Clinical Research Directory

A Study to Understand How the Study Medicine Dazukibart Works in People With Idiopathic Inflammatory Myopathies

The purpose of this study is to understand how the study medicine, dazukibart, works in people with active idiopathic inflammatory myopathies (dermatomyositis \[DM\] or polymyositis \[PM\]). Idiopathic inflammatory myopathies are a group of disorders that show inflammation of the muscles used for movement. There are several types of idiopathic inflammatory myopathies, including DM and PM. DM and PM involve weakness of the muscles closest to the center of the body, such as the muscles of the hips, thighs, upper arms, and neck. People with these forms of idiopathic inflammatory myopathies may find it difficult to climb stairs, get up from a seated position, or lift items above their head. People with DM can also have a skin rash. These disorders negatively impact the quality of life and functioning of patients. In addition to the above, these disorders can affect how the lungs and heart work. This study is seeking participants who took part in a DM and PM study with dazukibart before. Some participants will receive study medicine, and some participants will not receive study medicine and only complete safety follow-up. The study medicine will be given as an intravenous (IV) infusion (directly into the veins). This takes about 1 hour, every 4 weeks, from Day 1 to Week 48 (about 12 months) of the study. This will be followed by a safety follow-up period that lasts about 4 months after the last infusion. Participants who receive study medicine will have about 18 study visits at the site over about 16 months. There will also be participants enrolled in this study who will not receive study medicine. Such participants will only take part in safety follow-up visits as they do not want to or are not eligible to receive dazukibart. These participants will not receive study medicine and will have up to 4 study visits at the site every 4 weeks to complete safety follow-up.

Adult and Juvenile Myositis

This study will evaluate subjects with adult- and childhood-onset myositis to learn more about their cause and the immune system changes and medical problems associated with them. Myositis is an inflammatory muscle disease that can damage muscles and other organs, resulting in significant disability. Children or adults with polymyositis or dermatomyositis or a related condition may be evaluated under this study. Healthy children or adults will also be enrolled as "controls," for comparison of test results. All patients will undergo a complete history (including completing some questionnaires) and physical examination, review of medical records, and blood and urine tests. Patients may then choose to participate in an additional 1- to 5-day evaluation, which will include some or all of the following diagnostic, treatment or research procedures: 1. Standardized muscle strength testing, range of motion of joints and walking (gait) analysis by a physiotherapist; completion of a questionnaire regarding ability to perform daily tasks 2. Skin assessment, possibly including photographs of lesions and a skin biopsy (removal of a small skin sample under local anesthetic) 3. Magnetic resonance imaging (scans that use magnetic fields to visualize tissues) of leg muscles 4. Swallowing studies, including a physical examination and questionnaire on swallowing ability, studies of tongue strength, and ultrasound imaging during swallowing, and possibly, a modified barium swallow 5. Voice and speech assessment, possibly including computerized voice analysis and laryngoscopy-analysis of the larynx (voice box) using a small rigid scope with a camera placed in the mouth to view and record vocal cord function 6. Pulmonary function tests (measurement of air moved into and out of the lungs, using a breathing machine) to evaluate lung function and, possibly, chest X-ray 7. Electrocardiogram (measurement of the electrical activity of the heart) and, possibly, echocardiogram (ultrasound imaging of the heart) 8. Endocrine evaluation 9. Eye examination, in patients with vision loss or other eye symptoms 10. Nutrition assessment to evaluate muscle mass and muscle wasting, including tape measurements or bioelectric impedance testing, a painless procedure in which wires are attached to the extremities with a sticky paste. 11. Muscle ultrasound. 12. Electromyography (record of the electrical activity of muscles) 13. Muscle or skin biopsy (removal of a small piece of muscle tissue for microscopic examination) All patients may have only a one-time evaluation or may return for one follow-up evaluations (either the 1-day or 3- to 5-day evaluation) over a 1-year period. Healthy children will undergo a medical history and brief physical examination; blood and urine tests; speech and swallowing studies including questionnaires and physical examination, tongue strength, and ultrasound study; and bioelectric impedance testing. Children 8 to 18 years old may also have exercise testing.

