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Radin M, Cecchi I, Schreiber K, Baldovino S, Rossi D, Menegatti E, Roccatello D, Sciascia S. Immunotherapies in phase II and III trials for the treatment of systemic lupus erythematosus. Expert Opin Orphan Drugs 2016. [DOI: 10.1080/21678707.2017.1257937] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Massimo Radin
- Center of Research of Immunopathology and Rare Diseases- Coordinating Center of Piemonte and Valle d’Aosta Network for Rare Diseases, Department of Rare, Immunologic, Hematologic and Immunohematologic Diseases, and SCDU Nephrology and Dialysis, S. Giovanni Bosco Hospital
| | - Irene Cecchi
- Center of Research of Immunopathology and Rare Diseases- Coordinating Center of Piemonte and Valle d’Aosta Network for Rare Diseases, Department of Rare, Immunologic, Hematologic and Immunohematologic Diseases, and SCDU Nephrology and Dialysis, S. Giovanni Bosco Hospital
| | - Karen Schreiber
- Department of Thrombosis and Thrombophilia, Guy’s and St Thomas’ Hospital, London, UK
- Department of Rheumatology, Copenhagen University Hospital at Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Simone Baldovino
- Center of Research of Immunopathology and Rare Diseases- Coordinating Center of Piemonte and Valle d’Aosta Network for Rare Diseases, Department of Rare, Immunologic, Hematologic and Immunohematologic Diseases, and SCDU Nephrology and Dialysis, S. Giovanni Bosco Hospital
| | - Daniela Rossi
- Center of Research of Immunopathology and Rare Diseases- Coordinating Center of Piemonte and Valle d’Aosta Network for Rare Diseases, Department of Rare, Immunologic, Hematologic and Immunohematologic Diseases, and SCDU Nephrology and Dialysis, S. Giovanni Bosco Hospital
| | - Elisa Menegatti
- Center of Research of Immunopathology and Rare Diseases- Coordinating Center of Piemonte and Valle d’Aosta Network for Rare Diseases, Department of Rare, Immunologic, Hematologic and Immunohematologic Diseases, and SCDU Nephrology and Dialysis, S. Giovanni Bosco Hospital
| | - Dario Roccatello
- Center of Research of Immunopathology and Rare Diseases- Coordinating Center of Piemonte and Valle d’Aosta Network for Rare Diseases, Department of Rare, Immunologic, Hematologic and Immunohematologic Diseases, and SCDU Nephrology and Dialysis, S. Giovanni Bosco Hospital
| | - Savino Sciascia
- Center of Research of Immunopathology and Rare Diseases- Coordinating Center of Piemonte and Valle d’Aosta Network for Rare Diseases, Department of Rare, Immunologic, Hematologic and Immunohematologic Diseases, and SCDU Nephrology and Dialysis, S. Giovanni Bosco Hospital
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Isenberg DA, Merrill JT. Why, why, why de-lupus (does so badly in clinical trials). Expert Rev Clin Immunol 2016; 12:95-8. [PMID: 26786849 DOI: 10.1586/1744666x.2016.1112270] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- David A Isenberg
- a Centre for Rheumatology, Department of Medicine , University College London , London , UK
| | - Joan T Merrill
- b Clinical Pharmacology Research Program , Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation , Oklahoma City , OK , USA
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Abstract
Systemic lupus erythematosus is a multisystem autoimmune disease characterized by the formation of autoantibodies that target a variety of self antigens. B cells are fundamental to the development of these antibodies and are a target for intervention in the disease. This review discusses four therapies that target B cells by inducing B-cell depletion, reduction in B-cell proliferation and differentiation, or modulation of B-cell function. Rituximab is an anti-CD20 chimeric monoclonal antibody that depletes B cells but not plasma cells. Systematic reviews of open label studies, particularly in lupus patients refractory to conventional therapy, have suggested that rituximab can be an effective treatment for non-renal lupus and lupus nephritis. However, randomized, double-blind, controlled trials comparing rituximab with placebo in addition to standard of care therapy for non-renal lupus and lupus nephritis over 12 months failed to demonstrate efficacy using the planned primary endpoints, although there were some post-hoc analyses suggesting that rituximab may have beneficial effects that would be worthy of further study as no significant toxicity has been demonstrated. Treatment with belimumab, a humanized monoclonal antibody targeted against B lymphocyte stimulator (BLys), was more efficacious than placebo and had no significant increase in adverse events in two non-renal, phase