Dehydroepiandrosterone for Mild to Moderate Systemic Lupus Erythematosus
dehydroepiandrosterone
Autoimmune Diseases+11
+ Infections
+ Joint Diseases
Treatment Study
Summary
Study start date: August 1, 1994
Actual date on which the first participant was enrolled.PROTOCOL OUTLINE: This is a randomized, double-blind study. Patients are stratified by participating institution. Patients are randomly assigned to 1 of 2 doses of oral dehydroepiandrosterone or placebo, administered daily for a minimum of 7 months. A prednisone taper is attempted each month in patients with stable or improving disease. Therapy continues until a successful prednisone taper is achieved and sustained for at least 2 months, or until a maximum of 9 months. Patients are followed for 1 year after entry.
Protocol
This section provides details of the study plan, including how the study is designed and what the study is measuring.190 patients to be enrolled
Total number of participants that the clinical trial aims to recruit.Treatment Study
Eligibility
Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria: person's general health condition or prior treatments.Female
Biological sex of participants that are eligible to enroll.Over 18 Years
Range of ages for which participants are eligible to join.Healthy volunteers not allowed
If individuals who are healthy and do not have the condition being studied can participate.Conditions
Pathology
Criteria
PROTOCOL ENTRY CRITERIA: --Disease Characteristics-- Systemic lupus erythematosus by American College of Rheumatology criteria Mild to moderate disease characterized as follows: Prednisone dose (or equivalent) 10 to 30 mg/day No daily dose 1 mg/kg or greater No alternate-day regimen Failed prednisone taper in last 12 months and dose stable for at least 6 weeks prior to entry OR No attempt to taper in last 12 months and dose stable for at least 3 months prior to entry No prior participation in double-blind dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) study at Stanford University --Prior/Concurrent Therapy-- No concurrent immunosuppressants No concurrent participation in other clinical studies No investigational agents within the longer of 30 days or 10 half lives of the agent At least 3 months since the following: Adrenocorticotropin hormone Androgens Cyclophosphamide Azathioprine Intravenous immune globulin Other immunosuppressants At least 1 month since any change in dose of concurrent nonsteroidal anti- inflammatory drugs or hydroxychloroquine --Patient Characteristics-- No hypersensitivity to DHEA or inactive ingredient in DHEA, i.e.: Cornstarch Lactose Magnesium stearate No condition that would prevent adequate compliance with study No history of breast cancer or reproductive tract malignancy Negative pregnancy test required within 2 weeks prior to entry Reliable contraception required of fertile women No estrogen-containing oral contraceptive