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Systemic lupus erythematosus

Nature Reviews Drug Discovery volume 8, pages 103–104 (2009)Cite this article

There is a large unmet need in both the diagnosis and treatment of SLE. The US FDA has not approved a treatment for SLE in decades, even though current treatments lack specificity and can often cause considerable side effects. The heterogeneous and flaring nature of the disease makes assessment of drug efficacy in clinical trials difficult, and a lack of clarity from regulatory agencies has stifled SLE drug development in the past. However, recent insights into the biology of autoimmune diseases that extend to SLE, coupled with a better understanding of SLE pathogenesis, have renewed interest in this disease area. Product candidates are in development for different subcategories of SLE including lupus nephritis (LN), a kidney disorder associated with more severe SLE, and cutaneous lupus erythematosus, which affects the skin and has a broad spectrum of clinical manifestations.

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Figure 1: Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) epidemiology.

References

  1. Lupus Foundation of America (LFA). Introduction to Lupus. LFA web site [online], (2008).

  2. Helmick, C. G. et al. Estimates of the prevalence of arthritis and other rheumatic conditions in the United States. Part I. Arthritis Rheum. 58, 15–25 (2008).

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  3. Genentech. Genentech and Biogen Idec Announce Top-Line Results From Phase II/III Clinical Study of Rituxan in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus. Genentech web site [online], (2008).

  4. FDA. FDA Warns of Safety Concern Regarding Rituxan in New Patient Population. FDA web site [online], [online], (2006).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. James Wentworth, Ph.D., is an Analyst in the Immunology & Inflammation team at Datamonitor Healthcare, 108-110 Finchley Road, London NW3 5JJ, UK.,

    James Wentworth

  2. Clare Davies, M.Eng., is Lead Analyst in the Immunology & Inflammation team at Datamonitor.,

    Clare Davies

Authors
  1. James Wentworth
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  2. Clare Davies
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Correspondence to James Wentworth.

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Supplementary information S1 (table)

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Wentworth, J., Davies, C. Systemic lupus erythematosus. Nat Rev Drug Discov 8, 103–104 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1038/nrd2743

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