Healio Rheumatology reports that ongoing research into the disease processes of lupus has yielded an increased number of therapeutic targets, according to a presentation at the 2024 Association of Women in Rheumatology annual conference by Mary K. Crow, MD, physician-in-chief emerita and senior scientist at the HSS Research Institute.

“We think about lupus based on its many, many clinical manifestations,” Dr. Crow explained. “Heterogeneity comes up as a descriptor, but we have made quite a bit of progress about what underlies this disease.”

 In addition to the interferon pathway, Dr. Crow mentioned anti-RNA autoantibodies like anti-Ro, anti-La, anti-SM and anti-RNP, along anti-dsDNA autoantibodies and toll-like receptors (TLR), as potential targets for intervention.

 The anti-RNA autoantibodies are sustained in patients with lupus over time, according to Dr. Crow. 

 “Their regulatory capacity is important for us to recognize,” she said. “If we do not target these antibodies, they are going to continue to modulate disease.”

 Conversely, anti-dsDNA antibodies are not sustained over time. “They fluctuate over many years,” she said.

 A growing body of evidence suggests that targeting toll-like receptors may have a greater role in lupus treatment in the future, according to Dr. Crow.

 Read the full article at healio.com.