SLE Treatments

The effect of calcineurin inhibitors in the induction and maintenance treatment of lupus nephritis: a systematic review and meta-analysis

To evaluate the efficacy and safety of the calcineurin inhibitors (CNIs) cyclosporine (CyA) and tacrolimus…
link.springer.com

Calcineurin inhibitors, like Cyclosporin and Tacrolimus, target T-cells.

Epratuzumab seen as well-tolerated, steroid-sparing treatment for up to 3.2 years in SLE patients

Treatment of moderate to severe systemic lupus erythematosus with epratuzumab infusions was…
healio.com

Epratuzumab targets B-cells.

Sifalimumab, an anti-interferon-α monoclonal antibody, in moderate to severe systemic lupus erythematosus: a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled study

Objectives The efficacy and safety of sifalimumab were assessed in a phase IIb, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled study (NCT01283139) of adults with moderate to severe active systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).
m.ard.bmj.com

Sifalimumab targets interferon-α of the innate immune response. It is anticipated to be the next big thing in Lupus treatment.

Rituxan Beneficial Long Term in SLE

Patients had refractory disease, and were followed for up to 14 years
www.medpagetoday.com

Rituximab must be the most widely used drug for Lupus that has failed all clinical trials in Lupus. In fact, it is the go-to drug in SLE when all else fails (short of ablative chemotherapy with haemopoietic stem cell rescue).
Obviously, 100% of rheumatologists can’t be wrong. We blame trial design for the trial failure, obviously. Our esteemed clinical acumen trumps evidence-based medicine, anytime.
This is not said tongue-in-cheek: 100% of rheumatologists believe so. Is it any wonder then that 99% of treatment in Rheumatology is “off-label”?