Anticytokine therapies in systemic lupus erythematosus.
The dysfunctional immune response that characterizes systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) associates with an unbalanced production of soluble mediators that are crucial in promoting and sustaining chronic inflammation. The successful use of biologics in several autoimmune diseases has led to studies in SLE aimed at contrasting the proinflammatory responses that contribute to tissue and organ damage in the disease. Several approaches have been developed and tested as potential therapeutic agents in SLE in preclinical studies and in clinical trials. This article provides an overview on antibody-based approaches in SLE that, although preliminary, have the potential to expand the current therapeutic possibilities in the disease.
La Cava
Antonio
A
Division of Rheumatology, Department of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles, 1000 Veteran Avenue 32-59, Los Angeles, CA 90095-1670, USA. alacava@mednet.ucla.edu
D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016207:Cytokines / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors* / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D008180:Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology
D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D016207:Cytokines