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Updated May 2026 · ClinicalTrials.gov

RECRUITINGPhase 2INTERVENTIONAL

Safety of Tofacitinib, an Oral Janus Kinase Inhibitor, in Primary Sjogren Disease

Safety of Tofacitinib, an Oral Janus Kinase Inhibitor, in Primary Sjogren's Disease Phase IIa Open-Label Clinical Trial and Associated Mechanistic Studies

Safety of Tofacitinib, an Oral Janus Kinase Inhibitor, in Primary Sjogren Disease (NCT07281456) is a Phase 2 interventional studying Sjogren's Syndrome, sponsored by National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR). RECRUITING as of the most recent ClinicalTrials.gov update. Talk to your doctor before contacting the trial site.

Important: This information is not medical advice. Talk to your doctor about whether a clinical trial is right for you.

About This Trial

Background: Sjogren disease is an autoimmune disease - that is, a disease that causes the body's immune system to attack its own organs and tissues. Sjogren disease can affect the kidneys, lungs, or other organs. It can also cause dry mouth and eyes, fever, joint pain, rashes, and other symptoms. Researchers want to know if a drug approved to treat rheumatoid arthritis and other autoimmune diseases can help people with Sjogren disease. Objective: To test a drug (tofacitinib) in people with Sjogren disease. Eligibility: People aged 18 to 75 years with Sjogren disease. They must be enrolled in protocol 15-D-0051. Design: * Participants will be screened. They will have a physical exam with blood and urine tests. They will give samples of saliva; a small sample of tissue will be taken from a salivary gland. They will have a test of their heart function. They will have an eye exam, including a test for dry eyes. * Tofacitinib is a tablet taken by mouth. Participants will take the drug twice a day at home. * Participants will have 9 clinic visits over 28 weeks. Each visit will take up to 5 hours. In addition to repeated tests, they will have tests of the speed and pressure of blood flow through their body. They will complete health questionnaires throughout the study. * Participants will also have 5 phone visits during the study. They will review their health and study treatments. * They will have 1 final visit after they stop taking the drug.

What Stage of Research Is This?

Phase 2 trials evaluate whether a treatment actually works against Sjogren's Syndrome and continue monitoring side effects. Phase 2 enrolls larger groups (typically 100–300 patients) and produces the first real efficacy signal. A successful Phase 2 readout is what unlocks the much larger Phase 3 confirmatory trials needed for FDA approval.

This trial is currently recruiting participants. The sponsor has registered the study with ClinicalTrials.gov as actively enrolling, which means new applicants who meet the eligibility criteria can be considered for screening. Trial status can change between updates — confirm current recruiting status with the study contact before traveling for a screening visit.

Target enrollment of 60 participants puts this in the typical range for a Phase 2-style efficacy study or a moderate Phase 3 trial in a focused Sjogren's Syndrome subpopulation. At this scale, the study has enough statistical power to detect a clear treatment effect but is not the largest cohort in the field.

Who May Be Eligible (Plain English)

* Who May Qualify: Adult SjD participants with mild-to-moderate disease activity will be eligible for this study. Enrolled participants can be naive or have failed immunosuppressive therapy beyond antimalarials and glucocorticoids, to prevent bias in the cohort of participants with more recalcitrant disease. We expect that Tofacitinib is a potential second-line therapy, in addition to antimalarials and glucocorticoids, depending on the participant's initial presentation and response. Women and members of minority groups, if eligible, will be included in accordance with the NIH Policy on Inclusion of Women and Minorities as Participants in Research Involving Human Participants. Additionally, 20-D-0131(Safety of Tofacitinib, an oral Janus Kinase Inhibitor, in primary Sjogren's syndrome Phase Ib-IIa placebo-controlled clinical trial and associated mechanistic studies) participants who, at unblinding, received a placebo will be contacted and asked to return to the study to participate in this study. To be eligible to participate in this study, an individual must meet all of the following criteria: 1. Ability of participant to understand and the willingness to sign a written willing to sign a consent form document. 2. Participation and enrollment in companion protocol, 15-D-0051, Characterization of Diseases with Salivary Gland Involvement. 3. Stated willingness to comply with all study procedures and availability for the duration of the study 4. Male or female, aged between 18-75 years old 5. In good general health as evidenced by medical history 6. Meets the 2002 American European Consensus Group classification criteria for Sjogren's disease or 2016 American College of Rheumatology/European League against Rheumatism Classification Criteria (ACR-EULAR) with mild to moderate disease activity defined as ESSDAI between 0 and 13 at the screening visit and \>0 ml/min/gland stimulated saliva flow. ...See full criteria on ClinicalTrials.gov Always talk to your doctor about whether this trial is right for you.

