Treatment Options
Introduction
The objectives of the treatment of dermatomyositis include improving the physical function by treating muscle weakness and skin disease, as well as addressing any other underlying complications and avoiding development of disability.
Patients with dermatomyositis (DM) requires an individualized therapeutic plan that considers the specific clinical manifestations of the disease (i.e. skin, muscle, lung, joint) and quality of life. Choice of therapy may depend on patient comorbidities and/or DM manifestations. For example, patients with ILD can be initially treated with azathioprine or Mycophenolate Mofetil (MMF) although their use is limited by adverse effects and intensive monitoring requirements.
Factors influencing treatment selection include severity of disease, presence of concomitant muscle disease and comorbidities, systemic manifestations, and myositis-specific antibody profile.
Cutaneous DM is often more recalcitrant to treatment than muscular manifestations of DM,…
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Introduction
The objectives of the treatment of dermatomyositis include improving the physical function by treating muscle weakness and skin disease, as well as addressing any other underlying complications and avoiding development of disability.
Patients with dermatomyositis (DM) requires an individualized therapeutic plan that considers the specific clinical manifestations of the disease (i.e. skin, muscle, lung, joint) and quality of life. Choice of therapy may depend on patient comorbidities and/or DM manifestations. For example, patients with ILD can be initially treated with azathioprine or Mycophenolate Mofetil (MMF) although their use is limited by adverse effects and intensive monitoring requirements.
Factors influencing treatment selection include severity of disease, presence of concomitant muscle disease and comorbidities, systemic manifestations, and myositis-specific antibody profile.
Cutaneous DM is often more recalcitrant to treatment than muscular manifestations of DM, making treatment of skin disease more challenging. Cutaneous disease and the associated pruritus, photosensitivity, and appearance of skin lesions can significantly impact patient quality of life. The goal of treatment of skin manifestations is to obtain control of cutaneous disease with the safest combination of therapeutics.
References
- Aggarwal, R., Schessl, J., Charles-Schoeman, C. et al. Safety and tolerability of intravenous immunoglobulin in patients with active dermatomyositis: results from the randomised, placebo-controlled ProDERM study. Arthritis Res Ther 26, 27 (2024).
- ArgenX Press Release. Argenx Advances Clinical Development of Efgartigimod SC in Idiopathic Inflammatory Myopathies. November 20, 2024. https://argenx.com/content/dam/argenx-corp/newsroom/press-release-pdfs/PressRelease_argenx_ALKIVIA_Ph2_20241120.pdf.coredownload.inline.pdf
