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Mapping B-cell Biology Across the Cardiovascular Territories of Giant Cell Arteritis: Towards a New Therapeutic Approach (RituxiMAP GCA)

NCT07269938 · Status: NOT_YET_RECRUITING · Type: OBSERVATIONAL · Enrollment: 30

Last updated 2025-12-17

No results posted yet for this study

Summary

B cells are a component of the immune system which appear be important in causing all forms of cardiovascular disease. Until now, it has not been possible to directly study these cells in living patients (essential to assess their potential as the target of new treatments). For the first time in any cardiovascular disease, this study will apply cutting edge scanning technology to visualise B cells in the blood vessels of giant cell arteritis (GCA) patients. GCA is a common and potentially deadly disorder of the blood vessels which is caused by abnormalities of the immune system. Current treatments are mainly limited to steroids. Unfortunately, these drugs bring tremendous side effects and so there is an urgent requirement to discover alternatives.

Laboratory investigations tell us that B cells are highly present in GCA and so if the proposed scanning technology fails to identify these cells in the blood vessels of participants, then the technology is unlikely to be useful for other cardiovascular diseases. If, however, the study does successfully visualise B cells, this knowledge could pave the way for clinical trials of B cell targeted treatments (already established in other conditions) as steroid alternatives in GCA.

This study aims to map the distribution of the radiotracer zirconium-89 labelled rituximab within the blood vessels of patients with newly diagnosed GCA and compare this with two separate control groups without the condition. This will allow us to determine the role of B cells within this condition, and whether patients would benefit from B cell-depleting treatments such as rituximab.

Conditions

  • Giant Cell Arteritis (GCA)

Interventions

DIAGNOSTIC_TEST

Zirconium Zr 89 labelled rituximab

All participants will receive a PET scan with zirconium Zr-89 labelled rituximab. Those in the LV-GCA group will receive a follow-up scan after a period of treatment.

Sponsors & Collaborators

  • University of Edinburgh

    lead OTHER

Eligibility

Min Age
50 Years
Sex
ALL
Healthy Volunteers
Yes

Timeline & Regulatory

Start
2026-04-30
Primary Completion
2029-04-30
Completion
2029-06-30

Countries

  • United Kingdom

Study Locations

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Read the full study record

This page highlights key information. For complete eligibility criteria, study locations, investigator contacts, and the full protocol, visit the original record on ClinicalTrials.gov.

View NCT07269938 on ClinicalTrials.gov