Joint tissue analysis to understand rare and immunotherapy-related inflammatory arthritis
Official title: Understanding of Rare Inflammatory Arthritis in Comparison to Classical Inflammatory Arthritis : Tissular Observations and Immune Infiltrate Characterization : the UTOPIC Project
Run by University Hospital, Brest · NCT07302074 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project tests whether analyzing joint biopsy tissue can reveal distinct immune features in adults with inflammatory arthritis linked to rare autoimmune diseases or caused by cancer immunotherapy.
Quick facts
| Study type | Interventional |
|---|---|
| Ages | 18 Years and up |
| Sex | All |
| Enrollment | 100 (estimated) |
| Sponsor | University Hospital, Brest Academic / other |
| Drugs / interventions | Rituximab, immunotherapy |
| Locations | 2 sites (Bordeaux and 1 other locations) |
| Status | Recruiting |
| Started | March 27, 2026 |
| Main results expected | March 3, 2031 |
| Study ends | March 3, 2031 |
| Registry record updated | April 3, 2026 |
| Trial ID | NCT07302074 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
Is this trial a fit for you?
✓Likely a good fit
Adults (18+) with ultrasound-confirmed inflammatory arthritis or bursitis associated with a rare systemic autoimmune disease or arising after immune checkpoint inhibitor therapy, who can consent and are affiliated with a social security scheme, are eligible.
✕Probably not a fit
People without ultrasound evidence of inflammatory synovitis, those with non-inflammatory joint pain, or patients who cannot safely undergo synovial biopsy are unlikely to benefit from participation.
A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.
What this trial studies
This multicenter project uses ultrasound-guided synovial biopsy to collect joint tissue from adults with inflammatory arthritis occurring in the context of rare systemic autoimmune diseases or after immune checkpoint inhibitor therapy, alongside control patients with classical inflammatory arthritis. Collected tissue will be analyzed with high-dimensional methods to profile immune cell infiltration, cytokines, and cell–cell interactions. Comparisons across groups aim to identify disease-specific cellular and molecular signatures that could point to targeted therapies. The work also seeks to reduce reliance on broad immunosuppression that can carry risks, especially in patients with cancer.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could identify specific immune pathways to guide more targeted treatments and reduce reliance on broad immunosuppression like long-term steroids.
How similar studies have gone: Synovial biopsy and high-dimensional tissue analyses have revealed informative immune signatures in rheumatoid arthritis, but applying these methods to rare autoimmune and checkpoint inhibitor–related arthritides is relatively new.
Who can join: the full rules
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * For all participants: * Signed consent form * Patients over 18 years old * Affiliated with a social security scheme * For cases: * Referred for arthritis or bursitis occurring in the context of a rare systemic autoimmune disease (SAID) or drug-induced toxicity. * Presenting at least one clinical arthritis with synovial thickening confirmed by ultrasound (grade ≥2 in B-mode) and Doppler inflammation of grade ≥1, or synovial thickening ≥B2 associated with joint effusion. For bursitis: thickening ≥2mm of at least one periarticular bursa on ultrasound associated with Doppler inflammation of grade ≥1, or synovial thickening ≥2mm associated with joint effusion, with clinical evidence of inflammatory involvement. \*For the control group: For arthritis: * Presenting clinical arthritis with synovial thickening confirmed by ultrasound (grade ≥2 in B-mode (B2)) and Doppler inflammation of grade ≥1, or synovial thickening ≥B2 associated with joint effusion. * Diagnosed, according to disease-specific classification criteria, with either rheumatoid arthritis (according to ACR/EULAR 2010 criteria), axial or peripheral spondyloarthritis (according to ASAS 2009 criteria), psoriatic arthritis (according to CASPAR criteria), or reactive arthritis based on clinician assessment. For bursitis: * Thickening ≥2mm of at least one periarticular bursa on ultrasound associated with Doppler inflammation of grade ≥1, or synovial thickening ≥2mm associated with joint effusion. * Meeting the ACR/EULAR 2012 criteria for polymyalgia rheumatica. Exclusion Criteria: * For all participants: * Patients under protective measures or unable to consent * Pregnant or breastfeeding women * Anticoagulant treatment: vitamin K antagonists (Coumadin, fluindione), direct oral anticoagulants (Eliquis, Pradaxa, Rivaroxaban), heparins at curative doses * Contraindication to local procedure: lymphedema near the joint, chronic wound at the site of the joint, joint prosthesis on the affected joint, corticosteroid infiltration less than 3 months ago at the same site * History of treatment with biotherapy or targeted therapy (JAK inhibitors) within the last 3 months, or within the last 6 months if treated with Rituximab
Where it's running
-
CHU Brest - Hôpital Morvan
Brest, France Recruiting -
CHU bordeaux
Bordeaux, France Not yet recruiting
Study contacts
- Study coordinator: Alice Tison, Dr
- Email: alice.tison@chu-brest.fr
- Phone: +33(0)298347264
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How to take part
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
- Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.