Targeted therapies in interstitial lung disease secondary to systemic autoimmune rheumatic disease. Current status and future development

Abstract

Autoimmune rheumatic diseases (ARD) are characterized by systemic manifestations and multiple organ involvement, including the lung. Interstitial Lung Disease (ILD) is a cardinal manifestation of lung involvement in patients with ARD and is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Corticosteroids and immunosuppressive drugs are used as first -line treatment. Targeted therapies, such as biological disease modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDS) and anti- fibrotic agents are new treatment options. In this review we discuss the role of targeted therapies in patients with ILD secondary to ARD.

Keywords: Anti-fibrotic treatment; Autoimmune rheumatic diseases; Interstitial lung disease; Myositis; Rheumatoid arthritis; Scleroderma immunosuppressive drugs; Sjögren's syndrome; Targeted treatment; Vasculitis.