What the trial was testing
The TULIP-LTE enrolled 559 patients with lupus. The study was sponsored by AstraZeneca and tracked outcomes across the full group of patients who matched the trial's eligibility profile.
It was a large trial designed to confirm whether the treatment works well enough for wider use. Trials at this stage are designed to produce evidence regulators and physicians can act on — not just observations to follow up later.
What the results showed
Lupus patients on anifrolumab reported sustained improvements in pain and mental health over 4 years.
The Lancet. Rheumatology · 2025 · NCT02794285
These findings — that patients reported better quality of life that lasted through years of treatment — were published in the The Lancet. Rheumatology and represent the headline result of the study.
Researchers tracked outcomes across 559 patients enrolled in the trial. The result was consistent enough across the group that the team felt confident reporting it.
What this means for patients
For patients with lupus, this result changes the calculus on what to ask their care team about. Whether it changes day-to-day care depends on factors like disease subtype, prior treatments, and where the patient is in their care journey.
What you can do now
If you have moderate to severe lupus, this treatment might help you feel better day-to-day — less pain, better mental health, and potentially less need for steroids. Anifrolumab is FDA-approved for lupus. Talk to your rheumatologist about whether this infusion therapy could work for you.
Eligibility for the treatments mentioned above depends on specific test results and clinical history. Bring this summary, the trial name, and your most recent labs or pathology report to your next visit.
Open lupus trials
Creating Health Course Study for People With Rheumatological Conditions and Mood Disorders
The goal of this project is to critically evaluate the effectiveness of an online health program designed to improve diet and self-care in patients with rheumatological conditions, including rheumatoid arthritis (RA), Sjogren's syndrome (SS), systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), mixed connective tissue disease (MCTD), psoriatic arthritis (PsA), anxiety disorders, depressive disorders and moderate depression. Additionally, investigators will assess the program's effectiveness, as well as the challenges and facilitators involved in using an online wellness program to reduce fatigue and enhance the quality of life in patients suffering from these conditions.
Intervention to Improve Communication and Medication Adherence in Lupus
CO-LEAD is an intervention to improve patient-provider communication and medication adherence among patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). The purpose of this study is to optimize the culturally appropriate delivery and test the effect of the CO-LEAD intervention, which includes the following: 1. clinicians will be provided with a program to teach them to use effective communication strategies with patients to review real-time pharmacy refill date, engage and formulate solutions to adherence barriers, and collaboratively overcome adherence barriers. 2. use of a reliable and valid patient-reported measure of the extent of and reasons for nonadherence that helps patients identify and communicate their adherence barriers with clinicians proactively, efficiently, and comprehensively.