Tocilizumab 20 MG/ML [Actemra]: Tocilizumab 8 mg/kg every four weeks for 24 weeks.
Sodium Chloride 0.9% Inj: Placebo (Sodium chloride) every four weeks for 24 weeks.
Study summary
This placebo-controlled study will investigate the effect of tocilizumab (an anti-interleukin-6 receptor antibody) on symptom burden, physical functioning, and quality of life in patients with chronic pancreatitis.
Eligibility
Sex
ALL
Min age
18 Years
Max age
—
Healthy volunteers
No
Inclusion Criteria:
* Signed informed consent.
* Probable or definitive diagnosis of CP according to the M-ANNHEIM criteria. This entails a typical clinical history of CP, including recurrent pancreatitis or abdominal pain in combination with the following additional criteria:
* A definitive diagnosis of CP is established by one or more of the following additional criteria:
* i) Pancreatic calcification
* ii) Moderate or marked ductal lesions (according to the Cambridge classification)
* iii) Exocrine pancreatic insufficiency, defined as pancreatic steatorrhea markedly reduced by enzyme supplementation
* iv) Histological verification of CP
* A probable diagnosis of CP is established by one or more of the following additional criteria:
* i) Mild ductal alterations (according to the Cambridge classification)
* ii) Recurrent or persistent pseudocysts
* iii) Pathological test of pancreatic exocrine function (such as faecal elastase-1 test, secretin test, secretin-pancreozymin test)
* iv) Diabetes mellitus
* Abdominal pain of presumed pancreatic origin (i.e., upper abdominal pain radiating to the back).
* Evidence of ongoing pancreatic inflammatory activity, with an inflammatory pancreatic flare occurring one or more times within the past six months. An inflammatory pancreatic flare is defined as an exacerbation of pancreatic pain in combination with one or more of the following criteria:
* i) Plasma amylase levels elevated 2-fold or more than the participant's usual amylase level.
* ii) Elevated plasma levels of CRP 2-fold the upper normal level without suspicion of other sources such as infection.
* iii) Signs of pancreatic inflammation on cross-sectional imaging.
* ≥ 18 years of age
* The participant must be able to read and understand the informed consent forms.
* The participant is willing and able to comply with the scheduled visits, treatment plan, and other trial procedures.
Exclusion Criteria:
* End-stage CP indicated by severe pancreatic atrophy defined as segmented pancreas volume \<20 ml on the latest available cross-sectional imaging examination (Computed Tomography (CT) or MRI).
* Pancreatic duct obstruction by a stricture and/or stone amendable to endoscopic or surgical treatment. Patients with previous pancreatic duct decompression procedures are allowed to participate.
* Ongoing alcohol or substance abuse. The patient must document abstinence from alcohol and substance abuse for the preceding six months prior to study enrolment. Recreational alcohol consumption within the safety limits recommended by the National Danish Health Authorities (i.e., max. ten units of alcohol per week) is allowed.
* Active or recurrent infections.
* Untreated ulcers in the gastrointestinal tract (however, those who have undergone proper treatment and one month has elapsed with no recurrence of symptoms will not be excluded).
* Known hypersensitivity to Tocilizumab.
* Positive test for Tuberculosis during screening
* Positive test for Hepatitis during screening
* Severe liver disease, indicated by ALT with \>5 upper normal limits.
* Thrombocytopenia (platelet count \< 50 x 109/L).
* Neutropenia (neutrophil count \<2 x 109/L).
* Pregnancy and no contraception use, fertile women (\<55 years) must provide a urine sample for pregnancy test upon inclusion.
Primary outcome measure(s)
The Comprehensive Pain Assessment Tool Short Form (COMPAT-SF) Questionnaire — The intervention period is 24 weeks (assessed every 4 weeks from baseline to finalization) The between-group difference (tocilizumab vs. placebo) of the change from baseline in the COMPAT-SF score at 24 weeks. The COMPAT-SF score is noramlized on a 0-100 score. Higher scores indicate a higher degree of pain.
Trial sites (1)
Facility
City
Region
Status
Centre for Pancreatic Diseases and Mech-Sense research laboratory, Aalborg University Hospital
Aalborg
North Denmark
Official registry record
This page summarises publicly available registry data for informational purposes — not medical advice. Eligibility is determined by each study team; patients should discuss participation with their clinician.
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