Efficacy and Safety of Tacrolimus Versus Mycophenolate in Lupus Nephritis

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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Prospective, randomized, parallel-group controlled, open-label, international (Asian) multicenter, comparison of corticosteroids combined with TAC and corticosteroids combined with MMF.

Detailed Description
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There is accumulating evidence that tacrolimus (TAC) could serve as an effective medication for the treatment of lupus nephritis (LN). TAC is a calcineurin inhibitor, which is a key component in first-line combination immunosuppressive regimens after kidney transplantation, based on its proven efficacy in the prevention and treatment of allograft rejection and acceptable tolerability profile. Although it primarily targets T lymphocyte activation, its immunosuppressive actions encompass multiple immune response pathways due to the complex interactions between different cellular and soluble immune mediators. Moreover, the effect of calcineurin inhibitors on podocyte morphology and function, independent of their immunosuppressive effect, has translated into therapeutic efficacy in the treatment of proteinuric glomerular diseases such as membranous nephropathy and focal segmental glomerulosclerosis. Recent data from short-term studies showed that combination immunosuppressive regimens that included TAC and corticosteroids with or without mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) appeared at least as effective as other standard-of-care treatments for Class III/IV±V LN, and the inclusion of TAC might lead to more effective suppression of proteinuria. There is also preliminary data on its favorable tolerability when used as long-term maintenance treatment. This study aims to examine the role of TAC combined with corticosteroids, in comparison with the most commonly used standard-of-care treatment MMF plus corticosteroids, in the management of lupus nephritis.

Official Title
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A Randomized Open-label Study to Evaluate the Efficacy and Safety of Tacrolimus and Corticosteroids in Comparison With Mycophenolate Mofetil and Corticosteroids in Subjects With Class III/IV±V Lupus Nephritis

Conditions
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Lupus Nephritis

Intervention / Treatment
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* Drug: Tacrolimus
* Drug: Mycophenolate mofetil


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: Biopsy-proven LN Class III/IV±V (ISN/RPS 2003), with biopsy performed within 12 weeks of randomization. Positive anti-dsDNA. Active LN with proteinuria (urine protein/creatinine ratio >1.0 or 24-hr urine protein >1.0 g at baseline), with or without hematuria. Both 'incident' (i.e. new) patients and 'flare' patients can be included. Exclusion Criteria: Renal disease unrelated to SLE (e.g. diabetes mellitus, other glomerular or tubulointerstitial disease, renovascular disease), or transplanted kidney. Estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR by MDRD) ≤20 mL/min per 1.73 m2 or serum creatinine >300 micromol/L (3.39 mg/dL) at screening. Renal biopsy showing cellular or fibrocellular crescent in more than 25% of glomeruli. CNS or other severe organ manifestation of lupus that necessitate aggressive immunosuppressive therapy on its own. Co-morbidities that require corticosteroid therapy (e.g. asthma, inflammatory bowel disease). Treatment with prednisolone (or prednisone, or equivalent) at >20 mg/D for over 4 weeks within the past 3 months. Treatment with MMF at >1.5 g/D for over 4 weeks within the past 3 months. Known hypersensitivity or intolerability to prednisolone (or prednisone, or equivalent), TAC, or MMF at a dose of 1.25 g or below per day. Subjects who are already on treatment with TAC, cyclosporine or any other calcineurin inhibitor for over 4 weeks within the past 12 months. Treatment with cyclophosphamide, leflunomide, or methotrexate for over 2 weeks, or use of biological agent(s) regardless of duration, within the past 6 months (Note: prior use of azathioprine, mizoribine, intravenous immunoglobulins and anti-malarials is allowed). Uncontrolled hypertension with systolic BP >160 mmHg or diastolic BP >95 mmHg. Women who are pregnant or breastfeeding. Women with childbearing potential or their male partners, who refuse to use an effective birth control method

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 18 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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No

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Design Details

Primary Purpose: Treatment
Allocation: Randomized
Intervention Model: Parallel Assignment
Masking: None (Open Label)


Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Experimental: Tacrolimus<br>route: oral duration: 96 weeks | Drug: Tacrolimus<br>* Dosage: start at 2mg twice a day, then taper as per protocol<br>* Other names: Prograf;|
| Active Comparator: Mycophenolate Mofetil<br>route: oral duration: 96 weeks | Drug: Mycophenolate mofetil<br>* Dosage: start at 1g twice a day, then taper as per protocol<br>* Other names: Cellcept;|

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Efficacy of combined corticosteroids and TAC compared to combined corticosteroids and MMF in achieving sustained renal response (RR) in patients with active lupus nephritis [Class III/IV±V (LN)] | Sustained RR defined as satisfying all of the following criteria: proteinuria improved by >50% compared with baseline 24-hr urine protein <1 g serum creatinine not higher than 15% above baseline level no occurrence of disease flare, defined as receiving 'rescue' increase of immunosuppressive therapy with any one of the following - requiring increase of prednisolone (or prednisone, or equivalent) dose to above 15 mg/D for 4 weeks or longer, change of originally assigned immunosuppressive agent, or addition of immunosuppressive medications prohibited in protocol | 96 weeks | 

 Terms related to the study
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Keywords Provided by Centre Hospitalier Valida
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Lupus Nephritis, mycophenolate mofetil, tacrolimus