Journal of Clinical and Cellular Immunology
Open Access

Abstract

Targeted Therapies in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus: A State-of-the Art Review

Yashaar Chaichian and Tammy O. Utset

Systemic lupus erythematosus is a chronic multisystem autoimmune disease leading to substantial morbidity and mortality. In this disease, autoimmunity is triggered against universal cellular antigens. Dysfunction is found in both innate and adaptive immunity. While our previous therapies for lupus were nonspecific, a better understanding of the pathogenesis of lupus has led to an explosion of pharmaceutical research into targeted therapies. These new therapies hold great promise to improve treatment of this difficult disease and also provide insight into the dominant mechanisms of lupus immunopathogenesis.