Welcome to the FIRST Trial
The FIRST trial investigates the effectiveness of early treatment with rituximab in moderate/severe lupus and how it compares to usual care.
Summary of trial:
-
Lupus is a chronic, multi-organ autoimmune disease that could involve the skin, joints, kidney, heart, lungs and brain.
-
Treatment for lupus aims to prevent these “flares”, manage disease activity, and reduce the use of steroids since long-term use of medications can lead to long-term side effects.
-
The FIRST trial is looking to recruit 128 patients with a recent diagnosis of moderate/ severe Lupus.
-
Participants will be randomly allocated to receive either the rituximab drug (active treatment) or a placebo (inactive treatment). This is alongside standard treatment.
-
The trial will last 12 months and will involve participants receiving 4 infusions (2x month 1, 2x month 6) and attending 14 appointments over the study period. Appointments will be at local hospitals.
-
Participants will be asked to complete questionnaires and have routine blood/urine tests taken at some visits.
These videos will explain consent, randomisation and safety aspect in a clinical trial
Participant Information Sheets [link to PISs]
These participant information sheets provide a detailed view of the trial