Patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) have shown considerable improvement with respect to morbidity and mortality in the past 50 years with a current 10-year survival rate of about 90%. However, despite all the advances in the treatment, many patients still suffer from the adverse effects related to the SLE. This study focuses on the efficacy and safety of atacicept in the prevention of flares of SLE.
Atacicept is a fusion protein that blocks B-lymphocyte stimulator and a proliferation-inducing ligand, which are increased in patients with SLE. Methods A 52-week randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group study was conducted in patients with moderate-to-severe SLE without renal or CNS involvement. Four hundred and sixty-one patients were randomized to receive a subcutaneous injection of atacicept 75 mg or 150 mg or an equivalent dose of placebo in a 1:1:1…