These are translations of the protocol\'s inclusion and exclusion criteria, simplified for patients and caregivers. The original clinical text appears below. Eligibility is ultimately confirmed by the trial site\'s screening process — this summary is a starting point for a conversation with your doctor, not a final determination.

Original Eligibility Criteria

View original clinical language
* INCLUSION CRITERIA: Adult SjD participants with mild-to-moderate disease activity will be eligible for this study. Enrolled participants can be naive or have failed immunosuppressive therapy beyond antimalarials and glucocorticoids, to prevent bias in the cohort of participants with more recalcitrant disease. We expect that Tofacitinib is a potential second-line therapy, in addition to antimalarials and glucocorticoids, depending on the participant's initial presentation and response. Women and members of minority groups, if eligible, will be included in accordance with the NIH Policy on Inclusion of Women and Minorities as Participants in Research Involving Human Participants. Additionally, 20-D-0131(Safety of Tofacitinib, an oral Janus Kinase Inhibitor, in primary Sjogren's syndrome Phase Ib-IIa placebo-controlled clinical trial and associated mechanistic studies) participants who, at unblinding, received a placebo will be contacted and asked to return to the study to participate in this study. To be eligible to participate in this study, an individual must meet all of the following criteria: 1. Ability of participant to understand and the willingness to sign a written informed consent document. 2. Participation and enrollment in companion protocol, 15-D-0051, Characterization of Diseases with Salivary Gland Involvement. 3. Stated willingness to comply with all study procedures and availability for the duration of the study 4. Male or female, aged between 18-75 years old 5. In good general health as evidenced by medical history 6. Meets the 2002 American European Consensus Group classification criteria for Sjogren's disease or 2016 American College of Rheumatology/European League against Rheumatism Classification Criteria (ACR-EULAR) with mild to moderate disease activity defined as ESSDAI between 0 and 13 at the screening visit and \>0 ml/min/gland stimulated saliva flow. 7. Ability to take oral medication and be willing to adhere to the study intervention regimen 8. If on glucocorticoids, the dose must be less than 10 mg daily and stable for the 4 weeks (28 days) prior to the screening visit. 9. If on hydroxychloroquine or other antimalarials such as chloroquine or quinacrine, the dose must have been stable for the 12 weeks (96 days) prior to screening visit. The maximum allowed dose is hydroxychloroquine up to 400 mg/day or 6.5 mg/kg/day if more than 400 mg/day. The maximum allowed dose for chloroquine phosphate is up to 500 mg daily and for quinacrine up to 100 mg daily. 10. Participants may be on lipid lowering medications if initiated at least 3 months prior to the screening visit and dose must be stable for 4 weeks (28 days) prior to study entry. 11. Males and females with potential for reproduction must agree to practice effective birth control measures. Females should be on adequate contraception if they are of child-bearing potential documented by a clinician, unless participants or spouse have previously undergone a sterilization procedure. Adequate birth control measures are: intrauterine device (IUD) alone or hormone implants, hormone patches, injectable, or oral contraceptives plus a barrier method (male condom, female condom or diaphragm), abstinence or a vasectomized partner. 12. Agreement to adhere to Lifestyle Considerations throughout study duration EXCLUSION CRITERIA: To be eligible to participate in this study, an individual must not meet any of the following criteria: 1. Current or prior treatment with rituximab, belimumab, or any other biologic agent in the 6 months prior to screening. 2. Current or prior treatment with Tofacitinib for more than 6 months in the last 2 years prior to screening. 3. Current treatment with methotrexate, azathioprine, mycophenolate mofetil, cyclosporine, tacrolimus, or other less common immunomodulatory drugs such as those falling into the class of disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs), not otherwise specified herein. Participants previously on methotrexate, azathioprine, mycophenolate mofetil, cyclosporine or tacrolimus, or other DMARDs should have withdrawn drug for at least 8 weeks (56 days) at the time of screening. The use of topical or ophthalmic preparations of cyclosporine, tacrolimus, or other DMARDs is permitted and does not require an 8-week withdrawal period. 