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Papachristodoulou E, Kyttaris VC. New and emerging therapies for systemic lupus erythematosus. Clin Immunol 2024; 263:110200. [PMID: 38582250 DOI: 10.1016/j.clim.2024.110200] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2024] [Revised: 03/23/2024] [Accepted: 04/01/2024] [Indexed: 04/08/2024]
Abstract
Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) and lupus nephritis treatment is still based on non-specific immune suppression despite the first biological therapy for the disease having been approved more than a decade ago. Intense basic and translational research has uncovered a multitude of pathways that are actively being evaluated as treatment targets in SLE and lupus nephritis, with two new medications receiving FDA approval in the last 3 years. Herein we provide an overview of targeted therapies for SLE including medications targeting the B lymphocyte compartment, intracellular signaling, co-stimulation, and finally the interferons and other cytokines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eleni Papachristodoulou
- Division of Rheumatology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Vasileios C Kyttaris
- Division of Rheumatology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
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2
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Kostopoulou M, Mukhtyar CB, Bertsias G, Boumpas DT, Fanouriakis A. Management of systemic lupus erythematosus: a systematic literature review informing the 2023 update of the EULAR recommendations. Ann Rheum Dis 2024:ard-2023-225319. [PMID: 38777375 DOI: 10.1136/ard-2023-225319] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2023] [Accepted: 05/10/2024] [Indexed: 05/25/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To analyse the new evidence (2018-2022) for the management of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) to inform the 2023 update of the European League Against Rheumatism (EULAR) recommendations. METHODS Systematic literature reviews were performed in the Medline and the Cochrane Library databases capturing publications from 1 January 2018 through 31 December 2022, according to the EULAR standardised operating procedures. The research questions focused on five different domains, namely the benefit/harm of SLE treatments, the benefits from the attainment of remission/low disease activity, the risk/benefit from treatment tapering/withdrawal, the management of SLE with antiphospholipid syndrome and the safety of immunisations against varicella zoster virus and SARS-CoV2 infection. A Population, Intervention, Comparison and Outcome framework was used to develop search strings for each research topic. RESULTS We identified 439 relevant articles, the majority being observational studies of low or moderate quality. High-quality randomised controlled trials (RCTs) documented the efficacy of the type 1 interferon receptor inhibitor, anifrolumab, in non-renal SLE, and belimumab and voclosporin, a novel calcineurin inhibitor, in lupus nephritis (LN), when compared with standard of care. For the treatment of specific organ manifestations outside LN, a lack of high-quality data was documented. Multiple observational studies confirmed the beneficial effects of attaining clinical remission or low disease activity, reducing the risk for multiple adverse outcomes. Two randomised trials with some concerns regarding risk of bias found higher rates of relapse in patients who discontinued glucocorticoids (GC) or immunosuppressants in SLE and LN, respectively, yet observational cohort studies suggest that treatment withdrawal might be feasible in a subset of patients. CONCLUSION Anifrolumab and belimumab achieve better disease control than standard of care in extrarenal SLE, while combination therapies with belimumab and voclosporin attained higher response rates in high-quality RCTs in LN. Remission and low disease activity are associated with favourable long-term outcomes. In patients achieving these targets, GC and immunosuppressive therapy may gradually be tapered. Cite Now.
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Affiliation(s)
- Myrto Kostopoulou
- Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology Unit, Attikon University Hospital, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens School of Medicine, Athens, Greece
| | - Chetan B Mukhtyar
- Vasculitis Service, Rheumatology Department, Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital NHS Trust, Norwich, UK
| | - George Bertsias
- Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, University of Crete, School of Medicine, Heraklion, Greece
- Laboratory of Autoimmunity and Inflammation, Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, Heraklion, Greece
| | - Dimitrios T Boumpas
- Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology Unit, Attikon University Hospital, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens School of Medicine, Athens, Greece
- Laboratory of Autoimmunity and Inflammation, Biomedical Research Foundation of the Academy of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Antonis Fanouriakis
- Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology Unit, Attikon University Hospital, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens School of Medicine, Athens, Greece
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Pitsigavdaki S, Nikoloudaki M, Garantziotis P, Silvagni E, Repa A, Marangoni A, Flouri I, Avgoustidis N, Parperis K, Fanouriakis A, Govoni M, Sidiropoulos P, Boumpas DT, Bortoluzzi A, Bertsias G. Pragmatic targets for moderate/severe SLE and their implications for clinical care and trial design: sustained DORIS or LLDAS for at least 6 months is sufficient while their attainment for at least 24 months ensures high specificity for damage-free progression. Ann Rheum Dis 2024; 83:464-474. [PMID: 38233103 PMCID: PMC10958283 DOI: 10.1136/ard-2023-224919] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2023] [Accepted: 12/29/2023] [Indexed: 01/19/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Treatment targets in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) have been validated in unselected-in terms of severity-cohorts, which limits their generalisability. We assessed remission (Definition of Remission in SLE (DORIS)) and Lupus Low Disease Activity State (LLDAS) in a historical cohort of 348 patients with active moderate-to-severe disease and median follow-up of 5 years. METHODS Active SLE was defined as Physician Global Assessment ≥1.5 and/or SLE Disease Activity Index 2000 ≥6, requiring therapy intensification. DORIS/LLDAS, organ damage, flares and adverse events were monitored. Shared frailty survival, generalised linear models and K-means clustering were applied. RESULTS Sustained DORIS and LLDAS for ≥6 months occurred in 41.1% and 80.4%, respectively, and resulted in reduced damage accrual (HR: 0.58; 95% CI 0.36 to 0.93 and 0.61; 0.43 to 0.86) and severe flares (HR: 0.14; 0.08 to 0.27 and 0.19; 0.13 to 0.27). LLDAS without DORIS was also protective (HR: 0.65; 0.43 to 0.98 for damage, 0.49; 0.36 to 0.67 for flares). Models fitting increasing duration of targets showed that DORIS ≥50% and LLDAS ≥60% of time, or alternatively, ≥24 and ≥36 months, achieved optimal balance between feasibility (20.2-41.7%) and specificity (73.3-86.1%) for damage-free outcome. These targets were linked to reduced serious adverse events (risk ratio (RR): 0.56-0.71), hospitalisation (RR: 0.70) and mortality (RR: 0.06-0.13). Patients with predominant arthritis and mucocutaneous disease experienced reduced DORIS/LLDAS, compared with counterparts with major organ involvement. Conventional drugs were more frequently used in the former group, whereas potent immunosuppressive/biological agents in the latter. CONCLUSIONS In moderate-to-severe SLE, sustained DORIS/LLDAS for at least 6 months is sufficient, while attainment for at least 24 months ensures higher specificity for damage-free progression, thus facilitating treat-to-target strategies and clinical trials. Arthritis and skin disease represent unmet therapeutic needs that could benefit from novel biologics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sofia Pitsigavdaki
- Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, University of Crete School of Medicine, Heraklion, Greece
| | - Myrto Nikoloudaki
- Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, University of Crete School of Medicine, Heraklion, Greece
| | - Panagiotis Garantziotis
- Laboratory of Autoimmunity and Inflammation, Centre of Clinical, Experimental Surgery and Translational Research, Biomedical Research Foundation of the Academy of Athens, Athens, Greece
- Internal Medicine 3-Rheumatology and Immunology, Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg and University Hospital of Erlangen, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Ettore Silvagni