III lupus trials when given in addition to standard of care therapy for 52 weeks. Belimumab is licensed for the management of lupus in the US and in Europe. Atacicept is a humanized fusion protein that binds BLys and APRIL (a proliferation-inducing ligand) that might be more effective than belimumab in the management of lupus. Unfortunately a phase II/III trial of atacicept in lupus nephritis had to be stopped due to the development of low immunoglobulin levels and pneumonias in some patients. However, in retrospect these complications may have been due to concomitant treatment with mycophenolate mofetil and results of a 52-week, non-renal, phase III trial with atacicept are awaited. Epratuzumab is a humanized monoclonal antibody that targets CD22 on B cells and results in modulation of B-cell function and migration, as CD22 regulates adhesion and inhibits B-cell receptor (BCR) signalling. Epratuzumab at a cumulative dose of 2,400 mg over 4 weeks has been shown to improve lupus disease activity compared with placebo 12 weeks after initiation of therapy in a phase II study, and a 12-month phase III study is on-going. B-cell targeted therapies are an attractive prospect for treating lupus disease and the results of current phase III trials are eagerly awaited. Finding the most appropriate trial design to demonstrate efficacy in lupus trials has been a challenge. The SRI (SLE response index) used in the belimumab studies and the BICLA (British Isles Lupus Assessment Group-based Composite Lupus Assessment) used in the epratuzumab studies are currently the promising trial designs for non-renal studies. For lupus nephritis it is important that trials are of adequate duration to be able to demonstrate benefit of new therapies over conventional therapy.
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Dooley MA, Jayne D, Ginzler EM, Isenberg D, Olsen NJ, Wofsy D, Eitner F, Appel GB, Contreras G, Lisk L, Solomons N. Mycophenolate versus azathioprine as maintenance therapy for lupus nephritis. N Engl J Med 2011; 365:1886-95. [PMID: 22087680 DOI: 10.1056/nejmoa1014460] [Citation(s) in RCA: 391] [Impact Index Per Article: 30.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Maintenance therapy, often with azathioprine or mycophenolate mofetil, is required to consolidate remission and prevent relapse after the initial control of lupus nephritis. METHODS We carried out a 36-month, randomized, double-blind, double-dummy, phase 3 study comparing oral mycophenolate mofetil (2 g per day) and oral azathioprine (2 mg per kilogram of body weight per day), plus placebo in each group, in patients who met response criteria during a 6-month induction trial. The study group underwent repeat randomization in a 1:1 ratio. Up to 10 mg of prednisone per day or its equivalent was permitted. The primary efficacy end point was the time to treatment failure, which was defined as death, end-stage renal disease, doubling of the serum creatinine level, renal flare, or rescue therapy for lupus nephritis. Secondary assessments included the time to the individual components of treatment failure and adverse events. RESULTS A total of 227 patients were randomly assigned to maintenance treatment (116 to mycophenolate mofetil and 111 to azathioprine). Mycophenolate mofetil was superior to azathioprine with respect to the primary end point, time to treatment failure (hazard ratio, 0.44; 95% confidence interval, 0.25 to 0.77; P = 0.003), and with respect to time to renal flare and time to rescue therapy (hazard ratio, <1.00; P < 0.05). Observed rates of treatment failure were 16.4% (19 of 116 patients) in the mycophenolate mofetil group and 32.4% (36 of 111) in the azathioprine group. Adverse events, most commonly minor infections and gastrointestinal disorders, occurred in more than 95% of the patients in both groups (P = 0.68). Serious adverse events occurred in 33.3% of patients in the azathioprine group and in 23.5% of those in the mycophenolate mofetil group (P = 0.11), and the rate of withdrawal due to adverse events was higher with azathioprine than with mycophenolate mofetil (39.6% vs. 25.2%, P = 0.02). CONCLUSIONS Mycophenolate mofetil was superior to azathioprine in maintaining a renal response to treatment and in preventing relapse in patients with lupus nephritis who had a response to induction therapy. (Funded by Vifor Pharma [formerly Aspreva]; ALMS ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT00377637.).
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Affiliation(s)
- Mary Anne Dooley
- Department of Medicine, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, USA.
