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Difficulties in logistics handling the very severe patients (travel, hospital stay, follow-up)
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Based on pilot patient observations, and experience from the prior study KTS-1-2008, the investigators anticipate that severely affected chronic fatigue syndrome patients may benefit from B-cell depletion therapy using Rituximab induction with maintenance treatment.
The hypothesis is that at least a subset of chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) patients have an activated immune system involving B-lymphocytes, and that prolonged B-cell depletion may alleviate symptoms.
An approved amendment (April 15th 2011): the study will be extended with up to 5 patients. For up to 5 patients in the study, standard plasma exchange may be performed 2-3 weeks prior to start of B-lymphocyte depletion using Rituximab (as in the protocol).
Approved amendment (December 2011): for patients with gradual improvement in CFS/ME symptoms after 12 months follow-up, but not having reached a clear response, up to 6 additional Rituximab infusions (500 mg/m2, max 1000 mg) may be given during the following 12 months period.
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| Label | Type | Description | Intervention Names |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rituximab | Experimental | Rituximab induction two infusions (500 mg/m2, max 1000 mg) two weeks apart, followed by maintenance Rituximab infusions (500 mg/m2, max 1000 mg) after 3, 6, 10 and 15 months. |
|
| Name | Type | Description | Arm Group Labels | Other Names |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rituximab | Drug | Two infusions of Rituximab 500 mg/m2 (max 1000 mg) given two weeks apart, followed by maintenance Rituximab infusions 500 mg/m2 (max 1000 mg) at 3, 6, 10, and 15 months. For up to 5 patients in the study, standard plasma exchange (one plasma volume, up to 5 treatments, during 1-2 weeks) will be performed 2-3 weeks prior to start of Rituximab therapy. Amendment: for patients with gradual improvement in CFS/ME symptoms after 12 months follow-up, but not having reached a clear response, up to 6 additional Rituximab infusions (500 mg/m2, max 1000 mg) may be given during the following 12 months period. |
| Measure | Description | Time Frame |
|---|---|---|
| Symptom alleviation, as compared to baseline, measured by standardized self-reports and quality of life schemes | The primary endpoint is defined as major response of the CFS symptoms, of at least six weeks duration, independent on when during 36 months follow-up the response period(s) occurs. Single such response periods, and the sum of these, are recorded. | Major response of at least six weeks duration, independent on when occuring, during the follow-up period |
| Measure | Description | Time Frame |
|---|---|---|
| Symptom alleviation, as compared to baseline, measured by standardized self-reports and quality of life schemes. | The secondary outcome measures are effect on the CFS symptoms, by evaluation at 3, 6, 10, 15, 20, 24, 30, and 36 months after first intervention (i.e. first Rituximab infusion) | At 3, 6, 10, 15, 20, 24, 30, 36 months after intervention |
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Inclusion Criteria:
Exclusion Criteria:
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| Name | Affiliation | Role |
|---|---|---|
| Olav Mella, PhD, MD | Haukeland University Hospital | Principal Investigator |
| Facility | Status | City | State | ZIP | Country | Contacts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Department of Oncology and Medical Physics, Haukeland University Hospital | Bergen | N-5021 | Norway |
| PubMed Identifier | Type | Citation | Retractions |
|---|---|---|---|
| 19566965 | Background | Fluge O, Mella O. Clinical impact of B-cell depletion with the anti-CD20 antibody rituximab in chronic fatigue syndrome: a preliminary case series. BMC Neurol. 2009 Jul 1;9:28. doi: 10.1186/1471-2377-9-28. | |
| 26132314 | Result | Fluge O, Risa K, Lunde S, Alme K, Rekeland IG, Sapkota D, Kristoffersen EK, Sorland K, Bruland O, Dahl O, Mella O. B-Lymphocyte Depletion in Myalgic Encephalopathy/ Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. An Open-Label Phase II Study with Rituximab Maintenance Treatment. PLoS One. 2015 Jul 1;10(7):e0129898. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0129898. eCollection 2015. |
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| ID | Term |
|---|---|
| D015673 | Fatigue Syndrome, Chronic |
| ID | Term |
|---|---|
| D009135 | Muscular Diseases |
| D009140 | Musculoskeletal Diseases |
| D004679 | Encephalomyelitis |
| D000090862 | Neuroinflammatory Diseases |
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| ID | Term |
|---|---|
| D000069283 | Rituximab |
| ID | Term |
|---|---|
| D058846 | Antibodies, Monoclonal, Murine-Derived |
| D000911 | Antibodies, Monoclonal |
| D000906 | Antibodies |
| D007136 | Immunoglobulins |
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|
| D009422 | Nervous System Diseases |
| D009468 | Neuromuscular Diseases |
| D002908 | Chronic Disease |
| D020969 | Disease Attributes |
| D010335 | Pathologic Processes |
| D013568 | Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms |
| D007162 | Immunoproteins |
| D001798 | Blood Proteins |
| D011506 | Proteins |
| D000602 | Amino Acids, Peptides, and Proteins |
| D012712 | Serum Globulins |
| D005916 | Globulins |