New treatment approach for the autoimmune disease Lupus

Autoimmune disease lupus erythematosus curable in the future?
Lupus erythematosus is an autoimmune disease that mostly affects the skin, but can also occur in a systemic form, affecting other organs. In the worst case, a deadly multi-organ failure threatens. So far, treatment options have essentially been limited to lifelong immunosuppression. However, scientists at MedUni Vienna have now tried out a new approach to the treatment of lupus erythematosus. Their findings were published in the journal "Experimental Dermatology".

The research group has discovered in the animal model new possibilities for the treatment of the autoimmune disease systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), according to the MedUni Vienna. Blocking the messenger substance interleukin-6 prevented its docking with the receptors of the cells and thus the development of inflammation, reports the team led by Peter Birner (MedUni Vienna) and Lukas Kenner (MedUni Vienna, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna and Ludwig Boltzmann Institute for cancer research). For those affected would be based on this method quite a chance of recovery.

Scientists at MedUni Vienna have discovered a new approach to the treatment of lupus erythematosus. So far, lifelong immunosuppression was needed. (Image: tashatuvango / fotolia.com)

Blockade of IL-6 prevents inflammation
Together with researchers from Graz, Germany and Japan, the scientists from MedUni Vienna have for the first time provided experimental evidence "that a blockade of IL-6 in SLE in animal models can have a significant healing effect," reports MedUni Vienna. Previous studies have already shown that in autoimmune diseases such as SLE, the production of interleukin 6 (IL-6) from skin keratinocytes plays a key role in the development and progression of the disease. In their current study, the researchers therefore tested whether using new drugs, the binding of IL-6 to the receptor (IL-6R alpha) can be blocked. Corresponding "data for the positive effect of IL-6 blockade" were already available for rheumatoid arthritis, but so far there have been no scientific findings on the benefits of these therapies for SLE, reports the MedUni Vienna. At least in the animal model, proof of the benefit is now provided. "The treated mice showed a significant decrease in skin lesions to their complete remission," said the University.

Great progress of therapy?
According to lead author Peter Birner of the Clinical Institute of Pathology, "the blockade of IL-6 receptor alpha could be a novel and low-side-effect treatment option for SLE patients with primary skin involvement." That would be a major step forward in the treatment of this serious chronic disease, Birner continues. "It is to be hoped that a clear improvement in symptoms and a substantial extension of life can be achieved in humans by delaying invasive interventions," adds Lukas Kenner in the MedUni Vienna press release. So far, only a reduction of the inflammatory processes through the lifelong intake of immunosuppressants was possible, which, however, sometimes causes serious side effects. (Fp)