- Rheumatology Unit, Department of Medical Sciences, University of Ferrara and Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria S.Anna, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Argyro Repa
- Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, University of Crete School of Medicine, Heraklion, Greece
| | - Antonio Marangoni
- Rheumatology Unit, Department of Medical Sciences, University of Ferrara and Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria S.Anna, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Irini Flouri
- Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, University of Crete School of Medicine, Heraklion, Greece
| | - Nestor Avgoustidis
- Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, University of Crete School of Medicine, Heraklion, Greece
| | - Konstantinos Parperis
- Division of Rheumatology, Department of Medicine, University of Cyprus Medical School, Nicosia, Cyprus
| | - Antonis Fanouriakis
- Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology Unit, 4th Department of Internal Medicine, Attikon University Hospital, Joint Rheumatology Program, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens Medical School, Athens, Greece
| | - Marcello Govoni
- Rheumatology Unit, Department of Medical Sciences, University of Ferrara and Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria S.Anna, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Prodromos Sidiropoulos
- Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, University of Crete School of Medicine, Heraklion, Greece
- Division of Immunity, Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology-Foundation for Research and Technology - Hellas (FORTH), Heraklion, Greece
| | - Dimitrios T Boumpas
- Laboratory of Autoimmunity and Inflammation, Centre of Clinical, Experimental Surgery and Translational Research, Biomedical Research Foundation of the Academy of Athens, Athens, Greece
- Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology Unit, 4th Department of Internal Medicine, Attikon University Hospital, Joint Rheumatology Program, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens Medical School, Athens, Greece
| | - Alessandra Bortoluzzi
- Rheumatology Unit, Department of Medical Sciences, University of Ferrara and Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria S.Anna, Ferrara, Italy
| | - George Bertsias
- Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, University of Crete School of Medicine, Heraklion, Greece
- Division of Immunity, Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology-Foundation for Research and Technology - Hellas (FORTH), Heraklion, Greece
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Goldner B, Staffier KL. Case series: raw, whole, plant-based nutrition protocol rapidly reverses symptoms in three women with systemic lupus erythematosus and Sjögren's syndrome. Front Nutr 2024; 11:1208074. [PMID: 38505266 PMCID: PMC10949923 DOI: 10.3389/fnut.2024.1208074] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2023] [Accepted: 01/05/2024] [Indexed: 03/21/2024] Open
Abstract
Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and Sjögren's syndrome (SS) are chronic autoimmune diseases. Symptoms of SLE can vary widely but often include fatigue, pain, photosensitivity, and, in some cases, nephritis. SS is frequently characterized by extreme dry eye and mouth, resulting from damage to moisture-producing glands, and is often present in combination with SLE. While the health benefits of plant-based diets have been well-established with respect to weight and cardiometabolic outcomes, less research is available to support the role of diet in treatment and management of autoimmune disease. This case series presents three women with SLE and SS who adopted a nutrition protocol to reverse symptoms of autoimmune disease. The protocol emphasizes leafy greens, cruciferous vegetables, omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids, and water, and includes predominately raw foods. The three patients reported dramatic improvements in physical symptoms, with nearly all symptoms of SLE and SS resolving after 4 weeks or less of adhering to the protocol. All three patients have remained symptom-free, two of whom have remained symptom-free for 6+ years with no recent medication use. Patients and practitioners should be made aware of the promising possibility of food as medicine in the treatment of SLE and SS. Future research should explore whether dietary changes may be a potential treatment strategy for individuals suffering from severe symptoms and poor quality of life due to SLE and SS.
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Mysler E, Monticielo OA, Al-Homood IA, Lau CS, Hussein H, Chen YH. Opportunities and challenges of lupus care in Latin America, the Middle East, and Asia-Pacific: A call to action. Mod Rheumatol 2024:roae001. [PMID: 38531074 DOI: 10.1093/mr/roae001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2023] [Accepted: 12/27/2023] [Indexed: 03/28/2024]
Abstract
Lupus remains a disease with a low prioritisation in the national agendas of many countries in Latin America, the Middle East, and Asia-Pacific, where there is a dearth of rheumatologists and limited access to new or even standard lupus treatments. There is thus an important need for education, advocacy, and outreach to prioritise lupus in these regions to ensure that patients receive the care they need. This article reviews some of the specific challenges facing the care and management of people with lupus in these regions and suggests strategies for improving patient outcomes. Specifically, we review and discuss (with a focus on the aforementioned regions) the epidemiology of lupus; economic costs, disease burden, and effects on quality of life; barriers to care related to disease assessment; barriers to effective treatment, including limitations of standard treatments, high glucocorticoid use, inadequate access to new treatments, and low adherence to medications; and strategies to improve lupus management and patient outcomes. We hope that this represents a call to action to come together and act now for the lupus community, policymakers, health authorities, and healthcare professionals to improve lupus management and patient outcomes in Latin America, the Middle East, and Asia-Pacific.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eduardo Mysler
- Organización Medica de Investigación, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Odirlei Andre Monticielo
- Rheumatology Division, Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
| | | | - Chak Sing Lau
- Department of Medicine, LKS Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong, China
| | | | - Yi-Hsing Chen
- Taichung Veterans General Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan, Republic of China
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Parra Sánchez AR, van Vollenhoven RF, Morand EF, Bruce IN, Kandane-Rathnayake R, Weiss G, Tummala R, Al-Mossawi H, Sorrentino A. Targeting DORIS Remission and LLDAS in SLE: A Review. Rheumatol Ther 2023; 10:1459-1477. [PMID: 37798595 PMCID: PMC10654283 DOI: 10.1007/s40744-023-00601-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2023] [Accepted: 09/19/2023] [Indexed: 10/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Remission is the established therapeutic goal for patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and is currently defined by the widely adopted Definition Of Remission In SLE (DORIS) criteria. Attainment of remission is rare in the clinical setting, thus an alternative, pragmatic treatment target of low disease activity, as defined by the Lupus Low Disease Activity State (LLDAS), provides a less stringent and more attainable treatment goal for a wider proportion of patients compared with DORIS remission. Randomized controlled trials and real-world analyses have confirmed the positive clinical benefits of achieving either DORIS remission or LLDAS. The treat-to-target (T2T) approach utilizes practical clinical targets to proactively tailor individual treatment regimens. Studies in other chronic inflammatory diseases using the T2T approach demonstrated significantly improved clinical outcomes and quality-of-life measures compared with established standard of care. However, such trials have not yet been performed in patients with SLE. Here we review the evolution of DORIS remission and LLDAS definitions and the evidence supporting the positive clinical outcomes following DORIS remission or LLDAS attainment, before discussing considerations for implementation of these outcome measures as potential T2T objectives. Adoption of DORIS remission and LLDAS treatment goals may result in favorable patient outcomes compared with established standard of care for patients with SLE.
