The Monoclonal Antibody Medications in inflammatory Arthritis: stopping or continuing in pregnancy (MAMA) trial
| ISRCTN | ISRCTN89126536 |
|---|---|
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1186/ISRCTN89126536 |
| ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT) | Nil known |
| Clinical Trials Information System (CTIS) | Nil known |
| Integrated Research Application System (IRAS) | 1009876 |
| Protocol serial number | CPMS 65203 |
| Sponsor | University of Oxford |
| Funder | Health Technology Assessment Programme |
- Submission date
- 01/08/2024
- Registration date
- 23/10/2024
- Last edited
- 04/11/2025
- Recruitment status
- Recruiting
- Overall study status
- Ongoing
- Condition category
- Pregnancy and Childbirth
Plain English summary of protocol
Background and study aims
1-2% of women are affected by inflammatory arthritis. Many are treated with medications known as ‘biologics’. More women with inflammatory arthritis are considering starting a family, because biologics mean they are more able to manage their arthritis. They may face difficult decisions around treatments during pregnancy. Uncontrolled arthritis can lead to worse outcomes in pregnancy, so managing arthritis well is important. Biologics are often avoided during pregnancy because of limited understanding of how these drugs impact pregnancy or arthritis activity. There are concerns about the possible effects of these drugs on babies’ immune systems, and some baby vaccinations are routinely delayed. Until recently, most women were advised to stop their biologics during pregnancy; however, due to mounting evidence of their safety, national guidance now states that women can stay on biologics throughout pregnancy. It is unknown whether there is any benefit to this in terms of arthritis control. Certain other medicines used to treat arthritis flares in pregnancy can pose potential harm. MAMA aims to find out the effects of stopping or continuing biologics during pregnancy. It will compare whether women who continue their biologics have better arthritis control than those who stop, and assess the impact on their pregnancy, their baby, and the costs associated with this decision.
Who can participate?
Pregnant women at less than 28 completed weeks’ gestation, aged 16 years old and over with a diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis (RA), juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA), psoriatic arthritis (PsA) or axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA) and prescribed a regularly dosed bDMARD
What does the study involve?
Participants will have an equal (random) chance to continue their biologics throughout pregnancy or to stop by the 28 weeks of pregnancy. During pregnancy, women will be asked to complete a simple arthritis symptom severity questionnaire, monthly via an app (or in writing) and at 3, 6 and 12 months after the baby is born. The woman will be asked if they would be happy for their baby to have blood tests to check their immune response to vaccinations. Mums and babies will be followed up until 24 months after the end of pregnancy, their general health and their baby's development.
This is a trial of two treatment strategies relating to continuing or stopping prescribed bDMARDs. bDMARDs are a broad group of drugs which includes many classes and within each class, many marketed products are largely similar in safety profile. The classes of bDMARDs included in this study are detailed in the inclusion criteria and the MAMA trial Reference Safety Information. All drugs are licensed for use in inflammatory arthritis and are already prescribed in pregnancy. Additionally, their use in pregnancy is outlined in the 2022 BSR guidelines on the use of medications in pregnancy.
What are the possible benefits and risks of participating?
Whilst there are no direct benefits to taking part, your contribution may help answer an important question, which could benefit women and their babies in the future.
Both continuing and stopping using bDMARDs beyond 28 weeks of pregnancy are routine practices in the UK so there are no additional risks to being involved in the trial. Stopping biologic medications can increase the risk of disease activity and flares during pregnancy. Continuing biologic medication in pregnancy may have possible effects on babies’ immune systems, and some baby vaccinations may be delayed. This will be discussed with women as part of their clinical care they will also be encouraged to discuss any concerns with their rheumatologist or clinical team.
Optional Infant Immunology part of the Trial
Blood sampling can cause bruising or pain, minimised with local anaesthetic cream.
Where is the study run from?
National Perinatal Epidemiology Unit (NPEU), University of Oxford, UK
When is the study starting and how long is it expected to run for?
July 2024 to February 2030
Who is funding the study?
