Assessment of Clinical Response to Anifrolumab in Patients With Refractory Discoid Lupus Erythematosus

Efficacy of anifrolumab in long-term intractable alopecia due to discoid lupus erythematosus

Alopecia associated with lupus erythematosus is broadly classified into reversible nonscarring alopecia seen in the acute phase, such as worsening of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and cicatricial alopecia seen in chronic cutaneous lupus erythematosus represented by discoid lupus erythematosus (DLE). In DLE-induced alopecia, early therapeutic intervention before developing scarring alopecia is important, but the condition is often resistant to conventional treatment. Anifrolumab (ANI), a novel therapeutic agent for SLE that inhibits Type I interferon activity, has been shown to be effective against acute skin lesions, including alopecia, in patients with SLE. However, there are very few reports on the effect of ANI on alopecia due to DLE. We report on a 27-year-old Japanese woman with SLE whose alopecia due to chronic DLE was refractory to topical therapy and systemic therapy with oral glucocorticoid, multiple immunosuppressants, and belimumab for ∼8 years after onset and whose alopecia improved with ANI. ANI can be considered to be an effective treatment option in lupus patients presenting with alopecia due to DLE, even in the chronic refractory stage.

An update on clinical trials for cutaneous lupus erythematosus

Cutaneous lupus erythematosus (CLE) comprises dermatologic manifestations that may occur independently or with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Despite advancements in refining CLE classification, establishing precise subtype criteria remains challenging due to overlapping presentations and difficulty in distinguishing morphology. Current treatments encompass preventive measures, topical therapies, and systemic approaches. Hydroxychloroquine and glucocorticoids are the sole US Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved medications for CLE, with numerous off-label treatments available. However, these treatments are often not covered by insurance, imposing a significant financial burden on patients. The exclusion of most CLE patients, particularly those without concurrent SLE, from trials designed for SLE has resulted in a lack of targeted treatments for CLE. To develop effective CLE treatments, validated outcome measures for tracking patient responsiveness are essential. The Cutaneous Lupus Erythematosus Disease Area and Severity Index is widely utilized for its reliability, validity, and ability to differentiate between skin activity and damage. In contrast, the FDA mandates the use of the Investigator's Global Assessment, a five-point Likert scale related to lesion characteristics, for skin-related therapeutic trials. It requires the disease to resolve or almost completely resolve to demonstrate improvement, which can be difficult when there is residual erythema or incomplete clearance that is meaningfully improved from a patient perspective. Various classes of skin lupus medications target diverse pathways, allowing tailored treatment based on the patient's lupus inflammatory profile, resulting in improved outcomes. Promising targeted therapeutic drugs include anifrolumab (anti-type 1 interferon), deucravacitinib (allosteric tyrosine kinase 2 inhibitor), litifilimab (plasmacytoid dendritic cell-directed therapy), iberdomide (cereblon-targeting ligand), and belimumab (B-cell directed therapy). Despite the significant impact of CLE on quality of life, therapeutic options remain inadequate. While promising treatments for cutaneous lupus are emerging, it is crucial to underscore the urgency for skin-focused treatment outcomes and the implementation of validated measures to assess therapeutic effectiveness in clinical trials.

Impressive resolution of refractory hypertrophic discoid lupus erythematosus with anifrolumab

Hypertrophic discoid lupus erythematosus is a rare variant of chronic cutaneous lupus erythematosus and is often challenging to treat. A male in his early 60s presented with diffuse erythematous, crusty, pruritic plaques on his upper and lower extremities, face, upper back, dorsal aspect of the hands and chest. He also described prolonged morning stiffness, swelling of his fingers and wrists, oral sores and Raynaud's phenomenon. He was positive for antinuclear antibody and anti-SSA antibody and had low C3 and C4 proteins. The skin biopsy was consistent with hypertrophic discoid lupus erythematosus. He was diagnosed with systemic lupus erythematosus. Skin lesions were refractory to treatment with topical corticosteroids, topical acitretin, hydroxychloroquine, azathioprine or mycophenolate. Anifrolumab infusions were initiated with a near-complete resolution of cutaneous symptoms within 3 months.

