Diffuse cutaneous systemic sclerosis (dcSSc) is a progressive, severe systemic autoimmune disease which is characterised by inflammation and fibrosis of the connective tissue, leading to skin thickening, organ damage, limited daily functioning and premature death.
Unfortunately systemic sclerosis is incurable. However, there are treatments to stop or slow down disease progression by suppressing the immune system: cyclophosphamide (CYC), mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) or methotrexate (MTX), or resetting the immune system (stem cell transplantation).
Since 20 years, autologous stem cell transplantation (SCT) is used to treat systemic sclerosis. Two previous trials demonstrated that SCT was more effective compared to intravenous CYC with regard to skin and lung involvement and quality of life. However, SCT was also associated with a higher risk of severe, treatment-related complications. Because of the latter, SCT is mostly done in case other treatments fail.
On the other hand, upfront SCT, early in the course of the disease, could let to less complications and even be more effective, instead of later on in advanced disease.
Furthermore, when immunsuppressive medication does not work, severe organ damage due to disease progression could occur, leading to exclusion from SCT as a rescue treatment.
It is currently not known what the best treatment strategy in early dcSSc is, and what the optimal timing of SCT is.
The UPSIDE trial investigates two treatment strategies in order to answer the question: Upfront SCT or SCT when other treatments fail?
In this trial 11 centres in Europe are participating. The allication to the treatment strategies will be done randomly. The participant and the clinician (rheumatologist and hematologist) know which treatment will be administered (open-label).
Adult patients with less then 3 years of disease duration and diffuse cutaneous skin disease with or without internal organ involvement can participate in this trial.
Patients will randomise for
study arm A: upfront SCT or
study arm B: immunosuppressive therapy first (1 year monthly iv cyclophosphamide followed by 1 year of MMF). If needed SCT can be provided in case of progression despite immunosuppressive therapies.
After completion of the trial we will compare outcomes in both study arms. Outcomes that will be evaluated are: progression free survival, changes in skin and lung involvement, treatment related complications, changes in microcirculation (nail fold capillaroscopy), changes in cardiac function, quality of life, daily functioning, sexual health, hand mobility, fatigue and work.
Results of this study will provide more insight in the optimal treatment strategy and will support patients and physicians in making treatment decisions.
A screening take place prior to inclusion. This is done to determine whether you could safely undergo the treatments provided in the study. This is in line with screening done in routine clinical practise and includes: blood tests, urine test, lung function test, cardiac echo, ECG, 24-hour holter, cardiac MR and right heart catheterisation.
In this trial you are randomly allocated to one of the two abovementioned treatment strategies. Randomisation means that the participant, investigators and physicians cannot influence the treatment choice.
We do not use any experimental drugs in this trial. All treatments are already used in usual care in systemic sclerosis.
Half of the participants will be treated with upfront stem cell transplantation (SCT), the other half will be treated with monthly infusions with cyclophosphamide for 12 months followed by mycophenolate mofetil for another 12 months.
Importantly, in case of progression patients can get a rescue SCT.
Participation takes 5 years. Medical data will be collected during this period. Also you will be invited to complete questionnaires and we will ask you to participate in several sub-studies (i.e. additional collection of blood). In these sub-studies we investigate the mechanism of action of therapies and will aim to identify predictors for response.
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