Rituximab Therapy for Steroid-Refractory Chronic Graft Versus Host Disease

An Open Label, Phase I/II Trial of Rituximab Therapy for Steroid-Refractory Chronic Graft vs. Host Disease

Status

Completed

Phases

Phase 1Phase 2

Study type

Interventional

Source

ClinicalTrials.gov

Registry ID

NCT00136396

Enrollment

Registered

2005-08-29

Start date

2004-01-31

Completion date

2010-11-30

Last updated

2013-06-12

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

Graft vs Host Disease

Keywords

Steroid-refractory Chronic Graft vs. Host Disease, Chronic Graft vs. Host Disease, GVHD, steroid-refractory, rituximab

Brief summary

The purpose of this study is to determine if rituximab is a safe and effective therapy for steroid-refractory chronic graft versus host disease (GVHD).

Detailed description

Patients will receive rituximab intravenously one time per week for four consecutive weeks. Once therapy is completed, the patient will have weekly visits with their physician for four more weeks, at which they will complete a simple questionnaire designed to evaluate the severity of chronic graft versus host disease. At the end of the eighth week on the study (4 weeks of study treatment and 4 weeks of observation), patients will be evaluated to determine whether their chronic graft versus host disease (GVHD) has resolved. If chronic graft versus host disease has resolved entirely, the patient will be monitored for the remainder of the year. If after the initial eight weeks on the study the patient still has symptoms or signs of GVHD, they may receive a second four week study treatment. If the patients' chronic GVHD reappears after receiving either one or two courses of rituximab, a third and final four week course of medication can be given provided it has been at least eight weeks since the last dose. Blood tests will be performed at the beginning of the study, after 8 weeks on the study, after 16 weeks on the study and at the end of 1 year.

Interventions

DRUGRituximab

Given once weekly for 4 weeks followed by a 4 week observation therapy.

Study design

Allocation

NON_RANDOMIZED

Intervention model

SINGLE_GROUP

Primary purpose

TREATMENT

Masking

NONE

Eligibility

Sex/Gender

ALL

Age

18 Years to No maximum

Healthy volunteers

Inclusion criteria

* Recipients of matched related, matched unrelated, or mismatched stem cell transplantation * At least 180 days since allogeneic stem cell transplantation procedure * Patients must have steroid-refractory chronic GVHD, defined as having persistent signs and symptoms despite the use of prednisone * Stable dose of corticosteroids for 4 weeks prior to enrollment * Adequate bone marrow function: absolute neutrophil count (ANC) \> 500/mm; platelets \> 20,000 ul * Adequate renal function: creatinine \< 3.0 mg/dl * Adequate hepatic function: bilirubin \< 3.0 mg/dl; AST \< 90 IU

Exclusion criteria

* Prednisone requirement greater than 2 mg/kg/day or equivalent * Known life-threatening sensitivity to rituximab or other anti-B cell antibody. * Prior exposure to any new immunosuppressive medication in the preceding 4 weeks prior to enrollment. * Active, uncontrolled infection * Evidence of natural exposure to hepatitis B or C. * Active malignant disease relapse * Donor lymphocyte infusion within the preceding 100 days. * Life expectancy of less than 3 months. * Pregnancy or lactation * Evidence of HIV seropositivity

Design outcomes

Primary

Measure	Time frame
To determine the safety and efficacy of up to three four week courses of rituximab in steroid-refractory chronic GVHD	2 years

Secondary

Measure	Time frame
To determine the effects of rituximab therapy on quality of life of patients with steroid-refractory GVHD	2 years

Countries

United States

Outcome results

None listed

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Data processed: Apr 11, 2026