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Glucocorticoids (GCs) have revolutionized the management of SLE, providing patients with rapid symptomatic relief and preventing flares when maintained at low dosages. However, there are increasing concerns over GC-associated adverse effects and organ damage, which decrease patients' quality of life (QOL) and increase healthcare costs. This highlights the need to balance effective GC use and minimize toxicity in patients with SLE. Herein, we provide an overview of the theoretical considerations and clinical evidence, in addition to the variations and similarities across nine national and eight international recommendations regarding the use of GCs across SLE manifestations and how these compare with real-world usage. In line with this, we propose possible actions toward the goal of GC Stewardship to improve the QOL for patients with lupus while managing the disease burden. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Acthar® Gel (repository corticotropin injection) is a naturally sourced complex mixture of adrenocorticotropic hormone analogs and other pituitary peptides that is believed to have both steroidogenic and nonsteroidogenic immunomodulatory effects via activation of melanocortin receptors in various cells throughout the body. Since 1952, Acthar has been approved by the US Food and Drug Administration to treat a variety of autoimmune and inflammatory diseases. Since 2014, Mallinckrodt Pharmaceuticals has conducted a large number of preclinical, clinical, and real-world-evidence studies of Acthar for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, dermatomyositis and polymyositis, multiple sclerosis relapse, ophthalmic disorders, sarcoidosis, and nephrotic syndrome. To date, Acthar has been the subject of more than 500 publications, many of which demonstrate the safety and efficacy of Acthar in patients with inflammatory diseases for whom standard treatments were ineffective or intolerable. Here, we review the history of Acthar and the findings of studies that have investigated the mechanism of action, safety, efficacy, and real-world effectiveness of Acthar for the treatment of inflammatory diseases. Plain Language Summary: Acthar® Gel is an anti-inflammatory drug that directly affects the immune system in a manner that differs from other anti-inflammatory drugs, such as corticosteroids. Since 1952, Acthar has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to treat a variety of diseases involving inflammation. The commercial rights to produce Acthar have changed hands several times over the years, beginning with Armour Pharmaceuticals and most recently ending with Mallinckrodt Pharmaceuticals in 2014. Since then, Mallinckrodt has conducted multiple studies in animals to demonstrate the function of Acthar compared with other anti-inflammatory drugs. Further, several clinical trials in humans and studies of hospital or clinical practice records have confirmed the safety and effectiveness of Acthar as a treatment for many inflammatory diseases. Infographic: EJ4SLJur_bYbdenSk2yuju A podcast discussion by the authors on Acthar® Gel treatment for patients with autoimmune and inflammatory diseases, including their own personal reflections and experiences with Acthar® Gel. For a transcript of the podcast see the electronic supplementary material. (MP4 177883 kb) [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: We conducted post hoc analyses of biomarker results from a multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study of repository corticotropin injection (RCI; Acthar® Gel) in patients with persistently active systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) despite treatment with moderate-dose glucocorticoids. Methods: Adults with active SLE and moderate to severe rash and/or arthritis were enrolled in the primary study. Patients had active SLE despite treatment with stable glucocorticoids, antimalarials, and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and/or immunosuppressants. Patients were randomly assigned to 80 U of RCI or placebo subcutaneously every other day for 4 weeks and then twice weekly through week 24. Blood samples were analyzed for serum cytokines and complement proteins using enzyme-linked immunosorbent or Luminex assays and for circulating leukocytes using flow cytometry. Biomarker levels were reported as percentages of the baseline and were further evaluated in subgroups stratified by baseline SLE Disease Activity Index-2000 (SLEDAI-2K) scores (< 10 vs. ≥ 10), baseline anti-double-stranded DNA levels (< 15 IU/mL vs. ≥ 15 IU/mL), and BILAG-based Combined Lupus Assessment (BICLA) responses at week 20 and 24. Results: RCI treatment resulted in reduced levels of B cell-activating factor and interleukin-6 cytokines in all subgroups compared with placebo. RCI treatment also resulted in lower levels of CD19+ B cells and CD19+IgD–CD27–CD95+ atypical activated memory B cells than did placebo in the higher baseline disease activity subgroups and in BICLA non-responders. Furthermore, RCI treatment led to greater increases in complement component (C)3 and C4 levels than did placebo in the higher baseline disease activity subgroups and in BICLA responders. Conclusions: RCI may reduce inflammation through B cell immunomodulation in patients with persistently active SLE, particularly in those with higher disease activity. Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov identifier NCT02953821. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: We assessed patient-reported outcomes from a multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study of repository corticotropin injection (RCI; Acthar® Gel) in patients with persistently active systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) despite treatment with moderate-dose glucocorticoids. Methods: The trial enrolled adults with active SLE and moderate-to-severe rash and/or arthritis despite use of stable glucocorticoids (7.5 mg/day to 30 mg/day prednisone equivalent), antimalarials, and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs for ≥ 4 weeks and/or immunosuppressants for ≥ 8 weeks before screening. Patients were randomly assigned to 80 U of RCI or placebo subcutaneously every other day through week 4, then twice weekly through week 24. Primary analyses evaluated the change from baseline to week 24 in the Lupus Quality of Life (QoL) and Work Productivity and Activity Impairment (WPAI)-Lupus questionnaires. Post hoc analyses stratified results by baseline disease activity (SLE Disease Activity Index-2000 [SLEDAI-2K] < 10 or ≥ 10; Cutaneous Lupus Erythematosus Disease Area and Severity Index [CLASI]-Activity < 11 or ≥ 11; and British Isles Lupus Assessment Group [BILAG]-2004 < 20 or ≥ 20) and by BILAG-based Combined Lupus Assessment (BICLA) response at weeks 20 and 24. Results: RCI treatment resulted in greater improvement in the LupusQoL pain domain at week 16 and planning domain at week 24 compared with placebo. Post hoc analyses demonstrated greater improvements with RCI in the pain, planning, and fatigue domains than with placebo at multiple time points in patients with higher disease activity by baseline SLEDAI-2K ≥ 10, CLASI-Activity ≥ 11, and BILAG-2004 ≥ 20 and/or in BICLA responders. Compared with placebo, RCI also resulted in greater improvements in percentage work time missed at week 24 in patients with baseline CLASI-Activity < 11 and in percentage impairment while working at week 16 in BICLA responders. Conclusions: RCI may improve QoL and work productivity in patients who have persistently active SLE despite treatment with standard SLE therapy. Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov identifier NCT02953821. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: We assessed the efficacy and safety of repository corticotropin injection (RCI; Acthar® Gel) for persistently active systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) despite use of moderate-dose glucocorticoids. Methods: This multicenter, double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study enrolled patients ≥ 18 years with active SLE and moderate to severe rash and/or arthritis despite stable glucocorticoid doses (7.5–30 mg/day prednisone equivalent) and antimalarials for ≥ 4 weeks and/or immunosuppressants for ≥ 8 weeks before screening. Stable glucocorticoid doses were required through week 16 with optional taper from weeks 16 to 24. Patients were randomized (1:1) to 80 U RCI subcutaneously or placebo every other day to week 4, then twice weekly to week 24. Endpoints included the proportion of SLE Responder Index (SRI)-4 responders at week 16; changes from baseline to week 16 in 28 Swollen Joint Count/Tender Joint Count (28 SJC/TJC) and Cutaneous Lupus Erythematosus Disease Area and Severity Index (CLASI)-Activity score; and changes from baseline to week 24 in inflammatory cytokines. Safety was assessed by adverse events. Results: In the modified intention-to-treat population (RCI, n = 84; placebo, n = 85), the proportion of SRI-4 responders at week 16 was not significantly different between groups (RCI, 47.6%; placebo, 43.5%; OR [95% CI] 1.2 [0.6 to 2.2]; p = 0.5762). RCI treatment resulted in a reduction from baseline to week 16 in 28 SJC/TJC and CLASI-Activity score and from baseline to week 8 in a proliferation-inducing ligand cytokine. Post hoc analyses demonstrated a greater proportion of BILAG-based Combined Lupus Assessment responders for RCI than placebo at weeks 4, 12, and 20 and greater SRI-4 response in RCI-treated patients with baseline SLE Disease Activity Index-2000 ≥ 10 and CLASI-Activity ≥ 11. No new safety signals were identified. Conclusions: Despite failure to achieve the primary endpoint, these results support the utility of RCI for treating persistently active SLE. Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov identifier NCT02953821. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Since APRIL and BAFF are members of the same family of proteins, can bind to the same receptors, and are both involved in B cell survival and proliferation, this oversight did not change the conclusions drawn in the manuscript of repository corticotropin injection being associated with B cell immunomodulation. Correction to: Rheumatol Ther (2020) 7:893-908 https://doi.org/10.1007/s40744-020-00236-1 In the original article published, the data we received from our CRO laboratory inadvertently labelled cytokine Tumor Necrosis Factor Ligand 13B (also known as BAFF) as Tumor Necrosis Factor Ligand 13 (also known as APRIL). [Extracted from the article]

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a systemic autoimmune disease of unknown etiology in which the normal immune responses are directed against healthy organs and tissues. The disregulated immune system produces antibodies that attack the skin, joints, kidneys, heart, and brain. Some people experience mild rashes and arthritis, others suffer debilitating fever, fatigue, joint pain, and severe organ and/or life-threatening disease. This article provides a medical overview of the epidemiology of SLE, the challenges of diagnosing SLE, the complexity of the clinical manifestations and treatment issues, and the impact of SLE on patients' lives. We also discuss the progress in understanding the disease and its therapy over the last century. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Given the female preponderance of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) in humans, the adverse effects of female gender and sex hormones in murine lupus, and numerous reports (retrospective, often anecdotal and uncontrolled) that describe a temporal association between estrogen exposure and development or exacerbation of SLE, it is tempting to accept that estrogens and SLE simply do not mix. While there are valid concerns regarding the use of exogenous estrogens in women with SLE, there are also potential health benefits to be considered. Oral contraceptives (OCs) offer effective birth control and may be bone protective in corticosteroid-treated patients. Recent studies, albeit retrospective, suggest that OCs are well tolerated in patients with SLE. Several salutary effects of postmenopausal estrogens assume particular importance in SLE where the risks of osteoporosis, exaggerated by menopause (natural or cyclophosphamide-induced) and corticosteroids, are substantial. However, the results of the Women’s Health Initiative trial significantly limit the use of hormone replacement therapy in the general population, and raise particular concern for SLE patients. Other exogenous hormones (clomifene, gonadotropins, gonadotropin-releasing hormones) may be used to elevate levels of endogenous estrogen and to stimulate ovulation in patients with diminished fertility. Patients with inactive or stable/moderate disease and at low risk for thrombosis may benefit from OCs and other hormonal therapies without a change in lupus activity. Large prospective, double-blind, placebo-controlled studies inclusive of all ethnic groups should provide the basis for more definitive recommendations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

