IVIG and Rituximab in Antibody-associated Psychosis - SINAPPS2

Overview

A randomised phase II double-blinded placebo-controlled trial designed to explore the utility of immunotherapy for patients with acute psychosis associated with anti-neuronal membranes (NMDA-receptor or Voltage Gated Potassium Channel). Primary objective: To test the efficacy of immunotherapy (IVIG and rituximab) for patients with acute psychosis associated with anti-neuronal membranes. Secondary objective: To test safety of immunotherapy (IVIG and rituximab) for patients with acute psychosis associated with anti-neuronal membranes.

Investigators propose a randomised double-blinded placebo-controlled trial to test the hypothesis that immunotherapy is an effective treatment of antibody-associated psychosis, either first episode of psychosis or relapse following previous remission. Immunotherapy for the trial consists of one cycle of intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG: 2g/kg over days 1-4) followed by two infusions of 1g rituximab (at day 28-35, and then 14 days after the first infusion). The rationale for this regime is that it combines a rapid-action treatment (IVIG) to induce remission with a longer-action therapy (rituximab) to maintain remission. It is based on a protocol where elimination of circulating antibodies is the treatment goal, namely "desensitisation" of potential transplant patients who have multiple anti-HLA antibodies capable of inducing hyperacute rejection and also being tested in various trials on clinicaltrials.gov (NCT00642655, NCT01178216, and NCT01502267). Blinding is required to minimise placebo responses in a trial based on symptomatology.

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Locations (10)

Outcomes