Overview
This is a randomized, placebo-controlled, double blinded phase 2 exploratory clinical trial of intravenously administered pooled human immunoglobulin (IVIG) in anti-3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-CoA reductase (HMGCR) immune mediated necrotizing myopathy (IMNM). Planned enrollment is 12 individuals with active anti-HMGCR IMNM meeting inclusion and exclusion criteria. Assuming 20% drop-out, the investigators anticipate 10 participants will complete all study assessments. Enrolled participants will be randomized 1:1 to either IVIG 2g/kg or placebo (0.9% sodium chloride at equivalent volume) at weeks 0, 4, and 8. The primary efficacy and co-primary safety and tolerability endpoints will be assessed at week 12. After the randomized phase of the trial, all participants will be offered to continue on to an open-label extension phase in which participants will receive IVIG at weeks 12, 16, and 20. Participants will then return at week 24 for a final non-infusion visit to reassess safety, tolerability, and efficacy outcome.
Eligibility
Inclusion Criteria:
- Age > 16 years
- Anti-HMGCR antibody positive
- MMT-8 score < 142 (range 0-160)
- Serum CK > 5x upper limit of normal
- Anti-HMGCR IMNM disease duration < 36 months at screening
- No moderate or severe respiratory or swallowing dysfunction due to anti-HMGCR IMNM at screening
- No history of dermatomyositis rash
- Must reside in a state with a participating research site
Exclusion Criteria:
- Oral glucocorticoid (GC) daily dose > 15mg at screening
- Change in oral GC dose < 2 weeks prior to screening
- Prior IVIG treatment for anti-HMGCR IMNM
->1 oral conventional synthetic DMARD (e.g. methotrexate, mycophenolate mofetil, azathioprine) use at screening
- Change in concomitant DMARD dose < 4 weeks prior to screening
- Rituximab < 6 months prior to screening
- Plasma exchange, cyclophosphamide, or biologic immunosuppressive medication < 3 months prior to screening
- Use of statin medication at screening
- History of anaphylactic reaction to IVIG
- History of angina pectoris, myocardial infarction, transient ischemic attack, or stroke < 12 months prior to screening
- Females of child-bearing potential who are pregnant, breastfeeding, or are unwilling to practice a highly effective method of contraception during the study
- Wells Criteria for DVT score of 2 or more at screening
- Wells Criteria for PE score of 4 or more at screening
- Weight >120kg
- History of cancer (excluding non-melanomatous skin cancer) < 5 years prior to screening
- History of pulmonary embolism or deep venous thromboembolism < 3 years prior to screening
- History of hyperviscosity or hypercoagulable state
- Currently receiving anti-coagulation therapy (vitamin K antagonists, non-vitamin K oral anticoagulants [e.g. dabigatran, rivaroxaban, apixaban], parenteral anticoagulants [e.g. fondaparinux]. Note that oral anti-platelet agents are allowed (e.g. aspirin, clopidogrel, ticlopidine).
- Glomerular filtration rate (GFR) <60mL/min at the time of screening
- Any medical condition which, in the investigator's judgment, makes participation in the clinical trial unadvisable or which would interfere with evaluation of the study treatment.