Lupus Erythematosus, SystemicPhase 3LOTUSNCT07751848
A Study of Outcomes in Chinese Patients Treated With Anifrolumab Who Have Active Mod-severe Systemic Lupus Erythematosus
A Phase 3 study testing Anifrolumab in people with Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic, run by AstraZeneca at 74 sites in China.
Trial summary
This study aims to describe clinical outcomes, with focus on remission, achieved with use of anifrolumab participants with SLE on standard-of-care (as recommended by 2025 China SLE guidelines). Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 18 to 70 years
- Conditions the study is for
- Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic
- What is being tested?
- Anifrolumab
- Type of treatment
- Injection or infusion
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 417 participants
- Where
- 74 sitesChina
- Study dates
- 31 Aug 2026to 30 Aug 2028
- Phase
- Phase 3
Key requirements
Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.
- Ages 18 to 70 years
- All sexes
- No healthy volunteers
- Adult, Older adult
Who may be able to join
- Informed Consent
- Capable of giving signed informed consent. Age
- Participant must be 18 to 70 years of age inclusive, at the time of signing the ICF.
- Disease Characteristics
- Participants who have a diagnosis of SLE according to the 2019 EULAR/American College of Rheumatology (ACR) criteria (Appendix D), confirmed by a rheumatologist
- ANA-positive as determined by a documented historical test result confirmed at Screening, for Antinuclear antibody (ANA) immunofluorescent assay test (titre ≥ 1:80), or at least one of the following:
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- Anti-dsDNA (b) Anti-Smith (anti-Sm) Note: Retesting of autoantibodies is allowed once during Screening.
- To be eligible a participant must have SLEDAI-2K ≥6 or clinical SLEDAI-2K ≥ 4 points:
- In order to qualify for SLEDAI-2K score for arthritis at Screening, participant must have at least 3 joints with tenderness AND swelling (same joints) due to SLE.
- In order to qualify for SLEDAI-2K score for rash at Screening, participant must have rash with significant erythema (not only faint pink erythema)
- Clinical SLEDAI-2K points at Screening cannot only be due to one of the following (but a combination is permitted): fever, diffuse alopecia or mucosal ulcers. NB. Presence of fever or mucosal ulcers must be documented by the investigator at the visit. Patchy alopecia which includes a change in normal scalp colour, is permitted as a sole contributor to Clinical SLEDAI-2K score.
- PGA score ≥ 1.0 on a 0 to 3 visual analogue scale (VAS) at Screening.
- Must be receiving at least one of the following standard therapy regimens at Screening:
- Oral prednisone (or equivalent) monotherapy: i. Must be stable (including prednisone or equivalent = 0 mg/day) for > 2 weeks before 1st anifrolumab infusion.
- Maximum daily dose: ≤ 40 mg/day. b) Antimalarials and/or immunosuppressant(s) with or without GC: i. Permitted medications include: antimalarials, azathioprine, mycophenolate mofetil/mycophenolic acid, methotrexate, mizoribine, tacrolimus, and cyclosporine (Note: The combination of azathioprine and methotrexate is not allowed due to known safety issues. The combinations of tacrolimus/cyclosporine with other immunosuppressants above should be avoided. Combination with antimalarials is allowed.).
- Start date: ≥ 12 weeks prior to signing the ICF. iii. Must be stable ≥ 8 weeks prior to signing the ICF. iv. The daily dose should follow the medical practice and not exceed the maximum allowed daily dose: v. Azathioprine: ≤ 200 mg/day. vi. Mycophenolate mofetil ≤ 2 g/day or mycophenolic acid ≤ 1.44 g/day. vii. Oral, subcutaneous (SC), or intramuscular methotrexate ≤ 25 mg/week. viii. Mizoribine ≤ 150 mg/day. ix. Tacrolimus ≤ 0.2 mg/kg/day or cyclosporine ≤ 5 mg/kg/day, monitoring of serum concentration may be performed at the discretion of Investigator where practice guidelines mandate or in case of safety concerns.
- Oral prednisone (or equivalent) plus immunosuppressant(s): i. Start dates for GC and immunosuppressants must be met. ii. Stability requirements for each medication must be met. iii. No minimum daily dose for GC when in combination with immunosuppressants. iv. Maximum daily dosages for each medication in (a) and (b) must not be exceeded.
