#3-64E. Real-World Anifrolumab: Early Response in SLE (Lancet Rheumatol, 2026)

Managing Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) requires balancing rapid disease control with glucocorticoid tapering, yet real-world data on newer biologics like anifrolumab remain limited compared to clinical trials. This episode explores the interim analysis of the prospective, multicentre REVEAL study, which evaluates 236 patients initiating anifrolumab in routine Italian clinical practice. The findings demonstrate robust effectiveness, with 66% of patients achieving Lupus Low Disease Activity State (LLDAS) and 26% attaining remission at six months. Crucially, the study highlights a rapid onset of action, showing significant improvements in mucocutaneous and articular manifestations alongside meaningful glucocorticoid reduction as early as one month after treatment initiation. However, as an observational study lacking a control group, and given the potential bias from patient attrition and missing data, these results must be interpreted with caution regarding causality. For clinicians, this paper is highly significant as it validates clinical trial efficacy in a more complex, unselected patient population, supporting anifrolumab’s utility for rapid disease suppression and steroid sparing in everyday rheumatology practice.

Citation: Tani C, Cardelli C, et al. Patient profiles and early response in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus initiating anifrolumab: interim analysis from the ongoing multicentre observational REVEAL study. Lancet Rheumatol. 2026. DOI: 10.1016/S2665-9913(25)00316-9

Disclaimer: This audio summary is based on personal interpretation and does not guarantee the exact content of the original paper. Please refer to the original article for details.