Please select the eligibility criteria that correspond to the clinical trial below.
Title: Double Blind Combination of Rituximab by Intravenous and Intrathecal Injection Versus Placebo in Patients With Low-Inflammatory Secondary Progressive Multiple Sclerosis (RIVITaLISe)
Brief Summary: Background:

- Secondary-progressive multiple sclerosis (SP-MS) is the chronic phase of multiple sclerosis (MS). The majority of people who have relapsing-remitting MS eventually develop SP-MS. There are currently no effective treatments for SP-MS. Researchers are interested in determining whether the drug rituximab, which is used to treat rheumatoid arthritis and some types of cancer, is able to target certain white blood cells that are thought to play a role in the progression of SP-MS. To ensure that the rituximab will reach the brain and spinal cord, participants will receive it by intravenous drip and by intrathecal injection (through a lumbar puncture into the cerebrospinal fluid).

Objectives:

- To evaluate the safety and effectiveness of combined intravenous and intrathecal rituximab in individuals with secondary-progressive multiple sclerosis.

Eligibility:

- Individuals between 18 and 65 years of age who have been diagnosed with SP-MS and have been off any form of immunosuppressive therapy for at least 3 months.

Design:

- The study will involve a 1-year pretreatment baseline series of visits, followed by a 2-year treatment period. Participants will provide blood samples throughout treatment as directed by the study researchers, and additional studies may be performed during the study period if participants consent to further investigation.


Options:
A: * INCLUSION CRITERIA:

MS as defined by the modified McDonald s criteria (Polman, Reingold et al. 2005)

SP-MS as documented by lack of MS relapse for the past 1 year and non-remitting/sustained (\> 3 months) progression of disability

Age 18-65, inclusive, at the time of the first screening baseline visit

EDSS 3.0 to 7.0, inclusive, at the time of the first screening baseline visit

Able to provide informed consent

Willing to participate in all aspects of trial design and follow-up

Lack of CEL on all MRIs performed within the last 12 months or if patient has CEL, then documentation that they tried and failed or could not tolerate FDA approved disease modifying therapies (DMTh)

Not receiving any DMTh (such as IFN-beta preparation, glatiramer acetate, corticosteroid, natalizumab, fingolimod, immunosuppressive agents or experimental therapeutics) for a period of at least 1 month before enrollment in the study, allowing for at least a 1-year

period off therapy prior to the first study dose

Agreeing to commit to the use of a reliable/accepted method of birth control (i.e. hormonal contraception (birth control pills, injected hormones, vaginal ring), intrauterine device, barrier methods with spermicide (diaphragm with spermicide, condom with spermicide) or they have undergone surgical sterilization (such as hysterectomy, tubal ligation, or vasectomy)) during enrollment in the study and through 12 months after the last dose of study drug

EXCLUSION CRITERIA:

RR-MS or PP-MS

Evidence of clearly documented MS relapse within the last 1 year

Alternative diagnoses that can explain neurological disability and MRI findings

Clinically significant medical disorders that, in the judgment of the investigators could cause CNS tissue damage, limit its repair, expose the patient to undue risk of harm or prevent the patient from completing the study (such as, but not limited to cerebrovascular disease, ischemic cardiomyopathy, clotting disorder, brittle diabetes, neurodegenerative disorder)

Pregnant or breastfeeding female

History or sign of congenital or acquired immunodeficiency or chronic infections, such as HIV/AIDS, Hepatitis A, B or C, HTLV-1 carrier and others that would expose patient to risks of pathogen reactivation associated with rituximab treatment

Abnormal screening/baseline blood tests exceeding any of the limits defined below:

1. Serum alanine transaminase or aspartate transaminase levels which are greater than three times the upper limit of normal values.
2. Total white blood cell count \< 3 000/mm(3)
3. Platelet count \< 85 000/mm(3)
4. Serum creatinine level \> 2.0 mg/dl and eGFR (glomerular filtration rate) \< 60
5. Serological evidence of HIV, HTLV-1 or active hepatitis A, B or C
6. Positive pregnancy test
7. Positive CSF or serum quantitative PCR for JC virus on CSF collected from the baseline spinal tap (test will be performed by CLIA certified laboratory of Gene Major, NINDS)
8. Total serum IgG \< 600mg/dl (nl 642-1730mg/dl) or total serum IgM \< 30mg/dl (nl 34-342mg/dl) as these Ig deficiencies would suggest underlying abnormalities with B cell function/maturation
B: Inclusion Criteria:

1. Patients must have a confirmed and documented PPMS diagnosis as defined by the 2010 Revised McDonald criteria
2. Baseline magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showing lesions consistent with PPMS in either or both brain and spinal cord
3. Patients must have an Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) score of 3 to 6.5, inclusive, at both screening and baseline visits
4. Documented evidence of clinical disability progression in the 2 years prior to screening.
5. Functional System Score (FSS) of \> or equal 2 for the pyramidal system or gait impairment due to lower extremity dysfunction
6. Patients must be between 25 to 55 years of age, inclusive
7. Women of child-bearing potential must practice an acceptable method of birth control for 30 days before taking the study drug, and 2 acceptable methods of birth control during all study duration and until 30 days after the last dose of treatment is administered.
8. Patients must sign and date a written informed consent prior to entering the study.
9. Patients must be willing and able to comply with the protocol requirements for the duration of the study.

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Patients with history of any multiple sclerosis (MS) exacerbations or relapses, including any episodes of optic neuritis.
2. Progressive neurological disorder other than PPMS.
3. Any MRI record showing presence of cervical cord compression.
4. Baseline MRI showing other findings (including lesions that are atypical for PPMS) that may explain the clinical signs and symptoms.
5. Relevant history of vitamin B12 deficiency.
6. Positive human T-lymphotropic virus Type I and II (HTLV-I/II) serology.
7. Use of experimental or investigational drugs in a clinical study within 24 weeks prior to baseline. Use of a currently marketed drug in a clinical study within 24 weeks prior to baseline would not be exclusionary, provided no other exclusion criteria are met.
8. Use of immunosuppressive agents, or cytotoxic agents, including cyclophosphamide and azathioprine within 48 weeks prior to baseline.
9. Previous treatment with fingolimod (GILENYA®, Novartis), dimethyl fumarate (TECFIDERA®, Biogen Idec Inc), glatiramer acetate (COPAXONE®, Teva), interferon-β (either 1a or 1b), intravenous immunoglobulin, or plasmapheresis within 8 weeks prior to baseline.
10. Use of teriflunomide (AUBAGIO®, Sanofi) within 2 years prior to baseline, except if active washout (with either cholestyramine or activated charcoal) was done 2 months or more prior to baseline.
11. Prior use of monoclonal antibodies ever, except for:

    1. natalizumab (TYSABRI®, Biogen Idec Inc), if given more than 24 weeks prior to baseline AND the patient is John Cunningham (JC) virus antibody test negative (as per medical history)
    2. rituximab, ocrelizumab, or ofatumumab, if B cell count (CD19, as per medical history) is higher than 80 cells/μL
12. Use of mitoxantrone (NOVANTRONE®, Immunex) within 5 years prior to screening. Use of mitoxantrone \>5 years before screening is allowed in patients with normal ejection fraction and who did not exceed the total lifetime maximal dose.
13. Previous use of laquinimod.
14. Chronic (eg, more than 30 consecutive days or monthly dosing, with the intent of MS disease modification) systemic (intravenous, intramuscular or oral) corticosteroid treatment within 8 weeks prior to baseline.
15. Previous use of cladribine or alemtuzumab (LEMTRADA®, Sanofi).
16. Previous total body irradiation or total lymphoid irradiation.
17. Previous stem cell treatment, cell-based treatment, or bone marrow transplantation of any kind.
18. Patients who underwent endovascular treatment for chronic cerebrospinal venous insufficiency (CCSVI) within 12 weeks prior to baseline.
19. Use of moderate/strong inhibitors of cytochrome P450 (CYP) 3A4 within 2 weeks prior to baseline.
20. Use of inducers of CYP3A4 within 2 weeks prior to baseline.
21. Pregnancy or breastfeeding.
22. Serum levels ≥3× upper limit of the normal range (ULN) of either alanine aminotransferase (ALT) or aspartate aminotransferase (AST) at screening.
23. Serum direct bilirubin which is ≥2×ULN at screening.
24. Patients with a clinically significant or unstable medical or surgical condition that (in the opinion of the Investigator) would preclude safe and complete study participation, as determined by medical history, physical examinations, electrocardiogram (ECG), laboratory tests or chest X-ray.
25. A known history of hypersensitivity to gadolinium (Gd).
26. Glomerular filtration rate (GFR) \< or equal 60 mL/min at screening visit.
27. Inability to successfully undergo MRI scanning, including claustrophobia.
28. Known drug hypersensitivity that would preclude administration of laquinimod, such as hypersensitivity to mannitol, meglumine or sodium stearyl fumarate.
C: Inclusion Criteria:

