Disease Modification: A Roadmap to Slowing Organ Damage Progression in Patients with SLE

Symposium

Supported By: GSK

Join this live symposium where our experts will discuss how the recently proposed disease modification framework¹ may guide patient care to help slow the progression of organ damage in SLE.

Our expert faculty, consisting of three rheumatologists and a nephrologist, chaired by Dr. Maria Dall’Era, will introduce the concept of disease modification in SLE as a framework for an interactive patient journey where the audience can engage with key clinical decisions, offering a fresh perspective on patient care.

Disease modification is a well-established concept in rheumatology and other therapeutic areas.¹ In SLE, a definition of disease modification has been proposed: “Minimizing disease activity with the least treatment‑associated toxicities and slowing or preventing organ damage progression.”¹ As organ damage can occur in approximately 50% of patients with SLE within 5 years of diagnosis ² it is critical to address the unmet need for a reduction in long-term organ damage accrual.^1,2 Disease modification in SLE may provide a framework for clinicians to change the course of disease to help minimize organ damage accrual.¹

We will explore key disease modification outcomes that clinicians can aim for during early, intermediate, and long-term SLE management by following an example patient case on their journey toward disease modification. The audience and panel will use the disease modification framework to explore approaches to monitoring and treatment that may slow organ damage accrual and discuss strategies to address the roadblocks faced by many patients in achieving disease modification.

With this peer‑to‑peer dialogue, we aim to create an inclusive space to share knowledge that clinicians can carry forward and implement to improve patient outcomes in their practice.

This program is developed and offered by GSK.

This is not an official function/event of the American College of Rheumatology.

References

¹van Vollenhoven R, et al. Lupus Sci Med. 2022;9(1):e000634.
²Urowitz MB, et al. Arthritis Care Res (Hoboken). 2012;64(1):132–7.

Speakers

Angela Crowley, Dr.
Illinois Bone and Joint Institute
Rheumatologist
Hinsdale, Illinois

Ashira Blazer, Assistant Professor, Dr.
Weil Cornell Medical College
Assistant Attending Physician and Assistant Professor
New York, New York

Maria Dall’Era, Professor of Medicine, Dr.
University of California
Division of Rheumatology
Professor of Medicine and Chief of the Division of Rheumatology
San Francisco, California

Rajeev Raghavan, Dr.
HCA Healthcare Faculty, University of Houston
Nephrologist and Internal Medicine Residency Program Director
Kingwood, Texas