Autoimmune & Rheumatology Clinical Trials Update: Week 19, 2026

Published May 8, 2026 — 5 trials covered

By Victor Lafforgue, Founder of TrialsAlert. Blog posts are AI-drafted from ClinicalTrials.gov source data and reviewed by the editorial team. See our editorial policy for details.

Study to Evaluate Avacopan in Combination With a Rituximab or Cyclophosphamide-containing Regimen, in Children From 6 Years to < 18 Years of Age With AAV

This Phase 3 trial is testing a new treatment approach for children aged 6 to under 18 who have ANCA-associated vasculitis, a rare autoimmune disease. The study combines avacopan with standard treatments rituximab or cyclophosphamide to see if it can better control the disease and help children achieve remission by 26 and 52 weeks. If successful, this could offer a treatment option with fewer side effects than current therapies for young patients.

A Study of CC-97540, CD-19-Targeted Nex-T CAR T Cells, in Participants With Severe, Refractory Autoimmune Diseases (Breakfree-1)

This early-phase study is exploring a new type of immunotherapy called CAR T cell therapy for adults with severe autoimmune diseases like lupus, myopathy, systemic sclerosis, and rheumatoid arthritis. These patients have not responded well to existing treatments. The trial aims to find the safest dose and check if this innovative therapy can reduce disease activity, potentially offering new hope for people with hard-to-treat conditions.

Recombinant Herpes Zoster Vaccine in Patients With Autoimmune Rheumatic Diseases

This Phase 4 study is focused on people with autoimmune rheumatic diseases receiving a vaccine to prevent shingles. The vaccine’s safety and immune response are being monitored carefully, as patients with these diseases may have different reactions to vaccines. The results will help doctors understand how well this vaccine protects these patients and whether it affects their autoimmune disease activity.

The COVID-19 VaccinE Response and Co-Administration in Rheumatology Patients (COVER-CoAd)

This trial is looking at how well COVID-19 booster vaccines work when given alongside other vaccines in people with rheumatic diseases who often take immune-suppressing medications. Understanding vaccine effectiveness and safety in this group can guide better vaccination plans to keep them protected from infections like COVID-19. The study is ongoing in the United States and will provide important data for future vaccine recommendations.

The Immunogenicity and Safety of Zostavax® and Shingrix® in Rheumatoid Arthritis Patients Using Abatacept

This completed study compared two shingles vaccines in people with rheumatoid arthritis who take abatacept, a medication that affects the immune system. The goal was to see which vaccine is safer and causes a stronger immune response in this group, helping to reduce the risk of shingles. The findings will help doctors recommend the best vaccination choice for patients on similar therapies.

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