[Molecular targets and their regulation in systemic lupus erythematosus]

In the past 40 years, prognosis for patients with systemic lupus erythematosusu(SLE) has improved, and 10-year survival now becomes approximately over 95%. This may be due probably to a combination of earlier disease diagnosis and diagnosis of milder disease, due in part to availability of multiple serological tests for SLE, use of steroids and other immunosuppressive agents, and availability of renal dialysis and transplantation. Although the prognosis of SLE itself improved a lot, still the potential for significant morbidity and mortality remains in the group of patients with partially responsive or treatment resistant disease such as type IV lupus nephritis and CNS involvement, etc. To overcome these problems, various therapeutic approaches have been newly developed based on the understanding of molecular mechanisms involved in the pathogenesis of SLE. In this paper, usefulness of treatments targeting molecules that are strongly associated with immune disorders in lupus patients will be discussed.