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Díaz-Lagares C, Croca S, Sangle S, Vital EM, Catapano F, Martínez-Berriotxoa A, García-Hernández F, Callejas-Rubio JL, Rascón J, D'Cruz D, Jayne D, Ruiz-Irastorza G, Emery P, Isenberg D, Ramos-Casals M, Khamashta MA. Efficacy of rituximab in 164 patients with biopsy-proven lupus nephritis: pooled data from European cohorts. Autoimmun Rev 2011; 11:357-64. [PMID: 22032879 DOI: 10.1016/j.autrev.2011.10.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 162] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2011] [Accepted: 10/09/2011] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To present a pooled analysis of the efficacy of rituximab from European cohorts diagnosed with biopsy-proven lupus nephropathy (LN) who were treated with rituximab. METHODS Consecutive patients with biopsy-proven LN treated with rituximab in European reference centers were included. Complete response (CR) was defined as normal serum creatinine with inactive urinary sediment and 24-hour urinary albumin <0.5 g, and partial response (PR) as a >50% improvement in all renal parameters that were abnormal at baseline, with no deterioration in any parameter. RESULTS 164 patients were included (145 women and 19 men, with a mean age of 32.3 years). Rituximab was administered in combination with corticosteroids (162 patients, 99%) and immunosuppressive agents in 124 (76%) patients (cyclophosphamide in 58 and mycophenolate in 55). At 6- and 12-months, respectively, response rates were 27% and 30% for CR, 40% and 37% for PR and 33% for no response. Significant improvement in 24-h proteinuria (4.41 g. baseline vs 1.31 g. post-therapy, p=0.006), serum albumin (28.55 g. baseline to 36.46 g. post-therapy, p<0.001) and protein/creatinine ratio (from 421.94 g/mmol baseline to 234.98 post-therapy, p<0.001) at 12 months was observed. A better response (CR+PR) was found in patients with type III LN in comparison with those with type IV and type V (p=0.007 and 0.03, respectively). Nephrotic syndrome and renal failure at the time of rituximab administration predicted a worse response (no achievement of CR at 12 months) (p<0.001 and p=0.024, respectively). CONCLUSION Rituximab is currently being used to treat refractory systemic autoimmune diseases. Rituximab may be an effective option for patients with lupus nephritis, especially those refractory to standard treatment or who experience a new flare after intensive immunosuppressive treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cándido Díaz-Lagares
- Laboratory of Autoimmune Diseases "Josep Font", Department of Autoimmune Diseases, Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer, Hospital Clínic, Barcelona, Spain
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Toloza SMA, Sequeira W, Jolly M. Treatment of Lupus: Impact on Quality of Life. Curr Rheumatol Rep 2011; 13:324-37. [DOI: 10.1007/s11926-011-0189-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
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Shand L, Cortes S, Isenberg D. Working through the recession. Rheumatology (Oxford) 2010; 49:1613-5. [DOI: 10.1093/rheumatology/kep448] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
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Ahmed S, Anolik JH. B-cell biology and related therapies in systemic lupus erythematosus. Rheum Dis Clin North Am 2010; 36:109-30, viii-ix. [PMID: 20202594 DOI: 10.1016/j.rdc.2009.12.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a complex disease characterized by numerous autoantibodies and clinical involvement in multiple organ systems. The immunologic events triggering the onset and progression of clinical manifestations have not yet been fully defined, but a central role for B cells in the pathogenesis has been brought to the fore in the last several years. The breakdown of B-cell tolerance is likely a defining and early event in the disease process and may occur by multiple pathways, including alterations in factors that affect B-cell activation thresholds, B-cell longevity, and apoptotic cell processing. Antibody-dependent and -independent mechanisms of B cells are important in SLE. Thus, autoantibodies contribute to autoimmunity by multiple mechanisms including immune complex mediated type III hypersensitivity reactions, type II antibody-dependent cytotoxicity, and by instructing innate immune cells to produce pathogenic cytokines including interferon alpha, tumor necrosis factor, and interleukin 1. Recent data have highlighted the critical role of toll-like receptors as a link between the innate and adaptive immune system in SLE immunopathogenesis. Given the large body of evidence implicating abnormalities in the B-cell compartment in SLE, there has been a therapeutic focus on developing interventions that target the B-cell compartment. Several different approaches to targeting B cells have been used, including B-cell depletion with monoclonal antibodies against B-cell-specific molecules, induction of negative signaling in B cells, and blocking B-cell survival and activation factors. Overall, therapies targeting B cells are beginning to show promise in the treatment of SLE and continue to elucidate the diverse roles of B cells in this complex disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sadia Ahmed
- Division of Allergy Immunology Rheumatology, Department of Medicine, University of Rochester Medical Center, 601 Elmwood Avenue, Box 695, Rochester, NY 14642, USA
