New approaches to the treatment of Sjögren's syndrome: soon beyond symptomatic relief?

Sjögren's syndrome (SS) is a common autoimmune disease characterized by destruction and dysfunction of the salivary and lachrymal glands. Systemic manifestations occur in almost one third of patients with SS. Treatment of SS has been long considered as disappointing, being mainly restricted to local management with artificial tears and oral lubricants or to the use of immunosuppression-based therapies for systemic disease. Better knowledge of the pathogenesis of SS, including the role of retroviruses and cytokines and the discovery of aquaporins, provides new perspectives for the local and systemic management of this disease. Our goal is to focus on these recent therapeutic progresses. Copyright 2003 S. Karger AG, Basel