#4-28E. Targeting Autoantibodies: Efgartigimod in Sjögren's Disease (Ann Rheum Dis, 2026)

Is there finally hope for a systemic, disease-modifying treatment for Sjögren’s disease, a condition historically lacking approved targeted therapies? This episode reviews a phase 2, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled proof-of-concept trial evaluating the efficacy and safety of intravenous efgartigimod in adults with moderate-to-severe systemic Sjögren’s disease. Participants received either efgartigimod or a placebo over 24 weeks, with efficacy measured primarily by the Composite of Relevant Endpoints for Sjögren’s Syndrome (CRESS). The most significant finding is that efgartigimod substantially reduced IgG autoantibody levels, resulting in a notably higher CRESS response rate and highlighting its potential as a novel targeted intervention. However, in critically appraising this research, clinicians must consider the study's small sample size of just 34 randomized patients, which inherently limits statistical power and precision. For practicing physicians, this paper is highly relevant; it not only reinforces the pathogenic role of autoantibodies in Sjögren’s disease but also introduces a promising therapeutic mechanism that could eventually shift our clinical approach from merely managing symptoms to modifying the underlying disease process.

Citation: Peene I, et al. Efgartigimod in Sjögren’s disease: a phase 2, randomised, placebo-controlled, parallel-group, double-blinded, proof-of-concept study (RHO). Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases. 2026. DOI: 10.1016/j.ard.2026.03.019

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.