Clinical Experience of Proteasome Inhibitor Bortezomib Regarding Efficacy and Safety in Severe Systemic Lupus Erythematosus: A Nationwide Study

Abstract

As treatment options in advanced systematic lupus erythematosus (SLE) are limited, there is an urgent need for new and effective therapeutic alternatives for selected cases with severe disease. Bortezomib (BTZ) is a specific, reversible, inhibitor of the 20S subunit of the proteasome. Herein, we report clinical experience regarding efficacy and safety from all patients receiving BTZ as therapy for SLE in Sweden during the years 2014−2020. 8 females and 4 males were included with a mean disease duration at BTZ initiation of 8.8 years (range 0.7–20 years). Renal involvement was the main target for BTZ. Reduction of global disease activity was recorded by decreasing SLEDAI-2K scores over time and remained significantly reduced at the 6-month (p=0.007) and the 12-month (p=0.008) follow-up visits. From BTZ initiation, complement protein 3 (C3) levels increased significantly after the 2^nd treatment cycle (p=0.05), the 6-month (p=0.03) and the 12-month (p=0.04) follow-up visits. The urine albumin/creatinine ratio declined over time and reached significance at the 6-month (p=0.008) and the 12-month follow-up visits (p=0.004). Seroconversion of anti-dsDNA (27%), anti-C1q (50%) and anti-Sm (67%) was observed. 6 of 12 patients experienced at least one side-effect during follow-up, whereof the most common adverse events were infections. Safety parameters (C-reactive protein, blood cell counts) mainly remained stable over time. To conclude, we report favorable therapeutic effects of BTZ used in combination with corticosteroids in a majority of patients with severe SLE manifestations irresponsive to conventional immunosuppressive agents. Reduction of proteinuria was observed over time as well as seroconversion of some autoantibody specificities. In most patients, tolerance was acceptable but mild adverse events was not uncommon. Special attention should be paid to infections and hypogammaglobinemia.

Introduction

Despite advances in treatment strategies leading to an improved prognosis, several challenges and unmet needs remain for patients living with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) (1, 2). In sharp contrast to other rheumatic diseases, treatment options in advanced SLE are limited. Subsequently, there is an urgent need for new and effective therapeutic alternatives for selected cases with severe disease. After many years of disappointing results from randomized clinical trials, recent outcomes of phase III trials on, e.g. anifrolumab and voclosporin, raise hope for clinicians and patients with SLE (3). However, many patients still experience refractory disease.

B cells have a prominent role in the pathogenesis of SLE as they mediate inflammation via production of a broad spectrum of autoantibodies directed against nuclear or cytoplasmic constituents and plasma proteins (4). Arguments for a pathogenic role include the fact that autoantibodies, such as anti-Smith (Sm) and anti-double stranded DNA (dsDNA), are associated with the clinical presentation of the disease, and the level of anti-dsDNA frequently correlates with SLE disease activity (5, 6). Today, different strategies are used to target the various stages of B cell development and, besides clinical disease activity, autoantibody levels are frequently used as surrogate markers of efficacy of the B cell-directed therapies (7). Most of these immunosuppressants, commonly used in combination with corticosteroids, primarily exert their therapeutic effects on B cells, plasmablasts and/or short-lived plasma cells (8, 9). However, to achieve effects also on the long-lived plasma cells, the available alternatives are autologous stem cell transplantation, atacicept [which blocks both the B cell activating factor (BAFF) and a proliferation-inducing ligand [APRIL)] and proteasome inhibition (9–11).

Bortezomib (BTZ) is a specific, reversible, and cell permeable dipeptide boronic acid inhibitor of the chymotryptic activity of the 20S subunit of the proteasome (12). Plasma cells are vulnerable to proteasome inhibition as it causes accumulation of defective immunoglobulin chains, resulting in endoplasmic reticulum stress, misfolded protein response, and subsequent apoptosis of plasma cells (13, 14). Long-lived plasma cells are significant antibody producers, they are highly sensitive to proteasome inhibition. In addition, proteasome inhibitors also effectively function as inhibitors of the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines through the regulation of NF-κB activation (7, 11).

Besides multiple myeloma and mantle cell lymphoma where BTZ is approved since the beginning of this century, advantageous effect of BTZ was demonstrated in German patients with renal and extra-renal severe SLE some years ago (15). Later, positive experience of BTZ in refractory lupus nephritis (LN) was reported from Spain and China although side-effects such as infections and neuropathy led to discontinuation in some cases (16, 17). Furthermore, the autoantibody repertoires of patients with SLE receiving BTZ or rituximab (RTX) ± belimumab (BLM) have been shown to differ illustrating the drugs’ separate mechanism of action and highlight their impact on different B cell subsets (18). In a Japanese multicenter double-blind randomized controlled phase II trial including 14 patients, favorable clinical effects were observed on an individual level in some patients but also adverse events like fever, liver dysfunction and hypersensitivity reactions (19). Nevertheless, the study overall could not demonstrate efficacy of BTZ.

