Current rheumatology reports
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Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a chronic multisystemic autoimmune disease driven by genetic, hormonal, and environmental factors. Despite the advances in diagnostic and therapeutic approaches in the last decades, SLE still leads to significant morbidity and increased mortality. ⋯ In this paper, we review the recent progress in the clinical investigation of biologic agents targeting B cells, T cells, cytokines, innate immunity, and other immunologic or inflammatory pathways. Although many investigational agents exhibited insufficient efficacy or inadequate safety in clinical trials, one of them, belimumab, fulfilled the efficacy and safety regulatory requirements and was approved for the treatment of SLE in Europe and the USA, which confirms that, despite all difficulties, advances in this field are possible.