A Study to Assess the Pharmacokinetics, Effectiveness and Safety of Afimkibart for Induction and Maintenance Therapy in Children With Moderately to Severely Active Crohn's Disease
This research is looking at a new medicine called Afimkibart for children and teenagers (aged 2 to 17 years old) who have moderate to severe Crohn's disease. This is for young people whose Crohn's hasn't improved enough with their usual medicines. The study wants to find out if Afimkibart can help reduce symptoms and improve their condition, how safe it is to use, and how the medicine affects the body over time. It's a large study where some participants will receive the active medicine and some a dummy medicine, without anyone knowing which is which, to get the clearest results.
At a glance
What is this study about?
Crohn's disease is a long-term condition where parts of the digestive system become inflamed. This can cause tummy pain, severe diarrhoea, tiredness, and weight loss. For some young people, their Crohn's disease symptoms can be quite severe and don't get much better with standard treatments. This means they continue to feel unwell, which can affect their schooling and everyday life.
This study is testing a new medicine called Afimkibart. It's hoped this medicine might offer a new way to help young people with Crohn's disease who haven't found enough relief from other treatments. Researchers want to see if Afimkibart can help to calm down the inflammation in the gut, reduce symptoms, and generally improve how young people feel and function. This is important because finding more effective and safe treatments can make a big difference to the lives of children and teenagers living with this challenging condition.
The study is in its 'Phase 3', which means it's one of the final stages of testing before a medicine might be approved for wider use. It's a 'double-blind' study, meaning neither the participants nor the doctors will know who is receiving the new medicine and who is receiving a placebo (a dummy medicine). This helps to ensure the results are as fair and accurate as possible, showing us the true effect of Afimkibart.
Key takeaways
- A new medicine, Afimkibart, is being tested for children with Crohn's disease.
- This study is for children aged 2-17 whose Crohn's hasn't responded to other treatments.
- It aims to check if Afimkibart is safe and effective.
- Participants will receive either the new medicine or a dummy medicine.
- Close medical monitoring will be provided throughout the study.
- You can withdraw from the study at any time.
Who may be eligible?
To join this study, children and teenagers typically need to be between 2 and 17 years old and weigh at least 10 kilograms (about 1 stone 8 pounds). They must have moderate to severe Crohn's disease that has been officially diagnosed by a camera test (endoscopy). Their doctors will use special scores to confirm their Crohn's is active enough for the study.
Crucially, their Crohn's disease must not have responded well to, or they couldn't tolerate, at least one other type of Crohn's treatment they've tried in the past. This could include common medicines like aminosalicylates, steroids, or immunosuppressants, or newer 'advanced' therapies.
However, some young people would not be able to join. This includes if they have certain other gut conditions like ulcerative colitis, a very rare genetic form of bowel disease, or have had many previous bowel operations. Also, if they have certain complications like severe bowel narrowing or abscesses, or other specific health issues, they wouldn't be able to take part for their safety.
Could this study suit you?
Answer these quick questions to see if you may be eligible. This is a guide only — the research team makes the final call.
- Is your child aged between 2 and 17 years old?
- Does your child have moderate to severe Crohn's disease confirmed by a camera test?
- Has your child's Crohn's not improved enough with at least one other treatment?
- Does your child not have other specific gut conditions like ulcerative colitis or severe blockages?
- Does your child weigh at least 10 kilograms (about 1 stone 8 pounds)?
What does participation involve?
Taking part in this study would involve regular visits to the hospital or clinic. These visits will include checks of your child's health, blood tests, and possibly repeats of the camera test (endoscopy) to see how their Crohn's disease is responding. Your child would receive the study medicine, Afimkibart, or a placebo, which might be given as an injection or infusion. The doctors and nurses on the study team will explain how and when the medicine is given.
The study is likely to involve several months of active treatment, followed by a period where your child's condition continues to be monitored. The full duration of participation, including all follow-up, could extend for quite a while, and the study team will provide a detailed schedule covering all appointments, tests, and medication administration. They will make sure you understand everything involved before you decide to take part.
Potential risks and benefits
Locations (7)
- Royal Children's HospitalVerified postcodeParkville, Australia· Recruiting
- Perth Children's HospitalVerified postcodeNedlands, Australia· Recruiting
- National Taiwan University HospitalVerified postcodeTaipei, Taiwan· Recruiting
- Chulalongkorn UniversityVerified postcodeBangkok, Thailand· Recruiting
- Siriraj HospitalVerified postcodeBangkok, Thailand· Recruiting
- Ramathibodi HospitalVerified postcodeBangkok, Thailand· Recruiting
- Sheffield Childrens HospitalVerified postcodeSheffield, United Kingdom· Recruiting
Common questions
What is Crohn's disease?
Crohn's disease is a condition where parts of the digestive system get inflamed and swollen, causing symptoms like tummy pain and diarrhoea.
What is Afimkibart?
Afimkibart is a new medicine being tested to see if it can help reduce inflammation and symptoms in children with Crohn's disease.
Will my child definitely get the new medicine?
Not necessarily. In this type of study, some participants receive the new medicine and others receive a placebo (dummy medicine).
How long will the study last?
The study will involve initial treatment and then continued monitoring. The full commitment will be explained by the study team, but it could last quite a while.
Can we stop participating if we change our mind?
Yes, taking part is completely voluntary. You can decide to withdraw your child from the study at any time without it affecting their care.
How to find out more
Reference Study ID Number: CP45906 https://forpatients.roche.com/ No attachments to email below.
Always speak to your GP or specialist before deciding to take part in a study.
Interested in taking part?
Discussion
Community discussion
Powered by our forum at community.patient.info. Please be respectful — this is not medical advice.