In 2014, the first Swedish patient with SLE was treated with BTZ. This female had life-threating disease characterized by proliferative LN, which was resistant to both cyclophosphamide (CYC) and RTX, and concomitant diffuse alveolar bleeding (20). Since then, another 11 patients with severe lupus manifestations have been started on BTZ at rheumatology practices in Sweden. Herein, we describe clinical efficacy and safety data from all Swedish patients receiving BTZ as therapy for SLE during the years 2014−2020. To our knowledge, high-quality nationwide real-life data of BTZ in SLE has previously not been communicated.

Materials and Methods

Patients

Patient data were retrieved from all Rheumatology practices at Swedish University hospitals; 4 out of 7 tertiary referral centers offering high-specialized rheumatology health-care services (Göteborg, Linköping, Stockholm and Uppsala) and one county hospital (Jönköping) had experience of using BTZ for SLE during the years 2014−2020. All subjects eligible for BTZ treatment had been classified with SLE according to the 1997 American College of Rheumatology (ACR) criteria (21). Clinical characteristics of the included patients are detailed in Table 1.

Treatment Regimen

The provided dosage of BTZ was 1.3 mg/m² subcutaneously on day 1, 4, 8 and 11 along with dexamethasone (20−50 mg), followed by 10 days of rest before start of the next treatment cycle as illustrated in Figure 1 (15). Two or three BTZ cycles were administrated for all but one patient. Data on disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs) and prednisolone dose used before BTZ initiation as well as concomitant immunomodulatory treatment during and following BTZ were collected.

Figure 1

Clinical Evaluation

SLE disease activity was assessed using the Physician’s Global Assessment (PGA, graded 0−100) and the Systemic Lupus Erythematosus disease activity index 2000 (SLEDAI-2K) (24, 25). Acquired organ damage, required to have been persistent for at least 6 months, was recorded by the Systemic Lupus International Collaborating Clinics (SLICC)/ACR damage index (SDI) encompassing damage in 12 defined organ systems (26).

Laboratory Measurements

Safety was continuously monitored by blood cell counts (erythrocytes, leukocytes, lymphocytes, neutrophils, and platelets) and C-reactive protein (CRP). Inflammatory and serological disease activity were followed by the autoantibodies (anti-dsDNA, anti-Sm, anti-C1q), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), and plasma analyses of albumin, immunoglobulin G (IgG), complement protein 3 (C3) and 4 (C4) according to clinical routine at the treating hospitals. Renal function was monitored by plasma creatinine, estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) based on plasma creatinine, according to the MDRD 4-Variable Equation (27), and the urine albumin/creatinine ratio.

Histopathology

Renal (n=10) and liver (n=1) biopsies were performed by percutaneous ultrasonography-guided puncture in accordance with a standard protocol. The renal tissue obtained was staged according to the International Society of Nephrology/Renal Pathology Society (ISN/RPS) classification for LN (22). The liver biopsy was assessed according to the standardized semi-quantitative histologic scoring system for hepatitis developed by Batts and Ludwig (23).

Statistics

Wilcoxon’s matched-pairs test was used for comparing paired patient data. Associations between adverse events (binary variable) and hypogammaglobulinemia (binary variable) were examined with Fisher’s exact test. Statistical analyses were performed using the SPSS software version 27.0.0.0 (SPSS Inc., Chicago, IL, USA) and Prism 9 (GraphPad Software Inc., La Jolla, USA) for construction of graphs. All laboratory data graphs are showing means with standard deviation. P-values ≤0.05 were considered statistically significant.

Results

Subjects Treated With BTZ

In total, 8 females and 4 males with a disease duration ranging from 8 months to 20 years (mean 8.8 years) were considered eligible for BTZ and included in the follow-up. The mean age at BTZ initiation was 38.5 years and the global disease activity assessed by SLEDAI-2K was 14.4 (mean score). The target organ system for BTZ treatment was kidney (n=11) with proliferative (Class III and IV) histopathology dominating (n=8). One of the patients with proliferative LN had concomitant active autoimmune hepatitis requiring immunosuppression. In addition, one female had active central nervous system (CNS) involvement manifested by transverse myelitis without LN. 10 of 12 patients had an inadequate response to CYC and/or RTX ahead of BTZ initiation (Table 2).

BTZ Cycles and Maintenance Therapy

Of the included 12 subjects, 9 patients received two cycles of BTZ and two individuals three cycles. In the last patient, BTZ was discontinued before the 1^st cycle was completed due to adverse effects (see below). One patient (Nr 4, see Table 2) received BTZ therapy at two occasions, with two cycles given both times.

