The purpose of this study is to assess feasibility, safety and preliminary efficacy of Extracorporeal Photopheresis in the treatment of active diffuse cutaneous systemic sclerosis (dcSSc). This pilot study will help to determine if further study (a RCT) is justified.
Subjects must meet the ACR/EULAR classification criteria for SSc (2013).
Early dcSSc (within 5 years of first non-Raynaud's phenomenon symptom) or any other dcSSc patients who have at least one of the signs of disease activity: mRSS of 15 or more, presence of tendon friction rubs, elevated inflammatory markers thought to be due to active dcSSc and not related to other issues such as infection or ILD with FVC% predicted <80% or HRCT showing ILD thought to be from SSc.
Able to give informed consent.
Poor pulmonary function (FVC<40% and/or DLCO<30%).
Class IV PAH or PH.
Clinically significant cardiac disease.
Significant concurrent, uncontrolled medical condition including, but not limited to, renal, cardiac, hepatic, pancreatic, hematological, gastrointestinal, endocrine, pulmonary, neurological, cerebral or psychiatric disease; and cancer (i.e. co-existing melanoma, basal cell, or squamous cell skin carcinoma).
Single group
Extracorporeal Photopheresis (ECP)
DeviceDrug Intervention using a medical device. The ECP device is already licensed in Canada. License No.7703. ECP treatment, using the drug UVADEX, will be given on 2 consecutive days every 4 weeks for a total of 26 treatment days (48 weeks).
UVADEX
DrugThe phase II aspect of the study refers to the drug, methoxsalen. Methoxsalen is being used off label from the currently approved indications in the monograph. The study is proposing to use methoxsalen in combination with with extracorporeal photopheresis for the treatment of diffuse cutaneous systemic sclerosis. Treatment will be given in addition to standard of care medications for SSc.
Change in skin thickness measured by modified Rodnan Skin Score
modified Rodnan Skin Score (mRSS): is a standard outcome measure for skin disease in SSc and calculated by measuring skin thickness in 17 different body sites (each site scored 0-3, with a total possible additive score of 51). A higher skin score (or a higher "skin thickness") and progression of this score, is predictive of internal organ involvement and mortality. While a lower or improving (lessening) score is associated with favorable outcomes, including better survival.
Change in the modified Rodnan Skin Score
modified Rodnan Skin Score (mRSS): is a standard outcome measure for skin disease in SSc and calculated by measuring skin thickness in 17 different body sites (each site scored 0-3, with a total possible additive score of 51). A higher skin score (or a higher "skin thickness") and progression of this score, is predictive of internal organ involvement and mortality. While a lower or improving (lessening) score is associated with favorable outcomes, including better survival.
Combined Response Index in diffuse cutaneous systemic sclerosis score
CRISS score: It is calculated according to changes from the start of a study, compared to an endpoint, by using the modified Rodnan Skin Score (mRSS), the Health Assessment Questionnaire - Disability Index (HAQ-DI), patient and physician global assessment of scleroderma-related health, and forced vital capacity. A CRISS score of ≥ 0.6 indicates likelihood that a patient improved on treatment. Will be calculated with baseline data and to define disease progression at 6 months.
Change in Forced Vital Capacity
Change in Pulmonary Function as measured by percentage of Improving or worsening FVC. The FVC (Forced vital Capacity) is the total amount of air exhaled during the FEV (Forced expiratory volume) test.
Change in the diffusing capacity for carbon monoxide
Change in Pulmonary Function as measured by percentage of Improving or worsening DLCO. The DLCO (diffusing capacity of the lungs for carbon monoxide) measures the ability of the lungs to transfer gas from inhaled air to the red blood cells in pulmonary capillaries.
Regimen-related toxicities
Adverse Events (AEs) \>= Grade 3 and assessed by the investigator as 1 of the following: related or unrelated to treatment
Infectious complications
Change in peripheral levels of T-cell activation marker - sIL-2R
interleukin 2 receptor (sIL-2R) Serum sIL-2R level is a sensitive and quantitative marker of circulating peripheral blood mononuclear cell activation. Normal range of serum sIL-2R is below 2500 pg/ml. High levels may be found in conditions associated with T-cell activation.
Change in peripheral levels of fibrillogenesis - amino terminal propeptide of type III collagen
Amino-terminal propeptide of procollagen type III (PIIINP) is generated during the synthesis of type III collagen. PIIINP is a non-specific marker of soft tissue injury. PIIINP in serum has been shown to correlate with fibrillogenesis, and thus to be a potential direct marker of type III collagen deposition. PIIINP reference range Adult (\>19 years): 1.2 - 4.2 ug/L
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