Lupus unraveled: from biological insights to therapeutic innovations

Our goal is to transform the therapeutic landscape for lupus patients by paving the way for more effective, individualised treatment strategies. This Research Topic will highlight insights gained from a deeper understanding of the lupus disease spectrum and emphasise the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration in advancing patient care.The collection will span the full continuum from preclinical research to drug development and clinical application. Each section will feature a mix of review, opinion, and original articles (typically one review or opinion piece and two to three original articles per section). Authors are encouraged to incorporate visual aids - such as diagrams, schematics, and infographics - to clarify complex concepts and enhance reader engagement.Below are the key areas:1. Biology/pathogenesis• Emerging insights into lupus pathogenesis (including and also beyond B cells and interferons), including lupus being a spectrum of related disorders with distinct and overlapping immune profiles and clinical manifestations• Relationship and differences between organ systems (eg, skin, joint, kidney, CNS) across the disease course, including what is known about biological pathways operative in each organ system• Lupus precision medicine – need for better predictive and prognostic biomarkers – particularly organ-specific markers and biomarkers of response to targeted therapy, etc.2. Unmet Needs, challenges, and opportunities in drug development• Epidemiology across the world with different manifestations• The evolving treatment paradigm in light of recent guidelines and theirimplications for clinical practice and trial design.• Unmet needs beyond skin, joint, and lupus nephritis, with a focus on fatigue, neuropsychiatric lupus, and severe/ refractory hematologic disease, as well as child and adolescent SLE.• Comorbidities associated with lupus (eg, accelerated cardiovascular diseases, miscarriages, mental health)3. Evolution of clinical trial design• The need for more innovative and robust trial designs in lupus, including lessons learned from non-lupus clinical trials.• New outcome measures for general SLE trials, organ specific trials, and intensive (eg cell) therapies• Incorporation of the patient voice, including patient-reported outcomes and patient-centered endpoints.• How do we measure lupus arthritis?• Treat-to-target and Damage prevention (eg, ILD, renal fibrosis, scarring, etc)• Regulatory advancement and the role of public–private partnerships in accelerating drug development and approval.Conflict of Interest StatementA. H. Kao is an employee of EMD Serono Research & Development Institute, Inc. (the healthcare business of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany) and holds shares in the company.H. I. Brunner has served as a consultant for Amgen, AstraZeneca, Bristol-Myers Squibb, ByImmunity, Carthesian, EMD Serono, GSK, Janssen (J&J), Novartis, and Pfizer. All consultancy funds are received by Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center (CCHMC), Dr. Brunner’s principal employer.E. Morand has received research funding and/or consultancy fees from AbbVie, Amgen, AstraZeneca, Atomwise, Biogen, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Cabaletta, Cullinan, Dragonfly, Eli Lilly, EMD Serono, Galapagos, Genentech-Roche, Gilead, GSK, Hotspot, IMYoo, Janssen, Merck Sharp & Dohme, Novartis, Orna, Takeda, UCB, Veloxis, Viatris, and Zenas, and is a shareholder in Aleris Therapeutics Pty Ltd.M. Dall’Era has served as an advisor for AstraZeneca, Biogen, EMD Serono, and GSK, and as a Data Monitoring Committee member for Bristol-Myers Squibb, Janssen, and Novartis.J. F. Merola has served as a consultant and/or investigator for AbbVie, Amgen, AstraZeneca, Biogen, Boehringer Ingelheim, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Dermavant, Eli Lilly, Galderma, Janssen, Moonlake, Novartis, Oruka, Pfizer, Regeneron, Sanofi, Sun Pharma, and UCB.If you have any questions about the submission, please contact us via immunology@frontiersin.org Topic editors: Amy H Kao, Maria Dall'Era, Eric Morand, Hermine Brunner, Joseph Merola Source: https://www.frontiersin.org/research-topics/79250/lupus-unraveled-from-biological-insights-to-therapeutic-innovations