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Evaluation of Lenalidomide (REVLIMID®) to Treat Subjects With Cutaneous Lupus Erythematosus (CLE)

Evaluation of Lenalidomide (REVLIMID®) in Cutaneous LE: A Prospective, Non Controlled, Open Label Pilot Study to Evaluate the Off-Label Use of the FDA-approved Drug Lenalidomide (REVLIMID®) in Patients With Cutaneous Lupus Erythematosus

Status
Completed
Phases
NA
Study type
Interventional
Source
ClinicalTrials.gov
Registry ID
NCT00633945
Enrollment
5
Registered
2008-03-12
Start date
2007-11-30
Completion date
2009-10-31
Last updated
2023-02-09

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

Cutaneous Lupus Erythematosus (CLE)

Keywords

Cutaneous Lupus Erythematosus, CLE, lenalidomide, revlimid, thalidomide derivative, drug, lupus

Brief summary

This study is being conducted to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of lenalidomide (Revlimid®) in subjects with Cutaneous Lupus Erythematosus (CLE). The study drug will be used in an off-label indication to treat 6 subjects for 12 months each. Men and women over the age of 18, who have a biopsy proven diagnosis of CLE and who have failed standard treatment, will be included in the study.

Detailed description

Cutaneous lupus erythematosus (CLE) is a chronic and often disabling disease which affects the skin. Many patients experience scarring and inflammation of the skin, which often occur on the face. Moderate to severe CLE is most frequently treated with antimalarial drugs such as hydroxychloroquine, quinacrine or chloroquine. Up to 70% of CLE patients treated with antimalarials experience a beneficial clinical response, while the remainder of patients show no response or continue to experience progression of the disease. Thalidomide has been used successfully in such patients, with up to 75% clinical response rate in refractory CLE patients. However, thalidomide is a known teratogen and can cause severe birth defects, including short, malformed limbs and damage to peripheral nerves in the extremities, requiring patients to be monitored for pregnancy. In addition, up to 25% of patients on thalidomide develop peripheral neuropathy. A new drug, lenalidomide (REVLIMID®), an analogue of thalidomide, has been developed to treat neoplastic and inflammatory conditions, including various oncologic conditions such as multiple myeloma, myelodysplastic syndrome and solid tumors. Unlike thalidomide, lenalidomide (REVLIMID®) is not known to cause the extent of serious side effects caused by thalidomide; however, it must also be monitored for side effects and be distributed under the RevAssist program authorized by the drug manufacturer, Celgene Corporation. The primary goal of this investigator-initiated, small pilot study is to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of lenalidomide (REVLIMID®) in CLE subjects using measurements such as the CLASI (Cutaneous Lupus Activity and Severity Index). The study drug will be used in an off-label indication to treat 6 subjects, for whom lenalidomide (REVLIMID®) will be provided at no cost by the drug manufacturer. Men and women over the age of 18, who have a biopsy proven diagnosis of refractory CLE and who have failed standard treatment with hydroxychloroquine for up to three months, will be included in the study. Secondarily, the study will evaluate the biologic effects of lenalidomide on pathogenic and immunologic mechanisms of the CLE disease process during the treatment period by collecting skin specimens (biopsies) and blood samples.

Interventions

DRUGLenalidomide

Sponsors

Celgene Corporation
CollaboratorINDUSTRY
University of Pennsylvania
Lead SponsorOTHER

Study design

Allocation
NON_RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
SINGLE_GROUP
Primary purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE

Eligibility

Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to 100 Years
Healthy volunteers
No

