There is little question that our colleagues in rheumatology who treat patients with rheumatoid or psoriatic arthritis have outdone us ‘lupologists’ in bringing new therapies to the community. Biologics have truly been transformative for those patients with inflammatory arthritis. We are now starting to see the same successes in lupus. As we celebrate the 10th anniversary of the FDA approval of belimumab, the lupus community recently witnessed the approval of two drugs, belimumab and voclosporin, for the treatment of lupus nephritis. In addition, several Phase 2 studies yielded favorable results and will be progressing to Phase 3.^1–5 Drug development activity is currently unprecedented, and there is no doubt that research advances will improve outcomes and ensure brighter futures for our patients with systemic lupus.

Learning Objectives

• Describe unmet needs in SLE treatment

• Discuss biologic targets for SLE drug development

• Explain recent clinical trial results

References

1. Wallace DJ, Furie RA, Tanaka Y, et al. Baricitinib for systemic lupus erythematosus: a double-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled, phase 2 trial. Lancet. 2018;392(10143):222–31.

2. Rovin BH, Solomons N, Pendergraft WF, 3rd, et al. A randomized, controlled double-blind study comparing the efficacy and safety of dose-ranging voclosporin with placebo in achieving remission in patients with active lupus nephritis. Kidney Int. 2019;95(1):219–31.

3. Furie R, Werth VP, Merola JF, et al. Monoclonal antibody targeting BDCA2 ameliorates skin lesions in systemic lupus erythematosus. J Clin Invest. 2019;129(3):1359–71.

4. Furie R, Rovin BH, Houssiau F, et al. Two-Year, Randomized, Controlled Trial of Belimumab in Lupus Nephritis. N Engl J Med. 2020;383(12):1117–28.

5. Morand EF, Furie R, Tanaka Y, et al. Trial of Anifrolumab in Active Systemic Lupus Erythematosus. N Engl J Med. 2020;382(3):211–21.