Brief Report: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Parallel-Group, Placebo-Controlled, Multiple-Dose Study to Evaluate AMG 557 in Patients With Systemic Lupus Erythematosus and Active Lupus Arthritis

Arthritis Rheumatol. 2018 Jul;70(7):1071-1076. doi: 10.1002/art.40479. Epub 2018 May 25.

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the safety and potential efficacy of AMG 557, a fully human antibody directed against the inducible T cell costimulator ligand (ICOSL) in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) with arthritis.

Methods: In this phase Ib, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study, patients received AMG 557 210 mg (n = 10) or placebo (n = 10) weekly for 3 weeks, then every other week for 10 additional doses. The corticosteroid dosage was tapered to ≤7.5 mg/day by day 85, and immunosuppressants were discontinued by day 29. Primary end points on day 169 were safety, immunogenicity, the Lupus Arthritis Response Index (LARI; defined by a reduction in the tender and swollen joint counts), ≥1-letter improvement in the musculoskeletal domain of the British Isles Lupus Assessment Group (BILAG) index, and medication discontinuation. The secondary/exploratory end points were changes in the tender and swollen joint counts, BILAG index scores (musculoskeletal, global), and the Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Disease Activity Index (SLEDAI).

Results: The incidence of adverse events, most of which were mild, was similar between groups. LARI responses occurred in 3 of 10 patients receiving AMG 557 and 1 of 10 patients receiving placebo (P = 0.58). More patients in the AMG 557 group achieved a ≥4-point improvement in the SLEDAI score on day 169 (7 of 10 patients) compared with the placebo group (2 of 10 patients) (P = 0.07). Patients treated with AMG 557 (versus placebo) had greater improvements from baseline in the global BILAG index scores (-36.3% versus -24.7%) and the SLEDAI score (-47.8% versus -10.7%) and in tender (-22.8% versus -13.5%) and swollen (-62.1% versus -7.8%) joint counts on day 169.

Conclusion: AMG 557 showed safety and potential efficacy, supporting further evaluation of the clinical efficacy of ICOSL blockade in patients with SLE.

Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT01683695.

Publication types

  • Clinical Trial, Phase I
  • Randomized Controlled Trial
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adrenal Cortex Hormones / therapeutic use
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized / administration & dosage*
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized / immunology
  • Arthritis / drug therapy*
  • Arthritis / immunology
  • Arthritis / pathology
  • Double-Blind Method
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Immunosuppressive Agents / therapeutic use
  • Inducible T-Cell Co-Stimulator Ligand / immunology*
  • Joints / drug effects
  • Joints / pathology
  • Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic / drug therapy*
  • Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic / immunology
  • Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic / pathology
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Severity of Illness Index
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • AMG 557
  • Adrenal Cortex Hormones
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized
  • Immunosuppressive Agents
  • Inducible T-Cell Co-Stimulator Ligand

Associated data

  • ClinicalTrials.gov/NCT01683695