4. Treatment with cyclophosphamide, pulse methylprednisolone or IVIG within 6 months prior to screening. 5. Current treatment with potent inhibitors of Cytochrome P450 3A4 (CYP3A4) (e.g., ketoconazole) or receiving one or more concomitant medications that result in both moderate inhibition of CYP3A4 and potent inhibition of CYP2C19 (e.g., fluconazole) that would increase serum availability of Tofacitinib. Past treatment with the agent is allowed if it was more than a week prior to the administration of the first dose of study medication. 6. History of chronic liver disease, not including well-controlled Sjogren's-related chronic liver disease or elevated LFTs: * ALT or AST \>= 2x upper limit of normal at screening * Serum unconjugated bilirubin \> 2mg/dL at screening 7. Serum creatinine \>1.5mg/dL. 8. Protein to creatinine ratio of more than 1mg/dL at screening (repeated and confirmed three times or confirmed with 24 hours urine protein of more than 1000mg). 9. Active urinary sediment (WBC, RBC or mixed cellular casts 1+ or more /hpf). 10. Hypercholesterolemia: Values after 8-12 hour fasting blood specimen: total cholesterol \>250 mg/dL or LDL \>180 mg/dL or hypertriglyceridemia (triglyceride \>300 mg/dL) within - 45 days of screening visit. 11. WBC \<2500/microL or ANC \<1,000/microL, Hgb \<9.0 g/dL or platelets \<70,000/microL or absolute lymphocyte count \< 500/microL. 12. Pregnant or lactating women. Women of childbearing potential are required to have a negative pregnancy test at screening. 13. A history of drug or alcohol abuse within the 6 months prior to screening. 14. Currently receiving hemodialysis, peritoneal dialysis, or intestinal dialysis. 15. Active infection that requires the use of oral or intravenous antibiotics unresolved at least 14 days prior to the administration of the first dose of study medication. 16. Active chronic infections including but not limited to HIV, Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C, and BK viremia at screening visit. 17. Current or previous diagnosis of malignant disease, except for basal cell or squamous cell carcinoma of the skin with complete excision and clear borders or adequately treated in situ carcinoma of the cervix. 18. Known active tuberculosis. Participants with treated latent tuberculosis (LTB) will be eligible to participate. Participants with untreated LTB will not be excluded but will be evaluated by an infectious disease (I.D.) consultant and may become eligible for trial based on infectious disease consultant recommendations. 19. History of severe or systemic infections caused by common pathogens, or history of infection with pathogens that do not normally cause human disease. 20. Participants with active renal or central nervous system disease or a high activity level in any organ system (except articular) in ESSDAI54. 21. Participants with known increased risk factors for major adverse cardiac event (MACE) including a history of: * Ischemic heart disease (e.g., history of acute myocardial infarction) * Heart failure * Cardiomyopathy * Severe valvular heart disease * Significant arrhythmias * Chronic renal failure * Cerebrovascular accident or transient ischemic attack * Uncontrolled diabetes mellitus * Uncontrolled hypertension * Current smokers or former smokers with less than 3 years since complete cessation and/or \>20 pack-years of smoking history. 22. Significant impairment of major organ function (lung, heart, liver, kidney) or any condition that, in the opinion of the Investigator, would jeopardize the participant's safety following exposure to the Tofacitinib. 23. Known history of arterial or venous thrombosis or at high risk for clotting disorder 24. Psychiatric illness or history of medical non-compliance that the study team feels will make the patient unlikely to complete the study 25. Uncontrolled thyroid disease as determined by PI or medically responsible investigator. 26. Known allergic reactions to Tofacitinib or its components 27. Treatment with another investigational drug/intervention within six months except for COVID-19 vaccines or therapies that have been granted an FDA emergency authorization.

Treatments Being Tested

DRUG

Tofacitinib

XELJANZ(R) is the citrate salt of tofacitinib. Tofacitinib citrate is a white to off-white powder. XELJANZ(R) is supplied for oral administration as 5 mg tofacitinib (equivalent to 8 mg tofacitinib citrate) white round, immediate-release film-coated tablet.

