Efficacy of Anifrolumab in Taiwanese Patients with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus: A Single‑center Retrospective Case Series

Efficacy of Anifrolumab in Taiwanese Patients with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus: A Single‑center Retrospective Case Series

Objectives: Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a complex disease that involves major organs with great treatment challenges. Anifrolumab, a type I interferon receptor antagonist, has been shown to be an effective lupus treatment, yet real‑world experience on Taiwanese patients and the consequences of clinical index changes after treatment remain unclear. Methods: We conducted a single‑center, retrospective case series of seven Taiwanese SLE patients treated with anifrolumab. Disease activity was assessed using SLEDAI‑2K and BILAG‑2004 indices. Laboratory parameters, including hemoglobin, platelet count, complement, and anti‑dsDNA levels, were tracked longitudinally. After each cycle of treatment, we recorded clinical parameters along with disease activity by SLEDAI‑2K and BILAG‑2004 to see the changes after each anifrolumab treatment. Results: All patients demonstrated marked reduction in SLEDAI‑2K scores and domain‑specific improvements, notably in mucocutaneous, musculoskeletal, hematologic, and gastrointestinal domains. Anemia and thrombocytopenia showed sustained resolution. These findings suggested the long‑lasting therapeutic effects and treatment potency of anifrolumab in specific domains. Conclusions: Anifrolumab showed rapid SLEDAI‑2K improvement, broad organ responses, and strong hematologic recovery in Taiwanese SLE patients. Complement–clinical discordance highlights the limitations of traditional biomarkers. These findings add Asian data and support combining SLEDAI‑2K, BILAG‑2004, and laboratory monitoring to assess treatment response.