Using baricitinib to treat new-onset juvenile dermatomyositis

Baricitinib in the Treatment of New-onset Juvenile Dermatomyositis

PHASE2 · Assistance Publique - Hôpitaux de Paris · NCT05524311

This study is testing if a new medication called baricitinib, used with steroids, can help children with newly diagnosed juvenile dermatomyositis feel better compared to the usual treatment.

Quick facts

PhasePHASE2
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment16 (estimated)
Ages3 Years to 18 Years
SexAll
SponsorAssistance Publique - Hôpitaux de Paris (other)
Drugs / interventionsBaricitinib, prednisone, methotrexate, tofacitinib
Locations13 sites (Bordeaux and 12 other locations)
Trial IDNCT05524311 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

The MYOCIT study evaluates the efficacy and safety of baricitinib combined with corticosteroids in children aged 3-18 with new-onset juvenile dermatomyositis (JDM). This phase II trial aims to demonstrate that baricitinib can provide better outcomes than the conventional treatment of methotrexate and corticosteroids over a 24-week period. The study is motivated by the need for a more effective first-line treatment, especially for severe cases of JDM. Participants will undergo assessments including pharmacokinetics, cytokine dosage, and transcriptomic analysis.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates are children aged 3-18 years with newly diagnosed juvenile dermatomyositis exhibiting muscle weakness.

Not a fit: Patients with amyopathic dermatomyositis or those who have previously received JAK inhibitors or other immunosuppressive treatments may not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this treatment could offer a more effective first-line option for children with juvenile dermatomyositis, potentially improving their health outcomes.

How similar studies have performed: While there have been reports of JAK inhibitors showing efficacy in refractory dermatomyositis cases, this specific approach in new-onset JDM is novel and has not been extensively tested.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* Patient aged 3-18 years with new-onset juvenile dermatomyositis, according to the ENMC 2018 dermatomyositis classification criteria
* Muscle weakness at MMT and/or CMAS (MMT \< 74 and/or CMAS \< 45)
* Seropositivity or vaccination for chickenpox
* For patients of childbearing age (following menarche) : Negative βHCG and effective method of contraception (sexual abstinence, hormonal contraception, intrauterine device or hormone-releasing system, cap, diaphragm or sponge with spermicide, condom) until the 7 days after administration of the last dose of Baricitinib
* Informed consent form signed by the patient or child' s parents Patient affiliated to a social security regime

Exclusion Criteria

* Amyopathic dermatomyositis (without muscle weakness)
* Inability to be treated by oral way or to take pills
* Previous treatment with JAK inhibitor
* Previous treatment of JDM with immunosuppressive drugs or biologics other than corticosteroids. Previous treatment with prednisone was allowed for no more than 1 month.
* Previous history of cancer
* Live vaccine within the 4 weeks before starting baricitinib therapy
* Current, or recent (\< 4 weeks prior to baseline) of active infections according to investigator appreciation, but necessarily, including HBV, HCV, HIV, tuberculosis.
* Positive blood CMV PCR
* Creatinine clearance \< 40 ml/min
* Lymphocytes \< 0,5x109 cell/L and Neutrophils \< 1x109 cell/L
* Hemoglobin \< 8 g/dL
* Symptomatic herpes herpes simplex infection within 12 weeks prior to inclusion
* History of thrombosis or considered at high risk of venous thrombosis by the investigator
* Presence of severe JDM-related involvements: cardiovascular (requiring vasopressive drug and/or intensive care unit), respiratory (requiring oxygen and/or intensive care unit), gastrointestinal (requiring abdominal surgery).
* History of severe non-related JDM involvement: cardiovascular, respiratory, hepatic, gastrointestinal, endocrine, hematological, neurological or neuropsychiatric disorders or any other serious and/or instable illness that, in the opinion of the investigator, could constitute an unacceptable risk, when taking baricitinib.
* Actual or in project of pregrancy and breast-feeding until the 7 days after administration of the last dose of Baricitinib
* Patient on AME (state medical aid)
* Participation in another interventional study involving human participants or being in the exclusion period at the end of a previous study involving human participants

Where this trial is running

Bordeaux and 12 other locations

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.

View on ClinicalTrials.gov →

Conditions: Juvenile Dermatomyositis, juvenile dermatomyositis, baricitinib

Last reviewed 2026-05-15 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.