Clinical Research Directory

Role of ASICs in Human Inflammatory Pain

In recent years, ion channels have emerged as new therapeutic targets for pain. Among these channels, ASICs (Acid Sensing Ion Channels) are of particular interest because they are directly activated by extracellular acidity, which is a major cause of pain. Indeed, many painful conditions such as ischemia, inflammation, tumor development or tissue incision are accompanied by tissue acidification. ASIC are excitatory ion channels that are expressed in neurons, including nociceptive sensory neurons. In humans, the use of amiloride, a nonspecific inhibitor of ASICs, has demonstrated their role in the perception of pain induced by subcutaneous injections of acidic solutions. ASICs thus appear as new candidates capable of mediating pain in humans. A growing number of data suggests that, in addition to protons, ASICs may also be activated by one or more endogenous compounds produced during inflammation. The purpose of this research project is to identify these compounds by testing the effects of human inflammatory exudates on ASICs activity. The discovery of such compounds would definitely validate ASICs as novel therapeutic targets for pain treatment in humans

Trial of Colchicine Versus Prednisone for the Treatment of Acute CPPD Arthritis

Chondrocalcinosis, recently renamed the calcium pyrophosphate deposition (CPPD) disease, is a very frequent affection of the elderly and causes very painful arthritis. International recommendations for the treatment of patients suffering from CPPD are based upon rare studies, not randomized, with small samples, and thus very weak scientific evidence. The treatment of CPPD arthritis is extrapolated from the experience of gout treatment, another crystal deposition disease. Among recommended treatments, colchicine and oral steroids are recommended as first-line treatments, while NSAIDs are used with caution in elderly populations of patients. Colchicine utilization is not risk-free, in particular with old patients and patients with renal impairment. Drug interactions of colchicine can have serious consequences, especially in a polymedicated old patient's population. Oral steroids are an interesting alternative in this indication with a potential of being better tolerated, but comparative efficacy with colchicine needs to be studied. From a broader point of view, colchicine and oral steroids have never been compared in any crystal related arthritis. This is the first large randomized controlled trial for CPPD acute arthritis.

Baricitinib in CPPD - the BAPTIST Study

The aim of this clinical trial is to determine if baricitinib is effective in treating calcium pyrophosphate deposition disease (CPPD) in adults. The primary objective is to assess its impact on joint inflammation. The key questions the study seeks to answer are: * Can baricitinib reduce inflammation in affected joints? * Will baricitinib lead to changes in ultrasound findings, such as calcium crystal deposition and synovitis? Researchers will compare baricitinib to other treatments, including methylprednisolone, colchicine, hydroxychloroquine, and methotrexate with folic acid, for managing CPPD.

CRYSTALILLE Cohort: Getting the Whole Picture of Crystal-related Arthropathies

The objective of this research is to collect data to create an observatory of microcrystalline rheumatism (gout and calcium-crystal rheumatism) in patients treated at the Groupement des Hôpitaux de l'Institut Catholique de Lille, in order to better understand the disease and improve patient care, in particular with the help of medical imaging.