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Affiliation(s)
- Agner R Parra Sánchez
- Amsterdam Rheumatology Center ARC, Department of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, Amsterdam University Medical Centre, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
| | - Ronald F van Vollenhoven
- Amsterdam Rheumatology Center ARC, Department of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, Amsterdam University Medical Centre, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Eric F Morand
- Sub-Faculty of Clinical and Molecular Medicine, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, Australia
| | - Ian N Bruce
- Centre for Musculoskeletal Research, Division of Musculoskeletal and Dermatological Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, The University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
- NIHR Manchester Biomedical Research Centre, Manchester University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, Manchester, UK
| | | | - Gudrun Weiss
- Global Medical Affairs, Respiratory and Immunology, BioPharmaceuticals Medical, AstraZeneca, Cambridge, UK
| | - Raj Tummala
- Clinical Development, Late Respiratory and Immunology, BioPharmaceuticals R&D, AstraZeneca, Gaithersburg, MD, USA
| | - Hussein Al-Mossawi
- Clinical Development, Late Respiratory and Immunology, BioPharmaceuticals R&D, AstraZeneca, Cambridge, UK
| | - Alessandro Sorrentino
- Global Medical Affairs, Respiratory and Immunology, BioPharmaceuticals Medical, AstraZeneca, Cambridge, UK
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7
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Cruciani C, Zen M, Gatto M, Morand E, Doria A. Assessment of disease activity and damage in SLE: Are we there yet? Best Pract Res Clin Rheumatol 2023; 37:101896. [PMID: 38044231 DOI: 10.1016/j.berh.2023.101896] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2023] [Accepted: 11/13/2023] [Indexed: 12/05/2023]
Abstract
Systemic Lupus Erythematosus is a systemic autoimmune disease characterized by a great heterogenicity in course and clinical manifestations. Although prognosis improved in the last decades of the 20th century, mortality remains higher than in the general population and uncontrolled disease activity and therapy-related adverse effects have been identified as major contributors to damage accrual and poor outcomes. Assessment of disease activity and damage in SLE represents a great challenge even to the expert rheumatologist. Global disease activity indices are tools developed to assess activity across multiple organ systems. Several disease activity indices have been developed over the years, each with its own strengths and weaknesses, and knowing them is essential for understanding research studies, such as clinical trials, in which they are used. Organ-specific activity indices have been developed concurrently to represent organ involvement such as glomerulonephritis, cutaneous and musculoskeletal lupus manifestations. Regarding damage, the SLICC/ACR damage index has proven to be an effective tool for damage accrual assessment, yet not devoid of drawbacks. This review provides an overview of the most frequently utilized indices developed for the assessment of activity and damage in SLE highlighting their pros and cons when applied to the research and clinical setting.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudio Cruciani
- Division of Rheumatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Azienda Ospedaliera di Padova, University of Padova, Padova, Veneto, Italy.
| | - Margherita Zen
- Division of Rheumatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Azienda Ospedaliera di Padova, University of Padova, Padova, Veneto, Italy.
| | - Mariele Gatto
- Rheumatology Unit, Department of Clinical and Biological Sciences, University of Turin and Turin Mauriziano Hospital, Turin, Italy.
| | - Eric Morand
- Centre for Inflammatory Diseases, Monash University, Rheumatology Unit, Monash Health, Melbourne, Australia.
| | - Andrea Doria
- Division of Rheumatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Azienda Ospedaliera di Padova, University of Padova, Padova, Veneto, Italy.
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Rosina S, Rebollo-Giménez AI, Consolaro A, Ravelli A. Treat-to-Target in Pediatric Rheumatic Diseases. Curr Rheumatol Rep 2023; 25:226-235. [PMID: 37584859 DOI: 10.1007/s11926-023-01112-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 05/29/2023] [Indexed: 08/17/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW To summarize the current evidence on the adoption of the treat-to-target (T2T) strategy in pediatric rheumatic diseases (PRD). RECENT FINDINGS The recent advances in the management of PRD have markedly increased the ability to achieve disease remission. Complete disease quiescence is regarded as the ideal therapeutic goal because its attainment leads to lesser long-term damage and physical disability, and to optimization of quality of life. Studies in adult rheumatic diseases have shown that patient outcomes are improved if complete suppression of the inflammatory process is aimed for by frequent adjustments of therapy according to quantitative indices. This approach, which underlies the T2T concept, has been applied in strategic trials in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Furthermore, recommendations for the T2T have been issued for RA and other adult rheumatic diseases. There is currently a growing interest for the introduction of T2T in PRD, and recommendations for treating juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) to target were promulgated. A similar initiative has been undertaken for childhood-onset systemic lupus erythematosus. Preliminary therapeutic studies have explored the T2T design in JIA. The T2T strategy is a modern therapeutic approach that holds the promise of improving the outcomes in patients with PRD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Silvia Rosina
- UOC Reumatologia E Malattie Autoinfiammatorie, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Genoa, Italy.
| | | | - Alessandro Consolaro
- UOC Reumatologia E Malattie Autoinfiammatorie, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Genoa, Italy
- Dipartimento Di Neuroscienze, Scienze Materno-Infantili, Università Degli Studi Di Genova, RiabilitazioneGenoa, Oftalmologia, Geneticae , Italy
| | - Angelo Ravelli
- Dipartimento Di Neuroscienze, Scienze Materno-Infantili, Università Degli Studi Di Genova, RiabilitazioneGenoa, Oftalmologia, Geneticae , Italy
- Direzione Scientifica, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Genoa, Italy
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9
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Abstract
Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a severe multisystem autoimmune disease that can cause injury in almost every body system. While considered a classic example of autoimmunity, it is still relatively poorly understood. Treatment with immunosuppressive agents is challenging, as many agents are relatively non-specific, and the underlying disease is characterized by unpredictable flares and remissions. This State of The Art Review provides a comprehensive current summary of systemic lupus erythematosus based on recent literature. In basic and translational science, this summary includes the current state of genetics, epigenetics, differences by ancestry, and updates about the molecular and immunological pathogenesis of systemic lupus erythematosus. In clinical science, the summary includes updates in diagnosis and classification, clinical features and subphenotypes, and current guidelines and strategies for treatment. The paper also provides a comprehensive review of the large number of recent clinical trials in systemic lupus erythematosus. Current knowns and unknowns are presented, and potential directions for the future are suggested. Improved knowledge of immunological pathogenesis and the molecular differences that exist between patients should help to personalize treatment, minimize side effects, and achieve better outcomes in this difficult disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eric F Morand
- School of Clinical Sciences, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
- Department of Rheumatology, Monash Health, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
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10
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Connelly K, Eades LE, Koelmeyer R, Ayton D, Golder V, Kandane-Rathnayake R, Gregory K, Brunner H, Burke L, Arnaud L, Askanase A, Aranow C, Vital E, Pons-Estel G, Dantata K, Andersen J, Cornet A, Buie J, Sun Y, Tanaka Y, Simon L, Lahoud Y, Friedman A, Kalunian K, Zuraw Q, Werth V, Garces S, Morand EF. Towards a novel clinical outcome assessment for systemic lupus erythematosus: first outcomes of an international taskforce. Nat Rev Rheumatol 2023; 19:592-602. [PMID: 37433880 DOI: 10.1038/s41584-023-00993-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 06/09/2023] [Indexed: 07/13/2023]
Abstract
Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a disease of high unmet therapeutic need. The challenge of accurately measuring clinically meaningful responses to treatment has hindered progress towards positive outcomes in SLE trials, impeding the approval of potential new therapies. Current primary end points used in SLE trials are based on legacy disease activity measures that were neither specifically designed for the clinical trial context, nor developed according to contemporary recommendations for clinical outcome assessments (COAs), such as that substantial patient input should be incorporated into their design. The Treatment Response Measure for SLE (TRM-SLE) Taskforce is a global collaboration of SLE clinician-academics, patients and patient representatives, industry partners and regulatory experts, established to realize the goal of developing a new COA for SLE clinical trials. The aim of this project is a novel COA designed specifically to measure treatment effects that are clinically meaningful to patients and clinicians, and intended for implementation in a trial end point that supports regulatory approval of novel therapeutic agents in SLE. This Consensus Statement reports the first outcomes of the TRM-SLE project, including a structured process for TRM-SLE development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kathryn Connelly
- School of Clinical Sciences at Monash Health, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia.
