Treat-to-Target and Targeted Therapy: The Evolving State of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Patient Care

The complex and varied nature of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and the absence of standard therapeutic options beyond corticosteroids and systemic immunosuppressive therapy make managing this disease an extreme clinical challenge. Achieving disease remission yields positive long-term outcomes, but only 2%–7% of patients reach this goal—and then only after long-term treatment. Recent clinical findings have demonstrated that, for patients with moderate to severe SLE, combining targeted and standard therapies can achieve meaningful reduction in both disease activity and the need for ongoing corticosteroid therapy. These results suggest that a significant expansion of the SLE armamentarium is likely imminent.

This activity has been developed to help rheumatologists and other clinicians who treat SLE patients stay current on new, fast-emerging options and strategies for SLE management (ie, personalized medicine and treat-to-target). Among the topics covered are the key immunopathogenic features of SLE, low disease activity as an outcome measure, and recent clinical advances in the use of new targeted biologic therapies.