Leveraging Heterogeneity in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus for New Therapies

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a multisystem, chronic autoimmune disease where treatment varies by patient and disease activity. Strong preclinical results and clinical correlates have motivated development of many drugs, but many of these have failed to achieve efficacy in clinical trials. FDA approval of belimumab in 2011 was the first successful SLE drug in nearly six decades. In this article, we review insights into the molecular and clinical heterogeneity of SLE from transcriptomics studies and detail their potential impact on drug development and clinical practices. We critically examine the pipeline of SLE drugs, including past failures and their associated lessons and current promising approaches. Finally, we identify opportunities for integrating these findings and drug development with new multidisciplinary advances to enhance future SLE treatment.

Automated summary

SLE, a multisystem, chronic autoimmune disease, has diverse treatment options with varied efficacy. Despite many failed attempts in the past, the approval of belimumab in 2011 marked a successful milestone in SLE drug development. Insights from transcriptomics studies provide a deeper understanding of the molecular and clinical heterogeneity of SLE, offering valuable insights for future drug development and clinical practices.