| | - Laura E Eades
- School of Clinical Sciences at Monash Health, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
| | - Rachel Koelmeyer
- School of Clinical Sciences at Monash Health, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
| | - Darshini Ayton
- School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
| | - Vera Golder
- School of Clinical Sciences at Monash Health, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
| | | | - Kate Gregory
- School of Clinical Sciences at Monash Health, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
| | - Hermine Brunner
- Division of Rheumatology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital, University of Cincinnati, Cincinatti, OH, USA
| | | | - Laurent Arnaud
- Department of Rheumatology, National Reference Center for Autoimmune Diseases (RESO), Hopitaux Universitaires de Strasbourg, Strasbourg, Alsace, France
| | - Anca Askanase
- Lupus Center, Columbia University Medical Center, New York City, NY, USA
| | - Cynthia Aranow
- Lupus Centre of Excellence, Feinstein Institutes for Medical Research, Northwell Health, Manhasset, NY, USA
| | - Ed Vital
- Leeds Institute of Rheumatic and Musculoskeletal Medicine, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK
- NIHR Leeds Biomedical Research Centre, Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, Leeds, UK
| | - Guillermo Pons-Estel
- Departamento de Medicina Interna, Centro Regional de Enfermedades Autoinmunes y Reumáticas de Grupo Oroño (GO CREAR), Rosario, Argentina
| | | | | | | | - Joy Buie
- Lupus Foundation of America, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Ying Sun
- Merck Healthcare KGaA, Darmstadt, Hesse, Germany
| | - Yoshiya Tanaka
- The First Department of Internal Medicine, University of Occupational and Environmental Health, Japan, Kitakyushu, Fukuoka, Japan
| | | | | | | | - Kenneth Kalunian
- Division of Rheumatology, Allergy and Immunology, University of California, San Diego, CA, USA
| | - Qing Zuraw
- Janssen Research and Development, Spring House, PA, USA
| | - Victoria Werth
- Department of Dermatology, Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | | | - Eric F Morand
- School of Clinical Sciences at Monash Health, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
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11
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Tanaka Y. Viewpoint on anifrolumab in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus and a high unmet need in clinical practice. RMD Open 2023; 9:e003270. [PMID: 37597847 PMCID: PMC10441065 DOI: 10.1136/rmdopen-2023-003270] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2023] [Accepted: 07/23/2023] [Indexed: 08/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a heterogeneous autoimmune disease characterised by unpredictable flares. Many patients with SLE are unable to achieve the recommended treatment goal of remission or the intermediate, yet still clinically beneficial, goal of Lupus Low Disease Activity State (LLDAS) with standard of care (SoC) treatments. LLDAS is an emerging treat-to-target goal in SLE with the aim of reducing organ damage and mortality. A high unmet need remains in SLE and mainstay glucocorticoid treatment is associated with unacceptable toxicity. The recently approved type I interferon receptor antagonist anifrolumab is a new treatment option for this historically underserved patient population. In phase 3 trials, a higher percentage of patients on anifrolumab achieved remission, as defined by the Definition Of Remission In SLE (DORIS), and LLDAS compared with placebo. Real-world clinical experience with anifrolumab use is still limited. Until real-world study results and updated treatment guidelines are available, personal expert clinical experience supported by data may inform clinical decision-making. This viewpoint article discusses four example patient types that could be considered for anifrolumab treatment based on (1) high-risk features early in the disease course, (2) inability to achieve and (3) maintain at least LLDAS, or (4) a desire to reduce or stop SoC. These patients with high unmet need may benefit from the addition of anifrolumab to SoC to achieve or maintain the therapeutic goals of LLDAS or DORIS remission.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yoshiya Tanaka
- The First Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Occupational and Environmental Health, Japan, Kitakyushu, Japan
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12
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Smith EMD, Aggarwal A, Ainsworth J, Al-Abadi E, Avcin T, Bortey L, Burnham J, Ciurtin C, Hedrich CM, Kamphuis S, Levy DM, Lewandowski LB, Maxwell N, Morand EF, Ozen S, Pain CE, Ravelli A, Saad Magalhaes C, Pilkington CA, Schonenberg-Meinema D, Scott C, Tullus K, Beresford MW. Towards development of treat to target (T2T) in childhood-onset systemic lupus erythematosus: PReS-endorsed overarching principles and points-to-consider from an international task force. Ann Rheum Dis 2023; 82:788-798. [PMID: 36627168 PMCID: PMC10314055 DOI: 10.1136/ard-2022-223328] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2022] [Accepted: 12/09/2022] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Application of 'treat-to-target' (T2T) in childhood-onset systemic lupus erythematosus (cSLE) may improve care and health outcomes. This initiative aimed to harmonise existing evidence and expert opinion regarding T2T for cSLE. METHODS An international T2T Task Force was formed of specialists in paediatric rheumatology, paediatric nephrology, adult rheumatology, patient and parent representatives. A steering committee formulated a set of draft overarching principles and points-to-consider, based on evidence from systematic literature review. Two on-line preconsensus meeting Delphi surveys explored healthcare professionals' views on these provisional overarching principles and points-to-consider. A virtual consensus meeting employed a modified nominal group technique to discuss, modify and vote on each overarching principle/point-to-consider. Agreement of >80% of Task Force members was considered consensus. RESULTS The Task Force agreed on four overarching principles and fourteen points-to-consider. It was agreed that both treatment targets and therapeutic strategies should be subject to shared decision making with the patient/caregivers, with full remission the preferred target, and low disease activity acceptable where remission cannot be achieved. Important elements of the points-to-consider included: aiming for prevention of flare and organ damage; glucocorticoid sparing; proactively addressing factors that impact health-related quality of life (fatigue, pain, mental health, educational challenges, medication side effects); and aiming for maintenance of the target over the long-term. An extensive research agenda was also formulated. CONCLUSIONS These international, consensus agreed overarching principles and points-to-consider for T2T in cSLE lay the foundation for future T2T approaches in cSLE, endorsed by the Paediatric Rheumatology European Society.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eve Mary Dorothy Smith
