Lupus Nephritis

About Lupus Nephritis

Lupus nephritis is among the most serious complications of SLE, occurring in 30 – 60% of individuals with SLE. In lupus nephritis, the body’s own immune system attacks the kidneys, causing inflammation and significantly reducing kidney function over time.

While there have been recent FDA approvals for lupus nephritis treatments, there is still a great need to reduce the use of high-dose corticosteroids and immunosuppressive drugs. These therapies have many toxic side effects and as many as 50% – 75% of patients don’t respond to treatment and for those that do, there is only about a 40% complete response rate crucial for long-term renal survival. The CD6-ALCAM signaling pathway itolizumab is designed to affect, plays a central role in the modulation of effector T cells, or Teff cells. Teff cells are thought to play a central role in multiple autoimmune diseases including lupus nephritis.

The EQUALISE Study

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A Phase 1b Multiple Ascending-dose Study of itolizumab (EQ001) in Subjects With Systemic Lupus Erythematosus With or Without Active Proliferative Lupus Nephritis

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Krishna Polu, M.D., Equillium’s former Chief Medical Officer, discusses the long-term consequences of lupus nephritis as well as the need for approved treatments
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Ken Kalunian, M.D., Professor in the Division of Rheumatology, Allergy and Immunology at UC San Diego, discusses the multiple causative factors that may trigger lupus nephritis

Patient Participation in Clinical Trials is Crucial

Given the lack of approved treatment options for patients with lupus nephritis, participation in clinical trials, such as the EQUALISE trial is tremendously important.

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Ken Kalunian, M.D., Professor in the Division of Rheumatology, Allergy and Immunology at UC San Diego, discusses the importance of clinical trial participation
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Ellen H. and Courtney W., both living with lupus, share their thoughts and feelings about participating in clinical research to help find new treatments.

Additional Information and Resources for the EQUALISE Study

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Ken Kalunian, M.D., Professor in the Division of Rheumatology, Allergy and Immunology at UC San Diego, discusses the shortcomings of current lupus nephritis treatment approaches
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Ken Kalunian, M.D., Professor in the Division of Rheumatology, Allergy and Immunology at UC San Diego
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Krishna Polu, M.D., Equillium’s former Chief Medical Officer, discusses the emerging research that implicates the CD6-ALCAM pathway in patients with lupus nephritis