title: Emerging biological drugs: a new therapeutic approach for Systemic Lupus Erythematosus. An update upon efficacy and adverse events.
abstract: B-cells abnormalities leading to autoantibody production play a central role in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) pathogenesis. B-cell targeted therapies, including anti-B lymphocyte stimulator (BLyS) and anti-CD20 monoclonal antibodies, are at forefront of new SLE treatments. Biologic agents targeting specific pathways (i.e. T-B lymphocyte interaction, cytokines and complement) have been also proposed as new tools for SLE treatment. In this review we will focus on biological drugs whose potential efficacy has been evaluated in open-label and randomized clinical trials.
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine (Di.M.I.), University of Genova, Genoa, Italy.
authors.forename: Giuseppe
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Murdaca
authors.forename: Barbara Maria
authors.initials: BM
authors.lastname: Colombo
authors.forename: Francesco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Puppo
mesh_terms: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*; D016207:Cytokines / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D007155:Immunologic Factors / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D007167:Immunotherapy / Q000379:methods; D008180:Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic / Q000276:immunology / Q000628:therapy*; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D016207:Cytokines; D007155:Immunologic Factors