Environmental Risk Factors for the Anti-synthetase Syndrome

Background: * Like other complex diseases, autoimmune diseases are the result of numerous causes, including genetic and environmental factors. Some researchers believe that people who are susceptible to autoimmune disorders develop them when the body reacts to environmental or other factors by creating white blood cells that attack the body s own tissues, which then progresses to autoimmune diseases. These immune-triggered disorders can overlap with one another to some extent, but most autoimmune diseases have certain distinct triggers. * The autoimmune disorder myositis weakens the muscles and may cause other health problems. Environmental exposures associated with myositis include ultraviolet radiation, stressful life events and muscle overexertion, collagen implants, infections such as retroviruses and streptococci bacteria, and certain drugs and chemicals. Some individuals with myositis also produce proteins in the blood called autoantibodies that react with certain parts of the person s own cells, called synthetases, which are involved in making new proteins. A syndrome called the anti-synthetase syndrome, which includes myositis and lung disease, is associated with having the anti-synthetase autoantibodies. Researchers are interested in studying differences in environmental exposures in individuals with myositis. This study is being conducted to determine if persons with the anti-synthetase syndrome have had different environmental exposures before disease onset compared with other patients with myositis who do not have this syndrome and also compared with healthy volunteers. Objectives: \- To determine whether selected infectious and noninfectious environmental exposures are more common in individuals who have myositis with the anti-synthetase syndrome, compared with healthy volunteers. Eligibility: \- Individuals who have been diagnosed with myositis (with or without anti-synthetase autoantibodies), and healthy volunteers without autoimmune disorders. Design: * Participants will be screened with a full medical history and physical examination, and will provide blood, urine and house dust samples. * Participants will complete questionnaires about their medical history and the types of exposures they have had at work, at home, and elsewhere. Participants who have myositis will also be asked about certain infections, heavy exercise or physical exertion, sun exposure, tobacco and alcohol use, and stressful events prior to being diagnosed with the disease. Healthy volunteers will be asked about the same exposures before the date of diagnosis of disease of the myositis subject to which they have been matched. * Participants will receive a kit that contains instructions and a filter to be put onto their vacuum cleaner to collect house dust in the bedroom. This dust will be kept for possible future analyses of infectious or toxic agents based on the other results from the study. * Individuals with myositis will have other tests as clinically indicated, including lung function tests and imaging studies.

A Study to Assess the Long-term Safety and Efficacy of a Subcutaneous Formulation of Efgartigimod in Adults With Active Idiopathic Inflammatory Myopathy

The main purpose of this study is to measure the long-term safety and tolerability of efgartigimod PH20 SC in adult participants with Idiopathic Inflammatory Myopathy (IIM) who previously participated in ARGX-113-2007. The study consists of a treatment period where participants will receive efgartigimod PH20 SC for up to 51 months. The treatment period will be followed by a treatment-free safety follow-up period of 56 days.

Add-on Intravenous Immunoglobulins in Early Myositis

In patients with myositis early immunomodulation by intensive treatment ("hit-early/hit-hard" principle) may induce faster reduction of disease activity and prevent chronic disability. Intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg) in addition to standard treatment with glucocorticoids may be beneficial for this purpose: add-on IVIg improved symptoms in steroid-resistant myositis, and first-line monotherapy IVIg led to a fast and clinically relevant response in a pilot study in nearly 50% of patients with myositis.

Rheumatology Patient Registry and Biorepository

To facilitate clinical, basic science, and translational research projects involving the study of rheumatic diseases.

MIHRA - Patient-Rooted Insights for Shaping Myositis Science (PRISMS)

Myositis diseases are each rare diseases. As in other rare diseases, people living with myositis diseases face physical and psychosocial challenges that may not be recognized in current research priorities. The PRISMS study is a global investigation that collects patient perspectives through (mostly online) methods of open-ended questions, community forums and survey to identify the most pressing research concerns as identified by patients. Findings will be analyzed to create a patient-voiced set of research priorities that can guide the direction of research and help inform funding decisions across myositis diseases. Potential participants can express interest via https://mihrafoundation.org/mihra-programs/mihra-patient-contact-registry/

CAR-T Cells in Systemic B Cell Mediated Autoimmune Disease

The investigational product is designed to effectively combat B cells in patients with autoimmune diseases. Autologous T cells enriched with CD4/CD8 are genetically engineered using a lentiviral vector to express chimeric antigen receptors (CARs) that target the CD19 antigen on the cell surface of B cells and their precursors. During treatment, patients undergo leukapheresis, lymophodepleting chemotherapy and administration of the expanded CD19-CAR-transduced T cells.

Phase 2 Trial to Evaluate the Efficacy, Safety of Allogeneic Mitochondria (PN-101) in Patients With Refractory Polymyositis or Dermatomyositis

The efficacy of PN-101 in subjects with polymyositis or dermatomyositis will be evaluated at Week 12 using IMACS-TIS in comparison with the placebo control group. The safety and efficacy will be evaluated following administration of PN-101 to subjects with polymyositis or dermatomyositis, in comparison with the placebo group

A Study to Investigate the Efficacy and Safety of Efgartigimod PH20 SC in Adult Participants With Active Idiopathic Inflammatory Myopathy.

This study's purpose is to measure the treatment response from efgartigimod PH20 SC compared with placebo in participants with Idiopathic Inflammatory Myopathy (IIM). Participants with the IIM subtypes of dermatomyositis (DM), immune-mediated necrotizing myopathy (IMNM), or certain other subtypes of polymyositis (PM; including antisynthetase syndrome \[ASyS\]) will be included in the study. Treatment response will be measured by Total improvement score (TIS). Additional information can be found on https://myositis-study.com/.

Anti-CD19 CAR T-Cell Therapy in Refractory Systemic Autoimmune Diseases

The CATARSIS study explores the use of anti-CD19 CAR T-cell therapy as a novel approach for treating refractory systemic autoimmune diseases, specifically SLE, SSc, DM/PM, and AAV. These life-threatening conditions often resist current therapies, and B cells play a key role in their pathogenesis. The study employs CD19-CAR\_Lenti, an autologous CAR T-cell product targeting CD19-positive B cells, aiming to reduce inflammation and autoimmunity. This open-label, single-dose, phase I basket trial will assess the safety, feasibility, and preliminary efficacy of CAR T-cell therapy, focusing on adverse events, infection rates, and overall response at 24 weeks. Eight participants will be included.