The PREP-ANCA study seeks to establish a more personalized treatment strategy for ANCA-associated vasculitides by assessing the efficacy of pre-emptive rituximab administration upon ANCA repositivity in preventing relapses in granulomatosis with polyangiitis and microscopic polyangiitis.
Treatment of granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA) and microscopic polyangiitis (MPA) is currently based on an induction phase aimed at achieving remission, followed by a maintenance phase to prevent relapse. Rituximab is considered a cornerstone of maintenance therapy, typically administered for a minimum of 18 months. However, the extension of rituximab treatment beyond this period remains debated, primarily due to the increased risk of infections associated with prolonged immunosuppression. The use of biomarkers to guide treatment duration-extending therapy only in patients at high risk of relapse-represents a promising step toward personalized management. Among the potential biomarkers, ANCA (anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies) have emerged as a particularly attractive candidate, having been identified as an early marker of relapse. Early studies on pre-emptive immunosuppressive strategies have suggested that timely intervention could reduce relapse rates; however, none of these studies were conducted in the rituximab era. As a result, in the absence of a dedicated prospective randomized trial, current recommendations advise close monitoring in the event of isolated ANCA repositivity in patients who remain in clinical remission. The objective of this study is to determine whether pre-emptive rituximab administration upon ANCA repositivity is superior to current standard care in reducing the risk of relapse.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
70
500 mg IV every 6 months for a total duration of 18 months depending on ANCA positivity.
Hôpital Cochin
Paris, France
Survival without relapse in each arm at 24 months. (relapse defined by The Birmingham Vasculitis Activity Score (BVAS) score > 0)
The BVAS is the most effective validated tool for documenting disease activity. It provides valid definitions of remission and response to treatment, as well as suggestions.
Time frame: 24 months.
Number of participants with a major or a minor relapse during the study.
Time frame: 48 months
Number of adverse events
Time frame: 48 months
Number of serious adverse events such as potentially fatal, requiring hospitalisation, causing significant disability or resulting in death
Time frame: 48 months
Numbers of rituximab perfusions performed in each arms.
Time frame: 48 months
The index of damage caused by vasculitis according to the Vasculitis Damage Index (VDI)classification during follow-up
The Vasculitis Damage Index (VDI) comprises 64 items of damage (grouped into 11 organ-based systems) that a group of experts agreed was representative of the forms of damage incurred by patients with systemic vasculitis .
Time frame: 48 months
Quality of life according to Health Assessment Questionnaire (HAQ ) classifications during follow-up
HAQ (Health Assessment Questionnaire) is a functional disability tool specific to rheumatoid arthritis. The assessment covers the past week and 8 domains of physical activity. For each area of activity, 2 to 3 items are described. Each item can be modified with aids. Only items with a specified response or aid are taken into account. Scores range from 0 (no impact) to 3 (maximum impact).
Time frame: 48 months
Quality of life according to SF-36 classifications during follow-up
To score the SF-36, scales are standardized with a scoring algorithm or by the SF-36 (v2) scoring software to obtain a score ranging from 0 to 100. Higher scores indicate better health status, and a mean score of 50 has been articulated as a normative value for all scales.
Time frame: 48 months
Mortality in each arm
Time frame: 48 months
Cumulative dose and duration of corticosteroid treatment in each arm
Time frame: 48 months
Evolution of ANCA levels and CD19+ B-lymphocyte in each study arm and their correlation with clinical events
Time frame: 48 months
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