- Department of Women's & Children's Health, Institute of Life Course and Medical Sciences, University of Liverpool Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, Liverpool, UK
- Department of Paediatric Rheumatology, Alder Hey Children's NHS Foundation Trust, Liverpool, UK
| | - Amita Aggarwal
- Department of Clinical Immunology & Rheumatology, Sanjay Gandhi Post Graduate Institute of Medical Sciences, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - Jenny Ainsworth
- Department of Women's & Children's Health, Institute of Life Course and Medical Sciences, University of Liverpool Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, Liverpool, UK
- Department of Paediatric Rheumatology, Alder Hey Children's NHS Foundation Trust, Liverpool, UK
| | - Eslam Al-Abadi
- Department of Paediatric Rheumatology, Birmingham Children's Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, Birmingham, UK
| | - Tadej Avcin
- Department of Pediatric Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, University Medical Centre Ljubljana Division of Paediatrics, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Lynette Bortey
- TARGET Lupus Public Patient Involvement and Engagement Group, University of Liverpool Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, Liverpool, UK
| | - Jon Burnham
- Department of Pediatric Rheumatology, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Coziana Ciurtin
- Centre for Adolescent Rheumatology Versus Arthritis, Division of Medicine, University College London, London, UK
| | - Christian M Hedrich
- Department of Women's & Children's Health, Institute of Life Course and Medical Sciences, University of Liverpool Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, Liverpool, UK
- Department of Paediatric Rheumatology, Alder Hey Children's NHS Foundation Trust, Liverpool, UK
| | - Sylvia Kamphuis
- Department of Paediatric Rheumatology, Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Deborah M Levy
- Department of Pediatric Rheumatology, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Pediatric Rheumatology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Laura B Lewandowski
- National Institutes of Health, National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases Systemic Autoimmunity Branch, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Naomi Maxwell
- TARGET Lupus Public Patient Involvement and Engagement Group, University of Liverpool Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, Liverpool, UK
| | - Eric F Morand
- Department of Rheumatology, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
| | - Seza Ozen
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Rheumatology, Hacettepe University Faculty of Medicine, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Clare E Pain
- Department of Women's & Children's Health, Institute of Life Course and Medical Sciences, University of Liverpool Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, Liverpool, UK
- Department of Paediatric Rheumatology, Alder Hey Children's NHS Foundation Trust, Liverpool, UK
| | - Angelo Ravelli
- Direzione Scientifica, Istituto Giannina Gaslini Istituto Pediatrico di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico, Genova, Liguria, Italy
- Dipartimento di Neuroscienze, Riabilitazione, Oftalmologia, Genetica e Scienze Materno Infantili (DINIGMI), Università degli Studi di Genova, Genova, Italy
| | - Claudia Saad Magalhaes
- Department of Pediatric Rheumatology, Botucatu Medical School, Sao Paulo University Faculty of Medicine, Sao Paulo, Brazil
| | - Clarissa A Pilkington
- Department of Paediatric Rheumatology, Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children, London, UK
| | - Dieneke Schonenberg-Meinema
- Department of Pediatric Immunology, Rheumatology and Infectious Diseases, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Emma Children's Hospital, Amsterdam University Medical Centres, Duivendrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Christiaan Scott
- Department of Paediatric Rheumatology, University of Cape Town, Rondebosch, Western Cape, South Africa
| | - Kjell Tullus
- Department of Paediatric Nephrology, Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children, London, UK
| | - Michael William Beresford
- Department of Women's & Children's Health, Institute of Life Course and Medical Sciences, University of Liverpool Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, Liverpool, UK
- Department of Paediatric Rheumatology, Alder Hey Children's NHS Foundation Trust, Liverpool, UK
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13
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Hedrich CM, Beresford MW, Dedeoglu F, Hahn G, Hofmann SR, Jansson AF, Laxer RM, Miettunen P, Morbach H, Pain CE, Ramanan AV, Roberts E, Schnabel A, Theos A, Whitty L, Zhao Y, Ferguson PJ, Girschick HJ. Gathering expert consensus to inform a proposed trial in chronic nonbacterial osteomyelitis (CNO). Clin Immunol 2023; 251:109344. [PMID: 37098355 DOI: 10.1016/j.clim.2023.109344] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2022] [Revised: 12/23/2022] [Accepted: 04/07/2023] [Indexed: 04/27/2023]
Abstract
Chronic nonbacterial osteomyelitis (CNO) is an autoinflammatory bone disease that primarily affects children and adolescents. CNO is associated with pain, bone swelling, deformity, and fractures. Its pathophysiology is characterized by increased inflammasome assembly and imbalanced expression of cytokines. Treatment is currently based on personal experience, case series and resulting expert recommendations. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) have not been initiated because of the rarity of CNO, expired patent protection of some medications, and the absence of agreed outcome measures. An international group of fourteen CNO experts and two patient/parent representatives was assembled to generate consensus to inform and conduct future RCTs. The exercise delivered consensus inclusion and exclusion criteria, patent protected (excludes TNF inhibitors) treatments of immediate interest (biological DMARDs targeting IL-1 and IL-17), primary (improvement of pain; physician global assessment) and secondary endpoints (improved MRI; improved PedCNO score which includes physician and patient global scores) for future RCTs in CNO.
