Rituximab or Placebo as Ongoing Treatment for Lung Disease in Systemic Sclerosis

Who can take part

• Adult patient (≥ 18 years old),
• Patient with a diagnosis of SSc, as defined by the ACR/EULAR 2013 criteria (cf. Table 2) (6)
• Patient with ILD identified on the basis of a HRCT, obtained within 12 months before screening, that showed fibrosis affecting at least 10% of the lungs,
• SSc-ILD induction with RTX, either twice 1000 mg two weeks apart, or 375 mg/m2 four times 4 weeks apart; The interval between the last induction dose and the first maintenance dose should be 6 months +/- 15 days
• Patient with stabilized SSc-ILD following RTX induction treatment as defined by the absence of worsening respiratory symptoms, an absolute decline of FVC of < 5% of the predicted value, an absence of absolute decline of DLCO (corrected for hemoglobin) of < 10% related to SSc-ILD, and absence of radiological evidence of disease progression on HRCT(97)
• All required vaccinations must have been carried out at least 4 weeks before D0. According to recommendations, prophylaxis against pneumocystis is recommended for scleroderma, but not mandatory
• Woman of childbearing potential should have reliable contraception* for the 12 months' duration of the study's treatment and 12 months after last administration,
• Patient able to give written informed consent prior to participation in the study,
• Affiliation to a social security scheme (profit or being entitled). AME is not accepted

Who cannot take part

• Cyclophosphamide, tacrolimus, ciclosporin, or voclosporin during the 2 months prior to screening or during screening
• Any biologic therapy (including other anti-CD20, anti-CD19, or anti-plasma cell) such as, but not limited to, belimumab, ustekinumab, anifrolumab, secukinumab, or atacicept during the 2 months prior to screening or during screening
• Inhibitors of Janus-associated kinase (JAK), Bruton's tyrosine kinase (BTK), or tyrosine kinase 2 (TYK2), including baricitinib, tofacitinib, upadacitinib, filgotinib, ibrutinib, or fenebrutinib or any investigational agent during the 2 months prior to screening or during screening
• Any live vaccine during the 28 days prior to screening or during screening
• High risk for clinically significant bleeding or any condition requiring plasmapheresis, IV immunoglobulin, or acute blood product transfusions during the 28 days prior the screening
• HIV infection : for participants with unknown HIV status (if the previous tests date more than 3 months), HIV testing will be performed locally at screening
• Major surgery requiring hospitalization during the 4 weeks prior to screening or during screening
• Current alcohol or drug abuse or history of alcohol or drug abuse within 12 months prior to screening or during screening
• Participation in another interventional study or being in the exclusion period at the end of a previous study
• Active infection with SARS-CoV-2 or absence of COVID-19 vaccination within the last six months (this criteria will be updated at the time of submission to European Agency to be in adequation with national recommendation at the time of submission)
• Significant or uncontrolled medical disease which, in the investigator's opinion, would preclude patient participation
• Tuberculosis (TB) infection: Testing for latent TB will be performed locally at screening if required by local regulations or in accordance with local clinical practice. Latent TB after completion of appropriate treatment is not exclusionary
• Active infection of any kind, excluding fungal infection of the nail beds
• History of serious recurrent or chronic infection
• History of progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML)
• History of cancer, including solid tumors, hematological malignancies, and carcinoma in situ, within the past 5 years. Participants with non-melanomatous carcinomas of the skin that have been treated or excised and have resolved are eligible
• History of severe allergic or anaphylactic reactions to monoclonal antibodies or known hypersensitivity to any component of the RTX infusion
• Diffusion capacity of the lung for carbon monoxide (DLCO) (corrected for hemoglobin) < 30% of the predicted value
• Any of the following laboratory parameters:; AST or ALT above 2.5 upper limit normal range; Neutrophils <1.5x103/mL; Positive hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg); Positive hepatitis C serology Participants with positive hepatitis C antibody test result with no detectable hepatitis C virus (HCV) RNA for at least 6 months after completion of antiviral therapy are eligible but will require monthly HCV RNA monitoring until 12 months after the last dose of RTX or placebo
• Forced vital capacity < 40% of the predicted value
• Contra-indication or anaphylaxis toward RTX
• Contra-indication to auxiliary medicinal products
• Pregnancy or breastfeeding
• Participants under court supervision, guardianship, or conservatorship