Impressive resolution of refractory hypertrophic discoid lupus erythematosus with anifrolumab

Hypertrophic discoid lupus erythematosus is a rare variant of chronic cutaneous lupus erythematosus and is often challenging to treat. A male in his early 60s presented with diffuse erythematous, crusty, pruritic plaques on his upper and lower extremities, face, upper back, dorsal aspect of the hands and chest. He also described prolonged morning stiffness, swelling of his fingers and wrists, oral sores and Raynaud's phenomenon. He was positive for antinuclear antibody and anti-SSA antibody and had low C3 and C4 proteins. The skin biopsy was consistent with hypertrophic discoid lupus erythematosus. He was diagnosed with systemic lupus erythematosus. Skin lesions were refractory to treatment with topical corticosteroids, topical acitretin, hydroxychloroquine, azathioprine or mycophenolate. Anifrolumab infusions were initiated with a near-complete resolution of cutaneous symptoms within 3 months.