Cheap drug could tame Leprosy's painful Flare-Ups
NCT ID NCT03775460
First seen Jun 25, 2026 · Last updated Jun 26, 2026 · Updated 1 time
Summary
This study tests whether adding methotrexate to standard steroid treatment can help people with a painful leprosy complication called ENL. 550 adults with active ENL will receive either methotrexate or a placebo alongside prednisolone. The goal is to see if methotrexate reduces the need for extra steroids over 48 weeks.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- methotrexate
- What this could lead to
- If it works, this could provide a cheap, widely available treatment to control ENL flares and reduce reliance on steroids.
- What could go wrong
- This is a large trial, but methotrexate may not reduce steroid needs as hoped. Side effects of methotrexate include liver and lung issues.
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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Not a phased trial
Phase numbers describe drug development. The registry uses this when they do not apply, as it does for trials of devices, procedures or behaviour changes, and for observational studies.
- Participants
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About 550 people
The number the study aims to enrol. It can still change while the study runs.
- Started
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Jan 2023
- Expected to finish
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Oct 2025
An estimate. End dates often move.
- 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:: ALL OF THE FOLLOWING SIX CRITERIA MUST BE MET IN ORDER FOR AN INDIVIDUAL TO BE ELIGIBLE (ONLY ONE OF 6A TO 6D NEED BE MET): 1. Individuals who diagnosed with leprosy complicated by ENL 2. Individuals with ENL aged 18-60 years old 3. Individuals with ENL deteriorating symptoms 4. Individuals with 10 or more tender, papular or nodular ENL skin lesions 5. Individuals with an EESS score of at least 9 6. Individuals with ENL on: 1. No current anti- ENL treatment 2. Prednisolone up to 30mg per day (if ACUTE) or Prednisolone 10-30mg (inclusive) per day (if RECURRENT/ CHRONIC) or equivalent alternative corticosteroid dose OR 3. Thalidomide or other non-steroidal anti-ENL medication OR 4. A combination of prednisolone (up to 30mg) and another non-steroidal anti-ENL medication (thalidomide, clofazimine, azathioprine, pentoxifylline, ciclosporin, minocycline) Exclusion criteria: 1. Individuals who were first diagnosed with ENL more than 4 years prior to enrolment 2. Individuals less than 18 years old or older than 60 years 3. Individuals weighing less than 35kg 4. Individuals with 9 or fewer tender, popular or nodular ENL skin lesions 5. Individuals with an EESS score of 8 or less 6. Women of child bearing capacity who decline to use two forms of adequate contraception and men who decline to use two forms of adequate contraception 7. Pregnant or breastfeeding women 8. Individuals with recurrent or chronic ENL who deteriorate on a dose of prednisolone less than 10 mg or more than 30 mg 9. Individuals who have taken methotrexate by any route for the last 12 weeks 10. Individuals with a hypersensitivity to methotrexate or a recognised contraindication ( please see Methotrexate information sheet) 11. Individuals currently diagnosed with Type 1 reaction or Lucio's phenomenon 12. Individuals with the severe abnormalities in screening investigations 13. Positive serology for HIV, Hepatitis B or C 14. Evidence of tuberculosis or pulmonary fibrosis 15. A history of chronic liver disease or excessive alcohol or illicit substance consumption 16. Individuals with severe inter-current infections, uncontrolled diabetes, active peptic ulcer disease, untreated malignancy 17. Individuals unable to attend regularly for assessment or monitoring
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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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ALERT
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
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Anandaban Hospital
Kathmandu, Nepal
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Bombay Leprosy Project
Mumbai, India
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FIOCRUZ
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
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Soetomo Hospital
Surabaya, Indonesia
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TMLI Bangladesh/ DBLM hospital
Dhaka, Bangladesh
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The Leprosy Mission Trust
Delhi, India
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