- Chest x-ray (obtained during Screening or within 12 weeks prior to signing of the ICF) or a computed tomography (CT) scan of the chest (within 12 weeks of signing the informed consent) which meets all the following:
- No evidence of current active infection (e.g., pneumonia, tuberculosis [TB]) or previous TB; and
- No evidence of malignancy; and
- No clinically significant abnormalities (unless due to SLE).
- TB Testing for Inclusion in the study: the participant must undergo an IGRA (e.g., QuantiFERON-Tuberculosis Gold [QFT G test]) test for TB obtained from the study central laboratory at Screening with any of the following results:
- Negative test result Positive test result: referral to a TB specialist for evaluation and for which active TB has been ruled out (as described in the protocol definition), and initiation of treatment for latent TB prior to the first administration of study intervention in accordance with local SoC.
- Indeterminate test result confirmed by repeat test using the same assay o The participant must be referred to a TB specialist for evaluation (with assessment and treatment recommendation comprehensively documented in source) and initiation of appropriate latent TB treatment, if warranted, prior to the first administration of study intervention. If no latent TB treatment is warranted, the participant may enter the study without latent TB treatment but must be retested at least every 12 months. If the retest result is indeterminate or negative, the participant may continue in the study with routine testing.
- o If, upon retest, the result is indeterminate, the participant may continue in the study without treatment. The participant will continue routine TB testing as outlined in the SoA (Section 1.3).
- Weight
- Body weight ≥ 40 kg. Sex
- Female participants:
- Negative serum β-hCG test at Screening (females of childbearing potential only).
- Women of childbearing potential must have a negative urine pregnancy test at Week0(Day 1), prior to administration of study intervention.
- Women of non-childbearing potential must be postmenopausal or have been surgically sterilized (for example: bilateral oophorectomy, bilateral salpingectomy, or complete hysterectomy), which should be documented in the participant's medical records. The following age-specific requirements may apply for a postmenopausal state: i. Women who were taking HRT (Hormone Replacement Therapy):
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- Women < 50 years old will be considered postmenopausal if they have been amenorrhoeic for ≥ 12 months following cessation of HRT and the FSH level in a sample collected during Screening is in the laboratory's normal range for postmenopausal women. Until FSH is documented to be within menopausal range, the patient should be considered as a WOCBP.
- Women ≥ 50 years old will be considered postmenopausal if they have been amenorrhoeic for ≥12 months following cessation of all HRT.
- Women who were not taking HRT:
- Women < 60 years old will be considered postmenopausal by a history of ≥ 12 months of amenorrhea and if the FSH level in a sample collected during Screening is in the laboratory's normal range for postmenopausal women.
- Women ≥ 60 years old will be considered postmenopausal if they have been amenorrhoeic for ≥ 12 months prior to the Week 0(Day 1)without an alternative medical cause.
- If the above criteria are not met, the patient should be regarded as a WOCBP.
- 12. Contraceptive methods should be used in all sexually active men and women. Highly effective methods include oral contraceptives, contraceptive implants, intrauterine device, condoms and vasectomy. Female participants must not get pregnant, donate eggs or breastfeed a child during the study and up to 16 weeks after the last dose of the study medication.
- 13. Male participants must not donate sperm during the study and for 16 weeks after the last dose of the IMP.
Who cannot join
- Medical Conditions
- History of, or current diagnosis of, a clinically significant non-SLE related vasculitis syndrome Vasculitis due to SLE is allowed in the study.
- Non-SLE diseases that potentially require systemic glucocorticoids (e.g. IV or oral), as determined by medical judgment, e.g. asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
- Active severe or unstable neuropsychiatric SLE including, but not limited to aseptic meningitis, cerebral vasculitis, myelopathy, demyelination syndromes (ascending, transverse, acute inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculopathy), acute confusional state, impaired level of consciousness, psychosis, acute stroke or stroke syndrome, cranial neuropathy, status epilepticus, cerebellar ataxia, lupus headache and mononeuritis multiplex, where, in the opinion of primary investigator or AstraZeneca, protocol-specified standard therapy is insufficient and utilisation of a more aggressive therapeutic approach, such as adding IV cyclophosphamide and/or high dose IV pulse corticosteroid therapy or other treatments not permitted in the protocol, is indicated.
