The management of systemic lupus erythematosus: Facts and controversies

Systemic lupus erythematosus is a multisystem disease of unknown etiology in which dysregulation of the innate and adaptive immune systems has a major effect in the pathogenesis of the disease. The treatment should be tailored for each patient according to how the disease manifests itself. Although there is no cure for systemic lupus erythematosus, the current treatment, using anti-inflammatory, antimalarial, and immunosuppressive agents, is fairly effective, but serious adverse events are possible. New biologic agents that target various components of the immune system recently have been developed for the treatment of patients with systemic lupus erythematosus. (C) 2010 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.