This phase II study will assess the effect of a treatment combination of Rituximab and azathioprine in patients with Granulomatous and Lymphocytic Interstitial Lung Disease (GLILD) compared to placebo, based on change in lung function at 18 months compared to baseline. The researchers will also assess if the drugs improved quality of life.
BACKGROUND Common Variable Immunodeficiency (CVID) is one of the most clinically important primary immunodeficiencies due to its frequency, serious complications, and long-term costs of therapy. A form of lung disease known as granulomatous and lymphocytic interstitial lung disease (GLILD) occurs in 10-15% of patients with CVID. The causes of GLILD are unknown; no long-term study has defined the natural course of GLILD; and no clinical trials have been done to define the best possible treatment for this condition. As a result, currently there is no proven standard of care for the treatment of GLILD. The best treatment for individuals with GLILD is not currently known. Some doctors believe that GLILD does not always continue to get worse and patients should only be treated unless this happens. Other doctors believe GLILD is always progressive and should be treated early to prevent more problems later. There is compelling evidence to support that treatment using rituximab (RTX) in conjunction with azathioprine (AZA), may improve the lung function and abnormalities seen on high resolution CT (HRCT) scans of the chest. STUDY GROUPS Patients in this study will either receive a placebo or a combination of Rituximab and azathioprine. These drugs are approved by the US Food and Drug Administration for other conditions, but not yet for this disease. Because no one knows which of the treatments is best, patients will be "randomized" into one of the two study groups. Randomization means that you are put into a group by chance. TREATMENT Eligible patients will be randomized to receive either 18 months of Rituximab and Azathioprine (20 patients) or placebo (20 patients). Rituximab will be administered intravenously (IV) weekly for four consecutive weeks at enrollment and months 6 and 12. IV placebo will be administered on the same schedule as Rituximab. Azathioprine or oral placebo will be administered by mouth daily for 18 months. SUMMARY OF STUDY PROCEDURES -Month 1, 6, 12 Patients will be required to travel to a study site weekly for four consecutive weeks at enrollment and at 6 and 12 months to receive study infusions. At each of these visits, patients will be given: * Your study infusions * Physical exams with vital signs * Blood tests to check your organ function Every six months (Enrollment, 6, 12 \& 18 months) while receiving study treatment, patients will be asked to complete the following study tests: * Lung Function testing * High resolution CT of the chest * Quality of Life Questionnaire, 6-min walk distance test and Karnofsky performance scale. * Blood for research - approximately 10 teaspoons of blood will be collected Monthly Labs Following the first month of study treatment, patients will be required to visit their local clinic/hospital for a blood draw to monitor their lab values twice monthly for the second and third months of treatment, then monthly. Final Study Visit The final study visit will take place at Month 24 after start of study treatment. Patients will also have the following tests done: * Physical exams with vital signs * Lung Function testing * High resolution CT of the chest * Quality of Life Questionnaire, 6-min walk distance test and Karnofsky performance scale. * Blood for research - approximately 10 teaspoons of blood will be collected
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
TRIPLE
Rituximab 375 mg/m2/dose IV over 4 hours first dose, IV over 2-3 hours each subsequent dose weekly for 4 weeks at enrollment and again at months 6 and 12 for the active comparator arm Rituximab (RTX) and Azathioprine (AZA).
IV placebo will be administered on the same schedule as Rituximab and oral placebo will be administered by mouth daily for 18 months.
The effect of treatment with RTX/AZA in patients with GLILD compared to placebo, based on change in forced vital capacity (FVC) at 18 months compared to baseline.
Pulmonary Function Tests (PFTs) will be performed to measure lung volumes and airflow for evidence of restrictive and obstructive lung disease. PFTs are used to measure lung volumes and airflow for evidence of restrictive and obstructive lung disease. Measurements will be obtained by standard techniques following guidelines outlined by the American Thoracic Society. Spirometry, during screening, needs to be done pre- and post-bronchodilator. All subsequent spirometry is done post-bronchodilator. Diffusion capacity for carbon monoxide is always done post-bronchodilator. Spirometry will be performed to access the forced expiratory volume (FEV1) and forced vital capacity (FVC). Carbon monoxide diffusion capacity will be performed to assess gas exchange.
Time frame: Baseline and 18 months
The effect of treatment with RTX/AZA relative to placebo on the changes over time in high-resolution CT scans of the chest.