- Active severe SLE-driven renal disease where, in the opinion of the primary investigator or AstraZeneca, protocol-specified standard therapy is insufficient and utilisation of a more aggressive therapeutic approach, such as adding IV cyclophosphamide and/or high dose IV pulse corticosteroid therapy or other treatments not permitted in the protocol, is indicated.
- Subjects with SLE overlap syndromes such as scleroderma and mixed connective tissue disease are excluded. Subjects with an overlap syndrome of SLE with rheumatoid arthritis are not excluded as long as they meet the criteria for the classification of SLE.
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- Subjects with other autoimmune diseases (e.g., multiple sclerosis, psoriasis, IBD, etc.) are excluded. Subjects with type I autoimmune diabetes mellitus, thyroid autoimmune disease, Celiac disease, or secondary Sjögren's syndrome are not excluded.
- History of, or current diagnosis of, catastrophic anti-phospholipid syndrome (APS) within one year prior to signing the ICF. Subjects with a serious thrombotic event (e.g., pulmonary embolism stroke, deep vein thrombosis) or unexplained pregnancy loss within 1 year before the screening visit are excluded. Subjects with a history of catastrophic antiphospholipid syndrome or saddle embolism are excluded. Subjects with a history of 3 or more unexplained consecutive pregnancy losses would also be excluded. Participants with other degrees of APS adequately controlled by anticoagulants ((i.e., if on warfarin, an international normalized ratio [INR] target 2 to 3 or as appropriate for the clinical situation) or aspirin for at least 12 weeks can be recruited to the study.
- Current or history of Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenal (HPA) axis related disease, Addison disease, adrenal haemorrhage etc.
- Current infections requiring hospitalisation.
- History of recurrent infection requiring hospitalisation and IV antibiotics (e.g., 3 or more of the same type of infection over the previous 52 weeks).
- Known history of a primary immunodeficiency, splenectomy, or any underlying condition that predisposes the participant to infection, or a positive result for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection confirmed by central laboratory at Screening:
- An HIV test must be performed during Screening, and the result should be available prior to Week 0 (Day 1). The participant is ineligible to participate in the study when positive for HIV antibody or infection (i.e., positive nucleic acid test) performed by the central laboratory. Participants refusing HIV testing during the Screening Period will not be eligible for study participation.
- Severe herpes zoster or recurrent herpes zoster:
- Any severe case, as defined by study guidelines, of herpes zoster infection at any time prior to Week 0 (Day 1), including, but not limited to, non-cutaneous herpes (ever), herpes encephalitis (ever), recurrent herpes zoster (defined as 2 episodes within 2 years) or ophthalmic herpes involving the retina (ever).
- Any herpes zoster infection that has not completely resolved within 12 weeks prior to signing the ICF.
- Confirmed positive test for hepatitis B serology for:
- Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg), OR
- Hepatitis B core antibody (HBcAb) AND hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA detected above the lower limit of quantitation (LLOQ) by reflex testing by the central laboratory at screening.
- Note: Participants who are HBcAb positive at screening will be tested at least every 12 months for HBV DNA. To remain eligible for the study, the participant's HBV DNA levels must remain below the LLOQ as per the central laboratory.
- Active hepatitis C infection (defined as positive hepatitis C virus [HCV] antibody and detectable HCV ribonucleic acid (RNA) as confirmed by central laboratory.
- Any clinical cytomegalovirus (CMV) or Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection that has not completely resolved within 12 weeks prior to signing the ICF.
- Active tuberculosis (TB):
- Medical history or signs or symptoms of active TB prior to or during Screening.
- A chest x-ray during the Screening Period or within 12 weeks prior to signing of the ICF with evidence of active or signs of prior TB infection
- Recent contact with a person with active TB OR if there has been such contact, referral to a physician specializing in TB to undergo additional evaluation prior to Week 0 (Day 1) (documented comprehensively in source), and, if warranted, receipt of appropriate treatment for latent TB at or before the first administration of study intervention
- Opportunistic infection requiring hospitalization or IV antimicrobial treatment within 3 years of Week 0 (Day 1).
- Clinically significant chronic infection (e.g., osteomyelitis, bronchiectasis, etc.) within 8 weeks prior to signing the ICF (chronic nail infections are allowed).
