Systemic lupus (SL) is a rare chronic autoimmune disease characterized by the production of autoantibodies directed against nuclear antigens, particularly native double-stranded deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA), and excessive production of antiviral cytokines: type I interferons, particularly interferon alpha (IFN-α). IFN-α production results from the excessive detection of nucleic acids (DNA or Ribonucleic Acid (RNA)) by endosomal or intracytoplasmic receptors that are capable of inducing interferon production. The precise mechanisms of cytoplasmic sensor activation remain unknown; however, recent work in the field of interferonopathies suggests a role for human endogenous retroviruses (HERVs). HERVs are remnants of ancient infections caused by exogenous retroviruses integrated into the genome during evolution and represent 8% of the human genome.Several studies have suggested a role for HERVs in the development and maintenance of an excessive immune response in lupus patients and other autoimmune diseases by affecting the type I interferons (I IFN) signalling pathway. To date, none of the approved immunosuppressive drugs for Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) have been shown to be effective in the background treatment of SL or in preventing relapse. Consequently, there is an urgent need to identify new molecules and therapeutic avenues for disease-modifying therapies. In this study, an innovative therapeutic strategy using a combination of nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs), abacavir/lamivudine, is proposed to treat SLE. Thus, we propose a pilot Phase II, randomized, open-label study using NRTIs in patients with SL in remission or with low clinical activity, and evaluating a biological endpoint (IFN signature), which is a direct proxy for the drug's expected effect. The main objective is to compare the addition of Abacavir/Lamivudine (Add-on) to standard care for 6 months, on the value of the interferon (IFN) transcriptomic signature of patients with systemic lupus with low activity as defined by the Lupus Low Disease Activity State (LLDAS).
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
70
blood test to assess : * human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-B\*5701 status to identify risk of allergy or hypersensitivity to abacavir (the study treatment) * IFN-signature ans IFN-alpha dosage * human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), hepatitis B virus (HBV) and Hepatitis C virus (HCV) serologies * Human chorionic gonadotropin (βHCG) * HERVs dosage A biological collection will also be created. The total volume of blood collected specifically for the research for the entire duration of the study is 62.5 millilitre (mL) maximum.
Patients randomised to the experimental arm will be required to take 1 tablet (600 mg lamivudine and 300 mg abacavir) once daily for 6 months in addition to their usual treatment.
Patients will be asked to complete the Lupus Impact Tracker questionnaire at visit V1 (randomisation visit), visit 3 (at 6 months of treatment) and visit 4 (12 months after visit 1).
Groupe Hospitalier Pellegrin-CHU de Bordeaux
Bordeaux, France
Hôpital Femme-Mère-Enfant (HCL)
Bron, France
CHU de Clermont-Ferrand - Hôpital Gabriel Montpied
Clermont-Ferrand, France
CHU Nord de Grenoble - Albert Michallon
Grenoble, France
Hôpital Claude Huriez
Lille, France
Hôpital de la Croix-Rousse (HCL)
Lyon, France
Hôpital Edouard Herriot (HCL)
Lyon, France
Hôpital Necker-Enfants malades
Paris, France
Hôpital Pitié-Salpêtrière
Paris, France
Hôpital Lyon Sud (HCL)
Pierre-Bénite, France
...and 1 more locations
Absolute variation in interferon signature (IFN)
Absolute change in interferon (IFN) signature will be assessed between the start of treatment (M0) and after 6 months of treatment (M6) in the total population (then in the pediatric population, then in the adult population)..
Time frame: At M6 (after 6 months of treatment)
percentage of patients maintaining LLDAS criteria
The percentage of patients maintaining LLDAS criteria will be assessed at M6 and M12 in the 2 arms.
Time frame: until 12 months after randomisation
number of relapses
number of relapses and time to relapse between M0 and M12 (collected continuously) will be assessed
Time frame: until 12 months after randomisation
anti-native double-stranded DNA quantification
Evaluation of the effect of treatment on lupus biomarkers by quantifying anti-native double-stranded DNA
Time frame: until 12 months after randomisation
anti-extractable nuclear antigens (anti-ENA) quantification
Evaluation of the effect of treatment on lupus biomarkers by quantifying anti-ENA
Time frame: until 12 months after randomisation
interferon-α production quantification
Evaluation of the effect of treatment on lupus biomarkers by interferon-α production
Time frame: until 12 months after randomisation
Number of successful patients
The number of patients in each arm achieving success will be assessed. Success is defined as a ≥50% reduction in IFN signature between M0 and M6.
Time frame: until 6 months after randomisation
Cumulative dose of intravenous (IV) corticosteroids
The impact of treatment on corticosteroid intake in the "Intervention" arm and the "No intervention" arm at M control arm will be assessed by observing the cumulative dose of intravenous (IV) and oral corticosteroids.
Time frame: until 12 months after randomisation
Lupus Impact Tracker questionnaire score
Quality of life will be assessed by comparing Lupus Impact Tracker™ questionnaire scores at M6 and M12 in the Intervention arm and control arm. The lupus impact tracker (LIT) is a 10-item patient reported outcome tool to measure the impact of systemic lupus erythematosus or its treatment on patients' daily lives. Each answer is marked from 0 to 4 points. The lower the Lupus Impact score, the less impact lupus is having on the life of patient.
Time frame: until 12 months after randomisation
number of missed treatment
Adherence to treatment will be assessed by recording the number of doses missed and the reasons for missed doses.
Time frame: until 6 months after randomisation
number of adverse event (AE)
To assess the safety and tolerability of the drug, the number of AE will be compared between the two randomisation arms.
Time frame: until 12 months after randomisation
number of serious adverse event (SAE)
To assess the safety and tolerability of the drug, the number of SAE will be compared between the two randomisation arms.
Time frame: until 12 months after randomisation
HERVs transcription quantification
The difference in HERVs copy number in the 2 arms will be assessed. A comparison between groups will be performed.
Time frame: until 12 months after randomisation
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