Diffuse Fibrotic Lung Disease

To determine the effects of cyclophosphamide compared with prednisone, dapsone, or high-dose intermittent 'pulse' therapy with methylprednisolone in patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. Also, to evaluate the use of intermittent, short-term, high-dose intravenous corticosteroids in patients with sarcoidosis. There were actually four separate clinical trials.

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Key information

Conditions

Lung Diseases Fibrosis Hemic and Lymphatic Diseases Hypersensitivity Hypersensitivity, Delayed Immune System Diseases Lung Diseases, Interstitial Lymphatic Diseases Lymphoproliferative Disorders Pathologic Processes Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms Pulmonary Fibrosis Respiratory Tract Diseases Sarcoidosis

Age range

18 year and older

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Phase 2

About this study

BACKGROUND:

The fibrotic lung diseases represent 15 to 20 percent of the non-infectious disorders of the lung. Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, one of the 10 general groups of fibrotic lung disorders, is a chronic and devastating illness resulting in death within an average of 4 to 5 years from the onset of symptoms. Although 5 to 10 percent of these patients respond to corticosteroids, there is no known treatment for the remainder.

Sarcoidosis, a generalized disorder characterized by epithelioid cell granuloma formation in affected organs, especially the lung and lymphoid tissue, has a clinical course that varies considerably from patient to patient and, in some cases, resolves spontaneously. In other cases, intermittent pneumonitis develops, which may result in a permanent loss of lung function. Large intermittent doses of corticosteroids might be superior to conventional high-dose corticosteroids in patients with pulmonary sarcoidosis which has not resolved spontaneously.

DESIGN NARRATIVE:

In the randomized, non-blind cyclophosphamide versus prednisone trial, 25 to 50 patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis were assigned to treatment with prednisone or cyclophosphamide. At the end of 52 weeks of drug therapy, both groups were treated using conventional medical therapies. In the non-randomized dapsone trial, 10 fibrotic patients were treated with dapsone and prednisone for one year. In the double-blind, randomized methylprednisolone trial, 25 to 50 patients were given low-dose methylprednisolone, and, in addition, all patients were randomized to either high-dose methylprednisolone treatment or to placebo at weekly intervals for one year. In the randomized, double-blind, high-dose corticosteroid trial, 25 to 50 patients with pulmonary sarcoidosis were given a short intense course of high-dose methylprednisolone or a placebo for 6 weeks.

The study completion date listed in this record was inferred from the last publication listed in the Citations section of this study record.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: No

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

No eligibility criteria

Treatment and study plan

Prednisone

Drug

Cyclophosphamide

Drug

Dapsone

Drug

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI)

Nih

Registry information

Important dates

Study start: 1978
Study completion: 1983
First posted: Oct 28, 1999
Registry last updated: Nov 26, 2013

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

Published trials that share one or more normalized conditions with this study.

Completed