* Diagnosis of primary progressive multiple sclerosis (according to revised McDonald criteria)
* EDSS at screening from 3 to 6.5 points
* Disease duration from onset of MS symptoms less than (\<) 15 years if EDSS greater than (\>) 5.0; \<10 years if EDSS greater than or equal to (\>/=) 5.0
* Sexually active male and female participants of reproductive potential must use two methods of contraception throughout the study treatment phase and for 48 weeks after the last dose

Exclusion Criteria:

* History of relapsing remitting MS, secondary progressive, or progressive relapsing MS at screening
* Inability to complete an MRI (contraindications for MRI)
* Known presence of other neurologic disorders
* Known active infection or history of or presence of recurrent or chronic infection
* History of cancer, including solid tumors and hematological malignancies (except for basal cell, in situ squamous cell carcinomas of the skin and in situ carcinoma of the cervix that have been excised and resolved)
* Previous treatment with B-cell targeted therapies (e.g. rituximab, ocrelizumab, atacicept, belimumab, or ofatumumab)
* Any previous treatment with lymphocyte trafficking blockers, with alemtuzumab, anti-cluster of differentiation 4 (CD4), cladribine, cyclophosphamide, mitoxantrone, azathioprine, mycophenolate mofetil, cyclosporine, methotrexate, total body irradiation, or bone marrow transplantation
* Any concomitant disease that may require chronic treatment with systemic corticosteroids or immunosuppressants during the course of the study
D: Inclusion Criteria:

* Multiple sclerosis (MS) subjects (Mc Donald et al criteria),
* Aged 18 to 65
* Diagnosis of secondary progressive MS ( Lublin and Reingold criteria)
* Progressive deterioration phase of at least 6 months and less than 4 years.
* Reduction of walking capacity and increase EDSS not ascribed to consequence of relapses (at least 0.5 point) in the last 12 months
* EDSS between 4.0 and 6.5 included
* Female participating must use contraceptives while on study drug
* Written informed consent
* Patient protected by French social security system

Exclusion Criteria:

* Others diseases interfering with MS or treatment
* Recent history (within the previous 2 years) of drug or alcohol abuse.
* Patients with psychiatric illnesses who are unable to provide written, informed consent prior to any testing under this protocol
* Hemorrhagic cystitis
* Pregnant or lactating women
* Known allergy at cyclophosphamide, corticoids and in particular methylprednisolone
* Persistent infectious diseases
* Patients with bladder permanent catheterization
* Known history of cardiac arrhythmia after methylprednisolone intravenous treatment
* Abnormal screening/baseline blood tests exceeding any of the limits defined below : Hb \< 9g/dl or Total white blood cell count less than 3 000/mm3 or lymphocytes count less than 900/ mm3 or Platelet count less than 125 000/mm3
* Gastric or duodenal ulcer in evolution
* Gut diverticulosis
* Diabetes mellitus
* Known history of active hepatitis (ASAT \>3 X ULN)
* Known history of renal failure (creatinine level \> 180 µmol/L)
* Psychosis
* Current or past (\< 3 months) participation in another drug trial
* Prior use of cyclophosphamide, lymphoid irradiation, monoclonal antibodies anti CD4 or anti CD52 or anti-VLA-4 therapies, cladribine ou cyclosporine A
* Other clinical types of MS : Secondary progressive phase evolving for more than 4 years ; Remittent type of MS without progression between relapses ; Primary progressive type of MS
* Use of interferon beta, methotrexate or imurel in the month prior to study.
* Treatment with intravenous monthly corticoids in the year prior to study.
* Treatment with corticoids (3 to 5 days) in the 2 month prior to study.

Answer: A