400 Participants Needed

IVIG for Gastroparesis

(GAIN Trial)

TL
Overseen ByThomas L Abell, MD
Age: Any Age
Sex: Any
Trial Phase: Academic
Sponsor: University of Louisville
No Placebo GroupAll trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)
Approved in 3 JurisdictionsThis treatment is already approved in other countries

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial explores a treatment called IVIG for individuals whose gastrointestinal (GI) issues, such as severe difficulty digesting food, do not improve with standard treatments. The focus is on those who may have autoimmune problems affecting their GI tract, where the body's defense system mistakenly attacks its own nerves, causing digestion problems. The goal is to assess patient responses to IVIG, a therapy made from antibodies. Individuals with persistent GI issues that have not improved with other treatments might be suitable candidates for this trial. As a Phase 2 trial, this research measures the treatment's effectiveness in an initial, smaller group, offering participants a chance to contribute to important findings.

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications. It's best to discuss this with the trial coordinators or your doctor.

What prior data suggests that IVIG is safe for treating autoimmune gastrointestinal neuropathies?

Research has shown that intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) is generally safe for people and is unlikely to cause harm in most cases. However, like any treatment, it can have side effects. Rare side effects include kidney problems, blood clots, irregular heartbeats, and lung issues.

Despite these rare side effects, most patients tolerate IVIG well. Healthcare providers typically monitor vital signs such as blood pressure and heart rate during treatment to ensure safety. Overall, many experts consider IVIG a relatively safe option for treating certain conditions.12345

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Researchers are excited about using intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) for gastrointestinal auto-immune neuropathy because it offers a fresh approach to treating a condition that doesn’t respond well to standard therapies. Unlike traditional treatments, which often include immunosuppressive drugs or dietary modifications, IVIG works by delivering a concentrated dose of antibodies directly into the bloodstream. This method may help modulate the immune system more effectively, potentially reducing inflammation and nerve damage. The promise of IVIG lies in its ability to target the underlying immune dysfunction, offering hope for patients who haven't found relief with existing options.

What is the effectiveness track record for IVIG in treating autoimmune gastrointestinal neuropathies?

Research has shown that intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) can treat conditions where the immune system mistakenly attacks the body's nerves, such as autoimmune gastrointestinal neuropathy. Studies have found that IVIG reduces disease activity and decreases the need for other strong medications, like corticosteroids. In one study, patients who received IVIG improved faster than those who received a placebo. Many individuals experienced noticeable benefits in managing their symptoms with IVIG treatment. Overall, IVIG offers promise for those whose other treatments haven’t worked.678910

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

Inclusion Criteria

Inclusion Criteria: Patient with otherwise refractory symptoms of gastrointestinal (GI) motor disorders.
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Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Treatment

Participants receive intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) therapy in 12-week courses

12 weeks

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for safety and effectiveness after treatment using standardized patient reported outcome (PRO) surveys

up to one year

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

  • IVIG

IVIG is already approved in United States, European Union, Canada for the following indications:

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Approved in United States as Intravenous Immunoglobulin for:
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Approved in European Union as Intravenous Immunoglobulin for:
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Approved in Canada as Intravenous Immunoglobulin for:

Find a Clinic Near You

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

University of Louisville

Lead Sponsor

Trials
353
Recruited
76,400+

Citations

Outcomes of intravenous immunoglobulin treatment ...

Secondary clinical outcomes included hospital readmission within 30 days of discharge, death during hospitalization, and serious adverse effects ...

Intravenous immunoglobulin as a therapy for autoimmune ...

The results demonstrated a notable efficacy of immunoglobulin in reducing disease activity and in tapering the dose of systemic corticosteroids ...

Comparative effectiveness of two intravenous ...

Outcomes are summarized in Table 3. Privigen demonstrated a lower IVIG resistance rate at 9.4% in comparison to TBSF, which exhibited a rate of ...

Trial of Intravenous Immune Globulin in Dermatomyositis

The median time to at least minimal improvement was 35 days with IVIG and 115 days with placebo. The results of the other secondary end-point ...

5.

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37171778/

Intravenous Immunoglobulin Treatment Patterns and ...

On average, patients received IVIG every 21 days for 129 days. By 2 years, 55% of patients had stopped receiving IVIG; most of those patients ...

Safety Data Sheet Normal Immunoglobulin-VF 1. Identification

Normal Immunoglobulin-VF treats low antibody levels and prevents infections. It is not classified as hazardous, but all blood products should ...

SAFETY DATA SHEET

OSHA: No component of this product present at levels greater than or equal to 0.1% is on OSHA's list of regulated carcinogens. Reproductive ...

Adverse Effects of Immunoglobulin Therapy - PMC

Some rare side effects, including renal impairment, thrombosis, arrhythmia, aseptic meningitis, hemolytic anemia, and transfusion-related acute lung injury ( ...

Safety important for successful immunoglobulin ...

Another important safety step with IVIG is to make sure the nurse monitors blood pressure, heart rate, temperature, and respiration rate. A full ...

Safety of Intravenous Immunoglobulin | JAMA Neurology

A major factor fueling the current interest in IVIG is its relative safety. It is regarded by some as virtually riskless.