Two-Drug chemotherapy combo tested against rare histiocytosis in adults
NCT ID NCT02389400
First seen Sep 21, 2026 · Last updated Sep 21, 2026
Summary
Langerhans cell histiocytosis is a rare disease in which immune cells called Langerhans cells build up in organs and cause damage. This phase 2 trial gives adults newly diagnosed with the disease a combination of two chemotherapy drugs, methotrexate and cytosine arabinoside (cytarabine), to see whether the treatment controls the disease and how well participants tolerate it. Researchers track how long participants live without the disease getting worse and how long they live overall. The trial enrolls about 43 people and does not compare the combination against another treatment.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- a combination chemotherapy of methotrexate and cytosine arabinoside (cytarabine)
- What this could lead to
- If the combination works, it could offer adults with newly diagnosed Langerhans cell histiocytosis a way to control the disease and delay its return.
- What could go wrong
- This is a small, single-arm phase 2 trial with no comparison group, so any benefit is hard to separate from the natural course of the disease. Chemotherapy can cause side effects such as low blood counts, infections, and liver or kidney problems.
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Study facts
What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.
- Phase
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Phase 2
Tests whether the treatment actually works, and watches for side effects, in a larger group.
- Participants
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43 people
The number who actually took part.
- Start date
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Jan 2014
- Finished
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Sep 2017
- Lead sponsor
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Other sponsor
The registry's catch-all category, for sponsors it does not file as a company, a government agency, or a research network.
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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18 to 60 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: 1.DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: * Histopathologically confirmed diagnosis of Langerhans cell histiocytosis according to the criteria defined by the Histiocyte Society * Demonstration of CD1a antigenic determinants on the surface of lesional cells (by immunocytology or immunohistology) or Birbeck granules in lesional cells by electron microscopy * Considered at risk or low risk according to the following criteria: * Multi-system at risk disease, defined as involvement of one or more risk organs (i.e., hematopoietic system, liver, spleen, or lungs) 1.No single-system lung involvement * Multi-system low-risk disease 1.Multiple organs involved but without involvement of risk organs * Single-system disease 1.Multifocal bone disease (i.e., lesions in 2 or more different bones) 2.Localized special site involvement, such as CNS-risk lesions with intracranial soft tissue extension or vertebral lesions with intraspinal soft tissue extension 3.Vault lesions are not regarded as CNS-risk lesions 2.PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: 1. Not pregnant or nursing 2. Negative pregnancy test 3. Fertile patients must use effective contraception 3.PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY: <!-- --> 1. No prior treatment for Langerhans cell histiocytosis Exclusion Criteria:
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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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Peking union medical college hospital
Beijing, 100730, China
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