Update on emerging drug therapies for systemic lupus erythematosus

Time trend and risk factors of avascular bone necrosis in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus

Objectives

The objective of this paper is to study the time trend and risk factors of avascular bone necrosis (AVN) in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).

Methods

Between 1999 and 2014, patients who fulfilled the ACR criteria for SLE and developed symptomatic AVN were identified from our cohort database and compared with those without AVN, matched for age, sex and SLE duration. The standardized incidence ratios (SIRs) of AVN in different SLE age groups were calculated from data derived from our hospital registry and population census. Risk factors for AVN were studied by logistic regression, adjusted by a propensity score for ever use of high-dose glucocorticoids (GCs).

Results

Fifty-five SLE patients with AVN and 220 SLE patients without AVN were studied. There were 104 AVN sites involved, with the hips being most commonly affected (82%). The point prevalence of AVN in our SLE cohort was 7.4%. The SIRs of AVN in our SLE patients were 131 (86.6–199; p < 0.001) and 56.0 (34.3–91.4; p < 0.001), respectively, in the periods 1995–2004 and 2005–2014. In both decades, the age-stratified SIR was highest in the youngest age group (<19 years). AVN patients were more likely to be treated with GCs and had received a significantly higher cumulative dose of prednisolone since SLE diagnosis (16.5 vs 10.7 grams; p = 0.001). The SLE damage score (excluding AVN) was also significantly higher in AVN than non-AVN patients (2.5 vs 0.4; p < 0.001). Logistic regression revealed that preceding septic arthritis of the involved joint (odds ratio (OR) 17.7 (1.5–205); p = 0.02), cushingoid body habitus (OR 2.4 (1.1–5.2); p = 0.04), LDL cholesterol level (OR 1.4 (1.0–1.9); p = 0.04), maximum daily dose of prednisolone (OR 6.4 (1.2–33.3); p = 0.03) and cumulative dose of prednisolone received in the first six months of the first lupus flare (OR 1.3 (1.0–1.8); p = 0.046) were independently associated with AVN.

Conclusions

AVN is prevalent in SLE, particularly in younger patients. The use of GCs remains the strongest independent risk factor. A trend of reduction in the SIR of AVN in our SLE patients is observed over the past two decades.

Systemic lupus erythematosus: epidemiology, pathophysiology, manifestations, and management

Systemic lupus erythematosus is a chronic autoimmune disorder characterized by production of autoantibodies directed against nuclear and cytoplasmic antigens, affecting several organs. Although cause is largely unknown, pathophysiology is attributed to several factors. Clinically, this disorder is characterized by periods of remission and relapse and may present with various constitutional and organ-specific symptoms. Diagnosis is achieved via clinical findings and laboratory examinations. Therapies are based on disease activity and severity. General treatment considerations include sun protection, diet and nutrition, smoking cessation, exercise, and appropriate immunization, whereas organ-specific treatments include use of steroidal and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, immunosuppressive agents, and biologic agents.

Update on B-cell targeted therapies for systemic lupus erythematosus

INTRODUCTION

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a systemic autoimmune disease characterized by flares and remission, leading to accrual of organ damage over time as a result of persistent tissue inflammation and treatment-related complications. Novel therapies aiming at better treatment response and fewer adverse effects are being tested in the pipeline.

AREAS COVERED

This review summarizes the B-cell abnormalities observed in patients with SLE, and updates recent data on the efficacy and safety of B-cell targeted therapies in the treatment of SLE. The pitfalls of clinical trial design and future directions of the development of SLE therapeutics are discussed.

EXPERT OPINION

The variability of clinical response to treatment in SLE reflects the clinical and immunological heterogeneity of the disease. The treatment plan for patients with SLE should be individualized with the aim of eradicating disease activity, preventing flares and minimizing treatment-related complications. Despite the disappointment of recent clinical trials, B-cell remains the promising target of future SLE therapies. Results from ongoing clinical trials on B-cell targeted biological agents are eagerly awaited.

Emerging biological therapies for systemic lupus erythematosus

INTRODUCTION

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a systemic autoimmune disease with unpredictable disease course, intermingled with periods of remission and exacerbation. Current therapies for SLE are not ideal in terms of efficacy and toxicity. Although the prognosis of the disease has improved in the past decades, further improvement is hindered by the occurrence of organ damage as a result of persistent disease activity and treatment-related complications. Novel biological therapies targeting at higher treatment efficacy and fewer adverse effects are being developed.

AREAS COVERED

This review summarizes recent data on novel biological therapies for SLE. The pitfalls of clinical trial design and future directions of the development of SLE therapeutics are discussed.

EXPERT OPINION

The variable therapeutic response observed in SLE reflects the clinical and immunological heterogeneity of the disease. The treatment plan of SLE patients should be individualized, with the target of quenching out disease activity, minimizing disease flares, and treatment related morbidities. Despite the disappointment of recent clinical trials, avenues are being opened for novel agents that intervene at different levels of the pathophysiological cascade of SLE. With the availability of a new treatment armamentarium, it is hoped that the survival rate and quality of life of SLE patients can continue to improve.

