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Primary Sjögren's SyndromePhase 2rhoNCT05817669

A Study of the Safety and Effectiveness of Efgartigimod in Patients With Primary Sjögren's Syndrome (pSS)

A Phase 2 study testing Efgartigimod in people with Primary Sjögren's Syndrome, run by argenx at 17 sites in 4 countries.

Completed

Finished. The study has ended and is not enrolling. Results may be posted on the official record.

Official record
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Trial summary

The purpose of this study is to assess the efficacy and safety of human FcRn blocking therapy with efgartigimod compared to placebo, in participants with pSS. Read more about this study

Who is it for?
Ages 18 years and older
Conditions the study is for
Primary Sjögren's Syndrome
What is being tested?
Efgartigimod
Type of treatment
Injection or infusion
Could I receive a placebo?
Yes, some participants may receive a placebo
How many people
34 participants
Where
17 sitesin 4 countries
Study dates
4 Apr 2023to 12 Feb 2024
Phase
Phase 2
Are there results?
Yes, posted in the registrySummary in the doctors' view

Key requirements

Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.

  • Ages 18 years and older
  • All sexes
  • No healthy volunteers
  • Adult, Older adult

Who may be able to join

  • Is at least the legal age of consent for clinical trials when signing the informed consent form
  • Is capable of providing signed informed consent and complying with protocol requirements
  • Agrees to use contraceptive measures consistent with local regulations and measures described in the protocol
  • Meets the following criteria at screening: ACR/EULAR 2016 pSS who met criteria ≤7 years before screening; ESSDAI ≥5; Anti-Ro/SS-A positive; Residual salivary flow (UWSF rate >0 and/or SWSF rate >0.10)

Who cannot join

  • Known autoimmune disease or any medical condition that, in the investigator's judgment,would interfere with an accurate assessment of clinical symptoms of pSS or puts the participant at undue risk
  • History of malignancy unless considered cured by adequate treatment with no evidence of recurrence for ≥3 years before the first administration of IMP.
  • Adequately treated participants with the following cancers may be included at any time: Basal cell or squamous cell skin cancer; Carcinoma in situ of the cervix; Carcinoma in situ of the breast; Incidental histological finding of prostate cancer (TNM stage T1a or T1b) Clinically significant uncontrolled active acute or chronic bacterial, viral, or fungal infection
  • Positive serum test at screening for an active infection with any of the following: HBV that is indicative of an acute or chronic infection, unless associated with a negative HBsAg or negative HBV DNA test; HCV based on HCV antibody assay unless a negative RNA test is available; HIV based on test results of a CD4 count of <200 cells/mm3 that are associated with an AIDS-defining condition, HIV based on test results of a CD4 count of >200 cells/mm3 not adequately treated with antiviral therapy
  • Clinically significant disease, recent major surgery (within 3 months of screening), or intention to have surgery during the study; or any other medical condition that, in the investigator's opinion, would confound the results of the study or put the participant at undue risk
  • Immunoglobulin G (IgG) levels cannot be below a certain threshold ( 4g/L)
Show all 14Show fewer
  • Positive covid test at study start
  • Some of the medications such as vaccines with live components or medicines that may be prescribed cannot be taken either shortly before or during this study
  • Current participation in another interventional clinical study or previously participation in an efgartigimod clinical study and treatment with ≥1 dose of IMP
  • Known hypersensitivity to IMP or 1 of its excipients
  • History (within 12 months of screening) of current alcohol, drug, or medication abuse as assessed by the investigator
  • Pregnant or lactating state or intention to become pregnant during the study
  • Secondary Sjögren's syndrome overlap syndromes where another confirmed autoimmune rheumatic or systemic inflammatory condition is the primary diagnosis
  • Chinese traditional medicine with known immunomodulatory action

Trial locations and contacts

17 sites in 4 countries.

17 sites in 4 countries

Poland13 sites
  • Ambulatorium Barbara Bazela

    Elblag, 82-300

  • MCBK Iwona Czajkowska Anna Podrażka- Szczepaniak S.C.

