Rapid Response of Refractory Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Skin Manifestations to Anifrolumab-A Case-Based Review of Clinical Trial Data Suggesting a Domain-Based Therapeutic Approach

Anifrolumab in Refractory Systemic Lupus Erythematosus: A Real-World, Multicenter Study

OBJECTIVE

To report real-world experience on the use of anifrolumab (ANI) in refractory systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).

METHODS

The present study is a multicenter, retrospective study involving 9 Italian SLE referral centers participating in a compassionate use program for the use of ANI in adult patients with active SLE in whom all the available treatment choices failed, were not tolerated, or were contraindicated. At baseline and 1, 3, 6, 9, and 12 months of treatment, overall and organ-specific disease activity, flares, daily glucocorticoid (GC) dose, and adverse events were recorded.

RESULTS

A total of 26 patients were enrolled. At 4 weeks after starting ANI, a significant decrease in the Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Disease Activity Index 2000 (P = 0.01), Systemic Lupus Erythematosus-Disease Activity Score (P = 0.01), and physician global assessment (P = 0.001) was recorded, and the same trend was maintained over time. A significant reduction in Cutaneous Lupus Erythematosus Disease Area and Severity Index-activity (P < 0.001) and in tender (P = 0.03) and swollen (P = 0.02) joint counts was also recorded. At 3 months of follow-up, 33% of patients already achieved a remission state, whereas 46% were in Lupus Low Disease Activity State (LLDAS); at 6 months, 50% were in remission and 80% were in LLDAS. A significant reduction in the mean GC daily dose was observed, starting from week 4 (P = 0.04). A total of 4 disease flares according to the Safety of Estrogens in Lupus Erythematosus National Assessment-Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Disease Activity Index were recorded (3 mild-moderate and 1 severe). Overall, 4/20 patients with at least 24 weeks of follow-up (20%) were considered nonresponders.

CONCLUSION

This study provides real-world experience on the use of ANI in patients with refractory SLE, confirming its rapid effectiveness and an overall acceptable safety profile.

Use of Anifrolumab in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus, Cutaneous Lupus Erythematosus, and Other Autoimmune Dermatoses

Anifrolumab is an inhibitor of the type I interferon receptor subunit 1 (IFNAR1) recently approved for the management of moderate-to-severe systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). In 2 clinical trials, it has proven effective to treat cutaneous signs. Although anifrolumab has not been indicated for cutaneous lupus erythematosus (CLE), multiple cases and case series (20 publications with a total of 78 patients) have shown good and rapid responses with this drug, both in subacute CLE and discoid lupus erythematosus, as well as in lupus panniculitis and perniosis. Two case reports of dermatomyositis have also experienced clinical improvement with anifrolumab. Clinical trials of this drug are ongoing for subacute CLE and discoid lupus erythematosus, systemic sclerosis, and progressive vitiligo. Its most common adverse effects are respiratory infections and herpes zoster. Anifrolumab may be a well-tolerated alternative in the management of CLE.

Clinical Trials of Interferon Inhibitors in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus and Preliminary Real-World Efficacy of Anifrolumab

Approval of anifrolumab for the treatment of moderate-to-severe systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) in 2021 marked the success of a long quest to target the interferon system, in a disease wherein the latter has long been considered to play a pivotal role. Prior to anifrolumab, a number of agents had been tested in early phase clinical trials in patients with SLE, with equivocal results. Following its approval and marketing in several countries, the first reports regarding efficacy and safety in real-life clinical settings have been published, which suggest remarkable efficacy in skin manifestations of the disease, even after prior failure to multiple immunosuppressive therapies. In this report, we provide a short overview of IFN inhibitors that have been used in clinical trials of SLE, with a focus on anifrolumab; we also review all available evidence to date regarding its real-world efficacy and safety.

Nano-encapsulated anandamide reduces inflammatory cytokines in vitro and lesion severity in a murine model of cutaneous lupus erythematosus

Cutaneous lupus erythematosus (CLE) is a heterogeneous autoimmune skin disease which occurs independently and in conjunction with systemic lupus erythematosus. Drug development for CLE is severely lacking. Anandamide (AEA) is a primary endocannabinoid which exhibits immunomodulatory effects through mixed cannabinoid receptor agonism. We evaluated AEA as topical treatment for CLE and assessed benefits of nanoparticle encapsulation (AEA-NP) on cutaneous drug penetration, delivery and biological activity. Compared to untreated controls, AEA-NP decreased IL-6 and MCP-1 in UVB-stimulated keratinocytes (p < 0.05) in vitro. In BALB/c mice, AEA-NP displayed improved cutaneous penetration, extended release and persistence of AEA in the follicular unit extending to the base after 24 h. Utilizing the MRL-lpr lupus murine model, twice weekly treatment of lesions with topical AEA-NP for 10 weeks led to decreased clinical and histologic lesion scores compared to unencapsulated AEA and untreated controls (p < 0.05). Prophylactic application of AEA-NP to commonly involved areas on MRL-lpr mice similarly resulted in decreased clinical and histologic scores when compared to controls (p < 0.05), and reduced C3 and IBA-1 in lesional tissue (p < 0.05). The demonstrated clinical and immunomodulatory effects of treatment with AEA support its potential as therapy for CLE. This work also suggests that encapsulation of AEA improves penetration and treatment efficacy. Future studies will be conducted to assess full therapeutic potential.

Viewpoint on anifrolumab in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus and a high unmet need in clinical practice

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.

Cutaneous Lupus Erythematosus: An Update on Pathogenesis and Future Therapeutic Directions

Lupus erythematosus comprises a spectrum of autoimmune diseases that may affect various organs (systemic lupus erythematosus [SLE]) or the skin only (cutaneous lupus erythematosus [CLE]). Typical combinations of clinical, histological and serological findings define clinical subtypes of CLE, yet there is high interindividual variation. Skin lesions arise in the course of triggers such as ultraviolet (UV) light exposure, smoking or drugs; keratinocytes, cytotoxic T cells and plasmacytoid dendritic cells (pDCs) establish a self-perpetuating interplay between the innate and adaptive immune system that is pivotal for the pathogenesis of CLE. Therefore, treatment relies on avoidance of triggers and UV protection, topical therapies (glucocorticosteroids, calcineurin inhibitors) and rather unspecific immunosuppressive or immunomodulatory drugs. Yet, the advent of licensed targeted therapies for SLE might also open new perspectives in the management of CLE. The heterogeneity of CLE might be attributable to individual variables and we speculate that the prevailing inflammatory signature defined by either T cells, B cells, pDCs, a strong lesional type I interferon (IFN) response, or combinations of the above might be suitable to predict therapeutic response to targeted treatment. Therefore, pretherapeutic histological assessment of the inflammatory infiltrate could stratify patients with refractory CLE for T-cell-directed therapies (e.g. dapirolizumab pegol), B-cell-directed therapies (e.g. belimumab), pDC-directed therapies (e.g. litifilimab) or IFN-directed therapies (e.g. anifrolumab). Moreover, Janus kinase (JAK) and spleen tyrosine kinase (SYK) inhibitors might broaden the therapeutic armamentarium in the near future. A close interdisciplinary exchange with rheumatologists and nephrologists is mandatory for optimal treatment of lupus patients to define the best therapeutic strategy.