B cell pathway dual inhibition for systemic lupus erythematosus: a prospective single-arm cohort study of telitacicept

Abstract

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a heterogeneous autoimmune disease associated with B-cell hyperactivity. Telitacicept is a transmembrane activator, calcium modulator, and cyclophilin ligand interactor-Fc fusion protein, which can neutralize both B-cell lymphocyte stimulator and a proliferation-inducing ligand. Patients with active SLE who received telitacicept were prospectively followed at month 1, 3, 6, 9, and 12 after telitacicept initiation. Thirty-seven participants were involved and followed for 6.00 [3.00, 6.00] months. SRI-4 rate at month 6 was 44.7%. The median dosage of prednisone was decreased by 43.8% (from 10 to 5.62 mg/d) at month 6. The anti-dsDNA level was significantly decreased, while complement levels were significantly increased at month 6 from baseline. Continuously significant reductions in serum immunoglobin (Ig)G IgA, and IgM levels were also observed. Patients experienced significant decreases in the numbers of total and naive B cells, whereas memory B cells and T cell populations did not change. The number of NK cells was significantly increased during the follow-up. At month 6, 58.3% (14 out of 24) patients experienced improved fatigue accessed by FACIT-Fatigue score exceeding the minimum clinically important difference of 4. Most adverse events were mild, but one each case of severe hypogammaglobulinemia, psychosis with suicidal behavior, and B-cell lymphoma were occurred. In our first prospective real-world study, telitacicept treatment led to a significant clinical and laboratory improvement of disease activity, as well as fatigue amelioration in patients with SLE. Safety profile was favorable overall, but more studies are greatly needed.

Keywords: B cell inhibitor; B lymphocyte stimulator (BLyS); a proliferation‐inducing ligand (APRIL); lupus; telitacicept; transmembrane activator, calcium modulator and cyclophilin ligand interactor (TACI).