This is a randomized study exploring the efficacy, safety and steroid sparing ability of two doses (40 U and 80 U) of Acthar in SLE patients with immune mediated hematologic manifestations requiring steroid use for a minimum of 2 weeks prior to screening.
Acthar is currently labeled for use during an exacerbation or for maintenance therapy in selected SLE cases, however data from prospective trials on hematologic manifestations of SLE are not available. Due to the potential effect of lowering or eliminating autoantibodies, the absence of bone marrow suppression, and a steroid sparing effect, Acthar may represent a novel therapeutic option in recalcitrant cases of hematologic SLE.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE
The 40U group will administer 0.5 mL of study medication once a day. Patients will taper study medication during Week 2 through the remainder of the study and will administer 0.5 mL of study medication twice a week. The stable Acthar regimen should be maintained for the remainder of the study. However, dose adjustments may be implemented if needed based on safety.
The 80U group will administer 1.0 mL of study medication every day. If a patient meets dose reduction criteria, their assigned volume will be adjusted from 1.0 mL to 0.5 mL. Patients will taper study medication during Week 2 through the remainder of the study. However, dose adjustments may be implemented if needed based on safety.
Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Disease Activity Index (SLEDAI) Score
Disease activity is based on 24 questions, weighted across nine organ systems, combined into a total score that can range from 0 to 105, but are generally \< 20, even with very active disease.
Time frame: Baseline to Week 24
British Isles Lupus Assessment Group (BILAG) disease activity index Score
Items are rated as 0 (not present), 1 (improving), 2 (same), 3 (worse), or 4 (new) in the last 4 weeks compared with the previous 4 weeks. The numerical scores are used to categorize each organ system by an alphabetical score: 'A' reflecting severe disease requiring increases in prednisone to \> 20 mg daily and/or addition of immunosuppressive agents, 'B' indicated less active disease, requiring low-dose prednisone and/or symptomatic treatment with NSAIDs and/or antimalarials, 'C' reflecting mild disease requiring only symptomatic therapy, 'D' reflecting previous organ system involvement without current disease activity, and 'E' reflecting no prior or no current disease involvement in that organ system.
Time frame: Baseline to Week 24
Physician's Global Assessment Score
The Physician's Global Assessment is a 10 cm visual analogue scale (VAS) anchored at 0 (none) and 3 (severe) with intermediate lines at 1 (mild) and 2 (moderate). It is designed for the physician to indicate the patient's overall disease activity at a particular visit
Time frame: Baseline to Week 24
SELENA Flare Index Score
The SELENA Flare Index categorizes SLE flare as 'mild or moderate' or 'severe' based on six variables * Change in SLEDAI score from the most recent assessment to current. * Change in signs or symptoms of disease activity. * Change in prednisone dosage. * Use of new medication for disease activity or hospitalization. * Change in PGA score. * Hospitalization for SLE activity (severe flare only).
Time frame: Baseline to Week 24
SLICC/ACR Damage Index
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The SLICC/ACR Damage Index measures irreversible organ damage from either the disease process or treatment, which has been present for ≥ 6 months, in 12 organ systems. It is an important predictor of long-term mortality and is an independent outcome measure separate from the SLEDAI.
Time frame: Baseline to Week 24
Medical Outcomes Survey Short Form-36
The SF-36 has been validated in SLE and includes eight domains: physical functioning, role physical, bodily pain, general health perceptions, vitality (which includes fatigue, energy and vigor), social functioning, role emotional and mental-health impact, combined into two summary scores (physical component summary scores \[PCS\] and mental component summary scores \[MCS\])
Time frame: Baseline to Week 24
FACIT Fatigue Scale
The FACIT-F scale is a 13-item questionnaire to evaluate self-reported fatigue and its impact upon daily activities and function. The responses are measured on a 4-point Likert scale, with the total score ranging from 0 to 52. The FACIT-F scale has been validated in SLE patients.
Time frame: Baseline to Week 24
Patient's Global Assessment
Subjects rate their global assessment of SLE disease activity on each visit, in response to the question "Considering all the ways your SLE affects you, please mark a vertical line on the scale below for how are you feeling today?" using a 100mm visual analogue scale, where 0 is "very good, no symptoms" and 100 is "very poor, very severe symptoms."
Time frame: Baseline to Week 24