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Review
. 2023 Apr 17:14:1117699.
doi: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1117699. eCollection 2023.

Biological therapy in systemic lupus erythematosus, antiphospholipid syndrome, and Sjögren's syndrome: evidence- and practice-based guidance

António Marinho  1   2 , José Delgado Alves  3   4 , Jorge Fortuna  5 , Raquel Faria  1   2 , Isabel Almeida  1   2 , Glória Alves  6 , João Araújo Correia  1   2   7 , Ana Campar  1   2 , Mariana Brandão  1   2 , Jorge Crespo  5 , Daniela Marado  5 , João Matos-Costa  8 , Susana Oliveira  3 , Fernando Salvador  9 , Lelita Santos  5   10   11 , Fátima Silva  5 , Milene Fernandes  12 , Carlos Vasconcelos  1   2
Affiliations
Review

Biological therapy in systemic lupus erythematosus, antiphospholipid syndrome, and Sjögren's syndrome: evidence- and practice-based guidance

António Marinho et al. Front Immunol. .

Abstract

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), antiphospholipid syndrome (APS), and Sjögren's syndrome (SS) are heterogeneous autoimmune diseases. Severe manifestations and refractory/intolerance to conventional immunosuppressants demand other options, namely biological drugs, and small molecules. We aimed to define evidence and practice-based guidance for the off-label use of biologics in SLE, APS, and SS. Recommendations were made by an independent expert panel, following a comprehensive literature review and two consensus rounds. The panel included 17 internal medicine experts with recognized practice in autoimmune disease management. The literature review was systematic from 2014 until 2019 and later updated by cross-reference checking and experts' input until 2021. Preliminary recommendations were drafted by working groups for each disease. A revision meeting with all experts anticipated the consensus meeting held in June 2021. All experts voted (agree, disagree, neither agree nor disagree) during two rounds, and recommendations with at least 75% agreement were approved. A total of 32 final recommendations (20 for SLE treatment, 5 for APS, and 7 for SS) were approved by the experts. These recommendations consider organ involvement, manifestations, severity, and response to previous treatments. In these three autoimmune diseases, most recommendations refer to rituximab, which aligns with the higher number of studies and clinical experience with this biological agent. Belimumab sequential treatment after rituximab may also be used in severe cases of SLE and SS. Second-line therapy with baricitinib, bortezomib, eculizumab, secukinumab, or tocilizumab can be considered in SLE-specific manifestations. These evidence and practice-based recommendations may support treatment decision and, ultimately, improve the outcome of patients living with SLE, APS, or SS.

Keywords: Sjögren’s syndrome; antiphospholipid syndrome; biological therapies; recommendations; small molecules; systemic autoimmune diseases; systemic lupus erythematosus.

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Conflict of interest statement

AM received consulting, speaker, and advisory board fees from AbbVie, Lilly, MSD, Novartis, Pfizer, and Roche, speaker fees from BMS and Janssen, consulting fees from Janssen and Takeda; and received support for attending meetings from AbbVie, Janssen, Novartis, and Pfizer. JDA received consulting, speaker, and advisory board fees from AbbVie, Lilly, and Novartis, and consulting fees from Pfizer. CV received advisory board fees from AstraZeneca, GSK, Janssen, Novartis, and Pfizer. MF is an employee of a contract research organization (CTI Clinical Trial & Consulting Services) that provides services to several pharmaceutical companies. The remaining authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Definition and approval of recommendations – flowchart.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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