Clinical Research Directory

The HIt HArd and hiT Early in Multiple Sclerosis Trial

The HiHat trial is a Phase 2 study aimed at evaluating the safety and feasibility of sequential treatment with rituximab and cladribine in patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS). The study follows a prospective, open-label, single-arm design, with 60 RRMS patients receiving both treatments in a controlled regimen: two cycles of rituximab (1,000 mg each, biweekly) followed by two cycles of cladribine (30 mg per cycle for three days per cycle) spaced one month apart. Participants are monitored over 24 months through clinical assessments, MRI, and biomarker analyses. The primary objective is to evaluate whether the rate of serious adverse events (SAE) is acceptably low. Secondary objectives include assessing impacts on MRI lesion count, relapse rates, disability progression, quality of life, and safety.

A Study to Evaluate Pharmacokinetics, Safety, Tolerability, Immunogenicity and Pharmacodynamic Effects of Subcutaneous Ocrelizumab Administration in Children and Adolescents With Relapsing-remitting Multiple Sclerosis (RRMS)

The main purpose of this study is to evaluate the pharmacokinetics (PK) of ocrelizumab administered subcutaneously (SC) in children and adolescents aged 10 to \<18 years with RRMS. The study consists of a 48-week treatment period, an Optional Ocrelizumab Extension (OOE) period of at least 48 weeks, and Safety Follow-up (SFU) for 104 weeks.

RItuximab Versus Ocrelizumab in Relapsing-remitting Multiple Sclerosis.

The goal of this randomized clinical trial is to compare relapse remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) patients treated by ocrelizumab or by rituximab followed for 2 years. The main question it aims to answer is : • to demonstrate the non-inferiority of rituximab versus ocrelizumab in active relapsing MS patients on the % of patients without disease activity at 2 years. During the 2 years, the study includes 6 follow-up visits and the completion of various health and quality of life questionnaires. The protocol visits follow the usual schedule of treatment infusions for the disease (at initiation of treatment, 15 days after, and then every 6 months). Two comparison groups: Researchers will compare rituximab treated patients versus ocrelizumab treated patients to see the % of patients without disease activity at 2 years.

Understanding the 'Durable Effect' Concept of B-cell Modulating Therapies

This prospective, observational clinical study aims to longitudinally assess peripheral immune cell profiles of patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) receiving anti-CD20 therapy with ofatumumab (OFA), ocrelizumab (OCR), ublituximab (UBX), and rituximab (RTX). Throughout the study, clinical data - including relapse events, patient scores, and neuropsychological parameters - will be collected, along with results from imaging techniques such as Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) and Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI). This clinical data will be combined with immunological analyses, including multidimensional flow cytometry (mFC), bulk RNA sequencing (bulk-Seq), T and B cell receptor sequencing (TCR/BCR-Seq), proteomics, and immunoglobulin analysis. This approach aims to enable a detailed characterization of changes in the immune cell repertoire and their impact on the clinical disease course.

WEBCAMS: Walking Exercise for Brain and Cognition in Adults With Multiple Sclerosis

This study is a randomized controlled trial (RCT) that compares the effects of two different 12-month aerobic walking exercise programs on cognitive processing speed (CPS), brain MRI, and other functional outcomes in 32 adults with multiple sclerosis (MS) who are able to walk without an assistive device but demonstrate slowed CPS. Participants (N=32) will initially undergo screening via telephone, and after satisfying relevant inclusion/exclusion criteria, will provide informed consent, followed by a baseline assessment of CPS remotely via a HIPAA-compliant virtual platform (i.e., Zoom for Healthcare). This assessment will also serve as a screen for ensuring impaired CPS. Following this virtual session, participants will come into Kessler Foundation (KF) and complete a 3-hour baseline assessment (T0) that includes a relatively short battery of neuropsychological tests, a 40-minute MRI scan, tests of walking function, a short questionnaire packet, followed by cardiopulmonary exercise testing on a motor-driven treadmill. Following T0, participants will be randomly assigned into one of the two aerobic walking ET programs that are remotely-delivered and supported by KF research assistants. As the conditions are delivered and supported remotely by KF personnel, the exercise itself takes place in the home/community setting. Both conditions involve behavior coaching via Zoom for Healthcare. The experimental condition involves high-frequency, high-intensity aerobic walking ET that exceeds the published guidelines for physical activity for adults with MS (GEMS+). GEMS + initially involves 10 minutes of moderate intensity aerobic walking exercise for 3 days per week and progresses to upwards of 40 minutes of vigorous intensity aerobic walking exercise for 5 days per week by month 12. The comparison condition involves mild-to-moderate aerobic walking exercise training that approximates published guidelines (GEMS). GEMS initially involves 10 minutes of light intensity aerobic walking exercise for 2 days per week and progresses up to 30 minutes of moderate intensity aerobic walking exercise for 3 days per week. Both conditions further will be monitored based on Fitbit-measured steps per exercise session. Of note, the sample size will be enrolled using 2 overlapping waves (Wave 1 = 14 participants, Wave 2 = 18 participants), 3 months apart. Participants will return to KF at the mid-point (i.e., T6) and end-point (i.e., T12) of the 12-month intervention period to complete the same assessments as T0. The T6 and T12 outcomes will be administered by treatment-blinded research assistants.

A Study to Compare Efficacy, Pharmacokinetics, Pharmacodynamics and Safety of CT-P53 and Ocrevus in Patients With Relapsing-remitting Multiple Sclerosis

This is a double-blind, randomized, active-controlled, parallel group, Phase 1/3 study to compare efficacy, PK, PD and overall safety of CT-P53 with Ocrevus in patients with Relapsing-remitting Multiple Sclerosis.