IFNGR1

The goal of this clinical trial is to demonstrate the benefit of a standardized immunotherapy (Interferon gamma) on the incidence of secondary infections. . It will also learn about the safety of Interferon-gamma. The main questions it aims to answer are:
Does Interferon-gamma:
* reduces the Incidence of secondary infection episodes at three months
* reduces the ICU mortality and at Day 90
* reduces the ICU and hospital length of stay
* induces Biological immune restoration at Day 10
* has cost-consequence and cost-effectiveness
Researchers will compare Interferon-gamma to a placebo (a look-alike substance that contains no drug) to see if Interferon-gamma works to treat sustained immunosuppression .
Participants will:
* Take Interferon-Gamma or a placebo for a maximum of 5 times between day 1 and day 9
* be monitored evety day until their ICU discharge and at day 30, 60 and 90

This phase 2 study aims to confirm the efficacy seen in the prior phase 1 trial, and further contribute to this effort through the collection of leukemia cells pre- and post- in vivo IFN-γ therapy. As in the previously conducted phase 1 trial, this trial will test whether leukemia blasts were responsive to IFN-γ in vitro and in vivo, with single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNAseq) conducted to understand the transcriptomic changes induced by IFN-γ in leukemia cell subsets, including those with stem cell characteristics.

This study explores the role of treatment with interferon-gamma to improve outcomes in chronic pulmonary aspergillosis (CPA). CPA is a progressive infection caused by the fungus Aspergillus affecting patients with chronic lung disease like Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (COPD) or previously treated tuberculosis (TB). It causes gradual destruction of lung tissue by slowly enlarging cavities, frequent secondary infections and poor quality of life. Because of its indolent nature and nonspecific x-ray findings, it often remains unrecognised for years. Around 3600 people live with CPA in the United Kingdom. Mortality from CPA may be up to 40% in five years.
Treatment for CPA relies on antifungals for prolonged periods, but only around 60% of patients improve. It is often long-term or lifelong as the response is slow and some patients experience relapses. In addition, only one class of oral antifungal drugs is licensed for CPA, and they are associated with side effects and high cost. Better treatments are needed for CPA. We do not know why many patients do not respond to treatment. Maybe CPA patients have a weakened immune system and are more susceptible to Aspergillus. Our data suggest that CPA patients produce lower amounts of ΙFNγ, a substance that facilitates the immune system's response against Aspergillus. We have also shown that, when given to patients with CPA who have failed to improve on antifungal treatment, interferon-gamma leads to improvement in important patient-centred outcomes like flares of lung disease or hospital admissions. Interferon-gamma is already in use in the National Health Service of the United Kingdom for other indications. Therefore, its use in CPA should be explored. However, CPA is a rare condition and the tolerability of interferon-gamma is not fully established in these patients. To understand whether a large-scale study is feasible in CPA, we first need preliminary data in smaller numbers of patients.
We propose a randomised trial of interferon-gamma in addition to antifungals in CPA. Patients with CPA starting antifungal treatment will be eligible. Participants (25 per group) will be randomly assigned to interferon-gamma for 12 weeks (in addition to antifungals) or antifungals only. To test whether the treatment works, we will use measurements of the cavities on chest CT scan and scores on a quality-of-life questionnaire. We will assess for tolerability of treatment at intervals similar to clinical practice. Criteria for progression to the large-scale study will be set based on the proportion of patients willing to participate, and on the proportion who complete the treatment. Data collected on those parameters will allow us to determine the number needed for a definite study.
If the large-scale study confirms our observations that interferon-gamma improves outcomes in CPA, then treatment duration can be shortened and relapses avoided. In addition, interferon-gamma can then be explored in other chronic lung disease.