The Myositis Clinical Trials Consortium: an international collaborative initiative to promote clinical trials in adult and juvenile myositis.
Journal
Clinical and experimental rheumatology
Journal Volume
43
Journal Issue
2
Pages
202-210
ISSN
0392-856X
Date Issued
2025-02
Author(s)
Bishnoi, Anuradha
Tang, Iris Yan Ki
Yoshida, Akira
Pais, Faye M
Usman, Sabeena Y
Dominguez, Solciris A
Kavadichanda, Chengappa G
Rivero-Gallegos, Daphne
Dourado, Eduardo
Conticini, Edoardo
Bozán, Francisca
Tulluru, Gayathri
Lilleker, James B
Sreerama Reddy, Kaushik
Landon-Cardinal, Océane
Smaili, Rachid
Keret, Shiri
Khoo, Thomas
et al.
Abstract
Idiopathic inflammatory myopathies (IIM), or myositis, are a heterogeneous group of systemic autoimmune disorders that are associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Conducting high-quality clinical trials in IIM is challenging due to the rare and variable presentations of disease. To address this challenge, the Myositis Clinical Trials Consortium (MCTC) was formed. MCTC is a collaborative international alliance dedicated to facilitating, promoting, coordinating and conducting clinical trials and related research in IIM. This partnership works to advance the discovery of effective evidence-based treatments for IIM by integrating a diverse group of clinical investigators, research professionals, medical centres, patient groups, and industry partners. The Steering Committee, Core Group, and Paediatric Subcommittee of MCTC are comprised of myositis experts and junior investigators from around the world, representing a diversity of genders, geographies, and subspecialties. MCTC works alongside other current myositis organisations to complement existing work by concentrating on the operationalisation of clinical trials. Our pilot Myositis Investigators' Information Survey gathered responses from 173 myositis investigators globally and found considerable variability in proficiency with outcome measures, geographic disparities in patient recruitment, and a significant disconnect between investigators' routine myositis patient load and clinical trial enrolment. MCTC will meet the need to support and diversify myositis clinical trials by facilitating trial planning, feasibility assessments, site selection, and the training and mentoring of junior investigators/centres to establish their readiness for clinical trial participation. Through experienced leadership, strategic collaborations, and interdisciplinary discussions, MCTC will establish standards for IIM clinical trial design, protocols, and outcome measures in myositis.
Type
journal article