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Sputum Studies of Anti-Citrullinated Protein Antibodies (ACPA) and Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) Origins

Sputum Studies of Anti-Citrullinated Protein Antibodies (ACPA) and Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) Origins

Status
Completed
Phases
Unknown
Study type
Observational
Source
ClinicalTrials.gov
Registry ID
NCT04474392
Acronym
SPARO
Enrollment
340
Registered
2020-07-16
Start date
2020-08-01
Completion date
2026-01-14
Last updated
2026-06-16

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

Conditions

Rheumatoid Arthritis

Brief summary

The study is designed to learn more about the causes of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). People who get RA have elevated protein markers called autoantibodies in their blood years before initial symptoms of arthritis. The goal of this study is to learn more about how autoantibodies in RA might be related to inflammation in the lungs.

Detailed description

The Specific Aims of This Study Are As Follows: 1. Identify whether sputum anti-CCP predicts incident RA 2. Determine the effect of inflammatory cytokines on the induction of NETosis in sputum neutrophils 3. Determine the role of sputum macrophage phagocytosis in NET clearance \<br\> The knowledge gained from this study will improve the overall understanding of the development of RA. It is anticipated that these findings will improve the field's understanding of how best to screen for RA risk and target RA prevention. This study could support future lung-targeted prevention strategies for RA that could avoid the administration of systemic toxic therapies. Such potential prevention interventions could be implemented in subjects at risk for RA in order to prevent the irreversible joint damage that can occur in the later stages of clinically-apparent RA.

Interventions

Observational study, no intervention will be administered.

Sponsors

University of Colorado, Denver
Lead SponsorOTHER
National Institutes of Health (NIH)
CollaboratorNIH
National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS)
CollaboratorNIH

Study design

Observational model
COHORT
Time perspective
PROSPECTIVE

Eligibility

Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to 100 Years
Healthy volunteers
Yes

Inclusion criteria

* Adults between 18 and 100 years; * At-Risk for RA, RA diagnosed, and Healthy Control subjects will be included in the study until recruitment goals are met for each group. At-Risk: 1. No evidence of inflammatory arthritis on clinical examination AND 2. At elevated risk for RA based on familial or serologic risk * Familial risk includes having a first degree relatives (FDRs) with RA * Serologic risk includes asymptomatic serum ACPA positivity Healthy Controls : 1. No history of RA 2. No FDRs with RA 3. No systemic use of immunosuppressants for autoimmune disease RA Diagnosis: 1. Classified RA by 1987 ACR and/or 2010 ACR/EULAR RA classification criteria (confirmed by medical chart review) OR 2. Diagnosed with RA by a board-certified rheumatologist (confirmed by medical chart review)

Exclusion criteria

1. Currently pregnant or planning to become pregnant during the sample collection period of the study 2. Exacerbation of underlying obstructive lung disease within the past 1 month 3. Known FEV1 \<1 liter 4. Oxygen requirement \>2 liters at rest 5. Participants with health acuity or behavioral health concerns leaving them unable to participate in the current research Note: If a subject temporarily does not meet inclusion criteria but is interested in participating, he/she may participate once inclusion criteria have been met. If interested, please take a few minutes to complete the screening questionnaire for this study opportunity. You may open the survey in your web browser by clicking the link below: https://is.gd/SPAROscreen If the link above does not work, try copying the link below into your web browser: https://redcap.ucdenver.edu/surveys/?s=3WM8WH3WKK

Design outcomes

Primary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Sputum anti-CCP antibodies predicting incident RA1-3 years per participant (depending on group); study visits x1 per year, with option for 3 additional visits over 1 year for a subgroup of participants.\*Sputum anti-CCP antibodies every year for 3 years (subjects At-Risk for RA); to identify whether sputum anti-CCP predicts incident RA

Secondary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Effect of inflammatory cytokines on the induction of NETosis in sputum neutrophils1-3 yrs / participant; At-Risk Group: Baseline Visit & 2 Follow-up Annual Visits (w/ potential to have 3 additional visits in 1 year); Healthy Controls & RA Diagnosed: Baseline Visit & 1 Follow-up Visit, approximately 1 year later\*Determine the effect of inflammatory cytokines on the induction of NETosis in sputum neutrophils
The role of sputum macrophage phagocytosis in NET clearance1-3 years / participant; At-Risk Group: Baseline Visit & 2 Follow-up Annual Visits (w/ potential to have 3 additional visits in 1 year); Healthy Controls & RA Diagnosed: Baseline Visit & 1 Follow-up Visit, approximately 1 year later\*Determine the role of sputum macrophage phagocytosis in NET clearance among At-Risk, healthy, \& RA subjects

Countries

United States

Contacts

PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATORKristen Demoruelle, MD, PhD

University of Colorado, Denver

Outcome results

None listed

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Data processed: Jun 17, 2026