METHOD AND COMPOSITION FOR USE IN TREATMENT OF PATIENT WITH AUTOANTIBODY POSITIVE DISEASE

摘要

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To identify particular subgroups of patients with autoimmune disease that are more likely to benefit from treatment with immunomodulatory agents.

SOLUTION: The present invention provides a composition for use in reducing the frequency or quantity of corticosteroid administered to a patient with systemic lupus erythematosus, comprising an antagonist of Neutrokine-alpha. The antagonist is to be administered after making a determination that the patient has at least one characteristic selected from the following: (a) an ANA titer≥1:80; (b) ≥30 IU/mL of anti-dsDNA antibodies; (c) a SELENA SLEDAI score ≥6; (d) a depressed level of C3 complement factor in his/her blood plasma or serum; (e) a depressed level of C4 complement factor in his/her blood plasma or serum; (f) being receiving ≥7.5 mg/day of prednisone; and (g) being receiving or had previously received immunosuppressant therapy for the treatment of lupus-related symptoms.

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