Research News Update

Encouraging Trial Results for Potential Lupus Drug Iberdomide

In a Phase 2a clinical trial, the drug iberdomide was found to be safe and effective for the treatment of lupus. With increasing doses, participants’ lupus disease activity improved while negative reactions were uncommon and mostly mild.

The study included 17 people with lupus, and researchers assessed their symptoms and tolerance of the treatment. Some people received a placebo (an inactive treatment) while others received different doses of iberdomide. At all dose levels, participants benefitted from improved disease activity compared to the placebo group and their baseline disease measures. Blood levels of B cells (white blood cells that attack invading viruses, bacteria and toxins) and markers of inflammation decreased as treatment dosage increased – good signs that the treatment is working.

The most common negative reactions to the treatment included nausea, diarrhea and upper respiratory tract infections. More moderate to severe reactions occurred in the highest dose groups. Iberdomide shows early promise as a potential therapy for lupus, and the latest trial results indicate its worth continued investigation.

New Insights into Long-Term Benlysta Treatment in Lupus

Data from people who continually treated their lupus with Benlysta® for several years indicate the drug remains safe after long-term use.

Researchers looked at changes in two key biomarkers over time: B cells and Immunoglobulin G (IgG), two indicators of immune system activity. After 5-6 years of continued Benlysta use, both B cells and IgG decreased, and these reductions were not associated with increased infection risk or any significant changes in the drug’s safety profile.

Additionally, researchers found that people with elevated baseline levels of naïve B cells (a subset of B cells) were more likely to respond better to Benlysta therapy, while those with elevated baseline IgG levels were less likely to respond well to the treatment and had greater rates of infection. The findings suggest that assessing B cell and IgG levels before starting long-term use of Benlysta may help healthcare providers better predict how people will do on the drug and their long-term infection risk.

To learn more on lupus drug news and about medications used to treat lupus visit our website at https://www. lupusgreaterohio.org/understanding-lupus/news/