- Current or previous history of malignancies, apart from:
- Squamous or basal cell carcinoma of the skin treated with documented success of curative therapy ≥3 months prior to Week 0 (Day 1).
- Cervical cancer in situ treated with apparent success with curative therapy ≥1 year prior to Week 0 (Day 1).
- Females with abnormal cervical cancer screening results Females who have been or are sexually active with an intact cervix must have documentation of a cervical cancer screening (Pap smear or human papilloma virus [HPV] tests as per local guidelines) with a normal test result within 2 years prior to Week 0 (Day 1). Any abnormal cervical cancer screening result documented within 2 years prior to Week 0 (Day 1) must be repeated to confirm participant eligibility.
- Note: Females aged < 25 years, who have never been sexually active or have well-documented HPV vaccination records may not, at the investigator's discretion, require a cervical cancer screening test.
- Any history of an anaphylactic reaction to human proteins or monoclonal antibodies.
- Prior/Concomitant Therapy
- Prior receipt of anifrolumab.
- Current receipt of other biologics or small molecule targeted treatments.
- Currently participating in an interventional clinical trial with an IMP.
- Participants with receipt of/use of any live or attenuated vaccine within 8 weeks prior to signing the ICF will be excluded from the study. Use of any live or attenuated vaccine is not allowed during the study up until study completion or at least 12 weeks after the last study dose.
- Receipt of any prohibited medication listed in Appendix H.
- Blood transfusion or receipt of blood products except albumin within 4 weeks prior to signing the ICF.
- Diagnostic Assessments
- At Screening (within 4 weeks before Week 0), any of the following (note: retesting of laboratory test results during Screening may be repeated once):
- Serum creatinine > 2.0 mg/dL (or > 181 μmol/L)
- Urine protein/creatinine ratio > 2.0 mg/mg (or > 226.30 mg/mmol)
- Aspartate aminotransferase (AST) > 2.0 × upper limit of normal (ULN)
- Alanine aminotransferase (ALT) > 2.0 × ULN
- TBL > ULN (unless due to Gilbert's syndrome)
- Neutrophil count < 1000/μL (or < 1.0 × 109/L)
- Hb < 8 g/dL (or < 80 g/L), or < 7 g/dL (or < 70 g/L) related to participant's SLE such as in active haemolytic anaemia
- Glycosylated haemoglobin (HbA1c) > 8% (or > 0.08) at Screening (in diabetic participants only) Others
- Lactating, breastfeeding, or pregnant females or females who intend to become pregnant or begin breastfeeding anytime from initiation of Screening until 16 weeks following last dose of study intervention.
- Spontaneous or induced abortion, still or live birth, or pregnancy ≤ 4 weeks prior to signing the ICF.
- Major surgery within 8 weeks before signing the ICF or elective major surgery planned during the study period .
- Any condition that, in the opinion of the investigator or AstraZeneca, would interfere with treatment outcomes of the study intervention or put participant at safety risk.
Trial locations and contacts
74 sites in 1 country. Contact the study team or a site near you to ask about taking part.