Type 1 interferons: A target for immune-mediated inflammatory diseases (IMIDs)

The improved understanding of the molecular basis of innate immunity have led to the identification of type I interferons (IFNs), particularly IFN-α, as central mediators in the pathogenesis of several Immune-mediated inflammatory diseases (IMIDs) such as systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), systemic sclerosis, inflammatory myositis and Sjögren's syndrome. Here, we review the main data regarding the opportunity to target type I IFNs for the treatment of IMIDs. Type I IFNs and their downstream pathways can be targeted pharmacologically in several manners. One approach is to use monoclonal antibodies against IFNs or the IFN-receptors (IFNARs, such as with anifrolumab). The downstream signaling pathways of type I IFNs also contain several targets of interest in IMIDs, such as JAK1 and Tyk2. Of these, anifrolumab is licensed and JAK1/Tyk2 inhibitors are in phase III trials in SLE. Targeting IFN-Is for the treatment of SLE is already a reality and in the near future may prove useful in other IMIDs. IFN assays will find a role in routine clinical practice for the care of IMIDs as further validation work is completed and a greater range of targeted therapies becomes available.

Rapid Improvement in Recalcitrant Cutaneous Juvenile Dermatomyositis With Anifrolumab Treatment

This case report describes a 14-year-old girl with juvenile dermatomyositis who presented with a 6-year history of a pruritic, photosensitive eruption involving her face, neck, trunk, and extremities and was successfully treated with anifrolumab.

Cutaneous Lupus Erythematosus: Review and Considerations for Older Populations

Though more common earlier in life, increasing attention is being focused on the development of cutaneous lupus erythematosus (CLE) in patients with advancing age. Studies show that CLE is more common in older populations than previously thought, and all CLE subtypes are possible in this group. Just like patients in the third or fourth decade of life, CLE may appear alongside or independent of systemic lupus erythematosus. Older populations manifesting CLE for the first time seem to have a lower risk of progression to systemic disease than younger peers, and are more commonly White. CLE must be carefully distinguished from other skin conditions that have a predilection for presentation in older populations, including rosacea, lichen planus, and other autoimmune conditions such as dermatomyositis or pemphigus/pemphigoid. It is thought that most CLE in older populations is drug-induced, with drug-induced subacute cutaneous lupus erythematosus being the most common subtype. Management of CLE in older patients focuses on eliminating unnecessary medications known to induce CLE, and otherwise treatment proceeds similarly to that in younger patients, with a few special considerations.

Anifrolumab: first biologic approved in the EU not restricted to patients with a high degree of disease activity for the treatment of moderate to severe systemic lupus erythematosus

INTRODUCTION

Type 1 interferons (IFNs) play a crucial role in the pathogenesis of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and various type I IFNs targeting therapeutic approaches have been developed. Anifrolumab, a monoclonal antibody that binds to the subunit 1 of the type I IFN receptor, has acquired considerable interest and has entered different clinical human trials willing to evaluate its efficacy and safety.

AREAS COVERED

This review summarizes the data obtained in phases 1, 2, and 3 clinical trials of anifrolumab for SLE patients. A focus is made on data of clinical efficacy and safety obtained in MUSE, TULIP-1 and TULIP-2 trials.

EXPERT OPINION/COMMENTARY

Anifrolumab is a promising therapeutic option for patients with SLE, currently authorized for moderate-to-severe SLE. Extensive real-world use is now going to generate data required to gain experience on the type of patients who benefit the most from the drug, and the exact positioning of anifrolumab in the therapeutic plan.

