RecruitingOBSERVATIONAL

ECD-Score: a Study on Erdheim-Chester Disease

This study focuses on Erdheim-Chester Disease (ECD), a very rare condition where certain immune cells build up in different parts of the body. Because it's so rare, there are still many unanswered questions about how it affects people over time, including survival and everyday abilities. Doctors currently lack a good way to predict these long-term outcomes accurately. This research hopes to create a new scoring system, called an ECD-Score, that can combine important information about a patient's disease. This score would help healthcare teams understand better what to expect for each individual and allow for more tailored care, ultimately aiming to improve the lives of people living with ECD.

At a glance

Status

Recruiting

Sponsor

Meyer Children's Hospital IRCCS

Enrolment target

1,000

Start

23 Dec 2024

Estimated completion

01 Dec 2028

Erdheim-Chester Disease (ECD)

What is this study about?

Erdheim-Chester Disease (ECD) is a very rare condition that affects the body's immune system. In ECD, certain immune cells called histiocytes, which normally help fight infections, start to grow abnormally and build up in different parts of the body. This can happen in bones, around organs like the kidneys, in the heart, brain, or even the gland that controls hormones (pituitary gland). Because these cells can appear in so many places, the symptoms and how it affects each person can be very different, from mild to quite serious.

Doctors know that ECD is often caused by a specific change (mutation) in certain genes, which makes these immune cells behave differently. This can lead to ongoing inflammation and damage to the affected body parts. Despite growing knowledge about ECD in recent years, especially considering how few people have it, there are still many gaps in understanding. For example, it's hard for doctors to predict how the disease will progress for an individual patient over many years, including how it might affect their survival or their daily life and abilities.

This study aims to help fill these gaps. Currently, it's challenging for doctors to get a full picture of how ECD affects a patient's life, including things like their day-to-day abilities, mood, and thinking. This research wants to develop a new tool, called an 'ECD-Score'. This score would bring together different pieces of information about a patient's disease to give doctors a clearer idea of what might happen in the long term. This improved understanding will help doctors and patients make better decisions about care and hopefully lead to better quality of life for those with ECD.

Key takeaways

This study focuses on a rare immune system condition called Erdheim-Chester Disease (ECD).
Its main goal is to create a new scoring system to predict how ECD might affect patients in the long term.
The study will use existing medical records, not new treatments or tests.
Better predictions could lead to more personalised care and improved quality of life.
Participation involves allowing researchers to use your anonymous historical medical data.
This research tackles a gap in understanding due to ECD's rarity.

Who may be eligible?

To be considered for this study, you would first need to be diagnosed with Erdheim-Chester Disease (ECD) according to the most up-to-date medical guidelines. This diagnosis needs to be confirmed by your doctor.

Also, the researchers would need to be able to access your medical information, such as details about your diagnosis, any genetic tests you've had, treatments you've received, and how you responded to those treatments. They would also need to have at least one year's worth of follow-up information about your condition.

People would not be able to join the study if they don't have a confirmed diagnosis or enough information from their medical history. Also, if a patient or, for children, their parent or legal guardian, is unable or unwilling to give their permission (informed consent) to take part, then they cannot be included in the study.

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.

Do you have a confirmed diagnosis of Erdheim-Chester Disease (ECD)?
Are your doctors able to share your full medical history for ECD, including treatments and how successful they were?
Do your medical records show at least one year of follow-up since your ECD diagnosis?
Are you, or your parent/guardian if you are under 18, willing and able to give permission for your anonymous data to be used?

Answer every question to see your result.

What does participation involve?

This study is primarily looking at existing medical records and information from people who have already been diagnosed with and treated for Erdheim-Chester Disease. This means that if you participate, you would not typically need to attend extra hospital visits, take new medication related to the study, or undergo additional tests. The researchers will be collecting and analysing information that has already been gathered as part of your routine medical care for ECD. The total duration of your involvement would be based on the availability of your past medical records, specifically needing records that cover at least one year of follow-up after your diagnosis. You would also need to provide your informed consent to allow your de-identified data to be used for this research.

Potential risks and benefits

The main benefit of taking part in this study is that the information gathered will help researchers develop a better way to understand and predict the long-term effects of Erdheim-Chester Disease. This could lead to improved care and a better quality of life for future patients with ECD. Since this study primarily uses existing medical records, the direct risks to you are very low, as you won't undergo new procedures or treatments specifically for the research. Your personal information will be kept confidential and used anonymously. Remember, you have the right to withdraw your consent at any time without affecting your medical care.

Locations (7)

Some site locations are approximate. We're improving this — please verify with the trial team before travelling.

National Institute of Health
Verified postcode
Bethesda, United States· Not yet recruiting
Mayo Clinic
Verified postcode
Rochester, United States· Not yet recruiting
Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center
Verified postcode
New York, United States· Not yet recruiting
Hopital Pitiè-Salpetriere
Verified postcode
Paris, France· Not yet recruiting
Meyer Children's Hospital IRCCS, Firenze
Verified postcode
Florence, Italy· Recruiting
San Raffaele Hospital
Verified postcode
Milan, Italy· Not yet recruiting
Newcastle Upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Verified postcode
Newcastle, United Kingdom· Not yet recruiting

Common questions

What is Erdheim-Chester Disease (ECD)?

ECD is a very rare condition where certain immune cells build up in different body parts, like bones or organs, potentially causing problems and symptoms.

What is the study trying to achieve?

This study aims to create an 'ECD-Score' to help doctors better predict how the disease will progress and its long-term effects on patients.

Will I have to take new medicines or have extra tests?

No, this study mainly uses existing medical records, so you won't need new treatments or extra tests as part of the research.

How will this study help people with ECD?

By creating a better prediction tool, it can help doctors create more personalised treatment plans and improve the quality of life for people with ECD.

What if I change my mind about taking part?

You can withdraw your consent to participate at any time, and this will not affect your medical care.

How to find out more

Augusto Vaglio, Medical Doctor

augusto.vaglio@meyer.it 055 5662905 Official trial record

Always speak to your GP or specialist before deciding to take part in a study.