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Affiliation(s)
- C M Hedrich
- Department of Women's and Children's Health, Institute of Life Course and Medical Sciences, University of Liverpool, UK; Department of Paediatric Rheumatology, Alder Hey Children's NHS Foundation Trust Hospital, Liverpool, UK.
| | - M W Beresford
- Department of Women's and Children's Health, Institute of Life Course and Medical Sciences, University of Liverpool, UK; Department of Paediatric Rheumatology, Alder Hey Children's NHS Foundation Trust Hospital, Liverpool, UK
| | - F Dedeoglu
- Boston Children's Hospital & Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, MA, USA
| | - G Hahn
- Department of Radiology, University Medical Center Carl Gustav Carus, TU Dresden, Germany
| | - S R Hofmann
- Department of Paediatrics, University Medical Center Carl Gustav Carus, TU Dresden, Germany
| | - A F Jansson
- Department of Pediatrics, Dr von Hauner Children's Hospital, Ludwig Maximilian University, Munich, Germany
| | - R M Laxer
- The Hospital for Sick Children and University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - P Miettunen
- University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - H Morbach
- Pediatric Immunology, University Childrens' Hospital Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - C E Pain
- Department of Paediatric Rheumatology, Alder Hey Children's NHS Foundation Trust Hospital, Liverpool, UK
| | - A V Ramanan
- Paediatric Rheumatology, Bristol Royal Hospital for Children, Bristol and Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Bristol, United Kingdom
| | - E Roberts
- CNO/CRMO Patient Partner, Alder Hey Children's NHS Foundation Trust Hospital, Liverpool, UK
| | - A Schnabel
- Department of Paediatrics, University Medical Center Carl Gustav Carus, TU Dresden, Germany
| | - A Theos
- CNO/CRMO Patient/parent Partner, Department of Human Science, Georgetown University, Washington, DC, USA
| | - L Whitty
- Department of Women's and Children's Health, Institute of Life Course and Medical Sciences, University of Liverpool, UK
| | - Y Zhao
- Seattle Children's Hospital, University of Washington, Seattle, United States of America
| | - P J Ferguson
- University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine, Iowa City, Iowa, USA
| | - H J Girschick
- Vivantes Children's Hospital in Friedrichshain, Berlin, Germany
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14
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Morand EF, Vital EM, Petri M, van Vollenhoven R, Wallace DJ, Mosca M, Furie RA, Silk ME, Dickson CL, Meszaros G, Jia B, Crowe B, de la Torre I, Dörner T. Baricitinib for systemic lupus erythematosus: a double-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled, phase 3 trial (SLE-BRAVE-I). Lancet 2023; 401:1001-1010. [PMID: 36848918 DOI: 10.1016/s0140-6736(22)02607-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 39.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2022] [Revised: 09/30/2022] [Accepted: 12/02/2022] [Indexed: 03/01/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Baricitinib is an oral selective inhibitor of Janus kinase 1 and 2 approved for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis, atopic dermatitis, and alopecia areata. In a 24-week phase 2 study in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), baricitinib 4 mg significantly improved SLE disease activity compared with placebo. The objective of this trial was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of baricitinib in patients with active SLE in a 52-week phase 3 study. METHODS In a multicentre, double-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled, parallel-group, phase 3 study, SLE-BRAVE-I, patients (aged ≥18 years) with active SLE receiving stable background therapy were randomly assigned 1:1:1 to baricitinib 4 mg, 2 mg, or placebo once daily for 52 weeks with standard of care. Glucocorticoid tapering was encouraged but not required per protocol. The primary endpoint was the proportion of patients reaching an SLE Responder Index (SRI)-4 response at week 52 in the baricitinib 4 mg treatment group compared with placebo. The primary endpoint was assessed by logistic regression analysis with baseline disease activity, baseline corticosteroid dose, region, and treatment group in the model. Efficacy analyses were done on a modified intention-to-treat population, comprising all participants who were randomly assigned and received at least one dose of investigational product. Safety analyses were done on all randomly assigned participants who received at least one dose of investigational product and who did not discontinue from the study for the reason of lost to follow-up at the first post-baseline visit. This study is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT03616912. FINDINGS 760 participants were randomly assigned and received at least one dose of baricitinib 4 mg (n=252), baricitinib 2 mg (n=255), or placebo (n=253). A significantly greater proportion of participants who received baricitinib 4 mg (142 [57%]; odds ratio 1·57 [95% CI 1·09 to 2·27]; difference with placebo 10·8 [2·0 to 19·6]; p=0·016), but not baricitinib 2 mg (126 [50%]; 1·14 [0·79 to 1·65]; 3·9 [-4·9 to 12·6]; p=0·47), reached SRI-4 response compared with placebo (116 [46%]). There were no significant differences between the proportions of participants in either baricitinib group reaching any of the major secondary endpoints compared with placebo, including glucocorticoid tapering and time to first severe flare. 26 (10%) participants receiving baricitinib 4 mg had serious adverse events, 24 (9%) participants receiving baricitinib 2 mg, and 18 (7%) participants receiving placebo. The safety profile of baricitinib in participants with SLE was consistent with the known baricitinib safety profile. INTERPRETATION The primary endpoint in this study was met for the 4 mg baricitinib group. However, key secondary endpoints were not. No new safety signals were observed. FUNDING Eli Lilly and Company.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eric F Morand
- Centre for Inflammatory Disease, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia; School of Clinical Sciences, Monash University Clayton, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.
| | - Edward M Vital
- Leeds Institute of Rheumatic and Musculoskeletal Medicine, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK; NIHR Leeds Biomedical Research Centre, Leeds, UK
| | - Michelle Petri
- Division of Rheumatology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Ronald van Vollenhoven
- Department of Rheumatology, Amsterdam Rheumatology and Immunology Center, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Daniel J Wallace
- Division of Rheumatology, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, University of California at Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Marta Mosca
- Rheumatology Unit, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Richard A Furie
- Division of Rheumatology, Northwell Health and Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell, Great Neck, NY, USA
| | | | | | | | - Bochao Jia
- Eli Lilly and Company, Indianapolis, IN, USA
| | | | | | - Thomas Dörner
- Department of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, Charite Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany; Deutsches Rheumaforschungszentrum, Berlin, Germany
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15
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Petri M, Bruce IN, Dörner T, Tanaka Y, Morand EF, Kalunian KC, Cardiel MH, Silk ME, Dickson CL, Meszaros G, Zhang L, Jia B, Zhao Y, McVeigh CJ, Mosca M. Baricitinib for systemic lupus erythematosus: a double-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled, phase 3 trial (SLE-BRAVE-II). Lancet 2023; 401:1011-1019. [PMID: 36848919 DOI: 10.1016/s0140-6736(22)02546-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 48.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2022] [Accepted: 12/02/2022] [Indexed: 03/01/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Baricitinib is an oral selective inhibitor of Janus kinase 1 and 2 approved for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis, atopic dermatitis, and alopecia areata. In a 24-week phase 2 study in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), baricitinib 4 mg significantly improved SLE disease activity compared with placebo. In this Article, we report the evaluation of efficacy and safety of baricitinib in patients with SLE in a 52-week phase 3 study. METHODS In this phase 3 double-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled study, SLE-BRAVE-II, patients (aged ≥18 years) with active SLE receiving stable background therapy were randomly assigned 1:1:1 to baricitinib 4 mg, baricitinib 2 mg, or placebo once daily for 52 weeks. The primary endpoint was the proportion of patients with an SLE Responder Index (SRI)-4 response at week 52 in the baricitinib 4 mg treatment group compared with placebo. Glucocorticoid tapering was encouraged but not required per protocol. The primary endpoint was assessed by logistic regression analysis with baseline disease activity, baseline corticosteroid dose, region, and treatment group in the model. Efficacy analyses were done on an intention-to-treat population, comprising all participants who were randomly assigned and received at least one dose of investigational product and who did not discontinue from the study for the reason of lost to follow-up at the first post-baseline visit. Safety analyses were done on all randomly assigned participants who received at least one dose of investigational product and who did not discontinue. This study is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT03616964, and is complete. FINDINGS A total of 775 patients were randomly assigned and received at least one dose of baricitinib 4 mg (n=258), baricitinib 2 mg (n=261), or placebo (n=256). There was no difference in the primary efficacy outcome of the proportion of SRI-4 responders at week 52 between participants who received baricitinib 4mg (121 [47%]; odds ratio 1·07 [95% CI 0·75 to 1·53]; difference with placebo 1·5 [95% CI -7·1 to 10·2]), 2 mg (120 [46%]; 1·05 [0·73 to 1·50]; 0·8 [-7·9 to 9·4]) and placebo (116 [46%]). None of the major secondary endpoints, including glucocorticoid tapering and time to first severe flare, were met. Serious adverse events were observed in 29 (11%) participants in the baricitinib 4 mg group, 35 (13%) in the baricitinib 2 mg group, and 22 (9%) in the placebo group. The safety profile of baricitinib in patients with SLE was consistent with the known baricitinib safety profile. INTERPRETATION Although phase 2 data suggested baricitinib as a potential treatment for patients with SLE, which was supported in SLE-BRAVE-I, this result was not replicated in SLE-BRAVE-II. No new safety signals were observed. FUNDING Eli Lilly and Company.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michelle Petri
- Division of Rheumatology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA.
