CPI Combination Therapy for Autoimmune Encephalitis
China70 participantsStarted 2020-11-25
Plain-language summary
Corticosteroids, intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG), and plasma exchange (PE) are the first-line therapies for autoimmune encephalitis (AE) patients, but optimal first-line treatment strategy for different AE patients remains undetermined. The study is to compare the efficacy between pulse corticosteroid plus PE initially followed by IVIG (CPI therapy) and pulse corticosteroid plus IVIG followed by PE two weeks later (CIP therapy) in patients with severe antibody-associated autoimmune encephalitis (AE).
Who can participate
Age range
14 Years – 65 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
. 14-65 years old;
Exclusion criteria
. the presence of antibody against neuronal surface antigen in serum or CSF indicating a positive diagnosis of AE using a cell-based assay;
. critically ill with a modified Rankin scale (mRS) score of 4 to 5;
. within 3 months of onset;
. no immunotherapy previously.
. relative contraindications of TPE treatment: serious underlying diseases such as severe active hemorrhage, disseminated intravascular coagulation, severe hypotension or shock, unstable cardiac failure, cerebral herniation, severe infection or other endangered conditions;
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
1
proportion of subjects achieving functional improvement
. contraindications of glucocorticoid therapy: glucocorticoid allergy, active gastric or duodenal ulcer, severe osteoporosis, diabetes, hypertension after recent gastrointestinal anastomosis, and serious infection that cannot be controlled by antibiotics;
. serious underlying diseases, such as cardiac dysfunction, arrhythmia, and coagulation disorders;