Clinical response beyond the Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Responder Index: post-hoc analysis of the BLISS-SC study

Determination of plasma concentration of Belimumab by LC-MS/MS: Method development, validation, and clinical application

INTRODUCTION

Belimumab is a monoclonal antibody against B cell activating factor (BLyS). This monoclonal antibody (mAb) has been shown to be effective in reducing disease activity in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Belimumab is available in two forms as a lyophilized powder for intravenous (IV) use, or single-dose syringe for subcutaneous (SC) use. The aim of this study was to develop and validate a liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) method for quantitation of belimumab in human serum.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

All analyses relied on nano-surface and molecular-orientation limited (nSMOL) proteolysis coupled with LC-MS/MS. Quantifications was performed in multiple reactions monitoring (MRM) mode, and electrospray ionization was conducted in positive mode.

RESULTS

Belimumab was quantified with signature peptide QAPGQGLEWMGGIPFGTAK and normalized using P14R. The total run time per assay was 10 min. Linearity was measured from 5 to 800 μg/mL (r² > 0.995). Accuracy and precision based on three quality control levels range from 11.2 - 9.51 % and 1.24 - 13.12 % respectively. The carryover was less than 7 %. In all, 87 patient samples were processed (65, IV; 22, SC). Mean concentration of belimumab was significantly higher for SC (93.0 ± 74.0 µg/mL) than for IV (67.4 ± 38.9 µg/mL) administration.

CONCLUSION

We have developed the first method of belimumab quantification combining LC-MS/MS and nSMOL proteolysis. It can be used for future clinical pharmacokinetic studies of belimumab and for investigating the relationship between belimumab concentration, efficacy, and toxicity in SLE patients.

Association of Modified Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Responder Index Attainment With Long-Term Clinical Outcomes: A Five-Year Prospective Study

OBJECTIVE

In trials of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), the SLE Responder Index (SRI) is the most commonly used primary efficacy end point but has limited validation against long-term outcomes. We aimed to investigate associations of attainment of a modified version of the SRI (mSRI) with key clinical outcomes in SLE patients with up to 5 years of follow-up.

METHODS

We used data from a large multicenter, longitudinal SLE cohort in which patients received standard of care. The first visit with active disease (defined as SLE Disease Activity Index 2000 [SLEDAI-2K] score ≥6) was designated as baseline, and mSRI attainment (defined as a reduction in SLEDAI-2K ≥4 points with no worsening in physician global assessment ≥0.3 points) was determined at annual intervals from baseline up to 5 years. Associations between mSRI attainment and outcomes including disease activity, glucocorticoid dose, flare, damage accrual, Lupus Low Disease Activity State (LLDAS), and remission were studied.

RESULTS

We included 2,060 patients, with a median baseline SLEDAI-2K score of 8. An mSRI response was attained by 56% of patients at 1 year, with similar responder rates seen at subsequent annual time points. Compared to nonresponders, mSRI responders had significantly lower disease activity and prednisolone dose and higher proportions of LLDAS and remission attainment at each year, and less damage accrual at years 2 and 3. Furthermore, mSRI responder status at 1 year predicted clinical benefit at subsequent years across most outcomes, including damage accrual (odds ratio [OR] range 0.58-0.69, P < 0.05 for damage accrual ORs at all time points).

CONCLUSION

In SLE patients with active disease receiving standard of care, mSRI attainment predicts favorable outcomes over long-term follow-up, supporting the clinical meaningfulness of SRI attainment as an SLE trial end point.

Do biological agents improve health-related quality of life in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus? Results from a systematic search of the literature

Despite an unprecedented rise in the number of biological therapies developed for systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) during the last decades, most randomised clinical trials (RCTs) have failed to reach their primary efficacy endpoint. These endpoints mainly constitute composite outcomes that encompass disease activity indices derived from clinician-reported and laboratory data and do not necessarily reflect the patient perspective, as symptoms that represent major concerns to patients, such as fatigue, are seldom part of the evaluation. To overcome this limitation, patient-reported outcomes (PROs) constitute useful tools for evaluating the effect of an intervention on facets that are particularly relevant for the patients. In the present review, we performed a systematic literature search aiming to examine the effect of biological therapies on SLE patients' health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and fatigue in RCT and real-life settings. We summarised results concerning 14 different biological agents, the majority of which targeting B cells or type I interferons, and discuss strategies that have been used to analyse HRQoL data, putting emphasis on minimal clinically important differences and the potential use of PROs as distinct targets in treat-to-target approaches. Lastly, we discuss differences between generic and disease-specific PRO measures and highlight the need of using a combination thereof aiming to capture the patient perspective in a comprehensive manner.