Non-contrast, low dose HRCT scans of the chest will be performed at the intervals and analyzed. Studies will be performed on high-end scanners (64 or above detector rows) capable of producing thin section (1-1.25mm) lung algorithm scans.
Time frame: Baseline, six months, 12 months, 18 months, 24 months
Correlate changes in pulmonary function (FVC, FEV1, DLco) with extent of pulmonary fibrosis obtained on open lung biopsy.
Pulmonary Function Tests (PFTs) will measure forced vital capacity, forced expiratory volume in one second, diffusing capacity of the lungs for carbon monoxide (DLCO) (e.g., DLco will be measured by the single-breath technique using a 10-second breath hold). Histopathologic abnormalities of lung tissue will be determined by open lung biopsy.
Time frame: 24 months
Correlate changes in pulmonary function (FVC, FEV1, DLco) with high-resolution CT scan scores over time in the two randomized groups of patients.
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Pulmonary Function Tests (PFTs) will measure forced vital capacity, forced expiratory volume in one second, diffusing capacity of the lungs for carbon monoxide (DLCO) (e.g., DLco will be measured by the single-breath technique using a 10-second breath hold). These will be compared with high-resolution CT scan scores.
Time frame: 24 months
Changes in FVC and HRCT of the chest (maintained for 6 months after completion of therapy in both randomized groups)
Pulmonary Function Tests (PFTs) will measure forced vital capacity, forced expiratory volume in one second, diffusing capacity of the lungs for carbon monoxide (DLCO) (e.g., DLco will be measured by the single-breath technique using a 10-second breath hold). High-resolution CT scans will be performed.
Time frame: Baseline, six months, 12 months, 18 months and 24 months
Incidence of lymphoma in patients treated with RTX/AZA or placebo over the time of enrollment in the study.
Patients will be monitored with physical examinations, laboratory tests (CBC, auto diff, ALT, bilirubin, serum creatinine, platelets, comprehensive lymphocyte phenotype and cell sort).
Time frame: 24 months
Changes in quality of life in the two randomized groups of patients as measured by SGRQ total score.
Quality of life will be measured by the St. George's Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ), a pulmonary disease specific questionnaire measuring self-reported dyspnea symptoms and their relationship to activities of daily living and psychological functioning.
Time frame: Baseline, six months, 12 months, 18 months and 24 months
Changes in quality of life in the two randomized groups of patients as measured by Karnofsky Performance Status Scale (KPS).
Karnofsky Performance Status Scale (KPS) will be performed at baseline, six months, 12 months, 18 months and 24 months.
Time frame: Baseline, six months, 12 months, 18 months and 24 months
Changes in quality of life in the two randomized groups of patients as measured by 6-minute Walking Test.
The 6-minute Walking Test will performed at baseline, six months, 12 months, 18 months and 24 months.
Time frame: Baseline, six months, 12 months, 18 months and 24 months
Dysregulated molecular pathway determined by performing whole transcriptome sequencing.
This will be done by performing whole transcriptome sequencing on GLILD, idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPD), sarcoidosis and normal lung tissue.
Time frame: 24 Months
Lung transcriptome predicts response to RTX/AZA therapy (performing whole transcriptome sequencing on GLILD, IPD, sarcoidosis and normal lung tissue) and confirm that lung transcriptome predicts response to RTX/AZA therapy.
This will be done by performing whole transcriptome sequencing on GLILD, IPD, sarcoidosis and normal lung tissue.
Time frame: 24 Months
Peripheral blood biomarkers as indicators of GLILD disease activity.
The research team will examine blood specimens and evaluate Human Leukocyte Antigen - DR isotype (HLA-DR) negative and positive T cells.
Time frame: 24 Months
Presence of bacterial (16S rRNA), fungal (Internal Transcribed Spacer region/ITS) and viral sequences (unbiased high-throughput sequencing) in the lungs of GLILD patients.
This will be done by screening lung biopsies from patients with GLILD, idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, pulmonary sarcoidosis, or no known pulmonary disease.
Time frame: 24 Months
Prevalence and abundance of bacterial, fungal and viral sequences.
This will be measured with quantitative PCR analysis of lung tissues obtained from patients with GLILD, idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, pulmonary sarcoidosis or no known lung disease.
Time frame: 24 Months