Clinical Research Directory

Autologous Stem Cell Transplant for Neurologic Autoimmune Diseases

This phase II trial studies the side effects and how well carmustine, etoposide, cytarabine and melphalan together with antithymocyte globulin before a stem cell transplant works in treating patients with autoimmune neurologic disease that did not respond to previous therapy. In autoimmune neurological diseases, the patient's own immune system 'attacks' the nervous system which might include the brain/spinal cord and/or the peripheral nerves. Giving high-dose chemotherapy, including carmustine, etoposide, cytarabine, melphalan, and antithymocyte globulin, before a stem cell transplant weakens the immune system and may help stop the immune system from 'attacking' a patient's nervous system. When the patient's own (autologous) stem cells are infused into the patient they help the bone marrow make red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets so the blood counts can improve.

The Longitudinal CONQUER Study of Rare Neuroimmunologic Disorders

This study seeks to determine the biologic causes of inflammation in patients with Transverse Myelitis (TM) Neuromyelitis Optica Spectrum Disorder (NMOSD) and related conditions. While patients will be treated according to decisions with their treating physician, this study will collect data and samples from patients prospectively to gain a better understanding of the disease. We are seeking to understand why some patients respond to medications, while others do not. We also seek to understand what happens biologically, preceding relapses. Gathering these data and samples will allow researchers to identify new ways of diagnosing and treating these diseases. Data and samples will be shared with researchers around the world to support collaborative efforts to treat these conditions.

Biobank For MS And Other Demyelinating Diseases

To establish a large, longitudinal collection of high quality samples and data from subjects with MS, selected other demyelinating diseases (Transverse Myelitis (TM), Neuromyelitis Optica (NMO) or Devic's, Acute Disseminated Encephalomyelitis (ADEM), and Optic Neuritis (ON)), and related and unrelated unaffected controls. Samples and data will be available as a shared resource to scientists researching the causes, sub-types, and biomarkers of MS and related demyelinating diseases.

Inectolizumab With Steroid Optimization in Newly Treated NMOSD

Title: Study of Inectolizumab Combined With Steroid Hormone Adjustment Strategies in Treatment-naive Patients With Neuromyelitis Optica Spectrum Disease Objective:This study aims to evaluate the steroid-sparing effect and safety of inebilizumab in treatment-naïve AQP4-IgG seropositive neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) patients, while assessing its impact on EDSS score improvement during acute-phase treatment. The study will further explore treatment-related biomarkers, including dynamic changes in: immunoglobulin levels, lymphocyte subset profiles, serum AQP4-IgG titers, glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), and neurofilament light chain (NFL) levels. Study Design:This is a single-center, randomized, open-label, prospective clinical study planning to enroll 25 treatment-naïve, anti-aquaporin-4 immunoglobulin G (AQP4-IgG) seropositive neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) patients.

Study of the Clinical and Radiological Impact of Ravulizumab in People With Neuromyelitis Optica Spectrum Disorder

This is an observational study to: * evaluate the on-treatment clinical performance of ravulizumab in relation to the pre-treatment time period (time period prior to exposure), * enhance knowledge regarding conventional MRI outcomes in people with NMOSD treated with ravulizumab, * identify factors suggestive of subclinical disease progression through conventional MRI sequences, * determine if treatment with ravulizumab, impacts longitudinal 3D conformational MRI measures at the dorsal medulla and other regions of the CNS, and * identify biomarkers (e.g., serum neurofilament light chain (sNfL), conventional and novel MRI markers, etc.) related to disease activity.

Longitudinal Cortical Demyelination in Multiple Sclerosis and Related Disorders

In this protocol, a combination of MRI, blood, and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) analysis will be used to understand the natural history, underlying immunologic mechanisms, and clinical implications of central nervous system (CNS) lesions, in particular lesions in the cerebral cortex, in multiple sclerosis (MS) and other inflammatory and autoimmune disorders affecting the CNS. Patients with these disorders, as well as healthy controls, will undergo baseline clinical evaluation and testing, bloodwork, and MRI, with follow up clinical evaluation, bloodwork, and MRI at years 1, 3, and 6. Additional MRIs may be performed in patients with possible new lesion formation or to compare MRI techniques. Lumbar puncture will be performed on participants who are not currently being treated with disease modifying therapies and who are willing to undergo the procedure.

Performance and Safety of a Digital Tool for Unsupervised Self-assessment of NMOSD

NMOSDCopilot is a digital tool developed for the self-assessment of Neuromyelitis Optica Spectrum Disorder symptoms that impact patients' functioning and quality of life. It has been co-designed with the help of patient advocacy groups, NMOSD patients and medical experts. It includes a smartphone-based application for patients, connected to a web portal developed for healthcare professionals (HCSPs). The patient application is composed of vision, walking, cognition, and dexterity e-active tests inspired by clinical standards, as well as e-questionnaires. The HCP web portal is a desktop-based software that allows HCPs to access the results generated via the patient application and facilitates remote monitoring of patients' symptoms. The objectives of this study are to validate the accuracy, reliability and reproducibility of the unsupervised at-home self-assessment of symptoms on the patient's smartphone versus the standard in-clinic testing, as well as to evaluate the safety of use of the tool, its usability, and satisfaction towards the patient application among NMOSD patients, and the HCP web dashboard among HCPs.

Safety and Efficacy of Daratumumab in Patients With Anti-Aquaporin 4 Antibody Positive Neuromyelitis Optica Spectrum Disorders

The objectives of this time-to-event study are to assess the efficacy and safety of Daratumumab as compared with placebo in participants with neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) who are anti-aquaporin-4 (AQP4) antibody-positive. NMOSD is an autoimmune disease of the central nervous system that predominantly affects the spinal cord, optic nerves, and area postrema. It is usually mediated by the pathogenic AQP4-IgG. Antibody-secreting cells (ASCs) have been recognized as essential sources of AQP4-IgG. CD38 is a glycoprotein that is highly expressed on ASCs. Daratumumab, a CD38-directed monoclonal antibody, has been shown to decrease the levels of autoantibodies in lupus, myasthenia gravis, or autoimmune encephalitis. This randomized controlled study aims to evaluate the therapeutic potential of daratumumab in NMOSD.

FcRn Antagonists (Efgartigimod) for Acute NMOSD Attack

NMOSD is an autoimmune disease of the central nervous system that predominantly affects the spinal cord and optic nerves. The objectives of this study are to assess the efficacy and safety of FcRn antagonists (efgartigmod) for treatment of patients with neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders during acute phase who are anti-aquaporin-4 (AQP4) antibody-positive. The potential of efgartigimod, an IgG1 Fc fragment that competes with IgG for FcRn binding, thereby lowering IgG levels, warrants further investigation as a treatment for acute neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders attacks. This study aims to evaluate the therapeutic potential of efgartigmod in acute NMOSD attack.