Hollow Cobalt Oxide/Carbon Hybrids Aid Metabolic Encoding for Active Systemic Lupus Erythematosus during Pregnancy

A noninvasive, easy operation, and accurate diagnostic protocol is highly demanded to assess systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) activity during pregnancy, promising real-time activity monitoring during the whole gestational period to reduce adverse pregnancy outcomes. Here, machine learning of serum metabolic fingerprints (SMFs) is developed to assess the SLE activity for pregnant women. The SMFs are directly extracted through a hollow-cobalt oxide/carbon (Co₃ O₄ /C)-composite-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometer (LDI MS) platform. The Co₃ O₄ /C composite owns enhanced light absorption, size-selective trapping, and better charge-hole separation, enabling improved ionization efficiency and selectivity for LDI MS detection toward small molecules. Metabolic fingerprints are collected from ≈0.1 µL serum within 1 s without enrichment and encoded by the optimized elastic net algorithm. The averaged area under the curve (AUC) value in the differentiation of active SLE from inactive SLE and healthy controls reaches 0.985 and 0.990, respectively. Further, a simplified panel based on four identified metabolites is built to distinguish SLE flares in pregnant women with the highest AUC value of 0.875 for the blind test. This work sets an accurate and practical protocol for SLE activity assessment during pregnancy, promoting precision diagnosis of disease status transitions in clinics.

What Does It Mean to Be a British Isles Lupus Assessment Group-Based Composite Lupus Assessment Responder? Post Hoc Analysis of Two Phase III Trials

OBJECTIVE

The British Isles Lupus Assessment Group-based Composite Lupus Assessment (BICLA) is a validated global measure of treatment response in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) clinical trials. To understand the relevance of BICLA in clinical practice, we investigated relationships between BICLA response and routine SLE assessments, patient-reported outcomes (PROs), and medical resource utilization.

METHODS

This was a post hoc analysis of pooled data from the phase III, randomized, placebo-controlled, 52-week TULIP-1 (ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT02446912; n = 457) and TULIP-2 (ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT02446899; n = 362) trials of intravenous anifrolumab (150/300 mg once every 4 weeks) in patients with moderate-to-severe SLE. Changes from baseline to week 52 in clinical assessments, PROs, and medical resource use were compared in BICLA responders versus nonresponders, regardless of treatment assignment.

RESULTS

BICLA responders (n = 318) achieved significantly improved outcomes compared with nonresponders (n = 501), including lower flare rates, higher rates of attainment of sustained oral glucocorticoid taper to ≤7.5 mg/day, greater improvements in PROs (Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy-Fatigue, Short Form 36 Health Survey), and fewer SLE-related hospitalizations/emergency department visits (all nominal P < 0.001). Compared with nonresponders, BICLA responders had greater improvements in global and organ-specific disease activity (Physician's Global Assessment, SLE Disease Activity Index 2000, Cutaneous Lupus Erythematosus Disease Area and Severity Index Activity, and joint counts; all nominal P < 0.001). BICLA responders had fewer lupus-related serious adverse events than nonresponders.

CONCLUSION

BICLA response is associated with clinical benefit in SLE assessments, PROs, and medical resource utilization, confirming its value as a clinical trial end point that is associated with measures important to patient care.

Clinician-reported outcome measures in lupus trials: a problem worth solving

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) remains a disease of high unmet clinical need. Because of substantial patient heterogeneity, the execution of clinical trials that successfully determine the efficacy of novel therapeutics compared with placebo is a continuous challenge. Clinician-reported outcome measures of treatment response used in SLE trials have evolved from the use of individual disease activity indices, including the SLE Disease Activity Index (SLEDAI) and British Isles Lupus Assessment Group (BILAG), to composite responder definitions such as the SLE Responder Index (SRI) and BILAG-Based Composite Lupus Assessment (BICLA), which are based on these indices. However, these approaches have notable drawbacks and defining the optimal clinical trial outcome measure for SLE remains a research goal. In this Viewpoint, we explore the strengths and limitations of existing indices and composite assessments, illustrating features which should be investigated in future analysis of trial data. Further, we provide a platform from which to advance new approaches to endpoint design, which is crucial to improve the interpretability and success of subsequent clinical trials in SLE.