AstraZeneca Clinical Study Information Center contact
74 sites in 1 country
China74 sites, 74 recruiting
- Recruiting
Research Site
Beijing, 100000
- Recruiting
Research Site
Beijing, 100053
- Not yet recruiting
Research Site
Beijing, 100191
- Recruiting
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Beijing, 100730
- Recruiting
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Bengbu, 233004
- Not yet recruiting
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Changchun, 130021
- Not yet recruiting
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Changchun, 130033
- Not yet recruiting
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Changchun, 134699
- Not yet recruiting
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Changde, 415000
- Not yet recruiting
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Changlexi, 710032
- Not yet recruiting
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Changsha, 410005
- Not yet recruiting
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Changsha, 410008
- Not yet recruiting
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Changsha, 430033
- Recruiting
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Chengdu, 610041
- Recruiting
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Chengdu, 610072
- Not yet recruiting
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Dalian, 116027
- Not yet recruiting
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Fuzhou, 350001
- Not yet recruiting
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Guangdong Province, 510060
- Not yet recruiting
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Guangzhou, 510000
- Not yet recruiting
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Guangzhou, 510100
- Not yet recruiting
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Guangzhou, 510120
- Recruiting
Research Site
Guangzhou, 510120
- Not yet recruiting
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Guangzhou, 510620
- Not yet recruiting
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Guangzhou, 510630
- Recruiting
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Guangzhou, 510630
- Not yet recruiting
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Hangzhou, 310003
- Not yet recruiting
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Hangzhou, 310006
- Recruiting
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Hangzhou, 310014
- Not yet recruiting
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Harbin, 150001
- Recruiting
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Hefei, 230001
- Not yet recruiting
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Hengyang, 421001
- Not yet recruiting
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Hohhot, 750306
- Not yet recruiting
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Jinan, 250021
- Not yet recruiting
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Kunming, 650032
- Recruiting
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Lanzhou, 730030
- Not yet recruiting
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Linyi, 276003
- Recruiting
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Luoyang, 471003
- Not yet recruiting
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Luzhou, 646000
- Not yet recruiting
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Nanchang, 330000
- Recruiting
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Nanchong, 637000
- Recruiting
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Nanjing, 210000
- Recruiting
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Nanjing, 210009
- Not yet recruiting
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Nanning, 530000
- Recruiting
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Nanning, 530021
- Not yet recruiting
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Nantong, 226001
- Recruiting
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Qingdao, 266035
- Not yet recruiting
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Shanghai, 200000
- Not yet recruiting
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Shanghai, 200001
- Not yet recruiting
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Shanghai, 200032
- Not yet recruiting
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Shanghai, 200040
- Not yet recruiting
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Shanghai, 310000
- Not yet recruiting
Research Site
Shantou, 515031
- Not yet recruiting
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Shenyang, 110001
- Not yet recruiting
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Shenyang, 110134
- Not yet recruiting
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Shenzhen, 518020
- Not yet recruiting
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Shenzhen, 518036
- Not yet recruiting
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Shenzhen, 518053
- Recruiting
Research Site
Shijiazhuang, 054001
- Recruiting
Research Site
Suzhou, 215006
- Recruiting
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Taiyuan, 030001
- Not yet recruiting
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Tianjin, 300050
- Recruiting
Research Site
Tianjin, 300192
- Recruiting
Research Site
Ürümqi, CN-830004
- Not yet recruiting
Research Site
Wenzhou, 325000
- Recruiting
Research Site
Wuhan, 430022
- Not yet recruiting
Research Site
Wuhan, 430022
- Not yet recruiting
Research Site
Wuhan, 430030
- Not yet recruiting
Research Site
Wuhan, 430060
- Not yet recruiting
Research Site
Xi'an, 710077
- Recruiting
Research Site
Xi'an, 710114
- Not yet recruiting
Research Site
Xiamen, 361003
- Recruiting
Research Site
Yangzhou, 225001
- Not yet recruiting
Research Site
Yantai, 264000
- Not yet recruiting
Research Site
Zhengzhou, 450000
About this study
Official title: Multicentre, Open-Label, Single-Arm, 52-Week, Ph3b Study to Evaluate the Efficacy and Safety Outcomes in Chinese Patients Treated With Anifrolumab Who Have Active Moderate-Severe Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE)
This study aims to describe clinical outcomes, with focus on remission, achieved with use of anifrolumab participants with SLE on standard-of-care (as recommended by 2025 China SLE guidelines). Further, it aims to describe outcomes alongside a systematic approach to glucocorticoid (GC) tapering, in terms of effectively minimising GC use, as well as discontinuing GC use, thereby reducing GC exposure.
Read the detailed description
LOTUS is a multicentre, open-label, single-arm, ph3b study to evaluate the efficacy and safety outcomes in Chinese patients treated with anifrolumab who have active moderate-severe SLE. Clinical outcomes, safety, and participant-reported outcomes (PRO) data will be collected during the study.
The study will be performed in Chinese patients aged between 18 and 70 years. Participants with a confirmed diagnosis of moderate to severe SLE and are currently receiving SOC comprising of GC and/or antimalarial, and/or immunosuppressants, either alone or any combination of them, for a required duration of treatment at a stable dose, as described in the inclusion criteria. Participants must have eligible scores for disease activity index ([SLEDAI-2K ≥6 OR clinical SLEDAI ≥4] And PGA >1).
