Comparison of Low-Dose Interleukin 2 Therapy in Conjunction With Standard Therapy in Patients With Systemic Lupus Erythematosus vs Rheumatoid Arthritis: A Systematic Review

Abstract

This systematic review aims to compare the efficacy and safety of a novel immunotherapy with low-dose interleukin 2 (IL2) across two of the most prevalent autoimmune diseases i.e. systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Contemporary therapeutic practices have not been able to achieve complete remission from these autoimmune disorders. In contrast, low-dose IL2 has shown promise in achieving this therapeutic goal via inducing self-tolerance in patients with autoimmune diseases; however, due to variable irregularities among autoimmune processes of variable diseases, the benefit of low-dose IL2 could not be determined among different autoimmune diseases. Therefore, we conducted a study to compare low-dose IL2 therapy effects on SLE and RA. We systematically screened four databases: PubMed, Medical Literature Analysis and Retrieval System Online (MEDLINE), PubMed Central (PMC), and Google Scholar. Inclusion and exclusion criteria were implemented. Quality appraisal of studies chosen for the review was done using the Cochrane Risk-of-Bias (RoB) assessment tool for randomized controlled trials, and the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale (NOS) and JBI critical appraisal tool for non-randomized clinical trials. Information was gathered from seven articles: three randomized controlled trials and four non-randomized clinical trials. Our review concluded that low-dose IL2 therapy in conjunction with respective standard therapies for SLE and RA has a higher efficacy and safety profile as compared to standard therapy alone and the therapeutic effects were comparable in both SLE and RA patients treated with low-dose IL2; however, this novel intervention does not seem to have a significant corrective effect on the biomarkers of RA as it does for SLE biomarkers.

Role of IL-1 Family Cytokines IL-36, IL-37, IL-38 in Osteoarthritis and Rheumatoid Arthritis: A Comprehensive Review

“…To date, low-dose IL-2 has been used in clinical treatment of lupus and RA patients, and showed meaning, useful responses. 102 Moreover, several TNFα-, IL-17- related biologics were used in clinical treatment of RA patients. 103 , 104 Therefore, the IL-1 family cytokines are also potential for treatment of OA and RA in clinical practice in the future.…”

Exploring causal correlations between circulating cytokines and atopic dermatitis: a bidirectional two-sample Mendelian randomization study

“…A case in point is the utilization of low-dose IL-2 therapy, given its pivotal role in expanding the Treg population ( 58 ). This approach has been successfully employed in the management of various inflammatory diseases, notably systemic lupus erythematosus and rheumatoid arthritis ( 59 ). Our research findings provide the potential for employing low-dose injection of these key cytokines as a therapeutic strategy for AD, and further foundational and clinical investigations are expected to substantiate the efficacy and ascertain the safety of such an intervention.…”