Current clinical trials:
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Pharmacogenomic Reasons for Poor Lupus Nephritis Outcomes
Sponsored by: American College of Clinical Pharmacy
Principal Investigator: Melanie S. Joy, Pharm.D.
Lupus is one of several autoimmune diseases that can cause end-stage kidney disease, requiring dialysis or transplantation. The standard treatment for lupus nephritis consists of employing regimens using cyclophosphamide (a drug often used for cancer chemotherapy) or mycophenolate (MMF, Cellcept, or Myfortic) and glucocorticoids (steroids).
We are undertaking the current study to try to further understand how these drugs are broken down and transported in the body and how they work in lupus disease. We are also interested in learning about the role of genetic makeup for certain drug metabolizing enzymes and drug transporters in predicting patient responses to cyclophosphamide or mycophenolate therapy. Our overall goal is to try to improve treatment strategies and ultimately outcomes associated with cyclophosphamide and mycophenolate and glucocorticoids and to reduce treatment-related side effects.
Patients are eligible to participate in this study if there is:
- Diagnosis of lupus nephritis by biopsy and/or disease specific laboratory markers
- Current or planned therapy with intravenous cyclophosphamide or oral mycophenolate
- Age >18 years
For more information, please contact:
Melanie S. Joy, Pharm.D.
919-966-2561 ext 259
melanie_joy@med.unc.edu
Pharmacokinetics & Genomics in ANCA vasculitis
Sponsored by: National Institutes of Health (NIH)
Principal Investigator: Melanie S. Joy, Pharm.D.
Antineutrophil Cytoplasmic Autoantibody Disease (ANCA) is one of several autoimmune diseases that can cause end-stage kidney disease requiring dialysis or transplantation. The common treatment for ANCA vasculitis consists of a regimen of cyclophosphamide (a drug often used for cancer chemotherapy) or mycophenolate (MMF, cellcept, myfortic) and glucocorticoids (steroids).
We are undertaking the current study to try to further understand how these drugs are broken down and transported in the body and how they work in ANCA disease. We are also interested in learning about the role of genetic makeup for certain drug metabolizing enzymes and drug transporters in predicting patient responses to cyclophosphamide or mycophenolate therapy. Our overall goal is to try to improve treatment strategies and ultimately outcomes associated with cyclophosphamide and mycophenolate and glucocorticoids and to reduce treatment-related side effects.
Patients are eligible to participate in this study if:
- Diagnosis of renal ANCA vasculitis by biopsy and/or disease specific laboratory markers
- Planned therapy with intravenous cyclophosphamide or oral mycophenolate
- Age >18 years
Those interested in obtaining additional information may contact:
Melanie S. Joy, Pharm.D.
919-966-2561 ext 259
melanie_joy@med.unc.edu
