Patients with multiple autoimmune diseases may improve from targeting shared pathways
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Patients with multiple diseases that share immunologic pathways may benefit from therapies that target those shared pathways, but additional studies are needed in this area, according to a presenter at the 2023 AWIR annual conference.
“Thinking again of adding to the discussion about emerging pathways, how do we combine pathways, how do we think about the biology that gives us the greatest likelihood of effective, but still safe, options for treating these complicated diseases,” Grace Wright, MD, PhD, FACR, president of the Association of Women in Rheumatology, told attendees during the virtual meeting. “B cells and T cells are still very important mediators of autoimmune disease — they are almost like the drivers from the top.”
However, the way forward in using these pathways remains unclear. According to Wright, a possible first step may be to consider ways to target the impact of B and T cells. Even without completely neutralizing them, patients may find some value and relief, she added.
“Therapeutic targets impacting the function of these cells, even if we do not remove them completely, may be effective treatment options for patients with the diseases that we treat,” Wright said. “However, further studies are needed to really elucidate the risks and benefits.”
One therapy currently under investigation, for systemic lupus erythematosus, that Wright highlighted is dapirolizumab pegol (CDP-7657, UCB), a polyethylene glycol-conjugated antigen-binding fragment that targets the CD40L pathway.
In phase 2 trials, the drug appeared to be well-tolerated in patients.
“The data indicated dapirolizumab pegol may be efficacious, with an acceptable safety profile, in adult patients with moderately to severely active SLE,” Wright said.
There are currently phase 3 trials under way investigating dapirolizumab pegol as an add-on medication to potentially help patients achieve long-lasting symptom improvement, according to Wright.
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Wright G. B and T cell targeting: Emerging pathways in management of immune mediated diseases. Presented at: Association of Women in Rheumatology annual conference; Aug. 10-13, 2023; Orlando, Florida (hybrid meeting).
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