Introduction

In a significant advance for patients suffering from moderate-to-severe systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), long-term treatment with anifrolumab has been shown to slow the progression of organ damage. This game-changing data was unveiled during the recent American College of Rheumatology (ACR) Convergence 2024, which took place from November 14 to 19 in Washington, DC.

Study Overview

The impressive findings stem from the phase 3 LASER study (NCT06485674), presented by Dr. Zahi Touma, a renowned expert and director of the Toronto Lupus Program at the University of Toronto. The study involved comparing 354 patients receiving 300 mg of anifrolumab, a monoclonal antibody targeting the type I interferon pathway, with 561 biologic-naïve patients receiving standard of care (SOC) treatment from the University of Toronto Lupus Clinic who matched key eligibility criteria.

Results

The results showed that patients on anifrolumab experienced a significantly lower increase in the SLICC/ACR Damage Index (SDI) over four years compared to those receiving standard treatments. Specifically, the anifrolumab cohort had a mean change in SDI of just 0.201, while the SOC group faced a mean change of 0.571—indicating a substantial difference in risk of organ damage progression. In fact, patients treated with anifrolumab had nearly a 60% lower risk of first SDI progression over the 48-month period.

Guideline Updates

This promising data coincides with updates on lupus nephritis management, emphasized in the new ACR Guideline for the Screening, Treatment, and Management of Lupus Nephritis. Notable changes in recommendations highlight a shift from traditional induction and maintenance therapy to a more integrated approach, ideally involving combination therapies that leverage various immunological targets—including recently approved treatments like belimumab and voclosporin.

Conclusion

As researchers and practitioners continue to unravel the complexities of SLE and its complications, the introduction of anifrolumab represents a beacon of hope for patients seeking an effective way to manage their condition and mitigate the serious risks of organ damage. The future of lupus treatment is indeed looking brighter!