A study of hepcidin and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 in Egyptian females with systemic lupus erythematosus

BACKGROUND

Lupus nephritis is one of the most serious manifestations of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Novel biomarkers are necessary to enhance the diagnostic accuracy, prognostic stratification, monitoring of treatment response, and detection of early renal flares.

METHODS

Our study was conducted on 90 participants. They were divided into three groups, group I (controls) encompassed 30 ages and sex-matched healthy personnel. Group II included 30 non-nephritic SLE patients and finally group III included 30 SLE nephritic patients. Urinary monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (UMCP-1) and hepcidin were evaluated by ELISA technique, compared and correlated in different groups, with each other and with other routine variables and with renal biopsy done to study group (III).

RESULTS

Both UMCP-1 and hepcidin in group III showed significant increase compared to other two groups (controls and group II) (468 ± 128, 111 ± 12, 252 ± 56 pg/ml, respectively, for UMCP-1 and 40 ± 12, 11 ± 2, 20 ± 5 ng/ml, respectively, for hepcidin, P < 0.01). Also both UMCP-1 and hepcidin in group III showed significant increase in diffuse proliferative subgroup compared to focal proliferative and mesangioproliferative subgroups (580 ± 43, 502 ± 46, and 352.6 ± 100 pg/ml, respectively, for UMCP-1 and 47.8 ± 9.5, 41.4 ± 6, and 32.9 ± 10.8 ng/ml, respectively, for urinary hepcidin, P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

UMCP-1 and hepcidin could be associated with the susceptibility of lupus nephritis.

Is there a cure for systemic lupus erythematosus?

The morbidity and mortality of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a subject of intense relevance in the literature, yet descriptions of prolonged and sustained remissions or even cure are barely reported. In recent decades the life expectancy in SLE patients has improved, but the quality of life seems to be poor compared with other chronic diseases and with the general population. The immunopathogenesis of SLE is complex and not fully understood, so patients have been treated with nonspecific immunosuppressive therapies. But in recent years, because of advances in basic science, targeted therapies have been developed. Despite the progress made in treating SLE, currently a cure in SLE seems to be a myth. SLE it seems, remains incurable. A specific treatment has not emerged to directly abrogate a disease-specific autoimmune response. Relapsing manifestations and complications of treatment still remain important markers of morbidity.

Emerging small molecule and biological therapeutic approaches for the treatment of autoimmunity

IMPORTANCE OF THE FIELD

Biological therapeutics targeting TNF-α, IL-6, CD20 and CD80/86 is proving to be an important weapon in the clinicians' armory to fight autoimmunity alongside long-standing small molecule therapeutics such as methotrexate and glucocorticoids. However, there still remains a high unmet clinical need in the field of autoimmunity and many researchers are continuing to discover and develop new therapeutics to address this.

AREAS COVERED IN THIS REVIEW

A new wave of small molecule and biological therapeutics targeting different pathways is being developed which could generate exciting new options for clinicians. This review aims to highlight those emerging therapies that are most advanced in clinical development.

WHAT THE READER WILL GAIN

The reader will gain an appreciation of new approaches being developed to address the high unmet clinical need in the field of autoimmunity.

TAKE HOME MESSAGE

Despite recent success in the development of therapeutics to treat autoimmunity, new therapeutic strategies are being developed to address the remaining areas of a high unmet clinical need.

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.

[Biomarkers in lupus nephritis]

Systemic lupus erythematosus is a polysystemic autoimmune disease. One of the most common and serious complication is lupus nephritis. Notification of these complications before organic disorder, prediction of flares, starting aggressive therapy as early as possible, and the follow-up of successful treatment would be desirable. There is an intensive need for identifying the best biomarker for monitoring flare activity. The goal of this review is to present not only the most frequently ordered serologic tests, but the latest, partly experimental biomarkers reflecting flares, which are not used in clinical practice. Biomarkers used specifically in lupus nephritis are also described.

Biomarkers for lupus nephritis: a critical appraisal

Kidney disease is one of the most serious manifestations of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Despite the improvement in the medical care of SLE in the past two decades, the prognosis of lupus nephritis remains unsatisfactory. Besides exploring more effective but less toxic treatment modalities that will further improve the remission rate, early detection and treatment of renal activity may spare patients from intensive immunosuppressive therapies and reduce renal damage. Conventional clinical parameters such as creatinine clearance, proteinuria, urine sediments, anti-dsDNA, and complement levels are not sensitive or specific enough for detecting ongoing disease activity in the lupus kidneys and early relapse of nephritis. Thus, novel biomarkers are necessary to enhance the diagnostic accuracy and sensitivity of lupus renal disease, prognostic stratification, monitoring of treatment response, and detection of early renal flares. This paper reviews promising biomarkers that have recently been evaluated in longitudinal studies of lupus nephritis.