New disease activity measures are needed for systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Is the new SLE-DAS better than existing measures or are other instruments, or combined scoring methods, required to manage the spectrum of SLE? [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Leveraging the Manhattan Lupus Surveillance Program (MLSP), a population-based registry of cases of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and related diseases, we investigated the proportion of SLE with concomitant rheumatic diseases, including Sjögren’s disease (SjD), antiphospholipid syndrome (APLS), and fibromyalgia (FM), as well as the prevalence of autoantibodies in SLE by sex and race/ethnicity. Methods: Prevalent SLE cases fulfilled one of three sets of classification criteria. Additional rheumatic diseases were defined using modified criteria based on data available in the MLSP: SjD (anti-SSA/Ro positive and evidence of keratoconjunctivitis sicca and/or xerostomia), APLS (antiphospholipid antibody positive and evidence of a blood clot), and FM (diagnosis in the chart). Results: 1,342 patients fulfilled SLE classification criteria. Of these, SjD was identified in 147 (11.0%, 95% CI 9.2–12.7%) patients with women and nonLatino Asian patients being the most highly represented. APLS was diagnosed in 119 (8.9%, 95% CI 7.3–10.5%) patients with the highest frequency in Latino patients. FM was present in 120 (8.9%, 95% CI 7.3–10.5) patients with non-Latino White and Latino patients having the highest frequency. Anti-dsDNA antibodies were most prevalent in non-Latino Asian, Black, and Latino patients while anti-Sm antibodies showed the highest proportion in non-Latino Black and Asian patients. Anti-SSA/Ro and anti-SSB/La antibodies were most prevalent in non-Latino Asian patients and least prevalent in non-Latino White patients. Men were more likely to be anti-Sm positive. Conclusion: Data from the MLSP revealed differences among patients classified as SLE in the prevalence of concomitant rheumatic diseases and autoantibody profiles by sex and race/ethnicity underscoring comorbidities associated with SLE. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) management objectives include preventing disease flares while minimizing glucocorticoid exposure. Pooled data from the phase 3 TULIP-1 and TULIP-2 trials in patients with moderate to severe SLE were analyzed to determine anifrolumab's effect on flares, including those arising with glucocorticoid taper. Methods: TULIP-1 and TULIP-2 were randomized, placebo-controlled, 52-week trials of intravenous anifrolumab (300 mg every 4 weeks for 48 weeks). For patients receiving baseline glucocorticoid ≥10 mg/day, attempted taper to ≤7.5 mg/day prednisone or equivalent from Weeks 8–40 was required and defined as sustained reduction when maintained through Week 52. Flares were defined as ≥1 new BILAG-2004 A or ≥2 new BILAG-2004 B scores versus the previous visit. Flare assessments were compared for patients receiving anifrolumab versus placebo. Results: Compared with placebo (n = 366), anifrolumab (n = 360) was associated with lower annualized flare rates (rate ratio 0.75, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.60–0.95), prolonged time to first flare (hazard ratio 0.70, 95% CI 0.55–0.89), and fewer patients with ≥1 flare (difference −9.3%, 95% CI −16.3 to −2.3), as well as flares in organ domains commonly active at baseline (musculoskeletal, mucocutaneous). Fewer BILAG-based Composite Lupus Assessment responders had ≥1 flare with anifrolumab (21.1%, 36/171) versus placebo (30.4%, 34/112). Of patients who achieved sustained glucocorticoid reductions from ≥10 mg/day at baseline, more remained flare free with anifrolumab (40.0%, 76/190) versus placebo (17.3%, 32/185). Conclusions: Analyses of pooled TULIP-1 and TULIP-2 data support that anifrolumab reduces flares while permitting glucocorticoid taper in patients with SLE. ClinicalTrials.gov identifiers TULIP-1 NCT02446912 (clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02446912); TULIP-2 NCT02446899 (clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02446899). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background/purpose: The LFA REAL™ is a measurement system for evaluating lupus disease activity from both clinician and patient perspectives. Patients' viewpoints are captured using a patient-reported outcome (PRO) questionnaire. A series of visual analog scales are designed to rate disease severity and progress over the past 4 weeks. Brief instructions guide the patient to distinguish between active, potentially reversible symptoms and chronic pain or discomfort that are more likely due to damage. Beyond its simplicity and efficiency, the PRO can provide versatile assessments from a global, organ-based, and symptom-specific level. This paper describes the patient-centered approach used to evaluate the content validity of the LFA-REAL PRO.Methods: The PRO was developed in accordance with FDA guidance. A two-phase qualitative study was performed with 25 lupus patients, 10 who participated in concept elicitation (Phase 1) and 15 in cognitive debriefing interviews (Phase 2). Qualitative data were analyzed using ATLAS.ti software v7.5. Upon completion of the interviews, participants completed the draft PRO and additional measures to characterize the sample.Results: The mean age of participants was 45.6 and 88% were female, as expected in a lupus population. The mean SF-36 physical component score was 29.8 and the mean mental component score was 46.4. Phase 1 elicited symptom saturation and mapping of the draft PRO. Fatigue was reported by 100% of patients, highlighting its importance as a measurable domain. Additionally, 100% of patients spontaneously mentioned arthritis, which may be more important to this group than previously estimated, substantiating the approach of this PRO to break down components of arthritis into joint pain, stiffness, and swelling. Shortness of breath and fever were reported more frequently than expected. Phase 2 data demonstrated that participants found the instrument easy to use and offered recommendations to improve clarity, leading to adjustments in wording and formatting.Conclusions: