Targeting B cells to treat systemic lupus erythematosus

B cells play a central role in the pathogenesis of systemic lupus erythematosus. Of late, there has been growing interest in utilizing B cells as targets for the development of new treatments for this frequently devastating disease. In addition to producing (auto)antibodies, B cells are involved in a variety of autoantibody-independent pathogenic mechanisms, such as effector functions, cytokine production and costimulation. Therefore, depleting B cells or inhibiting their actions can suppress the immune hyperactivity that is characteristic of systemic lupus erythematosus. This article examines the latest advances in novel B-cell-directed therapies for patients with systemic lupus erythematosus.