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Lookup NU author(s): Mike Cole, Dr Ann Marie Hynes, Denise Howel, Dr Lesley Hall, Dr Mario Abinun, Professor Simon PearceORCiD, Professor Timothy Cheetham
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (CC BY 4.0).
Graves' disease (Graves' hyperthyroidism) is a challenging condition for the young person and their family. The excess thyroid hormone generated by autoimmune stimulation of the thyroid stimulating hormone receptor on the thyroid gland can have a profound impact on well-being. Managing the young person with Graves' hyperthyroidism is more difficult than in older people because the side effects of conventional treatment are more significant in this age group and because the disease tends not to resolve spontaneously in the short to medium term. New immunomodulatory agents are available and the anti-B cell monoclonal antibody rituximab is of particular interest because it targets cells that manufacture the antibodies that stimulate the thyroid gland in Graves'.The trial aims to establish whether the combination of a single dose of rituximab (500 mg) and a 12-month course of antithyroid drug (usually carbimazole) can result in a meaningful increase in the proportion of patients in remission at 2 years, the primary endpoint. A single-stage, phase II A’Hern design is used. 27 patients aged 12–20 years with newly presenting Graves’ hyperthyroidism will be recruited. Markers of immune function, including lymphocyte numbers and antibody levels (total and specific), will be collected regularly throughout the trial.The trial will determine whether the immunomodulatory medication, rituximab, will facilitate remission above and beyond that observed with antithyroid drug alone. A meaningful increase in the expected proportion of young patients entering remission when managed according to the trial protocol will justify consideration of a phase III trial.
Author(s): Cole M, Hynes AM, Howel D, Hall L, Abinun M, Allahabadia A, Barrett T, Boelaert K, Drake AJ, Dimitri P, Kirk J, Zammitt N, Pearce S, Cheetham T
Publication type: Article
Publication status: Published
Journal: BMJ Open
Year: 2019
Volume: 9
Online publication date: 21/01/2019
Acceptance date: 22/11/2018
Date deposited: 01/02/2019
ISSN (electronic): 2044-6055
Publisher: BMJ Publishing Group
URL: https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2018-024705
DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2018-024705
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