October 2024

Safety, pharmacokinetics, biomarker response and efficacy of E6742: a dual antagonist of Toll-like receptors 7 and 8, in a first-in-patient, randomised, double-blind, phase I/II study in systemic lupus erythematosus

RMD Open 2024;10:e004701 DOI 10.1136/rmdopen-2024-004701

Tanaka et al. conducted a phase I/II study to evaluate the safety, pharmacokinetics, biomarker response, and efficacy of E6742, a dual antagonist of Toll-like receptors 7 and 8, in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). The treatment demonstrated a favourable safety profile, with no serious adverse events, while effectively suppressing interferon gene signatures and showing promising preliminary efficacy.

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ANA-associated arthritis: clinical and biomarker characterization of a population for basket trials

Rheumatol 2024 2024;00:1–11 DOI 10.1093/rheumatology/keae269

Arnold et al. assessed musculoskeletal (MSK) inflammation in ANA-associated rheumatic diseases (RMDs) and redefined ANA-associated arthritis into two distinct multi-disease clusters based on disease activity, which may support a more targeted approach to treatment. The authors confirmed that MSK inflammation is a key feature across diagnoses and responded similarly to treatments.

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September 2024

CD19-CAR T-cell therapy induces deep tissue depletion of B cells

Ann Rheum Dis 2024;0:1–8 DOI 10.1136/ard-2024-226142

Tur et al. demonstrated that CD19-targeting CAR T-cell therapy results in the depletion of B cells within deep tissues. The study highlights significant reductions in pathogenic B-cell populations, particularly in autoimmune diseases, after CD19-CAR T-cell administration.

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Efficacy and safety of sequential therapy with subcutaneous belimumab and one cycle of rituximab in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus: the phase 3, randomised, placebo-controlled BLISS-BELIEVE study

Ann Rheum Dis 2024;0:1–11 DOI 10.1136/ard-2024-225686.

Aranow et al. evaluated the efficacy and safety of combining subcutaneous belimumab with one cycle of rituximab in SLE. Sequential therapy did not show a statistically significant improvement in disease control over belimumab monotherapy, but did achieve nominally better reductions in disease activity markers.

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August 2024

Urinary soluble CD163 is useful as "liquid biopsy" marker in lupus nephritis at both diagnosis and follow-up to predict impending flares

J Transl Autoimmun 2024;9:100244 DOI 10.1016/j.jtauto.2024.100244

Renaudineau, et al. show that the urinary sCD163/creatinurea ratio is a parameter than can be used in addition to anti-dsDNA antibodies, anti-C1q antibodies, C3 complement fraction, the protein excretion to creatinine ratio and the estimated glomerular filtration rate.

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Immunosuppressives discontinuation after renal response in lupus nephritis: predictors of flares, time to withdrawal and long-term outcomes

Rheumatol 2024 DOI 10.1093/rheumatology/keae381 Epub ahead of print

This study by Panagiotopoulos, et al. showed that an early complete renal response achievement, persistent hydroxychloroquine use, and the maintenance of optimal low disease activity during follow-up in immunosuppressive (IS) tapering and discontinuation are fundamental in LN treatment. The authors also found that long-term renal outcomes are mainly associated with renal flares during IS tapering.

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July 2024

Efficacy and safety of upadacitinib or elsubrutinib alone or in combination for systemic lupus erythematosus: A Phase 2 randomized controlled trial

Arthritis Rheumatol 2024 DOI: 10.1002/art.42926 Epub ahead of print

Daily oral upadacitinib 30 mg and ABBV-599 high dose (elsubrutinib 60 mg QD + upadacitinib 30 mg) were effective in multiple outcome measures including disease activity, flares, time to first flare, and joint counts.

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Association of sustained lupus low disease activity state with improved outcomes in systemic lupus erythematosus: a multinational prospective cohort study

Lancet Rheumatol 2024:S2665-9913(24)00121-8 DOI 10.1016/S2665-9913(24)00121-8 Epub ahead of print

This study by Golder, et al. showed a significant protective association of lupus low disease activity state (LLDAS) and remission against damage accrual and flare. The authors also found a threshold of 3 months sustained LLDAS or remission, and that 3 months of sustained LLDAS are attainable in the setting of a 6–12-month clinical trial.

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June 2024

Combination of anti-SSA/Ro60 and anti-dsDNA serotype is predictive of belimumab renal response in patients with lupus nephritis

Lupus Sci Med. 2024 May 28;11(1) doi: 10.1136/lupus-2024-001156

The combination of anti-dsDNA and anti-SSA/Ro60 serotype may help to foretell the patient’s renal response to belimumab. Investigators here aimed to explore the effectiveness of belimumab on active LN, exploring predictors, including serological biomarkers, of renal response to belimumab in a real-world setting.

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