NIHR Health Technology Assessment Programme, HTA
Who is the main contact?
mama@npeu.ox.ac.uk
Contact information
Public, Scientific
MAMA Trial Manager, National Perinatal Epidemiology Unit (NPEU) Clinical Trials Unit
Nuffield Department of Population Health
University of Oxford
Old Road Campus
Oxford
OX3 7LF
United Kingdom
 ORCID ID |
0000-0002-2551-2112 |
|---|---|
| Phone | +44 (0)1865 743859 |
| mama@npeu.ox.ac.uk |
Principal investigator
National Perinatal Epidemiology Unit (NPEU)
Nuffield Department of Population Health
University of Oxford
Old Road Campus
Oxford
OX3 7LF
United Kingdom
| ORCID ID |
0000-0002-1984-4575 |
|---|---|
| marian.knight@npeu.ox.ac.uk |
Study information
| Primary study design | Interventional |
|---|---|
| Study design | Interventional randomized controlled trial |
| Secondary study design | Randomised controlled trial |
| Study type | Participant information sheet |
| Scientific title | The Monoclonal Antibody Medications in inflammatory Arthritis: stopping or continuing in pregnancy (MAMA) trial |
| Study acronym | MAMA |
| Study objectives | Primary objectives: To compare the peak of disease activity up to 6 months after the end of pregnancy in pregnant women with AIA randomised to continue bDMARDs versus those randomised to stopping bDMARDs before the third trimester of pregnancy. Secondary objectives: In pregnant women with AIA randomised to continue bDMARDs versus those randomised to stopping bDMARDs before the third trimester of pregnancy: To compare the peak of disease activity up to 12 months after the end of pregnancy To compare other features of arthritis disease activity To investigate pregnancy outcomes In infants born to women with AIA randomised to continue bDMARDs versus those randomised to stop bDMARDs To compare neonatal outcomes To investigate infant and child outcomes including global development at 24 months of age, infection up to 24 months of age, and immune function at 2, 5 and 13 months (in a subset of infants where consent has been obtained with an address within geographical reach of Oxford) Economic evaluation: To examine using an economic evaluation, whether any additional benefits associated with continuing bDMARDs are justified by any additional health care resources needed |
| Ethics approval(s) |
Approved 30/09/2024, London - Central Research Ethics Committee (3rd Floor 3 Piccadilly Place, London Road, Manchester, M1 3BN, United Kingdom; +44 (0)207 104 8061; londoncentral.rec@hra.nhs.uk), ref: 24/LO/0678 |
| Health condition(s) or problem(s) studied | Pregnant women less than 28 completed weeks of gestation prescribed a regularly dosed biologic disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drug (bDMARD) for Autoimmune Inflammatory Arthritis (AIA) |
| Intervention | This trial will compare two existing pathways of care for bDMARD use in pregnancy that are already being used in the UK, albeit with wide variation. MAMA is a pragmatic, comparative effectiveness trial of these two pathways of care. The two pathways of care being assessed are: 1. Intervention: continuing bDMARDs throughout pregnancy. The woman’s current bDMARD, dose and frequency of administration will continue. 2. Comparator: stopping bDMARDs before the third trimester (week 28) of pregnancy and restarting no earlier than 2 weeks after the end of pregnancy. For both groups, all other aspects of clinical care are determined by the treating clinical team. |
| Intervention type | Drug |
| Phase | Phase III |
| Drug / device / biological / vaccine name(s) | Humira [adalimumab], Enbrel [etanercept], Remicade [infliximab], Simponi [golimumab], Cimzia [certolizumab pegol], ORENCIA [abatacept], RoActemra [tocilizumab], Kevzara [sarilumab], Kineret [anakinra], Ilaris [canakinumab], Cosentyx [secukinumab], Taltz [ixekizumab], Bimzelx [bimekizumab], Tremfya [guselkumab], Skyrizi [risankizumab], Stelara [ustekinumab] |
| Primary outcome measure(s) |
Peak disease activity measured by the highest RAPID3 total score [self-report] from randomisation up to 6 months after the end of pregnancy |
| Key secondary outcome measure(s) |
Measured at variable time points up to 24 months after the end of pregnancy: |
| Completion date | 28/02/2030 |
Eligibility
| Participant type(s) | Patient |
|---|---|
| Age group | Mixed |
| Lower age limit | 16 Years |
| Sex | Female |
| Target sample size at registration | 328 |
