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Zhou X, Xu D, Li M, Zeng X. New investigational drugs to treat Sjogren's syndrome: lessons learnt from immunology. Expert Opin Investig Drugs 2024; 33:105-114. [PMID: 38293750 DOI: 10.1080/13543784.2024.2312216] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2023] [Accepted: 01/26/2024] [Indexed: 02/01/2024]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Sjögren's syndrome is a heterogeneous autoimmune condition that impairs quality of life because of dryness, fatigue, pain, and systemic involvements. Current treatment largely depends on empirical evidence, with no effective therapy approved. Clinical trials on targeted drugs often fail to report efficacy due to common factors. AREAS COVERED This review summarizes the pathogenesis and what caused the failure of new investigational drugs in clinical trials, highlighting solutions for more effective investigations, with greater consistency between research outcomes, clinical use, and patient needs. EXPERT OPINION Unlinked pathobiology with symptoms resulted in misidentified targets and disappointing trials. Useful stratification tools are necessary for the heterogeneous SS patients. Composite endpoints or improvements in ESSDAI scores are needed, considering the high placebo response, and the unbalance between symptom burden and disease activity. Compared to classic biologics, targeted cell therapy will be a more promising field of investigation in the coming years.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xingyu Zhou
- Department of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Dermatologic and Immunologic Diseases (NCRC-DID), Ministry of Science & Technology, Beijing, China
- State Key Laboratory of Complex Severe and Rare Diseases, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Beijing, China
- Key Laboratory of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, Ministry of Education, Beijing, China
| | - Dong Xu
- Department of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Dermatologic and Immunologic Diseases (NCRC-DID), Ministry of Science & Technology, Beijing, China
- State Key Laboratory of Complex Severe and Rare Diseases, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Beijing, China
- Key Laboratory of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, Ministry of Education, Beijing, China
| | - Mengtao Li
- Department of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Dermatologic and Immunologic Diseases (NCRC-DID), Ministry of Science & Technology, Beijing, China
- State Key Laboratory of Complex Severe and Rare Diseases, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Beijing, China
- Key Laboratory of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, Ministry of Education, Beijing, China
| | - Xiaofeng Zeng
- Department of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Dermatologic and Immunologic Diseases (NCRC-DID), Ministry of Science & Technology, Beijing, China
- State Key Laboratory of Complex Severe and Rare Diseases, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Beijing, China
- Key Laboratory of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, Ministry of Education, Beijing, China
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Abstract
Salivary gland disease gives rise to salivary gland enlargement, pain, and prolonged xerostomia (dry mouth). Xerostomia is the most common long-standing problem for the majority of affected patients. There are many causes of dry mouth, with long-standing xerostomia being a particular problem in Sjögren's syndrome and after radiation to the head and neck region. Xerostomia is usually managed with saliva substitutes, but a large number of potential systemic therapies of long-standing xerostomia now exist. Some-particularly immunosuppressants-are of fundamental interest for the potential reduction of gland damage in Sjögren's syndrome but as yet are of limited clinical usefulness. Others, particularly pilocarpine and cevimeline, are, or have the potential to be, clinically useful in stimulating salivation by virtue of their action on cholinergic receptors.
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Affiliation(s)
- S R Porter
- Department of Oral Medicine, Eastman Dental Institute for Oral Health Care Sciences, University College London, University of London, England.
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