Eligible patients will receive a fixed IV dose in addition to SOC for a total of 13 doses (from Week 0 to Week 48), with the primary endpoint being evaluated at the Week 52 visit.
- Conditions
- Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic
- Being tested
- Anifrolumab
- Medical subject headings
- Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
AnifrolumabDrug
The study intervention, anifrolumab will be administered via controlled IV infusion pump into a peripheral vein over a minimum of 30 minutes from Week 0 to Week 48 for a total of 13 doses. Each dose must be at least 14 days apart.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Anifrolumab | Experimental | Eligible patients will receive a fixed IV dose for a total of 13 doses (from Week 0 to Week 48) Receives: Drug: Anifrolumab |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
The proportion of patients who achieve DORIS remission at week 52
The proportion of patients who achieve DORIS remission at week 52
DORIS criteria: clinical SLEDAI (sum of all SLEDAI-2K items except for increased deoxyribonucleic acid [DNA] binding and low complement) =0, Physician's Global Assessment (PGA) <0.5 (0-3), prednisolone 5 mg/day or less, and antimalarials, stable immunosuppressives, and biologics
Measured: Week 52
Secondary outcomes (23)
The proportion of patients who achieve DORIS remission at week 12, 24
The proportion of patients who achieve DORIS remission at week 12, 24
Measured: Week 12, 24
Time to first DORIS remission attainment Proportion of time spent in DORI remission: 0, or did not achieve, ≥25%, ≥ 50%, or ≥ 75%
Time to first DORIS remission attainment Proportion of time spent in DORIS remission: 0, or did not achieve, ≥25%, ≥ 50%, or ≥ 75%
Measured: Week 0 to Week 52
The proportion of patients who achieve DORIS-0 remission at week 52
The proportion of patients who achieve DORIS-0 remission at week 52
DORIS-0: clinical SLEDAI=0, PGA <0.5 (0-3), prednisolone=0, and antimalarials, stable immunosuppressives, and biologics
Measured: Week 52
The proportion of patients who achieve LLDAS at week 12, 24, 52
The proportion of patients who achieve LLDAS at week 12, 24, 52
LLDAS criteria: SLE Disease Activity Index 2000 (SLEDAI-2k) ≤4, with no activity in major organ systems (renal, CNS, cardiopulmonary, vasculitis, fever), no new SLEDAI-2K component that was not present at the previous assessment, PGA <1 (0-3), prednisolone 7.5 mg/day or less, and antimalarials, stable immunosuppressives, and biologics
Measured: Week 12, 24, 52
Time to first LLDAS attainment Proportion of time spent in LLDAS: 0, or did not achieve, ≥25%, ≥ 50%, or ≥ 75%
Time to first LLDAS attainment Proportion of time spent in LLDAS: 0, or did not achieve, ≥25%, ≥ 50%, or ≥ 75%
Measured: Week 0 to Week 52
The proportion of patients who achieve LLDAS-5 remission at week 52
The proportion of patients who achieve LLDAS-5 remission at week 52
LLDAS-5: SLEDAI-2k ≤4, PGA <1 (0-3), prednisolone 5 mg/day or less, and antimalarials, stable immunosuppressives, and biologics
Measured: Week52
Changes of SLEDAI-2K score from week 0 to week 4, 8, 12, 24, 52
Changes of SLEDAI-2K score from week 0 to week 4, 8, 12, 24, 52
Measured: Week 0 to Week 52
The annualized flare rate over Week 52 Time to first flare
The annualized flare rate over Week 52 Time to first flare
Moderate-to-severe flare is defined as any one criterion present in the moderate or severe flare categories within the Modified Flare Index (MFI).
