Published results from a phase IIb trial of the vaccine IFNalpha Kinoid (IFN-K) demonstrate that the treatment is well tolerated and induces a strong immune response in people with moderate to severe active lupus compared to a placebo. At 36 weeks, 91% of the people receiving the IFN-K injection produced neutralizing antibodies against interferon alpha, a pro-inflammatory molecule that activates autoimmune response and is overproduced in people with lupus.
Read more at HPN.
Although the vaccine did not significantly reduce people’s BILAG-Based Composite Lupus Assessment (BICLA) scores – a tool measuring lupus disease activity and the trial’s other primary endpoint – other encouraging clinical results were observed. Over half of those treated with IFN-K showed reduced Low Lupus Disease Activity State scores, versus 29.8% in the placebo group. The treatment group also benefited from a notable decrease in corticosteroid intake and improved fatigue.
The Lupus Foundation of America (LFA) has been tracking IFN-K’s progress since its early development, and the latest published results are promising.
