Efficacy and Safety of Ustekinumab in Patients With Active Systemic Lupus Erythematosus: Results of a Phase II Open-label Extension Study.

Abstract

OBJECTIVE:

To evaluate the long-term efficacy and safety of ustekinumab through 2 years in patients with active systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).

METHODS:

This was a placebo-controlled (week 24), phase II study in 102 patients with seropositive active SLE. Patients were randomized to ustekinumab (approximately 6 mg/kg single intravenous infusion, then subcutaneous [SC] injections of 90 mg every 8 weeks) or placebo, added to background therapy. Placebo patients initiated ustekinumab (90 mg SC every 8 weeks) at week 24. Patients could enter an optional open-label study extension after week 40 (final ustekinumab administration at week 104). Efficacy assessments included Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Disease Activity Index 2000 (SLEDAI-2K), SLEDAI-2K Responder Index-4 (SRI-4), physician global assessment (PGA), and Cutaneous Lupus Erythematosus Disease Area and Severity Index (CLASI). Observed data are reported for the extension period. The final efficacy assessment was at week 112; safety was monitored through week 120.

RESULTS:

In this subset of patients who entered the study extension, 24 in the ustekinumab group and 14 in the placebo crossover group completed study treatment. At week 112, 79% and 92%, respectively, had an SRI-4 response; 92% in both groups had ≥ 4-point improvement from baseline in SLEDAI-2K score; 79% and 93%, respectively, had ≥ 30% improvement from baseline in PGA; 86% and 91%, respectively, had ≥ 50% improvement in active joint (pain and inflammation) count; and 79% and 100%, respectively, had ≥ 50% improvement in CLASI Activity Score. No deaths, malignancies, opportunistic infections, or tuberculosis cases occurred. Safety events were consistent with the known ustekinumab safety profile.

CONCLUSION:

Of the 46 patients who entered the voluntary extension of this phase II study, clinical benefit in global and organ-specific SLE activity measures was observed with ustekinumab through 2 years with no new or unexpected safety findings. [ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT02349061].

• Authors: Ronald F van Vollenhoven, Bevra H Hahn, George C Tsokos, Peter Lipsky, Robert M Gordon, Kaiyin Fei, Kim Hung Lo, Marc Chevrier, Shawn Rose, Pamela Berry, Zhenling Yao, Chetan S Karyekar, Qing Zuraw
• Journal: The Journal of rheumatology (J Rheumatol) Vol. 49 Issue 4 Pg. 380-387 (04 2022) ISSN: 0315-162X [Print] Canada
• PMID: 34853089 (Publication Type: Clinical Trial, Phase II, Journal Article, Randomized Controlled Trial, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)
• Copyright: Copyright © 2022 by the Journal of Rheumatology.

Chemical References

• Ustekinumab

Topics

• Double-Blind Method
• Humans
• Injections, Subcutaneous
• Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic (drug therapy)
• Severity of Illness Index
• Treatment Outcome
• Ustekinumab (adverse effects)