A Study of Guselkumab in Pediatric Participants With Moderately to Severely Active Crohn's Disease
This study is testing a medicine called guselkumab in children and teenagers (aged 2 to 17) who have moderately to severely active Crohn's disease. Crohn's disease can cause inflammation in the gut, leading to symptoms like tummy pain and frequent toilet trips. The main aim is to see how effective guselkumab is over 52 weeks (about one year) for patients who showed improvement in their symptoms after the first 12 weeks of treatment. Researchers will use special tests, like internal cameras (endoscopy), to check the healing of the gut lining. This is a Phase 3 study, meaning it's a larger trial happening after initial safety and effectiveness tests, bringing it closer to potentially being available to more patients.
At a glance
What is this study about?
Crohn's disease is a condition that causes long-term inflammation in your digestive system. This can lead to symptoms like tummy pain, diarrhoea, weight loss, and feeling very tired. For some children and teenagers, these symptoms can be quite severe and impact their daily lives.
This particular study is looking into a medicine called guselkumab. It’s being tested in young people aged 2 to 17 who have Crohn’s disease that isn't well controlled by other treatments, or who haven't been able to tolerate them. The study wants to find out if guselkumab can effectively reduce the inflammation and symptoms caused by Crohn’s after one year of treatment, especially for those who show early improvement.
The researchers will be monitoring participants closely to see how well the medicine helps heal the gut lining. This information is important because it could help doctors understand if guselkumab is a safe and effective new option for treating Crohn's disease in young people in the future.
Key takeaways
- This study is for children and teenagers (2-17 years old) with Crohn's disease.
- It tests a medicine called guselkumab over one year.
- Aims to see if it helps reduce symptoms and heal the gut lining.
- It's for those whose current treatments haven't worked well.
- Participants will have regular medical check-ups and tests.
Who may be eligible?
To join this study, you (or your child) must have been diagnosed with Crohn's disease that currently causes moderate to severe symptoms. Doctors will confirm this using a special scoring system and internal camera tests (endoscopy) to check for active inflammation in the gut.
You would also need to have tried other common treatments for Crohn's disease in the past, such as certain immune-suppressing medicines or steroids, and either they didn't work well enough, stopped working, or caused too many side effects. Alternatively, you might be eligible if you've developed a dependency on steroid medication, or if nutritional therapy hasn't been effective.
However, some things would mean you can't take part. For example, if your Crohn's disease has caused complications like blockages in the gut that might need surgery soon, or if you have an abscess (a collection of pus). You also couldn't join if you’ve had certain types of bowel surgery in the last few months.
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.
- I have been diagnosed with Crohn's disease.
- My Crohn's disease currently causes moderate to severe symptoms.
- I have tried other Crohn's medicines (like immune suppressors or steroids) and they didn't work well, stopped working, or caused bad side effects.
- I haven't had any recent surgeries on my bowel (within the last few months).
- I do not have any abscesses or severe bowel blockages due to Crohn's.
What does participation involve?
If you decide to take part in this study, you would first go through some checks to make sure the study is right for you. This might involve physical exams, blood tests, and an endoscopy (a procedure where a thin, flexible tube with a camera is used to look inside your digestive system) to confirm the level of activity of your Crohn's disease. If you qualify, you or your child would then receive the study medication, guselkumab. The exact way this medicine is given (e.g., by injection) and how often would be explained to you in detail by the study team. You would have regular visits to the clinic for assessments, which include checking your symptoms, blood tests, and sometimes further endoscopies. The study aims to follow how you respond to the treatment over 52 weeks (about one year).
Potential risks and benefits
Locations (85)
- Cedars Sinai Medical CenterVerified postcodeLos Angeles, United States· Recruiting
- Connecticut Children's Medical CenterVerified postcodeHartford, United States· Recruiting
- Emory UniversityVerified postcodeAtlanta, United States· Active not recruiting
- Children's Center for Digestive Health CareVerified postcodeAtlanta, United States· Recruiting
- Riley Hospital for ChildrenVerified postcodeIndianapolis, United States· Recruiting
- Boston Childrens HospitalVerified postcodeBoston, United States· Recruiting
- Goryeb Children's HospitalVerified postcodeMorristown, United States· Recruiting
- Weill Cornell Medical College - Judith Jaffe Multiple Sclerosis CenterVerified postcodeNew York, United States· Recruiting
- Icahn School of Medicine at Mount SinaiVerified postcodeNew York, United States· Recruiting
- Columbia University Medical CenterVerified postcodeNew York, United States· Recruiting
- The Children's Medical Center of DaytonVerified postcodeDayton, United States· Recruiting
- Children's Hospital of PhiladelphiaVerified postcodePhiladelphia, United States· Recruiting
Common questions
What is guselkumab?
Guselkumab is an investigational medicine being tested to see if it can help reduce inflammation in Crohn’s disease.
How long will the study last?
The main part of this study will last for about 52 weeks, which is roughly one year.
Will I know if I'm getting the active medicine or a placebo?
The study design will be explained fully by the research team; in some phases of trials, it's common for participants to receive the active drug rather than a placebo in studies of this type.
What happens if guselkumab doesn't work for me?
The study team will regularly monitor your condition, and if the treatment isn't working or your condition worsens, they will discuss your options for further care.
Do I have to pay to be in the study?
No, all study-related treatments and assessments are usually provided free of charge.
How to find out more
Study Contact
Always speak to your GP or specialist before deciding to take part in a study.
Interested in taking part?
Discussion
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