RESEARCH NEWS SaphneloTM (anifrolumab-fina) has just been approved by the U.S Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as a treatment for adults with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). This treatment is for adults who are receiving standard therapy. It is the third U.S. FDA-approved drug, since 2011, used to treat lupus. “After having only one therapy approved for lupus during the past 60 years, it is a cause for celebration to have two new treatment 26
LIVING WITH LUPUS MAGAZINE
options approved in 2021 alone for this life-threatening autoimmune disease that affects an estimated 1.5 million Americans,” said Stevan W. Gibson, president and CEO, Lupus Foundation of America. Dr. George Tsokos said that Saphnelo is the first lupus therapy designed to inhibit type I interferons. “We have known since the 1970’s that interferons were involved with lupus. With the approval of Saphnelo, we now have one more drug that allows us to translate valuable
research knowledge into clinical practice with multiple benefits for our patients with lupus.” Dr. George Tsokos is a member of the Lupus Foundation of America Medical-Scientific Advisory Council, Professor of Medicine at Harvard Medical School, and much more. Saphnelo inhibits a key protein in the immune system called the IFNAR receptor that acts as a transmitter. It amplifies signals from tiny messengers called type I interfer-
