Immunosuppressant and immunomodulatory treatment for dermatomyositis and polymyositis

Choy EHS, Hoogendijk JE, Lecky B, Winer JB, Gordon P

Summary

More research is needed to investigate the efficacy of immunosuppressant and immunomodulatory agents in dermatomyositis and polymyositis

Polymyositis and dermatomyositis are long-term inflammatory muscle diseases, causing muscle weakness and disability. For some reason, the body's immune system turns against its own muscles in an autoimmune response. Corticosteroids are the principle treatment but due to side effects, there is a need for additional treatment from drugs that suppress the immune system (immunosuppressants) or modify it (immunomodulatory therapies) to improve disease response. The small number of randomised trials are inadequate to decide whether these agents are beneficial in dermatomyositis and polymyositis. One small trial of intravenous immunoglobulin in dermatomyositis suggests that it is beneficial. More randomised controlled trials are needed.