COMparison Between Anakinra and Tocilizumab in NORSE - "COMBAT-NORSE" (NCT07281027) | Clinical Trial Compass
Not Yet RecruitingPhase 3
COMparison Between Anakinra and Tocilizumab in NORSE - "COMBAT-NORSE"
United States, Canada, France438 participantsStarted 2026-07-01
Plain-language summary
The goal of this clinical trial is to find out whether two existing medications-anakinra and tocilizumab-can effectively treat a rare and life-threatening brain condition called NORSE (New-Onset Refractory Status Epilepticus). NORSE causes continuous seizures in previously healthy children and adults and does not respond to standard treatments. It often leads to long-term disability or death.
Doctors currently use anakinra and tocilizumab as second-line treatments when first-line therapies fail, but there is no clear evidence showing which drug works better or when it should be given. This study aims to answer those questions.
The study will enroll patients across 33 hospitals in the United States, Canada, Europe, and Asia.
It includes two groups:
1. Randomized Cohort Patients will be randomly assigned to receive either anakinra or tocilizumab within the first 7 days of their illness. Only patients whose doctors were already planning to use one of these medications as part of standard care will be eligible for randomization. Researchers will monitor their recovery and compare outcomes between the two treatments.
2. Observational Cohort Patients who cannot be randomized-usually because they were diagnosed too late-will still be followed to study how the timing of treatment affects recovery.
Participants will:
* Receive one of the two medications (depending on their group assignment).
* Take part in follow-up assessments over the course of one year, including medical evaluations and surveys. Some participants may be followed annually beyond one year.
* Optionally participate in a 60-minute interview to share their or their caregiver's experience with NORSE.
Who can participate
Age range
2 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
. Refractory SE (failed 2 appropriately used anti-seizure medications) in a patient without active epilepsy or other pre-existing relevant neurological disorder and without an acute or active structural, toxic, or metabolic cause found in the first 72 hours.
. Includes patients with any RSE, not just super-refractory SE.
. Includes patients who ultimately are discovered to have a known etiology (infectious, autoimmune, genetic, etc.), as well as those who remain cryptogenic.
Exclusion criteria
. Known hypersensitivity to E. Coli-derived proteins, anakinra, tocilizumab, or any component of the products
. Active serious infection at the time of initiation
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.
. Concomitant use of TNF blocking agents; absolute neutrophil count \< 2000; platelet count \< 100,000 per mm³; or ALT or AST \> 1.5 X the upper limit of normal