The cutaneous lupus erythematosus(CLE)is an autoimmune disorder of the skin which has significant morbidity and is potentially debilitating in nature. Currently, there are no approved therapies for CLE, underlining an unmet clinical need. A clear picture of the disease pathogenesis showed that innate and adaptive components of the immunity,including type I and type III interferons, are involved in the development of CE.

Currently established therapies of CLE include general immunosuppressants or therapies used in systemic lupus erythematosus, ultra-potent topical and intralesional corticosteroids and anti-malarial therapies such as hydroxychloroquine, and thalidomide analogue lenalidomide. A significant advancement in monitoring clinical trials is the disease activity and severity index, which is currently being used as a primary or secondary endpoint in clinical trials.

Emerging therapeutic strategies for CLE are belimumab against BAFF, BIIB059 against BDCA2 and plasma dendritic cells, V1B7734 against LILRA4 on pDCS and autologous transfer of Tregs; secukinumab binding to IL-17A, ustekinumab binding to the IL12p40 subunit shared by IL-12 and IL-23; antifrolumab binding to IFNAR1 subunit. Other intracellular targeted therapies include BMS-986165 inhibiting TYK2; filgotinib and tofacitinib blocking JAK1.