Advances in systemic lupus erythematosus

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a chronic autoimmune disease with a heterogeneous course and systemic involvement. It is the result of a complex pathogenic pathway that culminates in autoantibody formation. The interaction between environmental triggers and genetic susceptibility is key in this process. Genome-wide association studies have recognized >200 loci associated with SLE that lead to the formation of key proteins, each contributing a small increase to the risk. Advances in the management of the disease include new validated standardized tools to capture disease activity, damage and quality of life, for clinical and research purposes. The prognosis of SLE has greatly improved in the last 50 years because of better general management and specific treatment, including a better use of immunosuppressive agents. The development of biological therapies including chimeric antigen receptor T cell therapy offers the realistic prospect of further improvement.