Inclusion criteria

* Subjects must understand and voluntarily sign Informed Consent and HIPAA forms. * Males and females over the age of 18 at the time of signing informed consent form. * Able to adhere to the study visit schedule and other protocol requirements * Subjects must have biopsy proven Cutaneous Lupus Erythematosus (CLE) either in the form of Discoid Lupus Erythematosus (DLE) or Subacute Lupus Erythematosus (SCLE), with or without systemic involvement. * Subjects must have grade II erythema in at least three skin locations as defined by the Cutaneous Lupus Activity and Severity Index (CLASI). * Subjects must have failed standard treatment with hydroxychloroquine (Plaquenil) for up to three months. * Female subjects who are not pregnant. * Females of childbearing potential (FCBP) must have a negative serum or urine pregnancy test with a sensitivity of at least 50 mIU/mL within 10 - 14 days prior to and again within 24 hours of starting lenalidomide and must either commit to continued abstinence from heterosexual intercourse or begin TWO acceptable methods of birth control, one highly effective method and one additional method AT THE SAME TIME, at least 28 days before starting to take lenalidomide (Revlimid®). FCBP must also agree to ongoing pregnancy testing. Males must agree to use a latex condom during sexual contact with a FCBP even if they have had a successful vasectomy. All subjects must be counseled at a minimum of every 28 days about pregnancy precautions and risks of fetal exposure. * If pregnancy or a positive pregnancy test is noted in a study subject or in the partner of a male study subject during study participation, the study drug must be discontinued immediately.

Exclusion criteria

* Any serious medical condition, laboratory abnormality or psychiatric illness that would prevent the subject from signing the informed consent form. * Female subjects who are pregnant, plan to be pregnant during the study, or who are breastfeeding. * Any condition, including the presence of laboratory abnormalities, which places the subject at unacceptable risk for study participation, or confounds the ability to interpret data from the study. * Use of any other experimental drug or therapy within 28 days of baseline. * Known hypersensitivity to thalidomide. * The development of erythema nodosum if characterized by a desquamating rash while taking thalidomide or similar drugs. * Prior history of deep vein thrombosis (DVT). * Prior history of pulmonary embolus (PE). * Known positive for HIV viral DNA by qPCR. * Positive hepatitis B surface antigen, or hepatitis C. * Platelet count \< 50,000/mcL. * Absolute neutrophil count \< 750/mcL * Lymphopenia \< 500/mcL. * Have current signs or symptoms of severe progressive or uncontrolled renal disease (creatinine ≥1.5 x ULN). * If female, unwillingness to use one highly effective method and one additional method of birth control. * If male, unwillingness to use a latex condom during intercourse with females of childbearing potential. * Continued therapy with thalidomide.

Design outcomes

Primary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Cutaneous Lupus Area and Severity Index (CLASI)Weeks 0 through 52The Cutaneous Lupus Area and Severity Index (CLASI); range of disease activity is 0-70. Lower scores reflect less activity.

Secondary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Physician Global Assessment (PGA) for SkinWeeks 0 through 52General skin scores were recorded on a 10 cm visual analogue scale at each visit. At each visit on scale 0-10, 0 corresponding to worst skin condition imaginable and 10 to perfect health.
Patient General Assessment (PtGA) for SkinWeeks 0 through 52General skin scores were recorded by the patient on a 10 cm visual analogue scale at each visit by the patient. At each visit on scale 0-10, 0 corresponding to worst skin condition imaginable and 10 to perfect health.
Pain in SkinWeeks 0 through 52Pain in skin was recorded on a 10 cm visual analogue scale at each visit by the patient. At each visit on scale 0-10, 0 corresponding to no pain and 10 to pain as bad as you can imagine.
Number of Participants With Change in IFN and CD4 Levels at 6 Weeks6 weeksCXCL10, an interferon-inducible chemokine, and immunophenotyping by immunostaining. Measurement of interferon-inducible genes from peripheral blood mononuclear cells before and after treatment.
FatigueWeeks 0 through 52Fatigue scores were recorded on a 10 cm visual analogue scale at each visit by the patient. At each visit on scale 0-10, 0 corresponding to no fatigure and 10 to fatigue as bad as you can imagine.
Skindex SymptomsWeeks 0 through 52Skindex symptoms scores are scored 1-5 and then normalized to 100, with a higher score corresponding to a worse impression. The absence of symptom impact on QoL is scored as 20 (this is represented as a 1 on the 1-5 scale. The worst impact of symptoms on QoL is 100. This is represented as a 5 on the 1-5 scale.
Skindex FunctionWeeks 0 through 52Skindex function scores are scored 1-5 and then normalized to 100, with a higher score corresponding to a worse impression. The absence of function impact on QoL is scored as 20 (this is represented as a 1 on the 1-5 scale. The worst impact of function on QoL is 100. This is represented as a 5 on the 1-5 scale.
Itch in SkinWeeks 0 through 52Itch scores were recorded on a 10 cm visual analogue scale at each visit by the patient. At each visit on scale 0-10, 0 corresponding to no itch and 10 to itch as bad as you can imagine.

