Low-dose IL-2( Interleukin-2) Treatment in SLE

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a chronic autoimmune syndrome affecting various organs. While available therapies, such as corticosteroids and immunosuppressive agents have improved the outcome of patients, there remains a significant unmet need for safe and more effective treatments. Dysfunction of regulatory T (Treg) cells has been detected in diverse autoimmune diseases, which can be promoted by interleukin-2 (IL-2). We hypothesized that low-dose IL-2 could be a novel therapy in active SLE patients. This is a single center, uncontrolled, open-label study to assess the efficacy/safety of low dose IL-2 plus standard therapy in active SLE. Methods: Each SLE patients (n=40) with Scores\>=8 on the Safety of Estrogens in Lupus Erythematosus National Assessment (AELENA) version of the SLE Disease Activity Index (SLEDAI) that was refractory or relaps to glucocorticoid therapy received low-dose IL-2 (1 million units every other day subcutaneously (HrIL-2 1X 106, ip, Qod) for a period of 14 days. After a 14-day rest, another cycle started) for 3-6 cycles according to the situation of the disease. The end points were safety and clinical and immunologic response. Expected Results: This trail will define low-dose IL-2 plus standard therapy is efficacy and safety with active lupus patients, which could be relevant to the amelioration the abnormity of T help cells in SLE patients.