Alternative uses of ustekinumab for non-indicated dermatological conditions: a systematic review

Ustekinumab is approved for the treatment of psoriasis and Crohn's disease. Because many dermatological conditions are due to immune-mediated development, ustekinumab may be effective in other conditions. A systematic review of the off-label uses of ustekinumab, as well as on-label adverse effect, was performed, reporting on clinical improvement. MEDLINE, Embase, Web of Science, and Cochrane databases were searched for studies regarding ustekinumab treatment of rativa (HS), lichen planus (LP), pyoderma gangrenosum (PG), pityriasis rubra pilaris (PRP), cutalopecia areata (AA), atopic dermatitis (AD), Bechet's disease, bullous pemphigoid (BP), hidradenitis suppuaneous sarcoidosis, cutaneous systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), and vitiligo. Descriptive statistics were performed. 74 articles of 4596 screened were included, and reported on 212 patients receiving ustekinumab treatment. Across all studies, ustekinumab showed promise in treating patients: AA (10/12 patients; 83.3% improvement), AD (28/74 patients; 37.8% improvement), HS (42/52 patients; 80.8% improvement), and PRP (25/27 patients; 92.6% improvement), among others. Adverse events were noted with the use of ustekinumab, including development of AA (four patients), AD (three patients), and BP (four patients), among others. Ustekinumab can be a promising option for patients with dermatological conditions refractory to traditional therapies. Adverse events must be monitored in certain patients.

Adverse Health-Related Quality of Life Outcome Despite Adequate Clinical Response to Treatment in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus

Objective: To determine the prevalence of adverse health-related quality of life (HRQoL) outcomes in patients with SLE who achieved an adequate clinical response after a 52-week long standard therapy plus belimumab or placebo, and identify contributing factors.

Methods: We included patients who met the primary endpoint of the BLISS-52 (NCT00424476) and BLISS-76 (NCT00410384) trials, i.e., SLE Responder Index 4 (total population: N = 760/1,684; placebo: N = 217/562; belimumab 1 mg/kg: N = 258/559; belimumab 10 mg/kg: N = 285/563). Adverse HRQoL outcomes were defined as SF-36 scale scores ≤ the 5th percentile derived from age- and sex-matched population-based norms, and FACIT-Fatigue scores <30. We investigated factors associated with adverse HRQoL outcomes using logistic regression analysis.

Results: We found clinically important diminutions of HRQoL in SLE patients compared with matched norms and high frequencies of adverse HRQoL outcomes, the highest in SF-36 general health (29.1%), followed by FACIT-Fatigue (25.8%) and SF-36 physical functioning (25.4%). Overall, frequencies were higher with increasing age. Black/African American and White/Caucasian patients reported higher frequencies than Asians and Indigenous Americans, while Hispanics experienced adverse HRQoL outcome less frequently than non-Hispanics. Established organ damage was associated with adverse physical but not mental HRQoL outcomes; particularly, damage in the cardiovascular (OR: 2.12; 95% CI: 1.07–4.21; P = 0.032) and musculoskeletal (OR: 1.41; 95% CI: 1.01–1.96; P = 0.041) domains was associated with adverse SF-36 physical component summary. Disease activity showed no impact on HRQoL outcomes. In multivariable logistic regression analysis, addition of belimumab to standard therapy was associated with lower frequencies of adverse SF-36 physical functioning (OR: 0.59; 95% CI: 0.39–0.91; P = 0.016) and FACIT-F (OR: 0.53; 95% CI: 0.34–0.81; P = 0.004).

Conclusions: Despite adequate clinical response to standard therapy plus belimumab or placebo, a substantial proportion of SLE patients still reported adverse HRQoL outcomes. While no impact was documented for disease activity, established organ damage contributed to adverse outcome within physical HRQoL aspects and add-on belimumab was shown to be protective against adverse physical functioning and severe fatigue.

[Deescalation and glucocorticoid-free treatment in SLE]

Treatment of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) without permanent glucocorticoid therapy is inconceivable for most patients and their physicians. Although we have significantly improved the prognosis of SLE, management remains constrained by a lack of effective, targeted therapies and the lack of evidence-based approaches to the use of existing compounds. For example, for glucocorticoids (GC), which are used continuously in a majority of patients, there are no evidence-based recommendations for initiation, tapering, and cessation in the treatment of SLE. Even today, GC are without alternatives in acute situations, especially organ- or life-threatening ones. However, due to the known long-term adverse effects, the role of GC is viewed increasingly critically. Long-term data from cohorts show that the use of GC actually contributes to morbidity and mortality in SLE. Strategies to reduce the use of GC in SLE are therefore urgently needed and are proposed in this paper.

[Pathogenesis of systemic lupus erythematosus]

The causes of diseases and disorders of the immune system, which lead to the development of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), are not yet completely understood; however, it is known that there are various mechanisms, which can lead to SLE. The development of the disease is based on an underlying genetic disposition but is first triggered by exposure to environmental factors, such as sunburn, viral infections or vitamin D deficiency. Disease flares can also be triggered by environmental factors. Many disease manifestations are caused by pathogenic autoantibodies; hence, B‑cells and plasma cells play a critical role in the pathogenesis of SLE. This review provides an overview of the most frequent factors leading to the development of SLE and describes the key mechanisms of its pathogenesis.