NCT01534169

Function of Regulatory T Cells Improved by Dexamethasone in Graves' Patients

Function of Regulatory T Cells Improved by Treatment With an Intrathyroid Injection of Dexamethasone in Graves' Patients

• Status: Completed
• Phase: Phase 1
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 50 (actual)
• Sponsor: Xiao-Ming Mao · Academic / Other
• Sex: All
• Age: 20 Years – 60 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Not accepted

Summary

Antithyroid drugs is the first choice treatment of Graves' disease in China and Europe. However,the relapse rate is very high (40-60%) after therapy withdrawal, and many patients need further treatment. In our previous study, a new treatment strategy for GD has been introduced. After methimazole (18 months) combined with intrathyroid injection of dexamethasone (DEX) (3 months) treatment, the relapse rate of hyperthyroidism was markedly reduced compared with methimazole treatment alone (7.4% versus 51%) during the 2-year follow-up period. The results have been published in the 'J Clin Endocrinol Metab, 2009,94:4984-4991'. However, the mechanism by which the DEX reduces the relapse rate of GD is not fully understood. In vitro study, we have proven that DEX could effectively improve the function of regulatory T (Treg) cells and set up a new balance of T helper 1(Th1)/Th2 in GD patients(this results have been in press in the Eur J Endocrinol). In order to elucidate mechanism of this treatment strategy in vivo, we plan to recruit 20-30 patients with GD and treat those patients by intrathyroid injection of DEX combined with methimazole, and the function of Treg cells and balance of Th1/Th2 will be evaluated.

Conditions

• Graves' Disease

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
DRUG	Dexamethasone	The course of treatment will be last for 3 months. The intrathyroid injection of dexamethasone will be performed using a 25-gauge (0.25-mm) needle under ultrasound guidance. The injection will be performed in both lobes of the thyroid. The dosage of dexamethasone is 5mg (1.0 ml) in each lobe, twice a week during the first month of the treatment. The treatment strategy will be changed to once a week in the second month and twice a month in the third month; the dosage of dexamethasone is the same as in the first month.

Timeline

• Start date: 2012-03-01
• Primary completion: 2012-03-01
• Completion: 2012-11-01
• First posted: 2012-02-16
• Last updated: 2012-11-12

Locations

1 site across 1 country: China