Objective To assess the efficacy/safety of the B-lymphocyte stimulator inhibitor belimumab/standard-of-care (SOC) versus placebo/SOC in active systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Methods In a multicenter, randomized, controlled, phase 3 trial, 819 antinuclear antibody- or anti-dsDNA-positive SLE patients with Safety of Estrogens in Lupus Erythematosus National Assessment–SLE Disease Activity Index (SELENA-SLEDAI) ≥ 6 were randomized (1:1:1 ratio) to receive intravenous belimumab 1 or 10 mg/kg, or placebo on days 0, 14, and 28, and then every 28 days for 72 weeks. Primary efficacy analyses: SLE Responder Index (SRI) at week 52 (≥ 4-point reduction in SELENA-SLEDAI; no new British Isles Lupus Assessment Group A and < 2 new B organ domain scores; no worsening in Physician’s Global Assessment). Results Belimumab 10 mg/kg plus SOC met the primary efficacy endpoint: significantly greater SRI response at week 52 than placebo (43.2% versus 33.5%; P = 0.017); the rate with belimumab 1 mg/kg was 40.6% (P = 0.089). Week-76 response rates: 32.4%, 39.1%, and 38.5% with placebo, and belimumab 1 and 10 mg/kg, respectively. In post-hoc sensitivity analyses evaluating higher SELENA-SLEDAI thresholds, belimumab 10 mg/kg achieved better discrimination at weeks 52/76. Risk of severe SELENA-SLEDAI flares over 76 weeks was reduced with belimumab 1 mg/kg (34%; P = 0.023) and 10 mg/kg (23%; P = 0.13). Serious and severe adverse events including infections, laboratory abnormalities, malignancies, and deaths, were comparable across groups. Conclusion Belimumab plus SOC significantly improved SRI response rate, reduced SLE disease activity and severe flares, and was generally well-tolerated in SLE.

Objective. The purpose of this 24-month phase III study was to examine structural preservation with tofacitinib in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) with an inadequate response to methotrexate (MTX). Data from a planned 12-month interim analysis are reported.Methods. In this double-blind, parallel-group, placebo-controlled study, patients receiving background MTX were randomized 4:4:1:1 to tofacitinib at 5 mg twice daily, tofacitinib at 10 mg twice daily, placebo to tofacitinib at 5 mg twice daily, and placebo to tofacitinib at 10 mg twice daily. At month 3, nonresponder placebotreated patients were advanced in a blinded manner to receive tofacitinib as indicated above; remaining placebo-treated patients were advanced at 6 months. Four primary efficacy end points were all analyzed in a step-down procedure.ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT00847613.

Intravenous cyclophosphamide is considered to be the standard of care for the treatment of proliferative lupus nephritis. However, its use is limited by potentially severe toxic effects. Cyclosporine A has been suggested to be an efficient and safe treatment alternative to cyclophosphamide. Forty patients with clinically active proliferative lupus nephritis were randomly assigned to one of two sequential induction and maintenance treatment regimens based either on cyclophosphamide or Cyclosporine A. The primary outcomes were remission (defined as normal urinary sediment, proteinuria <0.3 g/24 h, and stable s-creatinine) and response to therapy (defined as stable s-creatinine, 50% reduction in proteinuria, and either normalization of urinary sediment or significant improvement in C3) at the end of induction and maintenance phase. Secondary outcomes were incidence of adverse events, and relapse-free survival. At the end of the induction phase, 24% of the 21 patients treated by cyclophosphamide achieved remission, and 52% achieved response, as compared with 26% and 43%, respectively of the 19 patients treated by the Cyclosporine A. At the end of the maintenance phase, 14% of patients in cyclophosphamide group, and 37% in Cyclosporine A group had remission, and 38% and 58% respectively response. Treatment with Cyclosporine A was associated with transient increase in blood pressure and reversible decrease in glomerular filtration rate. There was no significant difference in median relapse-free survival. In conclusion, Cyclosporine A was as effective as cyclophosphamide in the trial of sequential induction and maintenance treatment in patients with proliferative lupus nephritis and preserved renal function.(ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT00976300)

Objective.In patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), evidence suggests that most vaccines (except live-virus vaccines) are safe, although antibody response may be reduced. This substudy from the phase III, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled BLISS-76 trial evaluated the effects of belimumab on preexisting antibody levels against pneumococcal, tetanus, and influenza antigens in patients with SLE.Methods.In BLISS-76, patients with autoantibody-positive, active SLE were treated with placebo or belimumab 1 or 10 mg/kg every 2 weeks for 28 days and every 28 days thereafter, plus standard SLE therapy, for 76 weeks. This analysis included a subset of patients who had received pneumococcal or tetanus vaccine within 5 years or influenza vaccine within 1 year of study participation. Antibodies to vaccine antigens were tested at baseline and Week 52, and percentage changes in antibody levels from baseline and proportions of patients maintaining levels at Week 52 were assessed. Antibody titers were also assessed in a small number of patients vaccinated during the study.Results.Consistent with preservation of the memory B cell compartment with belimumab treatment, the proportions of patients maintaining antibody responses to pneumococcal, tetanus, and influenza antigens were not reduced. In a small group receiving influenza vaccine on study, antibody responses were frequently lower with belimumab, although titer levels were > 1:10 in all patients treated with 10 mg/kg and in the majority treated with 1 mg/kg.Conclusion.Treatment with belimumab did not affect the ability of patients with SLE to maintain antibody titers to previous pneumococcal, tetanus, and influenza immunizations. [ClinicalTrials.gov registration number NCT 00410384]