Molecular Targeted Therapies in Systemic Autoimmune Diseases

Molecularly targeted drugs can be divided into biologics and small synthetic compounds according to their molecular size: biologics targeting cytokines and cell surface molecules such as TNF and IL-6, and small synthetic targeted drugs targeting cellular signalling molecules such as JAKs and other cytokines. These drugs have made it possible to control autoimmune diseases that were considered intractable, for instance, to prevent structural damage to joints in rheumatoid arthritis, to manage minimum dose or without lucocorticoid in systemic lupus erythematosus, and to efficiently control signs and symptoms in neuroimmune diseases. In addition, the introduction of precision medicine using molecular targeted therapy is expected to lead to more efficient treatment for diverse immune diseases.