Autoantibody Reduction Therapy in Patients With Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis
Status:
Active, not recruiting
Trial end date:
2020-12-31
Target enrollment:
Participant gender:
Summary
Recent research studies have suggested that proteins called antibodies that are produced by
the immune system might be involved in the lung damage of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis
(IPF). Antibodies produced by the immune system normal help to fight infections by attacking
bacteria and viruses without harming our own tissues. In patients with IPF, there is evidence
that certain antibodies (called autoantibodies) attack the lung and contributes to the injury
and scarring that occurs in IPF. Our recent studies have found that many IPF patients appear
to have excessive autoantibody levels in blood and lungs that might make their disease worse.
Rituximab is a medication approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the
treatment of autoantibody diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis. Rituximab works by
destroying B cells, a type of white blood cell, called a B-lymphocyte, which produce
autoantibodies. In this research study, rituximab will be given into a vein to reduce the
autoantibody levels that we believe might be contributing to the lung damage in IPF.
This study is being conducted to determine if rituximab provides beneficial effects for IPF
patients by decreasing further lung injury.