Countries

United States

Participant flow

Pre-assignment details

The sample size was determined by the number of study subjects for whom Celgene Corporation was willing to supply medication during and beyond the study period. It was felt that 5 study subjects would provide valuable information about the responsiveness of severe CLE to lenalidomide (REVLIMID®) and subjects' tolerability to the study medication.

Participants by arm

ArmCount
Lenalidomide
Patients took 5 mg daily of oral lenalidomide for the initial 6 weeks. Patients who had responded at 6 weeks lowered their dose to 5 mg every other day, while non-responders were increased to a dose of 10 mg daily.
5
Total5

Withdrawals & dropouts

PeriodReasonFG000
Overall StudyPhysician Decision2

Baseline characteristics

CharacteristicLenalidomide
Age, Categorical
<=18 years
0 Participants
Age, Categorical
>=65 years
0 Participants
Age, Categorical
Between 18 and 65 years
5 Participants
Age, Continuous40.8 years
STANDARD_DEVIATION 4.82
Region of Enrollment
United States
5 participants
Sex: Female, Male
Female
4 Participants
Sex: Female, Male
Male
1 Participants

Adverse events

Event typeEG000
affected / at risk
deaths
Total, all-cause mortality
0 / 5
other
Total, other adverse events
0 / 5
serious
Total, serious adverse events
0 / 5

Outcome results

Primary

Cutaneous Lupus Area and Severity Index (CLASI)

The Cutaneous Lupus Area and Severity Index (CLASI); range of disease activity is 0-70. Lower scores reflect less activity.

Time frame: Weeks 0 through 52

Population: Two patients were not included at week 52 because one did not respond and one had new onset proteinuria and arthralgias.

ArmMeasureGroupValue (MEAN)
LenalidomideCutaneous Lupus Area and Severity Index (CLASI)0 weeks21.4 units on a scale
LenalidomideCutaneous Lupus Area and Severity Index (CLASI)6 weeks10.8 units on a scale
LenalidomideCutaneous Lupus Area and Severity Index (CLASI)12 weeks8.6 units on a scale
LenalidomideCutaneous Lupus Area and Severity Index (CLASI)52 weeks5.3 units on a scale
Secondary

Fatigue

Fatigue scores were recorded on a 10 cm visual analogue scale at each visit by the patient. At each visit on scale 0-10, 0 corresponding to no fatigure and 10 to fatigue as bad as you can imagine.

Time frame: Weeks 0 through 52

Population: 5 patients until week 12, 3 patients to week 52. Dropout prevented proper analysis of week 12 to 52.

ArmMeasureGroupValue (MEAN)
LenalidomideFatigueweek 07.25 units on a scale
LenalidomideFatigueweek 63.4 units on a scale
LenalidomideFatigueweek 125.25 units on a scale
LenalidomideFatigueweek 523 units on a scale
Secondary

Itch in Skin

Itch scores were recorded on a 10 cm visual analogue scale at each visit by the patient. At each visit on scale 0-10, 0 corresponding to no itch and 10 to itch as bad as you can imagine.

Time frame: Weeks 0 through 52

Population: 5 patients until week 12, 3 patients to week 52. Dropout prevented proper analysis of week 12 to 52.

ArmMeasureGroupValue (MEAN)
LenalidomideItch in Skinweek 04.0 units on a scale
LenalidomideItch in Skinweek 61.2 units on a scale
LenalidomideItch in Skinweek 122.25 units on a scale
LenalidomideItch in Skinweek 520 units on a scale
Secondary

Number of Participants With Change in IFN and CD4 Levels at 6 Weeks

CXCL10, an interferon-inducible chemokine, and immunophenotyping by immunostaining. Measurement of interferon-inducible genes from peripheral blood mononuclear cells before and after treatment.

