Graves' disease is an autoimmune condition where the thyroid gland produces too much hormone, causing rapid heartbeat, weight loss, anxiety, and sometimes bulging eyes. It affects about 1 in 200 people, mostly women. Standard treatment includes antithyroid pills, radioactive iodine, or thyroid removal surgery.
What's actually going on in research
Trials are testing new antithyroid drugs with fewer side effects, antibody-blocking therapies that target the root autoimmune process, and treatments specifically for thyroid eye disease. Researchers are also studying why Graves' disease goes into remission in some people but returns in others, and whether early intervention can prevent eye complications.
IGF-1 receptor antibodies
Teprotumumab blocks the IGF-1 receptor and was FDA-approved in 2020 for thyroid eye disease, reducing eye bulging in many people. Trials are now testing whether it works in less severe cases and whether lower doses are effective.
Targeted autoimmune therapies
Drugs that block B cells or specific immune signals are being tested to see if they can send Graves' disease into remission without destroying the thyroid. The goal is to preserve thyroid function while stopping the autoimmune attack.
Antithyroid drug alternatives
New versions of antithyroid medications aim to work faster or cause less liver toxicity. Some trials are also testing whether combining drugs can improve remission rates.
What to know before you search
Eligibility typically depends on thyroid hormone levels, severity of eye disease if present, prior treatments, and whether you've had thyroid surgery or radioactive iodine.
What types of trials are currently open
- Treatment trials — Testing new antithyroid drugs or antibody therapies to control thyroid hormone levels or address the underlying autoimmune process.
- Thyroid eye disease trials — Studies of drugs like teprotumumab or steroid alternatives to reduce eye bulging, double vision, and inflammation behind the eyes.
- Remission trials — Testing whether certain drug combinations or immune therapies can lead to lasting remission without destroying the thyroid.
- Prevention trials — Studies looking at whether early treatment can prevent thyroid eye disease in people newly diagnosed with Graves' disease.
- Observational studies — Following people with Graves' disease to understand what predicts remission, relapse, or development of eye disease.
Recently added Graves' Disease trials
Complete MRI scans to help develop AI diagnosis tools for thyroid eye disease
The goal of this observational study is to prospectively validate the efficacy of an AI multimodal model constructed based on multi - sequence orbital MRI in the diagnosis, activity and severity assessment, and prognosis prediction of thyroid - associated ophthalmopathy (TAO) in real - world clinical scenarios. The main questions it aims to answer are: Can AI models accurately assess the presence, activity, and severity of Thyroid-Associated Orbitopathy (TAO)? Can AI models predict the prognosis of TAO? Researchers will compare the diagnostic accuracy of the AI model for TAO patients and healthy subjects to evaluate its diagnostic performance. Participants will undergo a standardized, study - specific multimodal orbital MRI scan (sequences include T1WI, T2WI, STIR, and research sequences such as Magic, IDEAL - IQ, DWI, ASL, CEST). And will systematically acquire ocular ultrasound images from TED patients (active and inactive stages), non-TED ophthalmic disease controls, and healthy volunteers. AI-driven deep learning techniques (convolutional neural networks) will be applied to achieve automatic segmentation of key structures (extraocular muscles, optic nerve, lacrimal gland, and retrobulbar soft tissue). High-throughput radiomic features encompassing morphological parameters and gray-level texture patterns will be extracted. Machine learning algorithms will then be employed to construct objective prediction models for TED screening and activity staging, with MRI findings and CAS scores serving as the reference standards for external validation.
Take an injection being tested for overactive thyroid disease
This study is being conducted to look at the effect YB-101 has on thyroid function. This study will also evaluate how safe and well tolerated YB-101 is and how it is distributed through the body. The study consists of a part 1, blinded treatment period, and a part 2 double-blinded treatment period. Participants will receive YB-101 or Placebo subcutaneously. Participants who participate in Part 1 can not participate in Part 2. Participants will complete 34-39 in-clinic visits in Part 1 or Part 2 over an approximate 40 week period.
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