Measured: Week 0 to Week 52
The proportion of patients who achieve an GC dose ≤5 mg/day at week 40 and sustained to Week 52 The proportion of patients who achieve GC dose ≤5 mg/day at week 24, 52
The proportion of patients who achieve an GC dose ≤5 mg/day at week 40 and sustained to Week 52 The proportion of patients who achieve GC dose ≤5 mg/day at week 24, 52
Measured: Week 24, 40，52
The proportion of patients who achieve an GC dose = 0 mg/day at week 40 and sustained to week 52
The proportion of patients who achieve an GC dose = 0 mg/day at week 40 and sustained to week 52
Measured: Week 40，52
Time to GC ≤ 5 mg/day among patients on GC >5 mg/day at week 0 Time to GC 0 mg/day among patients on GC >0 mg/day at baseline
Time to GC ≤ 5 mg/day among patients on GC >5 mg/day at week 0 Time to GC 0 mg/day among patients on GC >0 mg/day at baseline
Measured: Week 0 to Week 52
Average daily GC dose week 4, 8,…, 40, 52 The cumulative GC does from week 0 to week 52
Average daily GC dose week 4, 8,…, 40, 52 The cumulative GC does from week 0 to week 52
Measured: Week 0 to Week 52
Change of GTI score from week 0 and week 24, 52
Change of GTI score from week 0 and week 24, 52
Measured: Week 0 to Week 52
Changes in Cutaneous Lupus Erythematosus Disease Area and Severity Index (CLASI)-A score from week 0 to week 8, 12, 24, 52
Changes in Cutaneous Lupus Erythematosus Disease Area and Severity Index (CLASI)-A score from week 0 to week 8, 12, 24, 52
Measured: Week 0 to Week 52
Changes in number of swollen and tender joints from week 0 to week 24, 52
Changes in number of swollen and tender joints from week 0 to week 24, 52
The joint region is defined according to Disease Activity Score (DAS) 28.
Measured: Week 0 to Week 52
Changes of the count of white blood cells from week 0 to week 8, 12, 24, 52
Changes of the count of white blood cells from week 0 to week 8, 12, 24, 52
Measured: Week 0 to Week 52
Changes of urine protein level from week 0 to week 52
Changes of urine protein level from week 0 to week 52
Measured: Week 0 to Week 52
The proportion of patients who achieve improvements* in serum complement level at week 8, 12, 24, 52 The changes of serum complement level between week 0 and week 8, 12, 24, 52
The proportion of patients who achieve improvements* in serum complement level at week 8, 12, 24, 52 The changes of serum complement level between week 0 and week 8, 12, 24, 52
*Improvement defined as serum complement level above lower limit of reference range of laboratory test
Measured: Week 0 to Week 52
The changes of anti-dsDNA antibody between week 0 and week 24, 52
The changes of anti-dsDNA antibody between week 0 and week 24, 52
Measured: Week 24， 52
Change of FACIT-Fatigue total score from baseline over 52 weeks
Change of FACIT-Fatigue total score from baseline over 52 weeks
Measured: From baseline over 52 weeks
Change of LupusQoL（ Physical Health, Pain, Fatigue, and Emotional Health domain） scores from baseline over 52 weeks
Change of LupusQoL（ Physical Health, Pain, Fatigue, and Emotional Health domain） scores from baseline over 52 weeks
Measured: From baseline over 52 weeks
Changes of the platelet counts from week 0 to week 8, 12, 24, 52
Changes of the platelet counts from week 0 to week 8, 12, 24, 52
Measured: Week 0 to Week 52
Changes of haemoglobin levels from week 0 to week 8, 12, 24, 52
Changes of haemoglobin levels from week 0 to week 8, 12, 24, 52
Measured: Week 0 to Week 52
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted7 Aug 2026
- Study start31 Aug 2026
- Primary completion25 Aug 2028 (estimated)
- Study completion30 Aug 2028 (estimated)
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Other trials for Lupus Erythematosus, SystemicStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- More trials run by AstraZenecaThe sponsor's other registered studies.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
More details
For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.
Study design
- Study type
- Interventional
- Phase
- Phase 3
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Not applicable
- Intervention model
- Single group
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Enrolment
- 417 participants (estimated)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- AstraZeneca
- Sponsor type
- Industry (pharma, biotech, devices)
- Responsible party
- Sponsor
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07751848
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- D3461L00019
- Acronym
- LOTUS
- Status last verified
- Oct 2026
- First submitted
- 21 Jul 2026
- Last updated
- 22 Oct 2026
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- Yes: Qualified researchers can request access to anonymized individual patient-level data from AstraZeneca group of companies sponsored clinical trials via the request portal Vivli.org. All requests will be evaluated as per the AZ disclosure commitment: https://astrazenecagrouptrials.pharmacm.com/ST/Submission/Disclosure. Yes, indicates that AZ are accepting requests for IPD, but this does not mean all requests will be shared.