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Ramos-Casals M, Díaz-Lagares C, Khamashta MA. Rituximab and lupus: Good in real life, bad in controlled trials. comment on the article by Lu et al. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2009; 61:1281-2. [DOI: 10.1002/art.24726] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
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Sousa E, Isenberg D. Treating lupus: from serendipity to sense, the rise of the new biologicals and other emerging therapies. Best Pract Res Clin Rheumatol 2009; 23:563-74. [DOI: 10.1016/j.berh.2008.12.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
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Monneaux F, Muller S. Molecular therapies for systemic lupus erythematosus: clinical trials and future prospects. Arthritis Res Ther 2009; 11:234. [PMID: 19591653 PMCID: PMC2714128 DOI: 10.1186/ar2711] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The prognosis of patients with systemic lupus erythematosus has greatly improved since treatment regimens combining corticosteroids and immunosuppressive medications have been widely adopted in therapeutic strategies given to these patients. Immune suppression is evidently efficient but also leads to higher susceptibility to infectious and malignant diseases. Toxic effects and sometimes unexpectedly dramatic complications of current therapies have been progressively reported. Identifying novel molecular targets therefore remains an important issue in the treatment of lupus. The aim of this review article is to highlight emerging pharmacological options and new therapeutic avenues for lupus with a particular focus on non-antibody molecular strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fanny Monneaux
- CNRS, Immunologie et Chimie Thérapeutiques, Institut de Biologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire, 67000 Strasbourg, France.
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Dolff S, Abdulahad WH, Bijl M, Kallenberg CGM. Regulators of B-cell activity in SLE: a better target for treatment than B-cell depletion? Lupus 2009; 18:575-80. [DOI: 10.1177/0961203309102296] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
B cells, being a source of characteristic antinuclear autoantibodies, play a crucial role in the pathogenesis of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Evidences indicate that alterations in B-cell regulation are responsible for B-cell hyperactivity as seen in SLE. T cells, soluble factors, and even B cells themselves regulate effector B-cell functions. The latter, so-called regulatory B cells possess regulatory function through production of the cytokine interleukin-10 (IL-10) that can damp down the humoral immune responses. This review will focus on B-cell regulation in the pathogenesis of SLE as a target for intervention. In particular, the regulatory impact of T cells through costimulation, soluble factors such as B lymphocyte stimulator, and the characteristics of IL 10–producing regulatory B cells will be discussed. Therapies targeting B cells as well as B-cell regulation seem promising, but the precise mechanisms involved in these interventions are not completely understood. More insight into B-cell regulation in SLE, and particularly in regulatory B cells, could lead to novel therapeutic strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Dolff
- Department of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands; Department of Nephrology, University Hospital Essen, University- Duisburg Essen, Germany
| | - WH Abdulahad
- Department of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - M Bijl
- Department of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - CGM Kallenberg
- Department of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
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Coca A, Anolik JH. Two negative randomized controlled trials in lupus: now what? F1000 MEDICINE REPORTS 2009; 1. [PMID: 20948753 PMCID: PMC2924714 DOI: 10.3410/m1-28] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Recently, two large randomized controlled trials of distinct biologic therapies in systemic lupus erythematosus, B-cell depletion with rituximab and co-stimulatory blockade with CTLA4Ig (abatacept), failed to meet primary endpoints. Given the great need for new treatments in lupus, these results were met with disappointment and have left the rheumatology and immunology community searching for an explanation. Are these experimental agents ineffective in lupus or are there trial design issues or other considerations? In this commentary, we discuss our perspective on these results within the context of current understanding of the pathophysiology of lupus and the mechanism of action of biologic therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andreea Coca
- University of Rochester School of Medicine Box 695, 601 Elmwood Avenue, Rochester, NY 14642 USA
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Wallace DJ. New therapies in systemic lupus erythematosus--trials, troubles and tribulations--working towards a solution: part 2--the politically incorrect version. Lupus 2009; 18:101-3. [PMID: 19151109 DOI: 10.1177/0961203308100843] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
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