Infusion Related Reactions in Patients Receiving Infliximab

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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Infliximab is the active ingredient in a drug currently sold by the trade names Remicade, Remsima and Inflectra. Infliximab neutralizes tumor necrosis factor (TNF) α, a chemical messenger (cytokine) in the immune system, and belongs to a class of drugs called TNF inhibitors. 8-55% of patients receiving infliximab have an infusion reaction. Infusion reactions are unintended reactions that occur during infusion of the drug and up to 14 days after. The incidence varies widely in different studies and seems difficult to determine due to variations in reporting of reactions, different definitions of reactions and retrospective data collection. The aim of this study is to estimate the incidence of infusion related reactions and investigate risk factors and immunological mechanisms of infusion reactions to infliximab in patients with a chronic inflammatory disease.

Detailed Description
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Background: Infliximab is the active ingredient in a drug currently sold by the trade names Remicade, Remsima and Inflectra. Infliximab neutralizes tumor necrosis factor (TNF) α, a chemical messenger (cytokine) in the immune system, and belongs to a class of drugs called TNF inhibitors. This class of drug comprises effective, biological agents used in the treatment of chronic inflammatory diseases. The use of TNF inhibitors is increasing, and infliximab is the third bestselling drug by value in Norway in 2013. By being a recombinant monoclonal antibody with a murine region, infliximab is associated with infusion reactions. 8-55% of patients receiving infliximab have an infusion reaction. Infusion reactions are unintended reactions that occur during infusion of the drug and up to 14 days after. The incidence varies widely in different studies and seems difficult to determine due to variations in reporting of reactions, different definitions of reactions and retrospective data collection. Protective factors, risk factors and the causes of the reactions are not well known. Different treatment strategies are being used, but evidence of efficacy varies. Aim: The aim of this study is to estimate the incidence of infusion related reactions and investigate risk factors and immunological mechanisms of infusion reactions to infliximab in patients with a chronic inflammatory disease. Primary objective: Estimate the incidence of infusion reactions in patients with chronic inflammatory disease receiving infliximab Secondary objectives: Evaluate the correlation between infusion reactions and the formation of antibodies to infliximab. Identify individual risk factors for infusion reactions to infliximab. Identify immunological mechanisms of infusion reactions to infliximab. Identify immunomodulatory effects and immunological changes in the patients during treatment with infliximab. Study population: The study will be a prospective, longitudinal study where all departments with patients starting infliximab or switching infliximab from one supplier to another in the Western Norway Health Region (Helse Vest RHF) are invited to participate.

Official Title
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Incidence, Risk Factors and Immunologic Mechanisms of Infusion Related Reactions in Patients With Chronic Inflammatory Disease Receiving Infliximab

Conditions
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Chronic Inflammatory Disease

Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: Patients treated with Infliximab due to chronic inflammatory disease included before start of treatment Weight at least 15 kg Control groups which may be included for investigations of secondary outcomes: age, gender, disease matched patients not receiving infliximab, healthy blood donors, other patients receiving pneumococci and influenza vaccines Exclusion Criteria: Patients not completing treatment within Health Region Patients not able to complete sampling procedure
Sexes Eligible for Study
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All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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No

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Infliximab<br>Patients treated with Infliximab | |

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| incidence of infusion reactions |  | participants will be followed for the duration of treatment, an expected average of 62 weeks | 

Secondary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| antibodies to infliximab | Specific IgG and IgE against ifliximab | followed for the duration of treatment, an expected average of 62 weeks | 
| immunological mechanisms of infusion reactions to infliximab | allergy tests, cytokines, complement | baseline (before infusion), during reaction, 12-24 hours after reaction | 
| autoantibodies and other immunological changes in the patients during treatment with infliximab |  | followed for the duration of treatment, an expected average of 62 weeks | 
| individual risk factors for infusion reactions to infliximab | HLA type, allergic predisposition | baseline | 
| antibodies to pneumococci and influenza |  | baseline and 6-8 weeks after vaccination |