What is Voclosporin and How Does it Work?

Join Danielle Gatti-Palumbo, Clinical Pharmacist at Northwell Health's Division of Rheumatology in Long Island, New York, as she provides an in-depth breakdown of the mechanism of action of Voclosporin (Lupkynis), a next-generation calcineurin inhibitor used in the treatment of lupus nephritis and other autoimmune diseases.

Voclosporin plays a critical role in immune modulation by inhibiting calcineurin, a key enzyme responsible for activating T-cells. By blocking calcineurin activity, Voclosporin prevents the dephosphorylation of NFAT (Nuclear Factor of Activated T-cells), which is necessary for IL-2 transcription. This disruption reduces IL-2 production, lymphocyte proliferation, and surface antigen expression, ultimately dampening the autoimmune response that drives inflammation in lupus nephritis.

As a highly selective and potent calcineurin inhibitor, Voclosporin has been shown to improve kidney outcomes in patients with lupus nephritis, achieving more rapid and sustained reductions in proteinuria compared to traditional calcineurin inhibitors like cyclosporine and tacrolimus. Its optimized pharmacokinetics and predictable dosing make it a valuable addition to the treatment landscape for lupus and other immune-mediated diseases.

This session is essential for healthcare professionals, pharmacists, and patients seeking to understand the evolving role of calcineurin inhibitors in autoimmune therapy. Learn more about the latest advancements in rheumatology and nephrology, and explore how Voclosporin is shaping the future of lupus nephritis management.

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