Examining Distinct Immunophenotypes to Validate and Enhance Rational Treatment in Systemic Lupus

The primary purpose of this study is to evaluate the potential effectiveness of 24 weeks of MMF within previously discovered immunologically defined subsets of SLE patients. Treatment effects will be evaluated within the individual immunologically-homogenous subsets defined at screening. This study will also explore and compare pre-randomization gene expression patterns among responders and non-responders to MMF and MMF plus voclosporin, use comprehensive immunophenotyping to study the immunologic changes that accompany treatment- induced disease improvement and to better understand immunologic changes associated with the loss of clinical response.

The study was conducted in 3 stages with a maximum participant follow-up time of 56 weeks. Stage 1 was a treatment withdrawal period lasting up to 4 weeks where consenting participants receive up to 3 intramuscular injections of a long-acting corticosteroid to achieve amelioration of symptoms. In addition, participants withdraw from all other treatments for lupus with the following exceptions: (i) as needed (PRN) nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory treatments may be started or continued, (ii) PRN topicals may be continued, (iii) hydroxychloroquine, chloroquine, or quinacrine may be continued at any stable dose, and (iv) prednisone, if\<= 10 mg/day, may be continued at stable doses but not started. Qualifying participants from Stage 1 were randomized (1:1) into Stage 2 to receive either MMF or placebo for MMF for up to 48 weeks. Participants who experienced a Stage 2 treatment failure at or before the Week 24 visit and a corticosteroid injection was deemed sufficient for treatment without new or increased lupus medication were eligible to re-randomize (1:1) into Stage 3 to receive either MMF + Voclosporin or MMF + Placebo for Voclosporin for up to 24 Weeks. Participants who did not experience a Stage 2 treatment failure at or before the Stage 2 Week 48 visit were to return for an End of Study/Safety Follow-up visit 4 weeks after the final dose of study-provided medication. Similarly, participants who did not experience a Stage 3 treatment failure at or before the Stage 3 Week 24 visits were asked to return for an End of Study/Safety Follow-up visit 4 weeks after the final dose of study provided medication.