Inclusion body myositis (IBM) is the most common late onset acquired muscle disease. Patients develop progressive weakness that may result in the need for assistive devices including a wheelchair. IBM may be due to abnormal immune activation, due in part to overproduction of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha. Etanercept blocks the activity of TNF-alpha, thereby blunting immune overactivation. Previous unblinded studies and case reports suggest that etanercept may improve strength or slow the progressive weakness in IBM. We are conducting a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study to test if Etanercept is beneficial in slowing the progressive weakness in patients with IBM.
Travel expenses not covered by the study.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
QUADRUPLE
Enrollment
20
50 milligrams subcutaneously every week
Washington University Department of Neurology
St Louis, Missouri, United States
Change in Quantitative Muscle Testing on 12 proximal and 12 distal muscles
Time frame: 12 months
This platform is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional.