The pharmaceutical AstraZeneca has presented this Tuesday anifrolumab (brand name Saphnelo), an add-on treatment for systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).
With this incorporation, “the therapeutic arsenal available to patients is expanded and allows us to improve their quality of life”, as highlighted in the presentation by the Dr. Andres Gonzalezinternist of the .
This new medication, which is administered intravenouslywill be available in Spain from June 1.
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He lupus It is an autoimmune disease that is estimated to affect 82,000 people in Spain.
It is a inconspicuous pathology and mainly female (90% of those diagnosed are women between the ages of 15 and 55), although it also affects men and children.
An early diagnosis is essential to stop potential damage to organs such as kidneys, heart, lungs or brain.
The most complicated thing is the heterogeneity of its manifestations and the complexity of the disease, as highlighted by martha morenoDirector of Corporate Affairs and Market Access at AstraZeneca Spain.
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In fact, rarely do two people have the same symptoms of the disease (hair loss, headache, fatigue…), the diagnosis of which can take years.
“For this reason, research is essential to understand systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and promote early diagnosis and proper treatment of the disease, in order to continue advancing in improving the approach to this pathology”, explained the specialist.
Helps reduce the use of corticosteroids
Anifrolumab is an antibody against type I interferon receptor (a cytokine that plays a key role in systemic lupus erythematosus) and the first new biologic treatment in over a decade.
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However, for years now these patients have a classic arsenal of antimalarials, corticosteroids, and immunosuppressants. But that, used over time, can produce unwanted side effects.
The involvement of the organs typical of this disease can worsen with the administration of certain medications.
And it is that, more than 50% of patients with SLE have permanent organic damage due to existing treatments, which increases the risk of mortality.
He doctor José María Álvaro Garcíahead of the Rheumatology Service of , has emphasized that:
- “Corticosteroids save lives every day, but their continued use has health effects.”
Hence the importance of having complementary treatments to reduce or eliminate the use of corticosteroids.
Most patients with this moderate to severe disease have increased type I interferon receptor signaling, which is associated with increased lupus activity and severity.
And anifroluman acts directly against this increase, which helps to control this pathology that affects 2 out of 1,000 patients.
“Don’t let lupus win”
Lupus is a chronic autoimmune pathology, in which the body’s defense mechanism attacks itself. This generates an excess of antibodies in the blood that causes inflammation and damage to the joints, muscles, and other organs.
During World Lupus Day, which was celebrated on May 8, AstraZeneca launched the campaign “Let’s not let lupus win” to highlight the importance of early detection of the pathology.
It is planned to hold an exhibition soon in the Congress of Deputies where the sculpture of the girl will be exhibited, in addition to the vindictive messages of the patients and the illustrated poems that were part of the 2022 campaign, with the aim of transferring the main political decision-makers the needs of people who suffer from the disease.
“The approval of This treatment will allow us to remove patients from hospitals, so that they are free of the disease for longer and have fewer complications. for side effectsand at the same time we hope that it will open the door to the appearance of more treatments”, recalled Dr. González.
drug approval
Anifrolumabwhich was approved by the European Medicines Agency in 2022, showed good results during its clinical development.
In these trials, a large number of patients treated with this drug experienced a reduction in overall disease activity in the affected organ systems and achieved a sustained reduction in the use of oral corticosteroids.
During the clinical trial, the drug was administered once a month.