Efficacy and safety of biotherapies in the treatment of systemic lupus erythematosus

This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of biotherapies in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). A total of 44 studies were included up to May 2021, covering 15 therapeutic classes, 25 biotherapies, and 16,889 patients. The primary endpoints were treatment response index, composite lupus assessment, and renal remission. Four types of biotherapies demonstrated clinical improvement in lupus:

• Anti-interferons (anifrolumab, sifalimumab)
• Anti-BAFF/BLyS and/or APRIL agents (belimumab, tabalumab, telitacicept)
• An anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody (obinutuzumab)
• An anti-IL12/IL23 monoclonal antibody (ustekinumab)

For some of these biotherapies, safety was not evaluated.