New biologic shows promise for rare inflammatory disease in japan
NCT ID NCT04717635
First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026
Summary
This study tested canakinumab, an anti-inflammatory biologic, in 14 Japanese adults with Adult-Onset Still's Disease (AOSD), a rare condition causing fevers and joint pain. Participants received injections every 4 weeks for at least 48 weeks. The goal was to see if the drug could improve symptoms and help patients reduce their steroid use.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- canakinumab (a biologic drug that blocks inflammation)
- What this could lead to
- If it works, this could provide a new treatment option for Japanese patients with Adult-Onset Still's Disease, helping control symptoms and reduce steroid use.
- What could go wrong
- This was a small, single-arm study with only 14 participants, so results may not apply broadly. As a biologic, canakinumab carries risks like increased infection.
This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.
Study facts
What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.
- Phase
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Phase 3
Large-scale testing in a bigger group. Usually the last step before a treatment can be approved.
- Participants
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14 people
The number who actually took part.
- Started
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Mar 2021
- Finished
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Apr 2025
- Lead sponsor
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A company
The lead sponsor is a pharmaceutical, biotech, or medical-device company.
Who can take part
This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.
- Ages
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16 to 100 years
- Sex
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Anyone
- Healthy volunteers
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Not accepted
This study is not open to healthy volunteers. The entry requirements below say who it is open to.
Show the full entry requirements Hide the full entry requirements
Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.
Inclusion Criteria: * Signed informed consent had to be obtained prior to participation in the study. Parent's or legal guardian's written informed consent and child's assent, if appropriate, were required before any assessment was performed for participants \< 20 years of age. * Japanese male and female participants aged ≥ 16 years were eligible. * Diagnosis of AOSD had to be confirmed as per Yamaguchi criteria, with disease onset at ≥ 16 years of age. The Yamaguchi criteria required at least five criteria, including two major criteria and no exclusion criteria. * Participants had to have active disease at baseline, defined as follows: * Fever (body temperature \> 38°C) due to AOSD for at least 1 day within 1 week before baseline * At least 2 active joints (tender or swollen) * CRP ≥ 10 mg/L Exclusion Criteria: * Pregnant or nursing (lactating) female participants were excluded. Pregnancy was defined as the state of a female after conception and until the termination of gestation, confirmed by a positive hCG laboratory test (\> 5 mIU/mL) at the screening visit. * Participants with a history of significant hypersensitivity to the study drug or to biologics were excluded. * Participants with a history or evidence of active macrophage activation syndrome or disseminated intravascular coagulation within 6 months prior to enrollment were excluded. * Participants with underlying metabolic, renal, hepatic, infectious, or gastrointestinal conditions that, in the opinion of the investigator, compromised the participant and/or placed the participant at unacceptable risk for participation in immunomodulatory therapy were excluded. * Participants with active or recurrent bacterial, fungal, or viral infections at the time of enrollment, including evidence of HIV infection, Hepatitis B, or Hepatitis C, were excluded. * Participants with an absolute neutrophil count \< 1500/mm³ at screening were excluded.
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Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
Contacts and locations
Locations
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Novartis Investigative Site
Chiba, Chiba, 260 8677, Japan
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Novartis Investigative Site
Sapporo, Hokkaido, 0608648, Japan
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Novartis Investigative Site
Yokohama, Kanagawa-ku, 236-0004, Japan
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Novartis Investigative Site
Iruma-gun, Saitama, 3500495, Japan
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Novartis Investigative Site
Bunkyo Ku, Tokyo, 1138655, Japan
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Novartis Investigative Site
Chuo Ku, Tokyo, 1048560, Japan
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Novartis Investigative Site
Mitaka, Tokyo, 181-8611, Japan
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Novartis Investigative Site
Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo, 1608582, Japan
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Novartis Investigative Site
Ishikawa, 9208641, Japan
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