    Grodzisk Mazowiecki, 05-825

  • Centrum Medyczne Plejady

    Krakow, 30-363

  • FutureMeds Krakow

    Krakow, 31-501

  • ETG Lublin

    Lublin, 20-412

  • Reumed Spolka z o.o.

    Lublin, 20-607

  • Clinical Research Center Spółka z ograniczoną odpowiedzialnością Medic-R Sp.k.

    Poznan, 60-848

  • Centrum Medyczne Pratia Poznan

    Skórzewo, 60-185

  • MICS Centrum Medyczne Warszawa

    Warsaw, 00-874

  • KO-Med - Centrum Badań Medycznych NIGRiR

    Warsaw, 02-637

  • Centrum Medyczne Reuma Park

    Warsaw, 02-691

  • FutureMeds Targowek

    Warsaw, 03-291

  • FutureMeds Wroclaw

    Wroclaw, 50-088

Other trials in Poland

Hungary2 sites
  • Debreceni Egyetem

    Debrecen, 4032

  • Vita Verum Medical Egeszsegugyi Szolgaltato Bt.

    Székesfehérvár, 8000

Other trials in Hungary

Belgium1 site
  • Universitair Ziekenhuis Gent

    Ghent, 9000

Other trials in Belgium

Netherlands1 site
  • Universitair Medisch Centrum Groningen , Dept of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology

    Groningen, 9713 GZ

Other trials in Netherlands

About this study

Official title: A Phase 2, Randomized, Placebo-controlled, Parallel-group, Double-blinded, proof-of Concept Study to Evaluate the Safety and Efficacy of Intravenous Efgartigimod in Adult Participants With Primary Sjögren's Syndrome

The purpose of this study is to assess the efficacy and safety of human FcRn blocking therapy with efgartigimod compared to placebo, in participants with pSS.

Read the detailed description

Primary Sjogren Syndrome (pSS) is an autoimmune disease with still unmet treatment needs. Efgartigimod, a human FcRn antagonist, has the potential to successfully treat pSS and improve disease manifestations by the reduction of IgG autoantibodies and immune complexes in pSS. The study design is randomized, double-blinded, and placebo-controlled to evaluate the effect of efgartigimod administered as an IV infusion compared to placebo. The study consists of a treatment period when all participants will receive infusions of IP/placebo for 24 weeks. At the end of the randomized treatment period, eligible participants may roll over to an OLE study or remain in this study through the end of the 56-day follow-up period.

Being tested
Efgartigimod, Placebo

What participants receive

What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.

  • EfgartigimodBiological

    Patients receiving efgartigimod infusions

  • PlaceboBiological

    Patients receiving placebo infusions

Study groups in NCT05817669
Study groupRoleWhat they receive
Efgartigimod IV armExperimentalpatients receiving infusions of Efgartigimod IV
Receives: Biological: Efgartigimod
Placebo armPlacebo comparatorpatients receiving infusions of placebo IV
Receives: Biological: Placebo

What is being measured

The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.

  1. Percentage of Participants Meeting Overall CRESS Response of at Least 3 of 5 Items at Week 24

    A Composite of Relevant Endpoints for Sjögren's Syndrome (CRESS) responder is defined as improvements in at least 3 of the 5 items of CRESS (systemic disease activity, patient-reported symptoms, tear gland function, salivary gland function and serology. The score ranges from 0 to 9 (higher score = worse symptoms).

    Measured: Week 24

Secondary outcomes (13)
  1. Number of Participants With TEAEs, AESI, and SAEs

    A treatment-emergent adverse event (TEAE): adverse events reported from the first dose up to and including 60 days after the final dose were considered treatment-emergent. Serious adverse event (SAE): adverse event that resulted in death, was life threatening, required inpatient hospitalization or prolongation of existing hospitalization, resulted in persistent or significant disability/incapacity, was a congenital anomaly/birth defect or other situations. Adverse event of special interest (AESI): adverse event related to 'Infections and infestations'.

