Photo Credit: SaevichMikalai

The following is a summary of “Interferon-α biological activity is associated with disease activity and risk of flare in cutaneous lupus erythematosus: a monocentric study of 184 patients,” published in the January 2025 issue of Dermatology by Montai et al. 

Cutaneous Lupus Erythematosus (CLE), characterized by unpredictable flares and potential for permanent damage, currently lacks a routinely available biomarker for disease monitoring.  

Researchers conducted a retrospective study to assess the performance of IFN-α biological activity as a biomarker for CLE activity and flare risk.  

They included consecutive patients with CLE, with or without associated systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Serum IFN-α biological activity (IU/mL) was measured by assessing the antiviral protection provided by the patient’s serum.  

The results showed that, among 184 patients, 38% had positive IFN-α activity (≥ 2 IU/mL). Positive IFN-α activity was linked to active CLE (OR = 3.11 [95% CI: 1.61–6.01], P = 0.006), moderate-to-severe CLE activity (OR = 4.43 [95% CI: 1.99–9.86], P = 0.001), and associated SLE (OR = 2.17 [95% CI: 1.19–4.00], P = 0.01). In 65 patients with inactive CLE, the risk of flare at 6 months was higher in those with positive IFN-α activity compared to those with undetectable levels (HR = 4.95 [95% CI: 1.12–21.78], P = 0.03). No association was found with anti-dsDNA antibodies or low complement levels.  

Investigators concluded that IFN-α activity was associated with cutaneous activity and prognosis in CLE and might serve as a predictor of CLE flares in clinical practice. 

Source: jaad.org/article/S0190-9622(25)00111-2/abstract