| | - Ian N Bruce
- Centre for Epidemiology Versus Arthritis, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK; National Institute for Health Research Manchester Biomedical Research Centre, Manchester University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, Manchester, UK
| | - Thomas Dörner
- Department of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, Charite Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany; Deutsches Rheumaforschungszentrum, Berlin, Germany
| | - Yoshiya Tanaka
- University of Occupational and Environmental Health, Japan, Kitakyushu, Japan
| | - Eric F Morand
- Centre for Inflammatory Disease, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Kenneth C Kalunian
- Division of Rheumatology, University of California San Diego School of Medicine, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Mario H Cardiel
- Centro de Investigación Clínica de Morelia SC, Morelia, Michoacán, Mexico
| | | | | | | | - Lu Zhang
- Eli Lilly and Company, Indianapolis, IN, USA
| | - Bochao Jia
- Eli Lilly and Company, Indianapolis, IN, USA
| | - Youna Zhao
- Eli Lilly and Company, Indianapolis, IN, USA
| | | | - Marta Mosca
- Rheumatology Unit, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
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16
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Morand E, Pike M, Merrill JT, van Vollenhoven R, Werth VP, Hobar C, Delev N, Shah V, Sharkey B, Wegman T, Catlett I, Banerjee S, Singhal S. Deucravacitinib, a Tyrosine Kinase 2 Inhibitor, in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus: A Phase II, Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial. Arthritis Rheumatol 2023; 75:242-252. [PMID: 36369798 PMCID: PMC10100399 DOI: 10.1002/art.42391] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 56.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2022] [Revised: 10/04/2022] [Accepted: 10/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To assess the efficacy and safety of deucravacitinib, an oral, selective, allosteric inhibitor of TYK2, in a phase II trial in adult patients with active systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). METHODS Adults with active SLE were enrolled from 162 sites in 17 countries. Patients (n = 363) were randomized 1:1:1:1 to receive deucravacitinib 3 mg twice daily, 6 mg twice daily, 12 mg once daily, or placebo. The primary end point was SLE Responder Index 4 (SRI-4) response at week 32. Secondary outcomes assessed at week 48 included SRI-4, British Isles Lupus Assessment Group-based Composite Lupus Assessment (BICLA) response, Cutaneous Lupus Erythematosus Disease Area and Severity Index 50 (CLASI-50), Lupus Low Disease Activity State (LLDAS), and improvements in active (swollen plus tender), swollen, and tender joint counts. RESULTS At week 32, the percentage of patients achieving SRI-4 response was 34% with placebo compared to 58% with deucravacitinib 3 mg twice daily (odds ratio [OR] 2.8 [95% confidence interval (95% CI) 1.5, 5.1]; P < 0.001 versus placebo), 50% with 6 mg twice daily (OR 1.9 [95% CI 1.0, 3.4]; P = 0.02 versus placebo), and 45% with 12 mg once daily (OR 1.6 [95% CI 0.8, 2.9]; nominal P = 0.08 versus placebo). Response rates were higher with deucravacitinib treatment for BICLA, CLASI-50, LLDAS, and joint counts compared to placebo. Rates of adverse events were similar across groups, except higher rates of infections and cutaneous events, including rash and acne, with deucravacitinib treatment. Rates of serious adverse events were comparable, with no deaths, opportunistic infections, tuberculosis infections, major adverse cardiovascular events, or thrombotic events reported. CONCLUSION Deucravacitinib treatment elicited higher response rates for SRI-4 and other end points compared with placebo, with an acceptable safety profile, in adult patients with active SLE.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eric Morand
- Monash University and Department of Rheumatology, Monash Health, Victoria, Australia
| | - Marilyn Pike
- MedPharm Consulting, Inc., Raleigh, North Carolina
| | | | | | - Victoria P Werth
- University of Pennsylvania and the Michael J. Crescenz VA Medical Center, Philadelphia
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17
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Doglio M, Alexander T, Del Papa N, Snowden JA, Greco R. New insights in systemic lupus erythematosus: From regulatory T cells to CAR-T-cell strategies. J Allergy Clin Immunol 2022; 150:1289-1301. [PMID: 36137815 DOI: 10.1016/j.jaci.2022.08.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2022] [Revised: 07/11/2022] [Accepted: 08/02/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Systemic lupus erythematous is a heterogeneous autoimmune disease with potentially multiorgan damage. Its complex etiopathogenesis involves genetic, environmental, and hormonal factors, leading to a loss of self-tolerance with autoantibody production and immune complex formation. Given the relevance of autoreactive B lymphocytes, several therapeutic approaches have been made targeting these cells. However, the disease remains incurable, reflecting an unmet need for effective strategies. Novel therapeutic concepts have been investigated to provide more specific and sustainable disease modification compared with continued immunosuppression. Autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation has already provided the proof-of-concept that immunodepletion can lead to durable treatment-free remissions, albeit with significant treatment-related toxicity. In the future, chimeric antigen receptor-T-cell therapies, for example, CD19 chimeric antigen receptor-T, may provide a more effective lymphodepletion and with less toxicity than autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. An emerging field is to enhance immune tolerance by exploiting the suppressive capacities of regulatory T cells, which are dysfunctional in patients with systemic lupus erythematous, and thus resemble promising candidates for adoptive cell therapy. Different approaches have been developed in this area, from polyclonal to genetically engineered regulatory T cells. In this article, we discuss the current evidence and future directions of cellular therapies for the treatment of systemic lupus erythematous, including hematopoietic stem cell transplantation and advanced regulatory T-cell-based cellular therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matteo Doglio
- Experimental Hematology Unit, Department of Immunology Transplantations and Infectious Diseases, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Vita-Salute University, Milan, Italy; Unit of Pediatric Immunohematology, San Raffaele Hospital, Milan, Italy
| | - Tobias Alexander
- Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health, Department of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, Berlin, Germany; Deutsches Rheuma-Forschungszentrum (DRFZ), an Institute of the Leibniz Association, Berlin, Germany.
| | | | - John A Snowden
- Department of Haematology, Sheffield Teaching Hospitals Foundation NHS Trust, Sheffield, United Kingdom
| | - Raffaella Greco
- Unit of Hematology and Bone Marrow Transplantation, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, Mila, Italy.