    Measured: Up to 32 weeks

  2. Percentage of Participants With MCII in ESSDAI at Week 24

    European Alliance of Associations for Rheumatology (EULAR) Sjögren's Syndrome Disease Activity Index (ESSDAI) measures systemic disease activity in participants with pSjD and consists of 11 organ-specific domains and 1 biological domain that contribute to disease activity level scoring. Each domain is given a certain weight, which gives a score between 0 and 123 (higher score =worse symptoms). Minimally clinically important improvement (MCII) in ESSDAI was defined as improvement of at least 3 points in ESSDAI score at Week 24.

    Measured: Week 24

  3. Percentage of Participants With Low Disease Activity in ESSDAI at Week 24

    ESSDAI measures systemic disease activity in participants with pSjD and consists of 11 organ-specific domains and 1 biological domain that contribute to disease activity level scoring. Each domain is given a certain weight, which gives a score between 0 and 123 (higher score =worse symptoms). Low disease activity in ESSDAI was defined as ESSDAI score of less than 5 at Week 24.

    Measured: Week 24

  4. Percentage of Participants With MCII in clinESSDAI at Week 24

    Clinical (clin)ESSDAI includes the same 11 organ-specific domains as ESSDAI but with different domain weighting and without the biological domain. This way any change in clinESSDAI score would reflect disease specific features, irrespective of B-cell activity. The clinESSDAI score ranges between 0-135 (higher score = worse symptoms). Minimal clinically important improvement (MCII) in clinESSDAI was defined as improvement of at least 3 points in clinESSDAI score at Week 24.

    Measured: Week 24

  5. Percentage of Participants With Low Disease Activity in clinESSDAI at Week 24

    clinESSDAI includes the same 11 organ-specific domains as ESSDAI but with different domain weighting and without the biological domain. This way any change in clinESSDAI score would reflect disease specific features, irrespective of B-cell activity. The clinESSDAI score ranges between 0-135 (higher score = worse symptoms). Low disease activity in clinESSDAI was defined as clinESSDAI score of less than 5 at Week 24.

    Measured: Week 24

  6. Percentage of Participants With MCII in ESSPRI at Week 24

    Minimal clinically important improvement in ESSPRI was defined as decrease of 1 point or at least ≥15% at Week 24. ESSPRI is a questionnaire that has been developed to measure self-reported symptoms in participants with pSjD. The score ranges from 0 (no symptoms) to 10 (more symptoms).

    Measured: Week 24

  7. Change From Baseline in ESSDAI Score at Week 24

    ESSDAI measures systemic disease activity in participants with pSjD and consists of 11 organ-specific domains and 1 biological domain that contribute to disease activity level scoring. Each domain is given a certain weight, which gives a score between 0 and 123 (higher score = worse symptoms).

    Measured: Baseline (Day 1) and Week 24

  8. Change From Baseline in clinESSDAI Score at Week 24

    clinESSDAI includes the same 11 organ-specific domains as ESSDAI but with different domain weighting and without the biological domain. This way any change in clinESSDAI score would reflect disease specific features, irrespective of B-cell activity. The clinESSDAI score ranges between 0-135 (higher score = worse symptoms).

    Measured: Baseline (Day 1) and Week 24

  9. Change From Baseline in ESSPRI Score at Week 24

    ESSPRI is a questionnaire that has been developed to measure self-reported symptoms in participants with pSjD. The score ranges from 0 (no symptoms) to 10 (more symptoms).

    Measured: Baseline (Day 1) and Week 24

  10. Percentage of Participants With STAR Score of at Least 5 at Week 24

    Sjögren's Tool for Assessing Response (STAR) is a composite endpoint assessing multiple clinically relevant disease features. A STAR responder is defined as a score of at least 5 points. Due to the weighting, participants must be a responder on either systemic disease activity (ESSDAI), patient-reported symptoms (ESSPRI), or both to be an overall STAR responder. The score ranges between 0 and 9 (higher score = worse outcome).

