RecruitingNot Applicable

Use of Cysteamine in the Treatment of Cystinosis

United States330 participantsStarted 1979-01-04

Plain-language summary

Cystinosis is an inherited disease resulting in poor growth and kidney failure. There is no known cure for cystinosis, although kidney transplantation may help the renal failure and prolong survival. Both the kidney damage and growth failure are thought to be due to the accumulation of the amino acid cystine within the cells of the body. The cystine storage later damages other organs besides the kidneys, including the thyroid gland, pancreas, eyes, and muscle. The drug cysteamine (Cystagon; ProCysBi) is an oral medication given to patients with cystinosis prior to kidney transplantation. The drug works by reducing the level of cystine in the white blood cells and muscle tissue. The drug may also decrease levels of cystine in the kidneys and other tissues. This study has several goals: 1. Long-term surveillance of cysteamine treated patients. 2. Detection of new non-kidney complications of cystinosis. 3. Maintenance of a patient population for genetic testing (mutational analysis) of the cystinosis gene.\<TAB\> ...

Who can participate

Age range

1 Week – 115 Years

Sex

ALL

See this in plain English?

AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.

* INCLUSION CRITERIA: Diagnosis of cystinosis, whether classical or one of the variants with later onset or no renal complications. Patients will be diagnosed as having cystinosis based upon a leucocyte cystine content greater than 1 nmol half-cystine/mg protein (normal, less than 0.2) and a typical clinical course. EXCLUSION CRITERIA: Inability to travel to the NIH. Age less than one week. Nonviable neonates and neonates of uncertain viability will be excluded.

Questions worth asking your doctor

Bring these to your next appointment. They're a starting point for a shared conversation — not a sign you qualify or a recommendation to enrol.

1Based on my diagnosis and history, is this trial worth exploring for me — or is there a standard treatment we should try first?
2What does this trial's phase tell us about how much is already known about its safety and benefit?
3What would taking part actually involve for me — visits, tests, time, and travel?
4What are the known and possible risks or side effects I should weigh, and how would they be monitored?
5If this trial isn't the right fit, what other options or trials would you suggest I look into?

Generated to help you prepare — always confirm anything about your own eligibility and care with the study team and your doctor.

Questions for the trial coordinator

The trial coordinator is the person who runs the study day to day. These cover the practical side — logistics, costs, and what taking part would actually mean for your life. The study team confirms whether you meet the criteria; these are questions to ask, not a sign you qualify.

1What does taking part actually involve week to week — how many visits, where, and how long does each one take?
2What costs are covered by the study, and what might I have to pay for myself, including travel, parking, or time off work?
3What happens during screening, and what happens if the study team confirms I don't meet the criteria after those tests?
4Who pays for the scans, blood work, and other tests the trial requires — the study, my insurance, or me?
5How will being in the trial affect my regular care, and will my own doctor stay informed and involved?
6Can I leave the trial at any point if I change my mind, and what would happen to my care if I do?

A starting point for the conversation — always confirm anything about your own eligibility, costs, and care with the study team and your doctor.

What they're measuring

Serve as a source of knowledge and advice for individual cystinosis patients and for the community at large

Timeframe: Follow-up can occur every two years

Trial details

NCT IDNCT00359684

SponsorNational Human Genome Research Institute (NHGRI)

Sponsor typeNIH

Study typeOBSERVATIONAL

Contact for this trial

William A Gahl, M.D.

(301) 402-2739 gahlw@mail.nih.gov

View on ClinicalTrials.gov More Cystinosis trials