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Novel Treatments in Lupus

  • Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (G Tsokos, Section Editor)
  • Published:
Current Rheumatology Reports Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Purpose of Review

The treatment of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) still depends on non-specific immunosuppression. Herein, we review promising targeted therapies that have the potential to change this therapeutic paradigm.

Recent Findings

Besides the FDA-approved B lymphocyte stimulator (BLyS) inhibitor, belimumab, interferon-α represents a promising treatment target, albeit with modest effectiveness primarily in non-renal SLE. Preclinical and early-phase clinical trials using biologics and small molecules targeting B and T cell activation as well as the cross-talk between these cells also show promise.

Summary

BLyS and interferon targeting show the most promising results in challenging the current treatment status in non-renal SLE.

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Correspondence to Vasileios C. Kyttaris.

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Dr. Kyttaris participates as the Beth Israel Deaconeess Medical Center site principal investigator in the Bristol Myers Squibb sponsored study: “A Phase 2, Multi-Center, Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Study to Evaluate the Safety and Efficacy of Lulizumab Pegol vs. Placebo on a Background of Limited Standard of Care in the Treatment of Subjects with Active Systemic Lupus Erythematosus.”

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This article does not contain any studies with human or animal subjects performed by any of the authors.

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This article is part of the Topical Collection on Systemic Lupus Erythematosus

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Kyttaris, V.C. Novel Treatments in Lupus. Curr Rheumatol Rep 19, 10 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11926-017-0638-8

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