title: Potential for anti-DNA immunoglobulin peptide therapy in systemic lupus erythematosus.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a chronic autoimmune disease with elevated morbidity and multi-organ involvement. While many strategies have shown efficacy and improved management of SLE, they have often been associated with adverse effects. Some patients may not respond well to some treatments because of inter-individual variability of the disease. More specific and safer therapies are needed.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To review literature on peptide-based therapy of SLE.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Recently, emphasis has been placed on targeting molecules and pathways involved in the inflammatory response in SLE, including the use of immunogenic peptides derived from anti-DNA antibodies. Encouraging data from murine models of SLE have led to tests in initial clinical trials in humans--which have unfortunately not met the primary endpoints. The current challenge is to design improved strategies for immunotherapeutic use of anti-DNA peptides in SLE.
authors.affiliation: University of California Los Angeles, Division of Rheumatology, Department of Medicine, 1000 Veteran Avenue 32-59, Los Angeles, California 90095-1670, USA. niikuni@mednet.ucla.edu
authors.forename: Noriko
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Iikuni
authors.forename: Bevra H
authors.initials: BH
authors.lastname: Hahn
authors.forename: Antonio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: La Cava
mesh_terms: D000974:Antibodies, Antinuclear / Q000276:immunology*; D001323:Autoantibodies / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D007108:Immune Tolerance; D007136:Immunoglobulins / Q000737:chemistry*; D008180:Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic / Q000276:immunology / Q000628:therapy*; D010455:Peptides / Q000737:chemistry / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: D000974:Antibodies, Antinuclear; D001323:Autoantibodies; D007136:Immunoglobulins; D010455:Peptides