Transcriptome analysis to decipher the molecular underpinnings of response to treatment in systemic lupus erythematosus.

Objective: Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a multisystem autoimmune disease characterised by variable treatment responses. We investigated the transcriptional landscape associated with treatment response and resistance in SLE.

Methods: Blood was collected from 92 active patients with SLE at baseline and after 6 months (n=32 paired samples) of treatment with cyclophosphamide (n=40), rituximab (n=20), belimumab (n=23), mycophenolate mofetil (n=8) or azathioprine (n=1) and was subjected to RNA sequencing.

Vaccination Coverage and Attitudes in Children and Adults on Biologic Therapies: Cocooning Strategies, Undervaccination Factors and Predictors of Favorable Attitudes.

Background: Infections pose a significant risk of morbidity and mortality to patients on biologics, with the vaccination of both patients and their close contacts serving as a key preventive measure. Despite its importance, there are limited data on the vaccination coverage for this group, and no studies have examined the vaccination status of patients' close contacts.

Objectives: To assess vaccination rates among patients on biologics and their household contacts, identifying reasons for inadequate vaccination and examining factors influencing vaccination status and attitudes is crucial.

Treat-to-target in SLE: is serology important? Results from an integrated analysis of five randomised clinical trials of belimumab.

Objectives: DORIS remission, based on clinical activity, and Lupus Low Disease Activity State (LLDAS), which includes serological markers, are protective targets in SLE. However, it remains unclear whether their prognostic impact is influenced by serum anti-dsDNA and complement levels.

Methods: We analysed data from five phase III trials (BLISS-52, BLISS-76, BLISS-SC, BLISS-NEA, EMBRACE) totalling 45 254 monthly visits.

Difficult-to-Manage Axial Spondyloarthritis.

Axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA) is a multifaceted disease with a wide range of manifestations and associated comorbidities. Despite an expanding arsenal of disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs) in the treatment landscape of axSpA, a substantial number of patients remains resistant to multiple therapeutic interventions, posing a clinical challenge. This resistance may originate from both inflammatory and non-inflammatory factors.

Molecular basis for the disease-modifying effects of belimumab in systemic lupus erythematosus and molecular predictors of early response: blood transcriptome analysis implicates the innate immunity and DNA damage response pathways.

Objectives: Belimumab is a putative disease-modifying agent in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), yet the molecular underpinnings of its effects and the ability to predict early clinical response remain unexplored. To address these, we undertook a longitudinal, in-depth blood transcriptome study.

Methods: RNA-sequencing was performed in the blood of active SLE patients at baseline and following 6 months of belimumab treatment (n=45 paired samples).