Clinical Trial: Tocilizumab for KSHV-Associated Multicentric Castleman Disease

Study Status: Recruiting
Recruit Status: Recruiting
Study Type: Interventional



Official Title: Pilot Study of Tocilizumab in Patients With Symptomatic Kaposi Sarcoma Herpesvirus (KSHV) - Associated Multicentric Castleman Disease

Brief Summary:

Background:

- KSHV-associated multicentric Castleman disease (KSHV-MCD) is caused by a herpes virus known as KSHV. This disease can also cause several other cancers, including Kaposi sarcoma. People with KSHV-MCD often have symptoms like fever, weight and muscle loss, and fluid in the legs or abdomen. Tocilizumab may be able to block the chemicals in the body that cause KSHV-MCD symptoms. Researchers want to test this drug and other anti-virus drugs to find the best combination of drugs to treat KSHV-MCD.

Objectives:

- To test the effectiveness of tocilizumab with and without other anti-virus drugs for KSHV-MCD.

Eligibility:

- People at least 18 years of age who have KSHV-MCD and have certain symptoms and blood abnormalities caused by their KSHV-MCD.

Design:

  • Participants will be screened with a medical history and physical exam. They will also have blood tests, and a skin biopsy.
  • Participants will have tocilizumab injections every 2 weeks for up to 12 weeks. They will provide daily blood samples for the first 3 days of treatment.
  • After the sixth dose, participants will be monitored for 4 weeks to check for possible side effects.
  • Those whose KSHV-MCD does not improve or worsens during the study may have tocilizumab combined with two other anti-virus drugs, zidovudine and valganciclovir. These drugs are pills that will be taken four times a day for 5 days out of every 2 weeks.
  • Blood, urine, and saliva samples w