Results suggest that the LFA-REAL PRO has content validity and, with some modifications suggested by participants, is ready for quantitative validation, including tests of reliability, validity, responsiveness to change, and performance relative to other PROs used in lupus trials. After validation, the LFA-REAL system is intended for use in clinical practice and research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Obexelimab is an investigational, bifunctional, noncytolytic monoclonal antibody that binds CD19 and FcyRIIb to inhibit B cells, plasmablasts, and plasma cells. This trial evaluated the efficacy and safety of obexelimab in the treatment of patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Methods: During screening, patients with active, non–organ‐threatening SLE received corticosteroid injections to ameliorate symptoms while immunosuppressants were withdrawn (≤10 mg/day prednisone equivalent and ≤400 mg/day hydroxychloroquine allowed). Patients with improved disease activity were randomized 1:1 to obexelimab 5 mg/kg intravenously or placebo once every 2 weeks until week 32 or loss of improvement (LOI). Results: In this study, 104 patients were randomized. Analysis of the primary endpoint, proportion of patients reaching week 32 without LOI, used an efficacy‐evaluable (EE) population defined as patients who completed the study or withdrew for flare or treatment‐related toxicity. This endpoint did not reach statistical significance: 21 of 50 obexelimab‐treated patients (42.0%) versus 12 of 42 patients (28.6%) treated with a placebo (P = 0.183). Time to LOI was increased in obexelimab‐treated patients versus patients treated with a placebo in the EE (hazard ratio [HR] 0.53, P = 0.025) and intention‐to‐treat (HR 0.59, P = 0.062) populations. In obexelimab‐treated patients, B cells decreased approximately 50%, and trough concentration and inclusion in baseline gene expression clusters with high B cell pathway modules were associated with increased time to LOI. Obexelimab was associated with infusion reactions but was generally safe and well‐tolerated. Conclusion: Although the primary endpoint was not reached, secondary analysis showed time to LOI was significantly increased in obexelimab‐treated patients, and analysis of patient subsets defined by gene expression patterns at baseline suggests a responding subpopulation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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. In this Consensus Statement, the Treatment Response Measure for Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Consortium presents the initial outcomes of a project to develop a clinical outcome assessment that can contribute to the regulatory approval process for therapeutic agents via its incorporation in end points of clinical trials in systemic lupus erythematosus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective Epidemiological data for MCTD are limited. Leveraging data from the Manhattan Lupus Surveillance Program (MLSP), a racially/ethnically diverse population-based registry of cases with SLE and related diseases including MCTD, we provide estimates of the prevalence and incidence of MCTD. Methods MLSP cases were identified from rheumatologists, hospitals and population databases using a variety of International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision codes. MCTD was defined as one of the following: fulfilment of our modified Alarcon-Segovia and Kahn criteria, which required a positive RNP antibody and the presence of synovitis, myositis and RP; a diagnosis of MCTD and no other diagnosis of another CTD; and a diagnosis of MCTD regardless of another CTD diagnosis. Results Overall, 258 (7.7%) cases met a definition of MCTD. Using our modified Alarcon-Segovia and Kahn criteria for MCTD, the age-adjusted prevalence was 1.28 (95% CI 0.72, 2.09) per 100 000. Using our definition of a diagnosis of MCTD and no other diagnosis of another CTD yielded an age-adjusted prevalence and incidence of MCTD of 2.98 (95% CI 2.10, 4.11) per 100 000 and 0.39 (95% CI 0.22, 0.64) per 100 000, respectively. The age-adjusted prevalence and incidence were highest using a diagnosis of MCTD regardless of other CTD diagnoses and were 16.22 (95% CI 14.00, 18.43) per 100 000 and 1.90 (95% CI 1.49, 2.39) per 100 000, respectively. Conclusions The MLSP provided estimates for the prevalence and incidence of MCTD in a diverse population. The variation in estimates using different case definitions is reflective of the challenge of defining MCTD in epidemiologic studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Objectives The course and long-term outcome of pure membranous lupus nephritis (MLN) are little understood. The aims of this study are to evaluate the clinical features, course, outcome and prognostic indicators in pure MLN and to determine the impact of ethnicity and the type of health insurance on the course and prognosis of pure MLN. Methods We conducted a retrospective review of medical records of 150 patients with pure MLN from Spain and the USA. Results Mean age was 34.2 ± 12.5 and 80% were women. Sixty-eight percent of patients had nephrotic syndrome at diagnosis. The average serum creatinine was 0.98 ± 0.78 mg/dl. Six percent of patients died and 5.3% developed end-stage renal disease (ESRD). ESRD was predicted by male sex, hypertension, dyslipidemia, high basal 24 h-proteinuria, high basal serum creatinine and a low basal creatinine clearance. Age, cardiac insufficiency, peripheral artheriopathy, hemodialysis and not having received mycophenolate mofetil or antimalarials for MLN predicted death. Conclusions Pure MLN frequently presents with nephrotic syndrome, high proteinuria and normal serum creatinine. Its prognosis is favourable in maintaining renal function although proteinuria usually persists over time. Baseline cardiovascular disease and not having a health insurance are related with poor prognosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Many people with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) experience joint pain, swelling, and stiffness. These joint symptoms are associated with problems in physical functioning and work disability. We used survey data from adults with SLE to explore the burden and impact of joint symptoms. Methods: SLE-UPDATE was a 2019 cross-sectional US survey of adults with SLE. We compared respondents with "currently active" joint symptoms' and those "without currently active" joint symptoms. The active joint cohort comprised survey respondents who self-reported current "stiffness in joints" or "pain/swelling in joints" and who had moderate to severe joint pain (Worst Joint Pain Numeric Rating Scale [NRS] score ≥ 4). Respondents not fulfilling these criteria were included in the non-active joint cohort. Outcomes included frequency and severity of pain, patient-reported outcomes (LupusPRO™ and Work Productivity and Activity Impairment: Lupus [WPAI-Lupus]), satisfaction with current treatments, and importance of different treatment goals. Results: More respondents in the active joint cohort (N = 285) than in the non-active joint cohort (N = 215) reported pain most or all the time over the preceding 7 days (77.5% vs. 32.1%, p <.0001), fibromyalgia (45% vs. 12%, p <.0001), and higher (worse) mean scores on the Worst Pain NRS (6.5 vs. 4.8, p <.0001) and Worst Joint Pain NRS (6.7 vs. 4.5, p <.0001). Mean Lupus PRO health-related quality of life (HRQoL) total score was lower (worse) in the active joint cohort (48.9 vs. 64.1, p <.0001). WPAI-Lupus scores indicated greater work productivity losses and activity impairment in the active joint cohort. More respondents in the active joint cohort than in the non-active joint cohort were neutral or not satisfied with current treatments and rated reducing pain as a "very important" treatment goal (26.7% vs. 18.1%). Conclusions: Respondents with SLE and active joint manifestations in addition to having more pain report lower HRQoL and were less satisfied with their current treatments. Comorbid fibromyalgia may play a role in joint symptoms in patient with SLE joint manifestations. There is an unmet need for new therapeutic options to reduce joint symptom burden among patients with SLE. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: To provide information on systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients' experiences, satisfaction, and expectations with treatments and examine the association between treatment satisfaction and patient-reported outcomes (PRO). Methods: A cross-sectional, non-interventional, online survey of US adult patients with SLE was conducted in 2019. The survey consisted of 104 questions about SLE and the following PRO instruments: LupusPRO™, Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy (FACIT) Fatigue, Work Productivity and Activity Impairment (WPAI), an 11-point Worst Pain Numerical Rating scale (NRS), and an 11-point Worst Joint Pain NRS. Results: Five hundred participants (75% female, 76% White/Caucasian, mean age 42.6 ± 12.7 years, 63% with an associate degree or higher) completed the survey. Most participants were "completely" or "somewhat satisfied" with their treatments, although satisfaction rates were lower for corticosteroids (65%), immunosuppressants (71%), and anti-malarials (55%) than for belimumab (intravenous or subcutaneous) (86%) and rituximab (94%). Treatments were more often considered "burdensome" or "very burdensome" for belimumab (67%) and rituximab (63%) than for corticosteroids (48%), immunosuppressants (49%), and anti-malarials (30%). Pain and productivity assessments supported substantial impairment for the majority of participants, even those who indicated that they were completely satisfied with treatments. The treatment goals most commonly reported as "very important" were reducing fatigue, pain, and the frequency or severity of flares. Three-quarters of participants (76.6%) indicated that their physician's goals for their therapy matched their own goals "very" or "somewhat closely." Despite high levels of satisfaction, most participants (63.0%) indicated that their physicians had not asked about their treatment goals during the past 3 months. Conclusion: SLE patients reported high rates of satisfaction with current therapies despite identifying substantial treatment burdens, residual pain, and fatigue. Reduced fatigue, pain, and flares were the most important treatment goals for these patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Since the first outbreak of Coronavirus Disease-2019 (COVID-19) in January 2020, the medical community has been pursuing effective countermeasures. Early in the pandemic, several small clinical and in vitro studies from France and China reported on the efficacy of chloroquine (CQ) and hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) against SARS-CoV-2 infections, which generated global attention towards these decades-old antimalarials (AM) and heralded numerous studies investigating their role in treating COVID-19. Despite several observational studies early in the pandemic affirming their beneficial role in treating COVID-19, 12 clinical studies reported no mortality benefits for CQ/HCQ in COVID-19 patients. The excitement over CQ/HCQ was ultimately quenched after three large randomized clinical trials, the COALITION-I trial in Brazil, the RECOVERY trial in the United Kingdom (UK), and the SOLIDARITY trial from World Health Organization (WHO) consistently reported no beneficial effects for CQ/HCQ in hospitalized COVID-19 patients. While initial studies suggested that CQ/HCQ might have a role in treating the early phases of infection, the results from three rigorously designed studies investigating their role in non-hospitalized COVID-19 patients were equivocal and inconsistent. Here we review the major social events related to the therapeutic use of CQ/HCQ in COVID-19, and the data from selected clinical studies evaluating their efficacy in hospitalized and non-hospitalized COVID-19 patients along with the major safety concerns. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To assess the safety, mechanism of action, and preliminary efficacy of rituximab followed by belimumab in the treatment of refractory lupus nephritis (LN). Methods: In a multicenter, randomized, open‐label clinical trial, 43 patients with recurrent or refractory LN were treated with rituximab, cyclophosphamide (CYC), and glucocorticoids followed by weekly belimumab infusions until week 48 (RCB group), or treated with rituximab and CYC but no belimumab infusions (RC group). Patients were followed up until week 96. Percentages of total and autoreactive B cell subsets in the patients' peripheral blood were analyzed by flow cytometry. Results: Treatment with belimumab did not increase the incidence of adverse events in patients with refractory LN. At week 48, a complete or partial renal response occurred in 11 (52%) of 21 patients receiving belimumab, compared to 9 (41%) of 22 patients in the RC group who did not receive belimumab (P = 0.452). Lack of improvement in or worsening of LN was the major reason for treatment failure. B cell depletion occurred in both groups, but the percentage of B cells remained lower in those receiving belimumab (geometric mean number of B cells at week 60, 53 cells/μl in the RCB group versus 11 cells/μl in the RC group; P = 0.0012). Percentages of total and autoreactive transitional B cells increased from baseline to week 48 in both groups. However, percentages of total and autoreactive naive B cells decreased from baseline to week 48 in the belimumab group compared to the no belimumab RC group (P = 0.0349), a finding that is consistent with the observed impaired maturation of naive B cells and enhanced censoring of autoreactive B cells. Conclusion: The addition of belimumab to a treatment regimen with rituximab and CYC was safe in patients with refractory LN. This regimen diminished maturation of transitional to naive B cells during B cell reconstitution, and enhanced the negative selection of autoreactive B cells. Clinical efficacy was not improved with rituximab and CYC in combination with belimumab when compared to a therapeutic strategy of B cell depletion alone in patients with LN. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Anifrolumab, a human monoclonal antibody to type I interferon receptor subunit 1 investigated for the treatment of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), did not have a significant effect on the primary end point in a previous phase 3 trial. The current phase 3 trial used a secondary end point from that trial as the primary end point.Methods: We randomly assigned patients in a 1:1 ratio to receive intravenous anifrolumab (300 mg) or placebo every 4 weeks for 48 weeks. The primary end point of this trial was a response at week 52 defined with the use of the British Isles Lupus Assessment Group (BILAG)-based Composite Lupus Assessment (BICLA). A BICLA response requires reduction in any moderate-to-severe baseline disease activity and no worsening in any of nine organ systems in the BILAG index, no worsening on the Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Disease Activity Index, no increase of 0.3 points or more in the score on the Physician Global Assessment of disease activity (on a scale from 0 [no disease activity] to 3 [severe disease]), no discontinuation of the trial intervention, and no use of medications restricted by the protocol. Secondary end points included a BICLA response in patients with a high interferon gene signature at baseline; reductions in the glucocorticoid dose, in the severity of skin disease, and in counts of swollen and tender joints; and the annualized flare rate.Results: A total of 362 patients received the randomized intervention: 180 received anifrolumab and 182 received placebo. The percentage of patients who had a BICLA response was 47.8% in the anifrolumab group and 31.5% in the placebo group (difference, 16.3 percentage points; 95% confidence interval, 6.3 to 26.3; P = 0.001). Among patients with a high interferon gene signature, the percentage with a response was 48.0% in the anifrolumab group and 30.7% in the placebo group; among patients with a low interferon gene signature, the percentage was 46.7% and 35.5%, respectively. Secondary end points with respect to the glucocorticoid dose and the severity of skin disease, but not counts of swollen and tender joints and the annualized flare rate, also showed a significant benefit with anifrolumab. Herpes zoster and bronchitis occurred in 7.2% and 12.2% of the patients, respectively, who received anifrolumab. There was one death from pneumonia in the anifrolumab group.Conclusions: Monthly administration of anifrolumab resulted in a higher percentage of patients with a response (as defined by a composite end point) at week 52 than did placebo, in contrast to the findings of a similar phase 3 trial involving patients with SLE that had a different primary end point. The frequency of herpes zoster was higher with anifrolumab than with placebo. (Funded by AstraZeneca; ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT02446899.). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective The Manhattan Lupus Surveillance Program (MLSP) is a population-based registry designed to determine the prevalence of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) in 2007 and the incidence from 2007 to 2009 among residents of New York County (Manhattan), New York, and to characterize cases by race/ethnicity, including Asians and Hispanics, for whom data are lacking. Methods We identified possible SLE cases from hospital records, rheumatologist records, and administrative databases. Cases were defined according to the American College of Rheumatology (ACR) classification criteria, the Systemic Lupus International Collaborating Clinics (SLICC) classification criteria, or the treating rheumatologist's diagnosis. Rates among Manhattan residents were age-standardized, and capture-recapture analyses were conducted to assess case underascertainment. Results By the ACR definition, the age-standardized prevalence and incidence rates of SLE were 62.2 and 4.6 per 100,000 person-years, respectively. Rates were ∼9 times higher in women than in men for prevalence (107.4 versus 12.5) and incidence (7.9 versus 1.0). Compared with non-Hispanic white women (64.3), prevalence was higher among non-Hispanic black (210.9), Hispanic (138.3), and non-Hispanic Asian (91.2) women. Incidence rates were higher among non-Hispanic black women (15.7) compared with non-Hispanic Asian (6.6), Hispanic (6.5), and non-Hispanic white (6.5) women. Capture-recapture adjustment increased the prevalence and incidence rates (75.9 and 6.0, respectively). Alternate SLE definitions without capture-recapture adjustment revealed higher age-standardized prevalence and incidence rates (73.8 and 6.2, respectively, by the SLICC definition and 72.6 and 5.0 by the rheumatologist definition) than the ACR definition, with similar patterns by sex and race/ethnicity. Conclusion The MLSP confirms findings from other registries on disparities by sex and race/ethnicity, provides new estimates among Asians and Hispanics, and provides estimates using the SLICC criteria. