stopped based on pre-specified interim analyses and trial-stopping rules. This is a randomised controlled single-blind (outcome assessor) Platform trial, Multi-Arm and Multi-Stage. There is a single overarching protocol called a Master protocol. The master protocol, the common concurrent control arm for multiple interventions,the within-trial adaptations, the pre-specified interim analyses, and the pragmatic nature ensure greater acceptability and allow key trial characteristics to evolve. The overall strategy of the study relies strongly on pragmatic 'real world clinical situations' faced by practising nephrologists when treating adult patients with kidney biopsy-proven primary IgAN in South Asia. It will establish the 'GRACE Clinical Trial Network'. The overarching trial hypothesis is that commonly available and approved generic drugs (low-dose oral prednisolone, gut-directed budesonide, mycophenolate mofetil, and hydroxychloroquine) in addition to Standard of Care (SoC), which is the maximal labelled or tolerated dose of renin-angiotensin system blockers (ACEi/ ARB) and a steady dose of sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors (SGLT2i) can significantly improve the kidney outcomes at two years when compared to Standard of Care (SoC) alone in South Asian kidney biopsy-proven adult (≥18 years) primary IgAN who on follow-up remain at high risk of progression defined as UPCR ≥0.75g/g and baseline eGFR ≥20ml/min/1.73m2 despite good BP control. SoC is defined as a maximal labelled or tolerated dose of ACEi/ ARB and a steady dose of SGLT2i with a goal BP \<140/90 mmHg for at least three months.

Evaluation of Glucocorticoids Plus Rituximab in Patients with Newly-Diagnosed or Relapsing IgA Vasculitis

Systemic vasculitis are inflammatory diseases of the blood vessels, responsible for systemic manifestations. Among the systemic vasculitis affecting small blood vessels, IgA vasculitis (IgAV) is one of the most common forms and mainly affects the skin, joints, kidneys and gastrointestinal tract. Kidney and gastrointestinal damage can be serious, causing complications and life-threatening sequelae, especially in adults. The treatment of adult-onset IgAV is still a matter of debate. Glucocorticoids have been the standard of care for inducing remission for years in severe forms of IgAV. However, not all patients achieve remission and may experience disease flares associated with increased morbidity and mortality. In addition, the cumulative side effects of glucocorticoids are also major causes of long-term adverse events and death.Rituximab (RTX), an anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody, has been shown to be spectacularly effective in inducing remission in d 'other small vascular vessels, in particular ANCA-associated vasculitis and cryoglobulinemic vasculitis, with an acceptable safety profile. Recently, a multicenter observational study suggested that RTX was an effective and safe therapeutic option for treating relapsed and / or refractory adult IgAV. Overall, RTX may be an effective and safe therapeutic approach in adult IgAVs, justifying the need for a prospective randomized controlled trial evaluating Rituximab as an induction of remission for adult IgAV.