Pilot Study on the Treatment of Vunakizumab in Mild to Moderate Systemic Lupus Erythematosus
Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a systemic autoimmune disease characterized by heterogeneous clinical manifestations ranging from mild cutaneous involvement to severe multi-organ damage. While its pathogenesis involves complex cytokine dysregulation, emerging evidence implicates IL-17 as a potential contributor. Elevated serum IL-17 levels have been observed in SLE patients compared to healthy controls, with heightened expression detected in renal and cutaneous lesions. Ustekinumab, a monoclonal antibody targeting IL-23/IL-12 that indirectly modulates IL-17 signaling, demonstrated superior efficacy and safety to placebo in an SLE clinical trial, particularly in glucocorticoid dose reduction. Notably, no clinical trials have directly evaluated IL-17-targeted therapies for SLE, though case reports suggest secukinumab (an anti-IL-17A agent) may improve cutaneous manifestations in psoriasis-SLE overlap patients. Vunakizumab, a humanized anti-IL-17A monoclonal antibody (IgG1/κ) with a unique epitope-binding profile, selectively inhibits IL-17A-mediated inflammatory signaling. Its established safety profile and infrequent dosing regimen in IL-17-mediated diseases (e.g., psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis) warrant investigation in SLE. The investigators aim to provide new treatment options for SLE patients
• Patients aged 18-65 years meeting the 2019 EULAR/ACR classification criteria for SLE.
• SLEDAI score was within 2-12 scores (with clinical SLEDAI \[cSLEDAI\] ≠ 0).
• Occurence of new or recurrent mucocutaneous or joint involvement.
• Stable standard treatment regimen prior to study entry but not effect: Prednisone or equivalent corticosteroid dose ≤ 20 mg per day for more than 4 weeks; Immunosuppressant less than 1 type for more than 12 weeks, including methotrexate ≤15 mg per week, azathioprine ≤100mg per day, mycophenolate mofetil ≤1.5 g per day, tacrolimus ≤2 mg per day, cyclosporine ≤150 mg per day). Antimalarials was permitted.
• Body mass index (BMI) 18-35 kg/m² at screening.
• Clinically eligible for Vunakizumab combination therapy with corticosteroids after investigator assessment.
• Willing to provide written informed consent with demonstrated compliance.