Anifrolumab in systemic lupus erythematosus

Systemic lupus erythematosus is a complex autoim-mune disease with variable disease presentation and progression. HCQ and corticosteroids are first-line ther-apies. Disease severity and organ system involvement guide escalation of immunomodulatory medications beyond these mainstays. Anifrolumab is a first-in-class global type 1 interferon inhibitor recently appr oved by the United States. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for systemic lupus erythematosus in addition to standard of care. This article reviews the role of type 1 interferons in lupus pathophysiology and the evidence leading to anifrolumab's approval with particular emphasis on the MUSE, TULIP-1 and TULIP-2 trials. In addition to standard of care, anifrolumab can reduce corticosteroid requirements and reduce lupus disease activity, especially skin and musculoskeletal manifes-tations, with an acceptable safety profile.