Data of concomitant immunomodulatory treatment ahead of BTZ and following immunomodulatory treatment post-BTZ are shown in Table 2. Hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) was administrated during BTZ treatment in 9 of the 12 subjects. Four patients used combined mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) and BLM after completed BTZ cycles, whereas 10 of 12 subjects were prescribed HCQ in combination with other DMARDs. The mean daily prednisolone dosage at initiation of BTZ was 14.6 mg (5−40 mg); the prednisolone dose 30 days after ended BTZ treatment was 10.6 mg (5−20 mg).

Efficacy

Disease activity assessments are shown in Figures 2A, B. As compared to BTZ initiation, SLEDAI-2K scores (mean 14.4) were significantly reduced (i) at the end of BTZ treatment (mean 6.1, p=0.003), (ii) the 6-month follow-up visit (mean 4.0, p=0.007) and (iii) the 12-month follow-up visit (mean 4.0, p=0.008). By assessing disease activity with PGA, a significant reduction was observed at the end of the last treatment cycle (p=0.03) as well as the 6-month follow-up visit (p=0.04) compared to start of BTZ.

Figure 2

27). Since one patient (without genetic deficiency of C1q, C3 or C4) received BTZ therapy at two occasions, the number of observations was 13 at some time-points. The graphs represent the mean and standard deviation; significances correspond to comparisons with baseline values. *p < 0.05. **p < 0.01 and ***p < 0.005.

Complement proteins during follow-up are illustrated in Figures 2C, D. From BTZ initiation, C3 levels increased significantly after the 2^nd cycle (p=0.05), the 6-month follow-up visit (p=0.03) and the 12-month follow-up visit (p=0.04). C4 levels increased significantly but only after the 2^nd cycle (p=0.03) and at the 6-month follow-up visit (p=0.03) compared to BTZ start.

Plasma albumin (Figure 2E) increased over time at the 6-month follow-up visit (p=0.02) and at the 12-month follow-up visit (p=0.005). ESR (Figure 2F) decreased over time at the 6-month follow-up visit (p=0.03) and at the 12-month follow-up visit (p=0.05). The urine albumin/creatinine ratio (Figure 2G) declined over time, reaching statistical significance at the 6-month follow-up visit (p=0.008) as well as at the 12-month follow-up visit (p=0.004) post-BTZ treatment. eGFR (Figure 2H) was significantly improved at the 6-month follow-up visit (p=0.05).

Anti-dsDNA antibodies were positive in 11 of 12 subjects (91.7%) at start; 3/11 (27.3%) had seroconverted at the last follow-up. Anti-C1q antibodies were positive in 4 of 10 subjects (40%) at start; 2/4 (50%) had seroconverted at the last follow-up. Anti-Sm antibodies were positive in 3 of 11 subjects (27.3%) at start; 2/3 (66.7%) had seroconverted at the last follow-up.

Safety

As demonstrated in Table 2, 6 of 12 patients experienced at least one side-effect during follow-up. The most common adverse events were infections. One of four infections were severe and led to hospitalization. One individual did not complete the 1^st cycle due to fever (viral infection) and emerging nephrotic syndrome with subsequent edema. The other patients fulfilled at least two cycles. Neuropathy was not reported in any subject.

Plasma IgG levels decreased during the BTZ cycles (median values: 9.1 g/L pre-BTZ vs. 7.8 g/L post-BTZ; p=0.008). 5/12 (42%) patients developed hypogammaglobulinemia (<6.7 g/L) during the BTZ treatment. 3 of 5 individuals who developed hypogammaglobulinemia experienced adverse events compared to 3 of 7 of those with IgG levels within the reference interval (not significant).

CRP and blood cell counts, including hemoglobin, leukocytes, neutrophils, lymphocytes and platelets, are illustrated in Figure 3. The hemoglobin concentration decreased after the 1^st cycle (p=0.04), followed by a significant increase at the 12-month follow-up visit (p=0.03). The lymphocyte count increased over time at the 6-month follow-up visit (p=0.04). Leukocyte, neutrophil and platelet counts, as well as CRP levels, did not change significantly over time.

Figure 3

Discussion

The data presented originate from clinical follow-up of patients at Swedish academic practices and monitored by a limited number of SLE specialists. The efficacy of BTZ was continuously evaluated using a validated global disease activity scoring system. Overall, reduced SLEDAI-2K scores were observed early and remained reduced at the 6- and 12-month follow-up. Our findings are in line with experiences from both European and Chinese centers (15–17). Furthermore, we found that complement consumption, mirroring serological disease activity at BTZ initiation, tended to normalize over time.

