Treat-to-Target in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus: Reality or Pipe Dream

Treat-to-target is a therapeutic approach based on adjustments to treatment at set intervals in order to achieve well-defined, clinically relevant targets. This approach has been successfully applied to many chronic conditions, and in rheumatology promising results have emerged for rheumatoid arthritis. For systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), defining the most meaningful treatment targets has been challenging, due to disease complexity and heterogeneity. Control of disease activity, the reduction of damage accrual and the patient's quality of life should be considered as the main targets in SLE, and several new drugs are emerging to achieve these targets. This review is focused on describing the target to achieve in SLE and the methods to do so, and it is also aimed at discussing if treat-to-target could be a promising approach also for this complex disease.

Automated summary

Treat-to-target is a therapeutic approach that aims to achieve well-defined clinical targets by making adjustments to treatment at set intervals. This approach has shown promising results for rheumatoid arthritis, but it has been challenging to determine the most meaningful treatment targets for systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) due to the complexity and heterogeneity of the disease. This review focuses on describing the treatment targets and methods for achieving them in SLE, and it also discusses the potential of treat-to-target as an approach for this complex disease.