Locations (1)

Trial sites listed on ClinicalTrials.gov for this study. Site activation status can vary — confirm with the specific site before traveling for a screening visit.

National Institutes of Health Clinical Center
Bethesda, Maryland, United States

How to Talk to Your Doctor About This Trial

Bring the printable summary of this trial — including the NCT ID (NCT07281456), the sponsor (National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR)), and the key eligibility criteria — to your next appointment. Your doctor can review the inclusion and exclusion criteria against your medical history, lab values, and current treatments to assess whether you are likely to qualify. They can also help you weigh whether trial participation makes sense alongside your existing care plan.

Useful questions to walk through together: What does the trial protocol require beyond standard care? How long is the active treatment phase, and how long is follow-up? Are there study visits at sites I can reach? Who pays for the trial-specific procedures, and who pays for standard-of-care portions? See our 25 questions to ask about clinical trials guide for a more complete checklist.

Authoritative Sources

The official record for this trial lives on ClinicalTrials.gov — the federal registry maintained by the National Library of Medicine at NIH. For background on how this trial fits into the FDA approval pathway, see the FDA drug approval process. For oncology-specific guidance for patients considering trials, the National Cancer Institute publishes patient-oriented overviews. International trial registries are aggregated by the WHO ICTRP.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the NCT07281456 clinical trial studying?

Background: Sjogren disease is an autoimmune disease - that is, a disease that causes the body's immune system to attack its own organs and tissues. Sjogren disease can affect the kidneys, lungs, or other organs. It can also cause dry mouth and eyes, fever, joint pain, rashes, and other symptoms. Researchers want to know if a drug approved to treat rheumatoid arthritis and other autoimmune diseases can help people with Sjogren disease. Objective: To test a drug (tofacitinib) in people with Sjogren disease. Eligibility: People aged 18 to 75 years with Sjogren disease. They must be enrolled… The full protocol is registered on ClinicalTrials.gov and includes the primary outcome measures, eligibility criteria, and study endpoints.

Who can participate in NCT07281456?

Eligibility for this trial depends on the specific inclusion and exclusion criteria set by the sponsor. The plain-English summary above translates the most important criteria into accessible language; the official clinical text is preserved in the collapsible section underneath. Whether you fit any specific trial is a medical decision your doctor needs to confirm — bring the trial information to your treating physician for a full review against your medical history.

How do I contact the trial site for NCT07281456?

Contact information registered with ClinicalTrials.gov is shown in the sidebar of this page. Before reaching out, confirm with your treating physician that this trial is appropriate for your situation. The trial site will then walk you through the screening process to determine final eligibility.

Is participating in a clinical trial safe?

Clinical trials in the United States are regulated by the FDA and overseen by Institutional Review Boards (IRBs) that review the protocol for safety. Risk varies by trial — Phase 1 studies test new treatments in humans for the first time, while Phase 3 trials use treatments that have already passed earlier safety screening. The informed consent document for any specific trial details the known risks and what to expect. Discuss those risks with your physician before deciding whether to participate.

Where can I verify the data on this page?

Every detail on this page comes directly from the ClinicalTrials.gov API. Click "View on ClinicalTrials.gov" in the sidebar to see the official, unmodified record. The federal record is always authoritative; this page is a structured presentation with a plain-English eligibility translation. For background on how clinical trials are regulated, see the FDA drug approval process documentation.

How This Page Is Built

Every field on this page is pulled directly from the ClinicalTrials.gov API v2 — no estimates, no proxies. The plain-English eligibility translation is generated from the original protocol text and reviewed for fidelity to the underlying clinical criteria. The original clinical text remains visible in the collapsible section above so users and clinicians can verify the translation. Read the full methodology for the data pipeline and known limitations.

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov API v2 record for NCT07281456. Maintained by the National Library of Medicine at NIH. Public domain. Cite as: "TrialFinderData. NCT07281456. Data: ClinicalTrials.gov."

Medical disclaimer: This page is informational, not medical advice. Talk to your doctor about whether a clinical trial is right for you.

Last updated 2026-05-08 · Data from ClinicalTrials.gov.