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Oral glucocorticoids (steroids) are the mainstay of treatment for systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), but their use is often associated with short- and long-term side effects. Following a literature review and discussions with patients with SLE, clinicians, and payers, a need was identified for a comprehensive SLE-specific tool that can be used to evaluate the side effects and benefits of steroids over time from a patient perspective. The objective of this study was to develop a patient-reported outcome (PRO) measure to assess general impact (baseline burden), benefits, side effects, and impacts associated with the use of oral steroids in patients with SLE.Methods: A qualitative research protocol was developed in which adults with SLE currently receiving or who had received steroids in the past year were recruited from six US rheumatology practices to participate in concept elicitation (CE) interviews. The SLE Steroid Questionnaire (SSQ) was developed based on CE interview results and clinical input. Cognitive debriefing interviews with a second group of patients with SLE evaluated the content, clarity, and relevance of the items. The SSQ was refined using patient feedback, clinician review, and a translatability assessment. The protocol received central independent review board approval.Results: Thirty-three patients (52% moderate disease severity; 58% currently receiving steroids, mean dose 8.7 mg/day) completed CE interviews. Patients reported benefits, side effects, and impacts from steroids. The refined SSQ contains 50 items assessing steroid dose/duration (4 items), general impact (baseline burden; 19 items), benefits (7 items), work/productivity (3 items), side effects (10 items), emotions (6 items), and overall satisfaction (1 item).Conclusion: The SSQ is a unique PRO, developed using robust scientific methodology in accordance with the Food and Drug Administration PRO Guidance. It was designed to comprehensively assess the patient experience with steroid therapy and better understand the benefits and burden of steroids for patients with SLE. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents a study which determines the recurrence rates of neonatal lupus (NL) and focuses on cardiac NL following a cutaneous NL in a child. It states that NL is a pathological readout of the presence of maternal autoantibodies exposed offspring. It notes that cutaneous manifestations of NL are well characterized which is in contrast to cardiac NL. It mentions that the impact of cutaneous NL and the recurrence of cardiac NL in future pregnancy is critical for family counseling.

Background: There is concern that exogenous female hormones may worsen disease activity in women with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Objective: To evaluate the effect of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) on disease activity in postmenopausal women with SLE. Design: Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled non inferiority trial conducted from March 1996 to June 2002. Setting: 16 university-affiliated rheumatology clinics or practices in 11 U.S. states. Patients: 351 menopausal patients (mean age, 50 years) with inactive (81.5%) or stable-active (18.5%) SLE. Interventions: 12 months of treatment with active drug (0.625 mg of conjugated estrogen daily, plus 5 mg of medroxyprogesterone for 12 days per month) or placebo. The 12-month follow-up rate was 82% for the HRT group and 87% for the placebo group. Measurements: The primary end point was occurrence of a severe flare as defined by safety of Estrogens in Lupus Erythematosus, National Assessment-Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Disease Activity Index composite. Results: Severe flare was rare in both treatment groups: The 12-month severe flare rate was 0.081 for the HRT group and 0.049 for the placebo group, yielding an estimated difference of 0.033 (P = 0.23). The upper limit of the 1-sided 95% CI for the treatment difference was 0.078, within the prespecified margin of 9% for noninferiority. Mild to moderate flares were significantly increased in the HRT group: 1.14 flares/person-year for HRT and 0.86 flare/person-year for placebo (relative risk, 1.34; P = 0.01). The probability of any type of flare by 12 months was 0.64 for the HRT group and 0.51 for the placebo group (P = 0.01). In the HRT group, there were I death, I stroke, 2 cases of deep venous thrombosis, and I case of thrombosis in an arteriovenous graft; in the placebo group, I patient developed deep venous thrombosis. Limitations: Findings are not generalizable to women with high-titer anticardiolipin antibodies, lupus anticoagulant or previous thrombosis. Conclusions: Adding a short course of HRT is associated with a small risk for increasing the natural flare rate of lupus. Most of these flares are mild to moderate. The benefits of HRT can be balanced against the risk for flare because HRT did not significantly increase the risk for severe flare compared with placebo. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It was recently reported that sera from patients with systemic lupus erythematosus contain antibodies reactive with the second extracellular loop of the serotoninergic 5-HT4 receptor expressed in the human heart. This antibody response was associated with antibodies to 52 kD SSA/Ro, a reactivity prevalent in mothers of children with congenital heart block (CHB). The current study was undertaken to determine whether the 5-HT4 receptor is a target of the immune response in these mothers. Initial experiments demonstrated mRNA expression of the 5-HT4 receptor in the human foetal atrium. Electrophysiologic studies established that human foetal atrial cells express functional 5-HT4 receptors. Sera from 116 mothers enrolled in the Research Registry for Neonatal Lupus, whose children have CHB, were evaluated. Ninety-nine (85%) of these maternal sera contained antibodies to SSA/Ro, 84% of which were reactive with the 52 kD SSA/Ro component by immunoblot. None of the 116 sera were reactive with the peptide spanning aa165–185 of the serotoninergic receptor. Rabbit antisera which recognized this peptide did not react with 52 kD SSA/Ro or peptide aa365–382 in the C terminus. Although 5-HT4 receptors are present and functional in the human foetal heart, maternal antibodies to the 5-HT4 receptor are not associated with the development of CHB. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Platelet-bound complement activation products (PC4d) are associated with thrombosis in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE). This study investigated the effect of PC4d on platelet function, as a mechanistic link to arterial thrombosis. In a cohort of 150 SLE patients, 13 events had occurred within five years of enrollment. Patients with arterial events had higher PC4d levels (13.6 [4.4–24.0] vs. 4.0 [2.5–8.3] net MFI), with PC4d 10 being the optimal cutoff for event detection. The association of arterial events with PC4d remained significant after adjusting for antiphospholipid status, smoking, and prednisone use (p = 0.045). PC4d levels correlated with lower platelet counts (r = −0.26, p = 0.002), larger platelet volumes (r = 0.22, p = 0.009) and increased platelet aggregation: the adenosine diphosphate (ADP) concentration to achieve 50% maximal aggregation (EC 50) was lower in patients with PC4d 10 compared with PC4d < 10 (1.6 vs. 3.7, p = 0.038, respectively). These results suggest that PC4d may be a mechanistic marker for vascular disease in SLE. • In this study of 150 SLE patients, arterial events were associated with higher PC4d levels after adjusting for potential confounders. • PC4d 10 net MFI had the optimal sensitivity/specificity for the association with vascular events. • Higher PC4d levels correlate with lower platelet count and larger platelet volume. • Platelets isolated from patients with PC4d >=10 aggregate more readily as compared to platelets isolated from patients with PC4d<10. • Prospective studies are needed to evaluate the role of PC4d on vascular risk stratification in SLE. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background/Purpose: Belimumab (Benlysta) is a human monoclonal antibody inhibiting soluble B-lymphocyte stimulator that was approved by the Food and Drug Administration in 2011 for treatment of active, autoantibody-positive, systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) in adults. To date, there have been no published data on the use of belimumab in childhood-onset SLE. Methods: This is a case series of patients with childhood-onset SLE treated with belimumab at our institution. Data were collected on demographic and disease characteristics, clinical manifestations requiring treatment, concomitant medications, disease course, and treatment outcomes. Descriptive statistics were used when appropriate. Results: We describe 7 patients with childhood-onset SLE treated with belimumab, 5 of whom are still receiving belimumab infusions at our institution, with a mean follow-up of 9.3 months on belimumab. The mean age was 18.5 years old, mean disease duration 5.8 years at initiation of belimumab. Eighty-six percent of the patients were female, 57% African American, 28% Hispanic, and 14% Caucasian. All patients were taking other background medications prior to initiation of belimumab (hydroxychloroquine 7/7, prednisone 7/7, azathioprine 2/7, mycophenolate mofetil 3/7). The most common indications for initiation of therapy were the inability to taper steroids (100%, mean prednisone equivalent dose 0.54mg/kg/day), rash (43%), fatigue (29%), and arthritis (14%), accompanied by worsening serologic activity (increasing anti-dsDNA titers and hypocomplementemia). At the last follow-up (mean 9.3 months after initiation of belimumab), average SLEDAI decreased from 6.4 to 4. We were able to taper steroids in 57% of patients, with 3/7 (43%) able to completely discontinue steroids. The average complement levels increased from 71 to 74 (lower limit of normal 83) for C3 and 8 to 10 (lower limit of normal 16) for C4. Six of the seven patients clinically responded to belimumab within three months, with marked improvement in rash, arthritis, and fatigue. Six of seven patients tolerated infusions well, with 1 patient who discontinued treatment due to recurrent vaginal moniliasis. Conclusion: This is the first study investigating the use of belimumab in childhood-onset SLE across major ethnic groups. Our data demonstrate favorable clinical outcomes including the discontinuation of steroids in 3/7 (43%) of our patients, and improvement in C3 and C4 as early as 3 months after the initiation of belimumab, suggesting a quicker onset of action for belimumab in children than that observed in adult studies, which may support a larger role for belimumab in childhood-onset SLE. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Oral contraceptives are rarely prescribed for women with systemic lupus erythematosus, because of concern about potential negative side effects. In this double-blind, randomized, noninferiority trial, we prospectively evaluated the effect of oral contraceptives on lupus activity in premenopausal women with systemic lupus erythematosus. Methods: A total of 183 women with inactive (76 percent) or stable active (24 percent) systemic lupus erythematosus at 15 U.S. sites were randomly assigned to receive either oral contraceptives (triphasic ethinyl estradiol at a dose of 35 μg plus norethindrone at a dose of 0.5 to 1 mg for 12 cycles of 28 days each; 91 women) or placebo (92 women) and were evaluated at months 1, 2, 3, 6, 9, and 12. Subjects were excluded if they had moderate or high levels of anticardiolipin antibodies, lupus anticoagulant, or a history of thrombosis. Results: The primary end point, a severe lupus flare, occurred in 7 of 91 subjects receiving oral contraceptives (7.7 percent) as compared with 7 of 92 subjects receiving placebo (7.6 percent). The 12-month rates of severe flare were similar: 0.084 for the group receiving oral contraceptives and 0.087 for the placebo group (P=0.95; upper limit of the one-sided 95 percent confidence interval for this difference, 0.069, which is within the prespecified 9 percent margin for noninferiority). Rates of mild or moderate flares were 1.40 flares per person-year for subjects receiving oral contraceptives and 1.44 flares per person-year for subjects receiving placebo (relative risk, 0.98; P=0.86). In the group that was randomized to receive oral contraceptives, there was one deep venous thrombosis and one clotted graft; in the placebo group, there was one deep venous thrombosis, one ocular thrombosis, one superficial thrombophlebitis, and one death (after cessation of the trial). Conclusions: Our study indicates that oral contraceptives do not increase the risk of flare among women with systemic lupus erythematosus whose disease is stable. N Engl J Med 2005;353:2550-8. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]