title: [Biologics in SLE].
abstract: Biologics have become indispensable in the last decade in the treatment of the more common rheumatic diseases. For treating systemic lupus erythematodes (SLE), B-cell depletion, albeit off-label, has been a well-accepted strategy in severe and refractory disease. Unexpectedly, however, the results of the first randomized controlled rituximab trials in SLE were negative. New trials with improved study protocols are ongoing, which should resolve this issue. In 2012, with the approval of belimumab, SLE finally entered the era of approved biological therapies. The anti-Blys/BAFF antibody belimumab showed prevention of SLE flares, glucocorticoid sparing, and significant improvement in the quality of life of SLE patients, in part by drastically reducing immune complex mediated fatigue. Positive reports on further targeting approaches give hope that additional biological agents will be available for SLE therapy soon.
authors.affiliation: Klinische Abteilung für Rheumatologie, Universitätsklinik für Innere Medizin III, Medizinische Universität Wien, Währinger Gürtel 18-20, 1090, Wien, Österreich, thomas.karonitsch@meduniwien.ac.at.
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Karonitsch
authors.forename: Martin
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Aringer
mesh_terms: D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D018501:Antirheumatic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000187:drug effects; D001688:Biological Products / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D017277:Drug Approval; D006801:Humans; D008180:Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology; D056687:Off-Label Use; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D000069283:Rituximab / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D018501:Antirheumatic Agents; D001688:Biological Products; D000069283:Rituximab; C511911:belimumab