Lupus, the current therapeutic approaches

The management of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is challenging due to the heterogenous presentation and clinical manifestations of the disease. Standard therapies for SLE use immunosuppressive drugs with significant side effects. Advanced knowledge of the pathogenesis of SLE has led to new therapeutic approaches targeting specific molecules, pathways and cells. Factors intimately involved in the chronic inflammatory response to SLE have been studied in animal models of the disease and tested in clinical trials. Here we review the topic discussing the agents currently used in the induction and maintenance therapy of SLE. In addition, the emerging therapeutic modalities in SLE that use biologics such as monoclonal antibodies to immune cell surface molecules or cytokines, synthetic peptides, oligonucleotides and cell-based therapies are discussed here.