The National Kidney Foundation showcased a global study led by Keisha Gibson, MD, MPH, chief of pediatric nephrology, designed to understand the experimental immunosuppressant drug Voclosporin as a treatment for patients with lupus kidney disease.
The study “AURORA Phase 3 Trial Demonstrates Voclosporin Statistical Superiority Over Standard of Care in Lupus Nephritis (LN)” was selected as a poster presentation at the Foundation’s annual Spring Clinical Meetings, held this year as a live virtual conference.
Aurora is a global study designed to understand if adding Voclosporin to Mycophenolate Mofetil (MMF) and steroids, common treatments for lupus kidney disease, will improve outcomes in patients with active lupus kidney disease. Voclosporin is being developed by Aurinia Pharmaceuticals.
“We are pleased to report that the patients who received Voclosporin were 2.65 times more likely to meet the criteria for response based on proteinuria and eGFR,” said Gibson in an announcement published in Pharmacy & Therapeutics. “There were no differences in the safety profile between the Voclosporin and standard care groups.
“We know that achieving remission status in lupus kidney disease correlates with good long-term kidney survival and so the results of this study are very encouraging,” added Dr. Gibson, who is vice chair for diversity and inclusion in the department of medicine.
Based on the results of this study, Aurinia plans to file an application with the FDA for approval, which if approved, will open access to this medication to patients with lupus kidney disease. In the meantime, many participants that have completed the study will roll over into a 2-year extension, Gibson said.
Gibson was also interviewed by Medscape Medical News. Learn more in P&T Community.