The proteasome inhibitior bortezomib depletes plasma cells and ameliorates clinical manifestations of refractory systemic lupus erythematosus.

ABSTRACT:

Objectives

To investigate whether bortezomib, a proteasome inhibitor approved for treatment of multiple myeloma, induces clinically relevant plasma cell (PC) depletion in patients with active, refractory systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).

Methods

Twelve patients received a median of two (range 1-4) 21-day cycles of intravenous bortezomib (1.3 mg/m(2)) with the coadministration of dexamethasone (20 mg) for active SLE. Disease activity was assessed using the SLEDAI-2K score. Serum concentrations of anti-double-stranded DNA (anti-dsDNA) and vaccine-induced protective antibodies were monitored. Flow cytometry was performed to analyse peripheral blood B-cells, PCs and Siglec-1 expression on monocytes as surrogate marker for type-I interferon (IFN) activity.

Results

Upon p

SUBMITTER: Alexander T 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4484251 | biostudies-literature | 2015 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature