Table 2 Recent trials of immunotherapies.
| Agent | Design | Result | Induction of remission or maintenance | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SLE | ||||
| MMF | n = 59 nephritis WHO III or above | MMF as effective as CTX in maintaining remission once induced with CTX | Maintenance | Contreras42 |
| MMF | n = 140, non‐inferiority open label | MMF more effective than CTX in inducing remission | Induction | Ginzler et al30 |
| AZA | n = 32, equivalence | No difference between pulsed CTX with MP, and oral CTX induction followed by Pred and AZA | Induction | Yee43 (see also Contreras42) |
| ANCA associated vasculitis | ||||
| AZA | n = 144, equivalence | AZA is as effective, and probably safer, in maintaining remission than CTX | Maintenance | Jayne15 |
| Infliximab (anti‐TNFα) | Two groups. prospective open label n = 16 acute, n = 16 persistent. | 88% achieved remission, but 20% severe infection. (CTX and Pred given in conjunction) | Induction | Booth44 |
| Etanercept (competitive inhibitor) | n = 180, placebo (+CTX/Pred) controlled | Ineffective at maintaining remission in Wegener's. | Maintenance | WGET20 |
| Sjögren's | ||||
| IFN‐α | n = 3 case reports | Reduction of symptoms and antibody titres | Yamada35 |
ANCA, antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies; AZA, azathioprine; CTX, cyclophosphamide; IFN‐α, interferon α; MMF, mycophenolate mofetil; MP, methylprednisolone; Pred, prednisolone; TNFα, tumour necrosis factor α.