Case series of anifrolumab for treatment of cutaneous lupus erythematosus and lupus-related mucocutaneous manifestations in patients with SLE

OBJECTIVE

To assess the efficacy of anifrolumab, a type-1 interferon receptor subunit-1 monoclonal antibody, in treating refractory cutaneous lupus erythematosus (CLE) and lupus non-specific mucocutaneous manifestations in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).

METHODS

A case series comprising four SLE patients with refractory CLE received anifrolumab (300mg) as add-on therapy. Medical history, serological markers and images were collected. Cutaneous Lupus Erythematosus Disease Area and Severity Index-Activity (CLASI-A) was assessed at baseline and post-treatment visits.

RESULTS

Patient 1: Anifrolumab effectively treated refractory chronic cutaneous lupus erythematosus with lupus panniculitis and calcinosis cutis.Patient 2: Anifrolumab demonstrated rapid improvement in generalised discoid lupus, achieving a substantial reduction in CLASI-A from 40 to 8.Patient 3: Switching from belimumab to anifrolumab led to notable improvement in photosensitivity and tumid lupus.Patient 4: Anifrolumab effectively managed refractory subacute cutaneous lupus erythematosus, resulting in remarkable cutaneous improvement and successful tapering of prednisone and mycophenolate mofetil.

CONCLUSION

Anifrolumab demonstrates efficacy in treating refractory CLE subtypes and lupus non-specific mucocutaneous manifestations in SLE patients. Further studies are needed to establish response rates, optimal dosing, and long-term outcomes.

Anifrolumab for Moderate and Severe Muco-Cutaneous Lupus Erythematosus: A Monocentric Experience and Review of the Current Literature

Refractory cutaneous manifestations constitute a significant unmet need in patients with cutaneous lupus (CLE), even in the setting of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) with otherwise good control of inflammatory manifestations. Anifrolumab, an anti-interferon I receptor monoclonal antibody has recently been approved for serologically positive SLE with or without CLE, but real-life efficacy and safety data are currently limited. In addition, relatively limited evidence exists about the spectrum of cutaneous manifestations potentially benefitting from anifrolumab treatment and about the optimal clinimetrics to monitor treatment efficacy. While summarising current evidence on the topic in the literature, we report on four patients with SLE and refractory CLE who were successfully treated with anifrolumab. We also describe the potential usefulness and complementarity of the cutaneous lupus activity investigator's global assessment (CLA-IGA) in assessing cutaneous activity in patients treated with anifrolumab.

Anifrolumab for Adolescent Discoid Lupus Erythematosus

This case series describes the outcomes among adolescent patients with systemic lupus erythematosus and refractory discoid lupus erythematosus treated with anifrolumab.

Case Report: Response of cutaneous lupus lesions in SLE to interferon receptor blockade parallels reduction of interferon score in blood

Cutaneous lupus erythematosus (CLE), the main manifestation of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), is driven by type I interferons (IFNs) and often only partially responds to conventional therapies. Treatment of seven SLE patients with the monoclonal antibody anifrolumab induced fast and sustained remission of previously refractory CLE lesions, beginning within the first weeks of treatment. Decline in CLASI-A score was paralleled by a reduction in IFN score determined by mRNA expression of seven IFN-stimulated genes (ISGs) in blood. These data suggest that a subset of ISGs could be a valuable biomarker in CLE.

Improvement in mucosal discoid lupus erythematosus with anifrolumab

Anifrolumab is a fully humanized monoclonal antibody targeting the type I interferon receptor and recently approved for the treatment of moderate-to-severe systemic lupus erythematosus. In addition to ameliorating systemic lupus activity, anifrolumab has emerged as a promising therapeutic option for patients with refractory cutaneous discoid lupus erythematosus (DLE), but its effect on mucosal DLE has yet to be investigated. In a prospective study of seven patients with severe mucosal DLE treated with anifrolumab, we observed substantial improvement in mucosal disease activity within 1 month of anifrolumab initiation, suggesting that the impressive benefit of anifrolumab previously reported in cutaneous DLE extends to mucosal involvement.