IgG4-related disease (IgG4-RD) is a rare autoimmune disease. A study published in The New England Journal of Medicine by the MITIGATE study team found that the drug inebilizumab reduced disease activity and was effective in preventing flares. The drug may therefore be a promising treatment option for the disease.
IgG4-related disease (IgG4-RD) is a rare condition where the immune system attacks various parts of the body, leading to inflammation and tissue damage. It can affect organs like the pancreas, liver, and salivary glands, causing them to swell and not work properly.
The study, conducted by the MITIGATE study group that consists of leading clinical scientists from around the world, aimed to test a new medicine called inebilizumab to see if it could help people with IgG4-RD. Inebilizumab is an antibody that targets and reduces the number of B cells, a type of white blood cell involved in the immune response.
Researchers conducted a clinical trial with 135 patients who had IgG4-RD. The patients were randomly assigned to receive either inebilizumab or a placebo. The main goal was to see if inebilizumab could reduce disease activity and prevent flares (worsening of symptoms).
"For the first time, a drug specifically for IgG4-related disease has been successfully passed a randomized phase III study and will eventually be available to treat this disease," says Matthias Löhr , Professor at the Department of Clinical Science, Intervention and Technology.
Effective treatment to reduce disease activity and prevent flares
The study found that inebilizumab significantly reduced disease activity compared to the placebo. Patients treated with inebilizumab had fewer flares and a longer time before the first flare occurred. The drug was generally well-tolerated, with similar rates of side effects in both the inebilizumab and placebo groups.
Inebilizumab appears to be an effective treatment for reducing disease activity and preventing flares in patients with IgG4-RD. This could be a promising new option for managing this rare and often debilitating disease.
Publication
Inebilizumab for Treatment of IgG4-Related Disease
John H. Stone, M.D., M.P.H., Arezou Khosroshahi, M.D., Wen Zhang, M.D., Ph.D., Emanuel Della Torre, M.D., Ph.D., Kazuichi Okazaki, M.D., Ph.D., Yoshiya Tanaka, M.D., Ph.D., J. Matthias Löhr, M.D., Ph.D., +17, for the MITIGATE Trial Investigators. Published November 14, 2024DOI: 10.1056/NEJMoa2409712
