Publications
Find coverage of the latest original articles on Lupus, focusing on those with data on therapeutic interventions and those that have clinical impact.
March 2025
LLDAS and remission attainment with anifrolumab treatment in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus: results from the TULIP and long-term extension randomised controlled trials
Ann Rheum Dis. 2025:S0003-496700071-8. DOI: 10.1016/j.ard.2025.01.016. Epub ahead of print
Morand et al. conducted a post-hoc analysis of the phase III TULIP-1 and TULIP-2 trials and their long-term extension, including 369 patients with moderate to severe SLE, to evaluate the long-term impact of anifrolumab on attainment of LLDAS and DORIS-defined remission. The results demonstrated that anifrolumab significantly improved the likelihood, speed, and duration of LLDAS and DORIS remission versus placebo over 4 years, with benefits sustained throughout the treatment period.
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Evolution and trajectory of B-cell targeted therapies in rheumatic diseases
Lancet Rheumatol, 2025. Epub ahead of print
Carter et al. review the clinical and mechanistic development of B-cell targeted therapies over the last two decades in autoimmune rheumatic diseases. B-cell depletion depth, repopulation dynamics, and immunogenicity determine long-term efficacy and inform the rationale for emerging
dual-targeted approaches, particularly in systemic lupus erythematosus where belimumab and rituximab combinations show potential to mitigate relapse driven by BAFF.
February 2025
Opportunities and limitations of B bell depletion approaches in SLE
Nature Review Rheumatol, 2025;21:111–126 DOI: 10.1038/s41584-024-01210-9
Stockfelt et al. reviewed the long-term efficacy and challenges of B cell depletion strategies in SLE. Rituximab, a CD20-targeting monoclonal antibody, has demonstrated efficacy in a subset of patients but remains limited by immunogenicity, residual B cells, and B-cell activating factor (BAFF)-mediated relapse. Newer strategies incorporating CAR T cells, bispecific T cell engagers, and combination therapies aim to enhance B cell depletion and optimise outcomes.
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Belimumab versus telitacicept in sequential treatment after rituximab for refractory lupus nephritis: A real-world multicentre study
Lupus Science & Medicine, 2025;12:e001296 DOI:10.1136/lupus-2024-001296
Chen et al. demonstrated that sequential treatment with belimumab or telitacicept following rituximab (RTX) is a potential therapeutic approach for treating refractory LN. Major AEs included immunoglobin deficiency, respiratory tract infections and urinary tract infections, which are consistent with previous studies.
January 2025
The 2024 APLAR consensus on the management of lupus nephritis
International Journal of Rheumatic Diseases; 28:e70021 DOI: 10.1111/1756-185X.70021
Mok et al. provided updated consensus recommendations from APLAR, emphasising evidence-based guidance for managing lupus nephritis in Asian populations. These recommendations consider ethnic, socioeconomic, and pharmacogenetic factors, focusing on treatment regimens, adjunctive therapies, and patient-specific approaches to optimise outcomes.
December 2024
Cenerimod, a sphingosine-1-phosphate receptor modulator, versus placebo in patients with moderate-to-severe systemic lupus erythematosus (CARE): an international, double-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled, phase 2 trial
Lancet Rheumatol. 2024. Epub ahead of print. DOI: 10.1016/S2665-9913(24)00246-7
Askanase et al. assessed the efficacy, safety, and tolerability of cenerimod in patients with moderate-to-severe SLE. While the primary endpoint of reducing mSLEDAI-2K scores at Month 6 was not achieved, cenerimod 4.0mg showed a significant reduction in disease activity versus placebo. Adverse events, including lymphopenia, were dose-dependent but manageable, and overall treatment was well tolerated.
November 2024
Effect of iberdomide on cutaneous manifestations in systemic lupus erythematosus: a randomized phase 2 clinical trial
JAAD. 2024. Epub ahead of print DOI: 10.1016/j.jaad.2024.09.074
Werth et al. demonstrated that iberdomide significantly improved cutaneous lupus erythematosus (CLE) outcomes, particularly in subacute and chronic CLE patients, by reducing Cutaneous Lupus Area and Severity Index Activity (CLASI-A) scores. The study showed continued efficacy through 24 weeks, with the 0.45 mg dose providing the greatest improvement in patients with severe baseline scores, and iberdomide was well-tolerated over 104 weeks.
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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.
Attainment of EULAR/ERA-EDTA targets of therapy with current immunosuppressive regimens and adjustments in treatment: a multicentre, real-life observational study
RMD Open 2024;10:e004437 DOI: 10.1136/rmdopen-2024-004437
Pappa et al. explored the achievement of EULAR/ERA-EDTA targets in lupus nephritis patients receiving standard immunosuppressive therapy. Two-thirds of the cohort achieved target responses by 12 months, but 20% required therapy modifications due to suboptimal outcomes.
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.