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18
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Altabás-González I, Rúa-Figueroa I, Rubiño F, Mouriño Rodríguez C, Hernández-Rodríguez I, Menor Almagro R, Uriarte Isacelaya E, Tomero Muriel E, Salman-Monte TC, Carrión-Barberà I, Galindo M, Rodríguez Almaraz EM, Jiménez N, Inês L, Pego-Reigosa JM. Does expert opinion match the definition of lupus low disease activity state? Prospective analysis of 500 patients from a Spanish multicentre cohort. Rheumatology (Oxford) 2022; 62:1162-1169. [PMID: 35961050 PMCID: PMC9977118 DOI: 10.1093/rheumatology/keac462] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2022] [Revised: 08/03/2022] [Accepted: 08/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To apply the lupus low disease activity state (LLDAS) definition within a large cohort of patients and to assess the agreement between the LLDAS and the physician's subjective evaluation of lupus activity. METHODS We conducted a cross-sectional analysis of a prospective multicentre study of SLE patients. We applied the LLDAS and assessed whether there was agreement with the clinical status according to the physician's opinion. RESULTS A total of 508 patients [92% women; mean age 50.4 years (s.d. 3.7)] were recruited and 304 (62.7%) patients were in the LLDAS. According to physician assessment, 430 (86.1%) patients were classified as remission or low activity. Overall agreement between both evaluations was 71.4% (95% CI: 70.1, 70.5) with a Cohen's κ of 0.3 [interquartile range (IQR) 0.22-0.37]. Most cases (96.1%) in the LLDAS were classified as remission or low activity by the expert. Of the patients who did not fulfil the LLDAS, 126 (70.4%) were classified as having remission/low disease activity. The main reasons for these discrepancies were the presence of new manifestations compared with the previous visit and a SLEDAI 2K score >4, mainly based on serological activity. CONCLUSIONS Almost two-thirds of SLE patients were in the LLDAS. There was a fair correlation between the LLDAS and the physician's evaluation. This agreement improves for patients fulfilling the LLDAS criteria. The discordance between both at defining lupus low activity, the demonstrated association of the LLDAS with better outcomes and the fact that the LLDAS is more stringent than the physician's opinion imply that we should use the LLDAS as a treat-to-target goal.
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Affiliation(s)
- Irene Altabás-González
- Correspondence to: Irene Altabás-González, Rheumatology Department, Complejo Hospitalario Universitario de Vigo, Galicia Sur Health Research Institute, Alto do Meixoeiro s/n, 36200 Vigo. Spain. E-mail:
| | - Iñigo Rúa-Figueroa
- Rheumatology Department, Hospital Universitario de Gran Canaria Dr. Negrín, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria
| | - Francisco Rubiño
- Rheumatology Department, Hospital Universitario de Gran Canaria Dr. Negrín, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria
| | - Coral Mouriño Rodríguez
- Rheumatology Department, Complejo Hospitalario Universitario de Vigo,Investigation in Rheumatology and Immune-Mediated Diseases Group, Galicia Sur Health Research Institute, Vigo
| | | | - Raul Menor Almagro
- Rheumatology Department, Hospital Universitario de Jerez de la Frontera, Cádiz
| | | | - Eva Tomero Muriel
- Rheumatology Department, Hospital Universitario de la Princesa, Madrid
| | | | | | - Maria Galindo
- Rheumatology Department, Hospital Universitario, 12 de Octubre, Madrid, Spain
| | | | - Norman Jiménez
- Investigation in Rheumatology and Immune-Mediated Diseases Group, Galicia Sur Health Research Institute, Vigo
| | - Luis Inês
- Rheumatology Department, Centro Hospitalar e Universitario de Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - José Maria Pego-Reigosa
- Rheumatology Department, Complejo Hospitalario Universitario de Vigo,Investigation in Rheumatology and Immune-Mediated Diseases Group, Galicia Sur Health Research Institute, Vigo
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Samões B, Zen M, Abelha-Aleixo J, Gatto M, Doria A. Caveats and pitfalls in defining low disease activity in systemic lupus erythematosus. Autoimmun Rev 2022; 21:103165. [PMID: 35931316 DOI: 10.1016/j.autrev.2022.103165] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2022] [Accepted: 07/31/2022] [Indexed: 11/02/2022]
Abstract
The treat-to-target strategy has been recently suggested in the management of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE). Lupus Low Disease Activity State (LLDAS) and Definitions Of Remission In SLE (DORIS) remission were outlined as two concentric targets. The achievement of LLDAS was shown to be associated with lower frequency of SLE flare, decreased damage progression, better quality of life, and reduced mortality. In addition, LLDAS has successfully been tested in post-hoc analyses of a number of randomized controlled trials. However, it has been recently underlined that LLDAS includes a high proportion of patients in remission, raising the question if these endpoints are sufficiently distinct to consider their separation clinically relevant. Some studies suggest that the protective effect of LLDAS on damage might be due to the inclusion of patients who are in remission. Notably, clinical low disease activity (LDA) seems to be uncommon in SLE due to the relapsing-remitting pattern of the disease, in which low level of activity only occurs transiently. Moreover, since the domains included in LLDAS have several limitations, such as the use of a binomial disease activity index, the exclusion of some mild manifestations and the consideration of items subjected to variability (physician global assessment and glucocorticoids dose), not all patients in LDA are adequately represented by LLDAS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Beatriz Samões
- Rheumatology Department, Centro Hospitalar de Vila Nova de Gaia e Espinho, Rua Conceição Fernandes, s/n, 4434-502 Vila Nova de Gaia, Portugal.
| | - Margherita Zen
- Division of Rheumatology, Department of Medicine, University of Padova, Via Giustiniani 2, 35128 Padova, Italy.
| | - Joana Abelha-Aleixo
- Rheumatology Department, Centro Hospitalar de Vila Nova de Gaia e Espinho, Rua Conceição Fernandes, s/n, 4434-502 Vila Nova de Gaia, Portugal.
| | - Mariele Gatto
- Division of Rheumatology, Department of Medicine, University of Padova, Via Giustiniani 2, 35128 Padova, Italy.
| | - Andrea Doria
- Division of Rheumatology, Department of Medicine, University of Padova, Via Giustiniani 2, 35128 Padova, Italy.
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