New and emerging therapies for systemic lupus erythematosus

Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) and lupus nephritis treatment is still based on non-specific immune suppression despite the first biological therapy for the disease having been approved more than a decade ago. Intense basic and translational research has uncovered a multitude of pathways that are actively being evaluated as treatment targets in SLE and lupus nephritis, with two new medications receiving FDA approval in the last 3 years. Herein we provide an overview of targeted therapies for SLE including medications targeting the B lymphocyte compartment, intracellular signaling, co-stimulation, and finally the interferons and other cytokines. •Non-specific immune-suppression are still used for the treatment of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus and lupus nephritis.•Medications targeting B cells, Type I Interferons and Calcineurin have recently been approved for the treatment of SLE and LN.•Actively evaluated therapeutic targets include BLyS/APRIL, CD19/CD20, Jak, dendritic cells and co-stimulatory molecules.