Due to different immunoassays used for anti-dsDNA analysis at the four University units, we were not able to report reliable data on longitudinal autoantibody levels. However, seroconversion of anti-dsDNA (27.3%), anti-C1q (50%) and anti-Sm (66.7%) were observed. Reduction of several autoantibody specificities and antiphospholipid antibodies during BLM therapy have been reported (28–30), but it should be emphasized that anti-Sm is mainly produced by long-lived plasma cells which usually are not reached by drugs like CYC, RTX or BLM (31). The finding of seroconversion of anti-Sm in up to two-thirds of the SLE patients after BTZ could thus reflect a deeper depletion than with CYC/RTX. These observations partially contrast the findings reported by van Dam et al. who described significant decrease of anti-dsDNA during BTZ therapy whereas anti-C1q antibodies essentially remained unaffected (18). However, in the Japanese multicenter double-blind randomized controlled phase II trial of BTZ in SLE, reduction of anti-dsDNA levels was not observed (19).

In contrast to reported beneficial effects of BTZ in severe SLE herein, the only accomplished randomized controlled trial did not demonstrate clinical (or serological) efficacy although the number of included cases were very low (19). Nevertheless, refractory disease is not uncommon and BTZ could be one of several pharmaceutical alternatives to be considered in severe SLE resistant to conventional immunosuppressive agents. As patients with severe renal or CNS involvement, which have failed on drugs like CYC or RTX, are usually not suitable for randomized controlled trials clinicians often need to rely on empirical knowledge and off-label therapy may be required. Consequently, clinical guidance for these severe cases may be valuable. This was the rationale why we decided to retrospectively compile the available 7-years nationwide clinical experience of BTZ in SLE.

The majority of patients selected for BTZ had severe renal involvement. Based on this, it was crucial to follow renal function, i.e. eGFR, plasma albumin and the urine albumin/creatinine ratio. Interestingly, the significant beneficial effects on plasma albumin and albuminuria were slow and met statistical significance after the BTZ cycles were ended. Whether the decreasing proteinuria was associated with BTZ per se or with the DMARDs prescribed after BTZ cycles remain an open question. However, it is important to remember that, prior to the BTZ cycles, most patients had been resistant to the same DMARDs.

For all treatments, the level of efficacy must be accompanied by a reasonable safety profile. Side-effects during BTZ treatment were reported in as much as 50% of the patients, particularly infections. Prior studies have also observed infections as a frequent adverse event (15, 19). Pulmonary embolism and cryptogenic organizing pneumonia (COP) were the most severe reported side-effects, whereof the latter required therapeutic plasma exchange. To notice, the included patients were heavily immunosuppressed and had manifestations refractory to standard treatment regimens. Adverse events in this group of patients are not unexpected (32, 33). Nevertheless, neuropathy was not recorded in any of our patients in contrast to previous reports (15–17). Besides the clinical side-effects, we further investigated safety regarding blood cell counts and CRP. Hemoglobin was significantly decreased early, but elevated levels were observed over time and reached statistical significance at the 12-month follow-up visit. However, as shown in Figure 3, most safety parameters remained stable.

This was not a randomized controlled trial, and a comparator group was not included which must be taken into account. Thus, the observational nature of the data inevitably leads to selection bias. In addition, patients who responded to BTZ without significant side-effects have contributed with longitudinal data to a greater extent than those who experienced adverse events and discontinued treatment. The number of included patients were indeed low but represent a complete coverage of Swedish cases with SLE receiving BTZ during 2014−2020 and the sample size is comparable, or even larger, than previous reports (15–17). Short-time follow-up of the first two Swedish cases treated with BTZ has previously been reported but substantially longer follow-up was reported herein (20). The Swedish healthcare system’s universal access and the use of large SLE cohorts with well-characterized patients at each University unit with close follow-up by a limited number of experienced rheumatologists constitute major strengths of the study (34). Patients’ ethnicity is known to affect treatment effects in SLE. Although both Asian, African and Hispanic subjects were included herein, 7 of 12 were Caucasians. Extrapolation of therapeutic effects to different ethnicities should be done with caution.

To summarize, in a majority of patients with severe SLE manifestations irresponsive to conventional immunosuppressive agents, we observed favorable therapeutic effects of BTZ used in combination with corticosteroids. Reduction of proteinuria was seen over time as well as seroconversion of several autoantibodies. The tolerance was good in most patients, but mild adverse events was not uncommon. As BTZ may cause hypogammaglobinemia, special attention should be paid to infections.

Funding

This work was supported by grants from the Swedish Rheumatism Association, the Region Östergötland (ALF Grants and Research Grant to TW), the Gustafsson Foundation, the King Gustaf V’s 80-year Anniversary foundation and the King Gustaf V and Queen Victoria’s Freemasons foundation.

Publisher’s Note

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