Systemic sclerosis (SSc, Scleroderma) is a multisystem autoimmune disease characterized by widespread vascular injury and progressive fibrosis of the skin and internal organs. Internal organ involvement results in increased mortality of SSc patients. There is no effective treatment for the majority of patients with early active diffuse scleroderma (diffuse cutaneous systemic sclerosis; dcSSc). It's possible to reverse immune inflammation and reduce the probability of irreversible fibrosis early in the disease course via significant immune modulation. The preliminary results of the Phase II study of Brentuximab vedotin (Protocol BV201708) in SSc demonstrated the short-term safety and benefits of this treatment as many participants already achieved the primary endpoint at 24 weeks. This study is proposed as an extension of the ongoing protocol for up to 48 weeks to make the treatment available for SSc patients who have significantly improved on Brentuximab vedotin, but relapsed after discontinuation of the treatment. Similar to the ongoing Phase II study, the Health Assessment Questionnaire Disability Index (HAQ-DI), patient and physician global scores, inflammatory markers (ESR, CRP), and combined response index in SSc (CRISS) and changes in CD30-stained cells on skin biopsies with IHC will all be exploratory outcomes.
The purpose of this study is to assess safety and efficacy of Brentuximab vedotin, a CD30-directed antibody-drug conjugate, in patients with active diffuse cutaneous systemic sclerosis (dcSSc) who relapsed after discontinuation of Brentuximab vedotin.