Anti-interferon alpha treatment in SLE

Several studies in the last decade have highlighted the role of the type I interferon (IFN-I) pathway, and particularly interferon alpha (IFN alpha) in SLE pathogenesis. As a result, a multitude of potential treatments targeting IFN alpha have emerged in the last few years, a few of which have already completed phase II clinical trials. Some of the treatment strategies have focused on blocking IFN alpha or its receptor and others the plasmacytoid dendritic cell (pDC), which is the principal IFN alpha producing cell. In this review, we will discuss the evidence supporting a pathogenic role of IFN alpha and pDC in SLE, provide an update on the current status of these therapeutic strategies, and discuss the potential advantages and disadvantages of each therapeutic approach. (c) 2013 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.