Trial of Belimumab in Early Lupus

Launched by NORTHWELL HEALTH · May 31, 2018

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial is studying the effects of a medication called belimumab (Benlysta) in people who have recently been diagnosed with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), also known as lupus. The trial will last for two years and will involve giving some participants belimumab, while others will receive a placebo (a treatment that looks like the real drug but has no active ingredients) during the first year. In the second year, those who were on belimumab will be randomly assigned again to either continue the medication or switch to the placebo. The goal is to see how belimumab affects lupus symptoms and the immune system.

To be eligible for this trial, participants must have been diagnosed with lupus within the last two years, have specific blood test results, and show mild to moderate disease activity. They should also be stable on certain medications, like corticosteroids, and must be able to provide informed consent. Throughout the study, participants will be monitored closely, and they can expect regular check-ins to assess their health and any changes in their condition. It's important to note that individuals who have had certain previous treatments or serious health conditions may not qualify. If you're considering participation, this could be an opportunity to contribute to research that may help improve treatment for lupus.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • Diagnosis of SLE per current ACR classification criteria
• • Date of SLE diagnosis within 2 years of screening
• • ANA positive (with a titer ≥ 80)
• • anti-ds DNA antibody positive
• • Mild to moderate disease activity define by a SLEDAI-2K ≥4
• • Stable corticosteroid dose in the 4 weeks prior to screening ≤ 30mg/day.
• • If on methotrexate, dose must be stable for 4 weeks
• • Concomitant treatment with hydroxychloroquine unless documented inability to tolerate
• • Able and willing to give written informed consent and comply with the requirements of the study protocol
• • Negative serum pregnancy test (for women of child bearing potential)
• • Men and women of reproductive potential must agree to use an acceptable method of birth control during treatment and for 16 weeks after completion of treatment
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • Previous exposure to disease modifying drugs such as azathioprine, mycophenolate mofetil, cyclophosphamide, or cyclosporine.
• • Previous exposure to biologic therapies including rituximab, belimumab or other agents that have been investigated for SLE.
• • Active renal or nervous system disease or disease activity fulfilling BILAG A criteria
• • Use of high dose steroids (\>0.5 mg/kg/ day) within the 4 weeks prior to screening
• • Expectation (by the investigator) that the subject will require treatment with a disease modifying drug within the first 52 weeks of the study
• • Hemoglobin: \< 8.0 gm/dL
• • Platelets: \< 50,000/mm
• • ANC \< 1.0 x 103/mm
• • AST or ALT \>2.5 x Upper Limit of Normal unless related to primary disease.
• • Creatinine clearance ≤ 25ml/min per 1.73 m2
• • Positive Hepatitis B or C serology (Hep B Surface antigen, Hep B core Ab or Hepatitis C antibody)
• • History of positive HIV (HIV conducted during screening if applicable)
• • Treatment with any investigational agent within 4 weeks of screening or 5 half-lives of the investigational drug (whichever is longer)
• • Receipt of a live vaccine within 30 days prior to baseline or concurrently with belimumab
• • Have a history of an anaphylactic reaction to parenteral administration of contrast agents, human or murine proteins or monoclonal antibodies
• • Currently on any suppressive therapy for a chronic infection (such as tuberculosis, pneumocystis, cytomegalovirus, herpes simplex virus, herpes zoster and atypical mycobacteria)
• • Hospitalization for treatment of infection within 60 days of Day 0.
• • Use of parenteral (IV or IM) antibiotics (antibacterials, antivirals, anti-fungals, or anti parasitic agents) within 60 days of Day 0
• • History of serious recurrent or chronic infection
• • Lack of peripheral venous access
• • History of drug, alcohol, or chemical abuse within 365 days prior to Day 0
• • Pregnancy (a negative serum pregnancy test must be obtained for all women of childbearing potential at screening; a urine pregnancy test must be negative \< 7 days prior to first dose and monthly)
• • Lactation
• • History of psychiatric disorder that would interfere with normal participation in this protocol
• • Significant cardiac or pulmonary disease (including obstructive pulmonary disease)
• • Any other disease, metabolic dysfunction, physical examination finding, or clinical laboratory finding giving reasonable suspicion of a disease or condition that contraindicates the use of an investigational drug or that may affect the interpretation of the results or render the patient at high risk from treatment complications
• • History of malignant neoplasm within the last 5 years with the exception of adequately treated basal or squamous cell carcinoma of the skin or carcinoma in situ of the cervix
• • Evidence of serious suicide risk including any history of suicidal behaviour in the last 6 months and/or any suicidal ideation in the last 2 months or who in the investigator's judgment, pose a significant suicide risk
• • History of a primary immunodeficiency
• • Have a significant IgG deficiency (IgG level \< 400 mg/dL)
• • Have an IgA deficiency (IgA level \< 10 mg/dL)
• • Have any other clinically significant abnormal laboratory value in the opinion of the investigator
• • Comorbidities requiring corticosteroid therapy, including those which have required two or more courses of systemic courses of systemic corticosteroids within the previous 12 months
• • Inability to comply with study and follow-up procedures