The Biogen Inc.-sponsored phase 2 LILAC (Part A) clinical trial evaluated the efficacy of the investigational monoclonal antibody drug litifilimab (BIIB059) to treat systemic lupus erythematosus.
The trial, which was randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled and led by Richard Furie, MD, chief of the Division of Rheumatology at Northwell, evaluated the efficacy and safety of litifilimab in two parts.
Part B, which was published in NEJM in July 2022, looked at litifilimab's effects on those with cutaneous lupus erythematosus. Part A's results published September 8.
In patients with SLE, the immune system attacks the body's tissues, causing widespread inflammation and damage to the affected organs. SLE impacts the joints, skin, brain, lungs, kidneys and blood vessels.
There is no cure for lupus, but it can be treated with medical interventions. This second manuscript published in NEJM helps give a bigger picture to the potential litifilimab therapy holds for people with both systemic and cutaneous lupus.
One hundred and thirty-two participants enrolled in the study were either given 450 mg of litifilimab or placebo subcutaneously every four weeks for 20 weeks, with an additional dose given at week two.
Clinicians then analyzed the active joint counts in the trial's enrollees, which determined that there was a greater reduction of swollen and tender joints than the placebo over 24 weeks. Effects on global disease as well as skin activity were also evaluated.
Longer and larger trials are needed, and Biogen Inc. is currently enrolling two phase 3 studies in 31 countries worldwide and plans to initiate a pivotal study in cutaneous lupus erythematosus later this year.
Dr. Furie is an internationally recognized leader in lupus research. Under his guidance, Dr. Furie helped lead several clinical trials that resulted in the Food and Drug Administration's approval of new therapies for SLE.
These included Saphnelo (anifrolumab) to treat SLE and Benlysta (belimumab) for lupus nephritis, the first approved therapy to treat that form of lupus.
The Feinstein Institutes for Medical Research is the home of the research institutes of Northwell Health, the largest health care provider and private employer in New York State.
Encompassing 50 research labs, 3,000 clinical research studies and 5,000 researchers and staff, the Feinstein Institutes raises the standard of medical innovation through its five institutes of behavioral science, bioelectronic medicine, cancer, health system science, and molecular medicine.
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