Efficacy and safety of guselkumab in patients with active lupus nephritis: results from a phase 2, randomized, placebo-controlled study.

OBJECTIVE

Evaluate the efficacy and safety of guselkumab, an IL-23p19-subunit inhibitor, in a phase 2, multicentre, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study of patients with active LN.

METHODS

Adults (18-75 years) with active LN [Class III-IV proliferative nephritis (kidney biopsy) and urine protein-to-creatinine ratio (UPCR) of ≥1 mg/mg despite standard-of-care therapy] were randomized (1:1; planned sample = 60) to receive i.v. infusions of guselkumab 400 mg or placebo at weeks 0, 4 and 8, then s.c. injections (guselkumab 200 mg or placebo) at week 12 and every 4 weeks through week 48 in addition to their background therapy. The primary endpoint was achievement of ≥50% decrease in proteinuria from baseline at week 24. Major secondary endpoints (week 24) were achievement of complete renal response (CRR), sustained reduction in steroid dose (≤10 mg/day prednisone/equivalent) from weeks 16-24, UPCR <0.5 mg/mg; <0.75 mg/mg, time to achieving CRR, and time to treatment failure. Safety was assessed through the end of the study.

RESULTS

Following enrolment challenges (COVID-19 pandemic; Ukraine/Russia crisis), the sponsor terminated the study early; 33 participants were randomized (placebo, n = 16; guselkumab, n = 17). At week 24, 56.3% (9/16) in the placebo group and 35.3% (6/17) in the guselkumab group achieved the primary endpoint. No apparent differences were observed in the secondary endpoints. Through end-of-study, 75% of placebo patients and 71% of guselkumab patients reported ≥1 adverse event; most were of mild-to-moderate severity.

CONCLUSION

Guselkumab+background therapy did not demonstrate superior reduction in proteinuria vs placebo+background therapy in this small cohort of patients with active LN. Safety results were consistent with the known safety profile of guselkumab.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT04376827.