Biomarker-Linked Outcomes of Cellcept in Lupus Arthritis

Patients and Methods:

27 patients with active BILAG B or A arthritis, with at least 6 swollen and 6 tender joints entered a six month study of MMF vs placebo for three months followed by open label MMF. 14 patients (12 women and 2 men) received placebo at baseline and 13 patients (11 women and 2 men) received MMF. Primary Outcome was Major Clinical Response at 3 months, then all patients received open label Cellcept for another 3 months. Blood was drawn for safety, lupus disease activity measures and exploratory Biomarkers, Joint counts were performed monthly. At baseline background DMARDs were stopped. Plaquenil was allowed. All patients received 160 mg depomedrol at baseline and were allowed 80 mg shots at subsequent months after blood draws and procedures had been completed.

DEFINITION of RESPONSE

Prespecified Primary Endpoint: Complete Clinical Response:

BILAG C in musculoskeletal by Week 12 and decrease to 0.25 or less of tender +swollen jt counts

Prespecified Secondary Endpoint: Partial response:

One letter drop in musculoskeletal by Week 12 OR decrease to 0.5 or less tender + swollen jt counts

Exploratory Measure (not prespecified): Major Clinical Response:

BILAG C in musculoskeletal by Week 12 and decrease to 0.5 or less of tender +swollen jt counts. (In the primary analysis the one patient who met this endpoint was designated as a partial responder since those prespecified criteria were also met.

Non response:

Does not meet above criteria for complete or partial response

Additional Measures: (prespecified secondary endpoints) included joint counts, changes in BILAG and SLEDAI and physician and patient global assessments.

Inclusion criteria

• Diagnosis of SLE by the 1995 modification of revised ACR criteria (includes antiphospholipid antibodies)
• BILAG A arthritis or BILAG B arthritis with at least 6 tender and 4 swollen joints at screening and baseline
• Stable prednisone dose at 20 mg of less for one month at baseline.
• If on antimalarials must be stable for at least one month at baseline
• If on NSAIDS must be on a stable regimen for at least one month but can be prn dosing
• Must be willing to withdraw from azathioprine or MTX at the time of screening.
• Between ages 14 and 70
• Women of childbearing potential must have a negative pregnancy test at screening and at each month during the study.
• All participants (male and female) must, if fertile, agree to practice contraception during the entire course of the study. This may include barrier, oral contraceptives, depo-provera, intrauterine device and/or abstinence.

-

Exclusion criteria

• Inability to understand informed consent
• Drug or alcohol abuse within the past six months
• In the opinion of the investigator, it is not likely the patient can comply with the protocol for any reason, or participation in the protocol is not in the patient's best interest.
• Unstable medical condition that, in the opinion of the investigator would contraindicate study participation
• History of malignancy (except for basal cell carcinoma at any time and/or cervical cancer or squamous cell cancer at least five years previous to screening).
• Use of cyclosporine, leflunomide, cyclophosphamide or ay biologic agent within three months prior to screening.
• Participation in any clinical study of an investigational agent within three months of screening -