Successful treatment of refractory lupus erythematosus profundus with the interleukin-6 antagonist tocilizumab: a case report.

Lupus erythematosus profundus (LEP) is an unusual form of cutaneous lupus erythematosus (CLE) characterized by multiple subcutaneous induration and associated with considerable physical and psychological morbidity. The heterogeneity of CLE makes it difficult to understand its underlying pathogenesis and represents a therapeutic challenge. Recently, new insight into the pathogenesis of CLE has implicated various cytokines, opening doors to targeted biologic agents. We report a case of a 23-year-old female who presented with refractory LEP ulcers as an initial presentation of systemic lupus erythematosus. The lesions were resistant to multiple conventional therapies and remarkably responded to tocilizumab.