Telitacicept Found to Be a Safe and Effective Lupus Treatment

A new study examined telitacicept, a biologic therapy that targets B cell activity, as a treatment for people with active systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Researchers found telitacicept to be safe, effective, and improved renal and hematological (blood) manifestations. B cells are responsible for creating antibodies, including autoantibodies, and are thought to play a role in the development and progression of autoimmune diseases. 

In this study, participants with active SLE received telitacicept for 24 weeks (51 people) to 52 weeks (21 people). Researchers used lupus measurement tools to determine disease activity. They found decreased activity of 72.22% after 24 weeks and 80.95% after 52 weeks of treatment with the drug. There were also significant decreases in other antibodies such as IgA, IgM, and IgG , indicating that telitacicept may play an immunosuppressive role in treatment. Study participants with lupus nephritis (LN, lupus related kidney disease) or hematological manifestations of SLE were examined separately and researchers also found that telitacicept improved these abnormalities. 

Further studies with more participants are needed to examine the long-term effectiveness of telitacicept. Learn more about medications used to treat lupus.

Read the study