| Key inclusion criteria | Current inclusion criteria as of 20/12/2024: Pregnant women with Autoimmune Inflammatory Arthritis (AIA), satisfying the following criteria: 1. Have a diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis (RA), juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA), psoriatic arthritis (PsA) or axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA) 2. Pregnant at less than 28 completed weeks’ gestation 3. Prescribed a regularly dosed bDMARD (including biologic originators and biosimilars) for RA, JIA, PsA or axSpA. 4. Aged 16 years or over 5. Has provided informed consent For Infant Immunology (optional element): 6. Address “within geographical reach” from the Oxford Vaccine Group 7. Ongoing consent from parents for infant immunological follow-up _____ Previous inclusion criteria: Pregnant women with Autoimmune Inflammatory Arthritis (AIA), satisfying the following criteria: 1. Have a diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis (RA), juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA), psoriatic arthritis (PsA) or axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA) 2. Pregnant at less than 28 completed weeks’ gestation 3. Prescribed a regularly dosed bDMARD (including biologic originators and biosimilars) for RA, JIA, PsA or axSpA. This includes all current bDMARDs in the following classes and any future bDMARD licensed under these same classes: 3.1. Biologic drugs which block Tumour necrosis factor (TNF) 3.2. Biologic drugs which block CD80/86 3.3. Biologic drugs which block Interleukin 6 3.4. Biologics which block interleukin 1 3.5. Biologics which block interleukin 17 3.6. Biologics which block interleukin 23 3.7. Biologics which block interleukin 12/23 4. Aged 16 years or over 5. Has provided informed consent For Infant Immunology (optional element): 6. Address “within geographical reach” from the Oxford Vaccine Group 7. Ongoing consent from parents for infant immunological follow-up |
| Key exclusion criteria | 1. Prescribed rituximab either during pregnancy or in the 6 months prior to conception 2. Prescribed JAK inhibitors 3. Contraindication to cessation of bDMARDs (e.g. active, sight-threatening uveitis) 4. Current, active tuberculosis in the immediate or close family or household members 5. Plans to move in the first 6 months after birth with their infant to live in a country with a high rate of tuberculosis (incidence >40 per 100,000 population) For Infant Inmmunology (optional element): 6. Temporary exclusion criteria for taking immunology samples from the babies - fever in previous 72 hours (or felt to be systemically unwell) |
| Date of first enrolment | 10/02/2025 |
| Date of final enrolment | 31/08/2028 |
Locations
Countries of recruitment
- United Kingdom
- England
- Northern Ireland
- Scotland
- Wales
Study participating centres
Armthorpe Road
Doncaster
DN2 5LT
United Kingdom
Headley Way
Headington
Oxford
OX3 9DU
United Kingdom
Crown Street
Liverpool
L8 7SS
United Kingdom
Infirmary Square
Leicester
LE1 5WW
United Kingdom
Oxford Road
Manchester
M13 9WL
United Kingdom
Kettering
NN16 8UZ
United Kingdom
Marlborough Road
Swindon
SN3 6BB
United Kingdom
Wolverhampton Road
Heath Town
Wolverhampton
WV10 0QP
United Kingdom
369 Fulham Road
London
SW10 9NH
United Kingdom
Blackshaw Road
Tooting
London
SW17 0QT
United Kingdom
Tremona Road
Southampton
SO16 6YD
United Kingdom
St Marys Hospital
South Wharf Road
London
W2 1BL
United Kingdom
Mindelsohn Way
Edgbaston
Birmingham
B15 2GW
United Kingdom
London
SE1 7EH
United Kingdom
Results and Publications
| Individual participant data (IPD) Intention to share | No |
|---|---|
| IPD sharing plan summary | Data sharing statement to be made available at a later date |
| IPD sharing plan | The data-sharing plans for the current study are unknown and will be made available at a later date |
Study outputs
| Output type | Details | Date created | Date added | Peer reviewed? | Patient-facing? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Participant information sheet | Participant information sheet | 11/11/2025 | 11/11/2025 | No | Yes |
| Study website | Study website | 11/11/2025 | 11/11/2025 | No | Yes |
Editorial Notes
04/11/2025: The following changes were made to the study record:
1. Participant information sheet link added.
2. Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales were added to the countries of recruitment.
3. The study participating centres were updated.
27/05/2025: The study participating centres Oxford University Hospitals, Liverpool Women's NHS Foundation Trust, University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust, Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, Kettering General Hospital NHS Foundation Trust were added.
25/02/2025: Doncaster and Bassetlaw Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust was added as a study participating centre.
28/01/2025: The recruitment start date was changed from 01/01/2025 to 10/02/2025.
20/12/2024: The following changes were made to the trial record:
1. The inclusion criteria were changed.
2. The recruitment start date was changed from 01/12/2024 to 01/01/2025.
06/11/2024: Internal review.
04/10/2024: ISRCTN received notification of combined HRA/MHRA approval for this trial on 04/10/2024.
01/08/2024: Trial's existence confirmed by NHS HRA.
