Martin Aringer1, Josef S Smolen. 1. University Clinical Center Carl Gustav Carus, Technical University of Dresden, Division of Rheumatology, Department of Medicine III, Fetscherstrasse 74, 01307 Dresden, Germany. martin.aringer@uniklinikum-dresden.de
Abstract
BACKGROUND: There is still unmet medical need in the therapy of severe organ manifestations of patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Therapeutic agents targeting pro-inflammatory cytokines may be an interesting option. OBJECTIVE: To review available data on the efficacy and safety of tumour necrosis factor (TNF) blockade in SLE. METHODS: A review of the literature was conducted. RESULTS/ CONCLUSIONS: Open-label experience suggests that TNF blockade is effective in SLE patients with arthritis, nephritis and skin disease. In particular, nephritis may remain in long-term remission after just four infusions of infliximab administered. Despite the induction of lupus-specific autoantibodies, short-term therapy with infliximab in combination with azathioprine appears feasible and relatively safe. The data call for controlled clinical trials, at least one of which has been initiated.
BACKGROUND: There is still unmet medical need in the therapy of severe organ manifestations of patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Therapeutic agents targeting pro-inflammatory cytokines may be an interesting option. OBJECTIVE: To review available data on the efficacy and safety of tumour necrosis factor (TNF) blockade in SLE. METHODS: A review of the literature was conducted. RESULTS/ CONCLUSIONS: Open-label experience suggests that TNF blockade is effective in SLEpatients with arthritis, nephritis and skin disease. In particular, nephritis may remain in long-term remission after just four infusions of infliximab administered. Despite the induction of lupus-specific autoantibodies, short-term therapy with infliximab in combination with azathioprine appears feasible and relatively safe. The data call for controlled clinical trials, at least one of which has been initiated.
Authors: Maria D Sanchez-Niño; Alberto Benito-Martin; Sara Gonçalves; Ana B Sanz; Alvaro C Ucero; Maria C Izquierdo; Adrian M Ramos; Sergio Berzal; Rafael Selgas; Marta Ruiz-Ortega; Jesus Egido; Alberto Ortiz Journal: Mediators Inflamm Date: 2010-10-04 Impact factor: 4.711
Authors: Bruce E Strober; Jennifer Clay Cather; David Cohen; Jeffrey J Crowley; Kenneth B Gordon; Alice B Gottlieb; Arthur F Kavanaugh; Neil J Korman; Gerald G Krueger; Craig L Leonardi; Sergio Schwartzman; Jeffrey M Sobell; Gary E Solomon; Melodie Young Journal: Dermatol Ther (Heidelb) Date: 2012-03-17