November 2024

Efficacy and safety of sodium-glucose co-transporter 2 inhibitors for the primary prevention of cardiovascular, renal events and safety outcomes in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus and comorbid type 2 diabetes: A population-based target trial emulation

Arthritis Rheumatol 2024. Epub ahead of print DOI: 10.1002/art.43037

Ma et al. assessed the efficacy and safety of sodium-glucose co-transporter 2 inhibitors (SGLT2i) compared with dipeptidyl peptidase 4 inhibitors (DPP4i) in preventing cardiovascular and renal events in patients with both SLE and type 2 diabetes (T2D). SGLT2i use significantly reduced risks for acute kidney injury, chronic kidney disease, end-stage renal disease, and heart failure, though it increased genital infection risk.

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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.

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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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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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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

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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September 2024

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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