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Research Article
25 June 2026

Acthar Gel treatment in patients with rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, or dermatomyositis/polymyositis: analysis of physician-reported charts

Authors: Kyle Hayes https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8203-4738, Amit Patel, Priyanka P Shanbhag, Destri R Evans, Mary Prince Panaccio, Johanna Purcell, and George J Wan https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1140-740X [email protected]Author Info & Affiliations
Volume 15, Number 7
https://doi.org/10.57264/cer-2025-0200
PDFFormats

Abstract

Aim: To examine the characteristics, treatment patterns, and physicians' assessments of outcomes for patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), or dermatomyositis/polymyositis (DM/PM) who received Acthar Gel. Materials & methods: This survey-based medical chart review study asked rheumatologists who met specific inclusion criteria to abstract data from patient records covering the period from April 2022 to November 2024. Eligible patients were adults ≥18 years diagnosed with RA, SLE, or DM/PM, treated with Acthar Gel for ≤24 months. An online questionnaire screened and identified contributing physicians and collected anonymized patient data (baseline demographic, medical history, concomitant medications, Acthar Gel treatment history, and physicians' assessment of health status, symptom severity, treatment outcomes with Acthar Gel). Results: The study population comprised 73 patients with RA (average age 50 years; 49 [67%] female; 44 [60%] White/non-Hispanic), 56 with SLE (average age 42 years; 47 [84%] female; 28 [50%] African–American), and 104 with DM/PM (average age 52 years; 69 [66%] female; 62 [60%] White/non-Hispanic). Patients had received Acthar Gel for an average of 9 (RA) or 8 months (SLE, DM/PM), with most receiving treatment at the time of the study. Per physicians' assessment, health status improved in 68 (93%) patients with RA, 50 (89%) patients with SLE, and 100 (96%) patients with DM/PM after starting treatment with Acthar Gel. The most common treatment goals achieved in patients with improved overall health status were improved overall symptoms, pain, physical function, and corticosteroid use in the RA cohort; overall symptoms, pain, corticosteroid use, and fatigue in the SLE cohort; and overall symptoms, strength, physical function, and corticosteroid use in the DM/PM cohort. Conclusion: These findings support the use of Acthar Gel as a potential treatment option for appropriate patients with RA, SLE, or DM/PM.

Plain language summary: How rheumatologists use Acthar Gel to treat adults with rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus or dermatomyositis/polymyositis

What is this article about?

Even when using medications such as steroids, people living with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), or dermatomyositis/polymyositis (DM/PM) experience symptoms. Acthar Gel is a prescription medicine that can be used as another treatment option. We wanted to find out how doctors use Acthar Gel in their regular practice to treat adults with RA, SLE or DM/PM. We asked rheumatologists to provide basic information about patients treated with Acthar Gel in the last 2 years, such as age, sex, symptoms, and how long they were treated with Acthar Gel. We also asked these doctors to evaluate how their patients' overall health, symptoms. and use of steroids changed from before to after the treatment.

What were the results?

We studied data from 73 adults with RA, 56 with SLE, and 104 with DM/PM. These patients had been given Acthar Gel for about 8–9 months. Rheumatologists said that many patients had better overall health after being treated with Acthar Gel. They also said that many patients experienced fewer symptoms, less pain, less tiredness, and used fewer corticosteroids.

What do the results mean?

These results suggest that Acthar Gel may be a treatment option for some patients with RA, SLE or DM/PM.

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