Observing the effects of anti-IL1 therapies on flare activity in FOP patients

An Observational Study of IL1 Inhibition for Blocking ACVR1-Induced Flare Activity and Heterotopic Ossification in Fibrodysplasia Ossificans Progressiva (FOP)

Observational University of California, San Francisco · NCT06724562

This study is testing if using certain anti-inflammatory medications can help kids and teens with Fibrodysplasia Ossificans Progressiva manage their flare-ups and bone growth issues.

Quick facts

Study typeObservational
Enrollment11 (estimated)
Ages6 Years to 30 Years
SexAll
SponsorUniversity of California, San Francisco Academic / other
Drugs / interventionscanakinumab
Locations1 site (San Francisco, California)
Trial IDNCT06724562 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This observational study aims to assess the impact of off-label anti-IL1 therapies, such as anakinra and canakinumab, on flare activity and heterotopic ossification in patients with severe Fibrodysplasia Ossificans Progressiva (FOP). The study will involve 11 subjects aged 6-17 years who experience frequent flares or persistent severe flares. Participants will be monitored for up to one year after starting treatment, with evaluations including imaging, bloodwork, and patient-reported outcomes to gather preliminary data for future studies.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates are patients aged 6-17 years with a genetic diagnosis of classical FOP and unusually severe disease activity.

Not a fit: Patients with mild FOP symptoms or those not requiring anti-IL1 therapy may not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this study could lead to improved management of flare activity and reduced heterotopic ossification in patients with FOP.

How similar studies have performed: Preliminary data from other studies suggest potential benefits of anti-IL1 therapies in reducing flare frequency, but this specific approach is novel.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* Patients with a clinical presentation consistent with FOP and a genetic diagnosis of classical FOP (ACVR1R206H variant) (2), male or female aged 6-30 years old.
* Patients with unusually severe FOP disease activity. This will be determined by FOP flare frequency of \>4 flares per year, which is 2 times higher than the reported average in prior FOP studies ; or by a persistent flare that has failed to resolve after 1 month of standard-of-care therapy.
* Patients whose primary medical team has decided that rescue therapy with an anti-IL1 medication should be initiated. Once the primary medical team has decided that anti-IL1 therapy should be pursued, the subject will be told about this clinical-observational study and enrolled in the pre-treatment phase while access to the anti-IL1 therapy is being obtained by the clinical management team.
* Ability to participate in all assessments, including blood draws, radiology assessments, and travel. Age 6 is chosen as the lower limit to avoid the need for anesthesia for whole body CT in younger subjects.
* No history of unexplained infections, known autoimmune disease, or contraindication to anti-IL1 therapy.
* Written informed consent (and assent when applicable) obtained from subject or subject's legal representative and ability for subject to comply with the requirements of the study.

Exclusion Criteria:

* Pregnant, breastfeeding, or unwilling to practice birth control during participation in the study.
* Presence of a condition or abnormality that in the opinion of the Investigator would compromise the safety of the patient or the quality of the data.
* Inability to travel to site for assessments
* Pre-existing autoimmune or autoinflammatory disease (aside from FOP)
* Inability to tolerate assessments (such as phlebotomy)
* Unexplained infections
* Current participation in an interventional trial, or study of a potentially disease modifying medication
* Inability to take medications as prescribed by managing physician

Where this trial is running

San Francisco, California

Study contacts

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Conditions Fibrodysplasia Ossificans Progressivaheterotopic ossificationcanakinumabanakinraFOP
Last reviewed 2026-06-10 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.