    Measured: Week 24

  11. Plasma Concentration of Efgartigimod

    Serum samples were collected at indicated time points to assess the pharmacokinetic (PK) profile of efgartigimod.

    Measured: Pre-dose at Day 1, Weeks 1, 2, 4, 8, 12, 16, and 20; 30 minutes post-dose at Day 1, Weeks 1, 2, 4, 8, 12, 16, 20 and 24

  12. Percentage Change From Baseline in Total IgG Levels in Serum at Week 24

    Blood samples were collected at indicated timepoints to assess the total Immunoglobulin (Ig)G levels in serum.

    Measured: Baseline (Day 1) and Week 24

  13. Number of Participants With ADA Against Efgartigimod in Serum

    Blood samples were collected to assess anti-drug antibodies (ADAs) against efgartigimod. Treatment-boosted ADA was defined as participants who had a baseline positive sample and the titer value increased 4-fold or more compared to baseline. Treatment-induced ADA was defined as participants who had a baseline negative sample and at least 1 positive post-baseline samples. Treatment-unaffected ADA was defined as participants who had a baseline positive sample, but the titer value did not increase 4-fold or more compared to baseline.

    Measured: Up to Week 24

Timeline

From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.

  1. First posted18 Apr 2023
  2. Study start4 Apr 2023
  3. Primary completion29 Jan 2024
  4. Study completion12 Feb 2024

Resources

More details

For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.

Study design
Study type
Interventional
Phase
Phase 2
Primary purpose
Treatment
Allocation
Randomised
Intervention model
Parallel groups
Masking
Triple blind
Who is masked
Participant, Care provider, Investigator
Enrolment
34 participants (actual)
IDs, dates and publications
ClinicalTrials.gov ID
NCT05817669
Sponsor's protocol ID
ARGX-113-2106
Other IDs
2021-005911-30
Acronym
rho
Status last verified
Jun 2025
First submitted
1 Feb 2023
Last updated
18 Jul 2025
Data monitoring committee
No
FDA-regulated drug
No
FDA-regulated device
No
Individual data sharing
No

Publications

  • Peene I, Verstappen GM, Arends S, Kroese FGM, De Boeck K, Achten H, Papadopoulou D, Jacobs J, Bowen E, Teperov E, Meyvisch P, Fardipour P, Kelly A, Brahmbhatt J, Elewaut D, Bootsma H. Efgartigimod in Sjogren's disease: a phase 2, randomised, placebo-controlled, parallel-group, double-blinded, proof-of-concept study (RHO). Ann Rheum Dis. 2026 Jul;85(7):1341-1350. doi: 10.1016/j.ard.2026.03.019. Epub 2026 Apr 16.

    PubMed 41997805

Questions about this trial

What is this clinical trial studying?

A Phase 2 study testing Efgartigimod in people with Primary Sjögren's Syndrome, run by argenx at 17 sites in 4 countries.

The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.

Who may be eligible to take part?

The sponsor lists 4 inclusion and 14 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.

Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?

The record says: finished, as of the sponsor's last update on 18 Jul 2025. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.

Where is the study taking place?

The record lists 17 sites in Poland, Hungary, Belgium, Netherlands. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.

What are the possible benefits and risks?

They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. Some participants in this study may receive a placebo. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.

What does this phase mean?

Phase 2 studies give the treatment to a larger group to see whether it has the intended effect and to keep checking safety.

Not every study follows the same path, and some studies (observational studies, device studies) have no phase.

Are results available for this study?

Yes. Results are posted in the registry (first posted 18 Jul 2025). A summary is in the For doctors view, and the full results are on ClinicalTrials.gov.

How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?

The record lists no contact. The official record names the sponsor, who can be asked directly. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.

What does the primary outcome measure?

Percentage of Participants Meeting Overall CRESS Response of at Least 3 of 5 Items at Week 24 (time frame: Week 24). It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.

Where can I read the original study information?

On the ClinicalTrials.gov record for NCT05817669, which also lists 1 linked publication.

Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?

No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.

How often is this information updated?

AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 18 Jul 2025.

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