INTERFERON I AS A THERAPEUTIC TARGET IN THE TREATMENT OF SYSTEMIC LUPUS ERYTHEMATOSUS: USE OF MONOCLONAL ANTIBODIES ANIFROLUMAB, RONTALIZUMAB AND SIFALIMUMAB

Abstract

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is an  systemic and multifactorial autoimmune disease that has a higher prevalence among women of childbearing age, but which can manifest during childhood and also affect males. In SLE, it is possible to observe a dysregulation of the immune system through the loss of tolerance to the body's own antigens and the production of autoantibodies that deposit in tissues, affecting body systems. Cytokines such as interferon-I play a central role in the pathogenesis of SLE, as they play a key role in modulating systemic and local inflammation. Objective: systematically evaluate the use of anti interferon I monoclonal antibodies, such as anifrolumab, rontalizumab and sifalimumab, in patients with active lupus. Methodology: a systematic review of the literature was carried out through the search for scientific articles indexed in databases such as PubMed and MedLine published between the years 2012 and 2022. Approximately 176 articles were initially considered, but after applying the eligibility criteria, only 8 articles were included. Results and discussion: The use of antagonists and neutralizers of interferon I promotes a significant interferonopathy blockade in SLE patients, however, they are associated with a higher incidence of adverse events, such as increased susceptibility to viral infections and herpes zoster reactivation. Conclusion: Although interferon I plays an important role in the pathogeny of lupus, it is important to consider the risks and benefits of using biological anti-interferon therapies and analyze the history of viral diseases and the presence of acute infections, since SLE patients are more susceptible to opportunistic infections and interferon I plays a key role in suppressing viral replication.