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NCT Number: NCT02143986

Glycosylated Ferritin in Macrophagic Activation Syndromes

In healthy subjects, from 50 to 80 % of the serum ferritin is glycosylated [1, 2] . A decrease in the percentage of ferritin glycosylation can be observed in inflammatory diseases, malignancies, infections, or liver disease but is rarely less than 20% [3 , 4] . Percentage of glycosylated ferritin below 20% have been described in patients with adult Still's disease and haemophagocytosis lymphohistiocytic syndromes (HLH).

The glycosylated ferritin has been included in the diagnostic criteria for Still's disease in adults. A cut-off of less than 20 % has a sensitivity and specificity of 72 and 69 % respectively , and 35 and 94 % when combined with a total ferritin level greater than 5 times normal value. This parameter was also suggested to be a more specific marker to confirm a diagnosis of HLH than a high ferritin level ( > 500μg / L). However, several limitations of this parameter were highlighted, some conditions making its interpretation difficult : particularly in cases of major hepatic cytolysis and severe sepsis (miliary tuberculosis, lymphoma and disease Adult Still).

It is not always possible to distinguish severe sepsis, HLH syndrome and Still's disease.

A fine analysis of various glycoforms components of ferritin could be used to distinguish different subgroups of patients. Few data are available on the mechanism of secretion and glycosylation of ferritin, but the investigators assume that the glycosylation patterns of ferritin may vary between different disease states and reflect distinct underlying pathophysiological mechanisms.

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Key information

Conditions

Still's Disease, Adult-Onset Arthritis Arthritis, Juvenile Arthritis, Rheumatoid Autoimmune Diseases Connective Tissue Diseases Immune System Diseases Infections Inflammation Joint Diseases Macrophagic Activation Syndrome Musculoskeletal Diseases Pathologic Processes Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms Rheumatic Diseases Sepsis Skin and Connective Tissue Diseases Systemic Inflammatory Response Syndrome

Age range

Up to 85 year

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Observational

Primary location

Brugmann University Hospital

Brussels, 1020, Belgium

Location status: Recruiting

Location contact

France Debaugnies, Pharm

CONTACT

[email protected]

Francis Corazza, MD PhD

CONTACT

[email protected]

francis Corazza, MD PhD

PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

About this study

The objectives of this study are:

  • . To evaluate the diagnostic performance of the assay of the glycosylated ferritin under HLH syndrome and Still's disease in adults.
  • . To study the different glycoforms of ferritin from serum of patient with hyperferritinemia.

Materials and methods

  • Patient groups studied and control group
  • Any suspicion of HLH or Still's disease syndrome in adults
  • Control groups: sepsis, severe sepsis, septic shock, inflammation ( lupus, rheumatoid arthritis), severe hepatic necrosis, hematologic malignancy at diagnosis or relapse

2 . Samples

  • Serum will be collected for the determination of glycosylated ferritin in patients with suspicion of HLH syndrome or Still's disease in adults
  • For the orther patients remaining serum samples will be collected from ferritin sample of the routine biological evaluation in patients with infammatory diseases ( lupus, rheumatoid arthritis) , hematologic malignancies at diagnosis or relapse, hepatic necrosis or sepsis.

3 . Characterization of patients based on diagnostic criteria (clinical and biological) retained (with collaborating physicians).

After approval of the EC CHU Brugmann, the protocol will be submitted to other EC institutions.

4 . Analysis of the glycosylation profile of ferritin by mass spectrometry. (in collaboration with the Faculty of Pharmacy , Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry , Van Antwerpen P and Delporte C)

Analysis and interpretation

  • . Determination of the sensitivity and specificity of the diagnostic assay of the glycosylated ferritin under HLH syndrome and Still's disease .
  • . Characterization of subgroups of patients according to the following information: Ferritin and its glycosylated fraction, documented infections , fever, MOF , hepatomegaly, splenomegaly, haemophagocytosis (when bone marrow aspirate available), thrombocytosis, anemia, leukopenia, neutropenia, liver enzymes, hypertriglyceridemia, coagulopathy, hypofibrinogenemia, VS / CRP.
  • . Analysis of glycosylation patterns according to the patient subgroup.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: No

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

Inclusion criteria

  • Suspicion of sepsis, macrophagic activation syndrome, Still's disease or hyperferritinemia (malignant disease, hepatic cytolysis)

Exclusion criteria

  • Normal ferritin level

Treatment and study plan

Primary outcomes

  1. Fraction of glycosylated ferritin in serum

    Time frame: One year

Study contacts

Contact information is provided by the study sponsor or research team.

France Debaugnies, Pharm

CONTACT

[email protected]

32-2-4772507

Francis Corazza, MD, PhD

CONTACT

[email protected]

32-2-4772506

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Brugmann University Hospital

Other

Collaborators

  • Université Libre de Bruxelles

Registry information

Official study title

Glycosylated Ferritin in Differential Diagnosis of Still's Disease, Sepsis and Other Macrophagic Activation Syndromes.

Acronym: FERRITGLY01

Important dates

Study start
2014
Primary completion
2030
Study completion
2030
First posted
May 21, 2014
Registry last updated
Oct 6, 2025

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.

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