There are over 6,500 patients in Italy affected by lupus nephritis: it is a serious consequence of systemic lupus erythematosus, an autoimmune inflammatory disease that can affect different organs and that in our country records about 30 thousand cases. It is not a very common disease but difficult to diagnose and treat. For these patients, in 90% of cases women, a new therapeutic option arrives: it is the molecule voclosporin, an immunosuppressive agent that recently obtained reimbursement from the Italian Medicines Agency (Aifa). It is able to reduce inflammation and other symptoms of the disease with greater effectiveness than other therapies and allowing to significantly reduce the use of cortisone, associated with heavy side effects.
Lupus erythematosus is a chronic inflammatory autoimmune disease that can have different clinical manifestations, underlines Gian Domenico Sebastiani, president of the Italian Society of Rheumatology (SIR): "It is characterized by the production of numerous pathogenic autoantibodies that cause tissue damage. Fever, fatigue, skin rash, arthritis, reduction of blood cells are the main and most frequent symptoms". Lupus nephritis, a complication, notes Sandro Feriozzi, director of Nephrology and Hemodialysis at the Belcolle Hospital in Viterbo, "if it is not treated adequately, it can lead to end-stage renal disease, up to dialysis or kidney transplantation. It has been calculated that the risk of mortality in patients with lupus nephritis is three times greater than in those affected by lupus alone".
To date, unfortunately, lupus nephritis is diagnosed on average with two years of delay: "This is due to the low frequency and therefore knowledge of the pathology - says Sebastiani - but also for the small number of rheumatologists in the area and specialized facilities". The consequence, he points out, is the problem of long waiting lists: "At the San Camillo hospital, for example, where this specialization is present, waiting lists are over 12 months".
According to experts, the new treatment - produced by Otsuka Pharmaceutical and presented today in the presence of Suzuki Satoshi, Ambassador Extraordinary of Japan and Plenipotentiary in Italy - therefore represents a step forward for these patients, since it improves prognosis, has high rates of complete renal response and reduces organ damage. Now, concludes Silvia Tonolo, president of the National Association of Rheumatic Patients (Anmar), "the hope is that the Regions guarantee rapid access to the new treatment, since the problem remains that of the strong regional disparity".
All rights reserved © Copyright ANSA