Recent clinical trials in idiopathic inflammatory myopathies.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Idiopathic inflammatory myopathies (IIMs) are complex multisystemic autoimmune diseases. Glucocorticoids remain the cornerstone of treatment in IIM, and the benefit of additional immunosuppressors is still debated. A limited number of controlled clinical trials have been available to support treatment guidelines, but in the last year, several clinical trials have been published. In this review, the highlights of recently published and on-going clinical trials in IIM will be summarized and discussed.

RECENT FINDINGS: Post hoc analyses of a large randomized controlled trial (RCT) suggested new predictive factors of response to rituximab in refractory IIM individuals. An international collaboration enabled the completion of a large RCT in early juvenile dermatomyositis that will orient first-line treatment in that population. New approaches are showing encouraging results in inclusion body myositis.

SUMMARY: Recent advances in molecular mechanisms underlying IIM pathogenesis and the development of novel targeted therapies have influenced recent and on-going clinical research.