Current concepts in the etiopathogenesis and treatment of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE)

Systemic lupus erythematosus is an autoimmune disorder that occurs spontaneously in humans and mice. Genetic factors play an important role in the predisposition to and expression of disease. Environmental factors augment the expression of illness and in the absence of normal control mechanisms may provide the stimulus to autoimmunity. Sex hormones modulate the immune response and tend to modify disease expression. Disordered immune regulation may be due to a primary or secondary abnormality in cellular, cytokine, and/or humoral function. Therapy for SLE is directed towards suppression of exaggerated immunological and inflammatory activity. This review will re-evaluate current therapy and describe newer approaches including the use of pharmacological, hormonal, immunological, dietary, and physical modalities.