Time frame: 6 weeks

ArmMeasureGroupValue (COUNT_OF_PARTICIPANTS)
LenalidomideNumber of Participants With Change in IFN and CD4 Levels at 6 WeeksIFN score decrease4 Participants
LenalidomideNumber of Participants With Change in IFN and CD4 Levels at 6 WeeksCD4 decrease4 Participants
Lenalidomide NonresponderNumber of Participants With Change in IFN and CD4 Levels at 6 WeeksIFN score decrease1 Participants
Lenalidomide NonresponderNumber of Participants With Change in IFN and CD4 Levels at 6 WeeksCD4 decrease1 Participants
Secondary

Pain in Skin

Pain in skin was recorded on a 10 cm visual analogue scale at each visit by the patient. At each visit on scale 0-10, 0 corresponding to no pain and 10 to pain as bad as you can imagine.

Time frame: Weeks 0 through 52

Population: 5 patients until week 12, 3 patients to week 52. Dropout prevented proper analysis of week 12 to 52.

ArmMeasureGroupValue (MEAN)
LenalidomidePain in Skinweek 04.5 units on a scale
LenalidomidePain in Skinweek 62 units on a scale
LenalidomidePain in Skinweek 122.5 units on a scale
LenalidomidePain in Skinweek 520.5 units on a scale
Secondary

Patient General Assessment (PtGA) for Skin

General skin scores were recorded by the patient on a 10 cm visual analogue scale at each visit by the patient. At each visit on scale 0-10, 0 corresponding to worst skin condition imaginable and 10 to perfect health.

Time frame: Weeks 0 through 52

Population: 5 patients until week 12, 3 patients to week 52. Dropout prevented proper analysis of week 12 to 52.

ArmMeasureGroupValue (MEAN)
LenalidomidePatient General Assessment (PtGA) for Skinweek 05.6 units on a scale
LenalidomidePatient General Assessment (PtGA) for Skinweek 63.6 units on a scale
LenalidomidePatient General Assessment (PtGA) for Skinweek 124.2 units on a scale
LenalidomidePatient General Assessment (PtGA) for Skinweek 520.8 units on a scale
Secondary

Physician Global Assessment (PGA) for Skin

General skin scores were recorded on a 10 cm visual analogue scale at each visit. At each visit on scale 0-10, 0 corresponding to worst skin condition imaginable and 10 to perfect health.

Time frame: Weeks 0 through 52

Population: 5 patients until week 12, 3 patients to week 52. Dropout prevented proper analysis of week 12 to 52.

ArmMeasureGroupValue (MEAN)
LenalidomidePhysician Global Assessment (PGA) for Skinweek 06 units on a scale
LenalidomidePhysician Global Assessment (PGA) for Skinweek 63 units on a scale
LenalidomidePhysician Global Assessment (PGA) for Skinweek 123.8 units on a scale
LenalidomidePhysician Global Assessment (PGA) for Skinweek 522 units on a scale
Secondary

Skindex Function

Skindex function scores are scored 1-5 and then normalized to 100, with a higher score corresponding to a worse impression. The absence of function impact on QoL is scored as 20 (this is represented as a 1 on the 1-5 scale. The worst impact of function on QoL is 100. This is represented as a 5 on the 1-5 scale.

Time frame: Weeks 0 through 52

Population: 5 patients until week 12, 3 patients to week 52. Dropout prevented proper analysis of week 12 to 52.

ArmMeasureGroupValue (MEAN)
LenalidomideSkindex Functionweek 041.26 units on a scale
LenalidomideSkindex Functionweek 630.42 units on a scale
LenalidomideSkindex Functionweek 1229.2 units on a scale
LenalidomideSkindex Functionweek 524.2 units on a scale
Secondary

Skindex Symptoms

Skindex symptoms scores are scored 1-5 and then normalized to 100, with a higher score corresponding to a worse impression. The absence of symptom impact on QoL is scored as 20 (this is represented as a 1 on the 1-5 scale. The worst impact of symptoms on QoL is 100. This is represented as a 5 on the 1-5 scale.

Time frame: Weeks 0 through 52

Population: 5 patients until week 12, 3 patients to week 52. Dropout prevented proper analysis of week 12 to 52.

ArmMeasureGroupValue (MEAN)
LenalidomideSkindex Symptomsweek 058.5 units on a scale
LenalidomideSkindex Symptomsweek 641.82 units on a scale
LenalidomideSkindex Symptomsweek 1236.4 units on a scale
LenalidomideSkindex Symptomsweek 5212.5 units on a scale

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Data processed: Feb 4, 2026