Reframe AIM

Gaining a new perspective in autoimmune myositis

An educational resource on the pathophysiology, diagnosis, and management of autoimmune myositis (AIM)

What is AIM?

AIM is a chronic, rare, progressive, autoimmune rheumatic disease comprised of distinct subtypes with diverse manifestations.1–3

These subtypes most commonly share skeletal muscle weakness as a hallmark symptom, but may also involve the skin, lungs, gastrointestinal tract, joints, and heart.1–3

Learn more about AIM

AUTOANTIBODIES – BEYOND BIOMARKERS

Autoantibodies are a signature of AIM3–5

Autoantibodies are not just biomarkers for AIM. Mounting evidence demonstrates that autoantibodies are a key driver of disease across multiple subtypes including immune-mediated necrotizing myopathy,
dermatomyositis, polymyositis, and antisynthetase syndrome.3–5

Explore the role of autoantibodies
Shattered blue and white ceramic vase scattered across a wooden floor, with broken pieces spread around the damaged vessel.

BURDEN OF DISEASE

AIM can reshape the lives of patients and those around them6–13

AIM places a sustained and multidimensional burden on patients. It can lead to long-term disability, financial burden, social isolation, and mental health struggles, and can be fatal.a,6–13

Discover the burden of AIM

aSources: Disability, social isolation, mental health: qualitative studies of N=18 IIM patients7 and N=28 DM patients8. Financial burden: systematic review of direct and indirect costs of IIMs9. Mortality: Prospective cohort study of N=4,534 Chinese patients with IIM10; Retrospective cohort study of N=158 UK patients with IIM11.

CURRENT TREATMENTS FOR AIM

There remains an unmet need for effective and well‑tolerated treatments for AIM14

While some patients can achieve adequate symptomatic relief on the current standard of care, for others, the efficacy, (long-term) safety and/or tolerability limitations with current treatments prevents achievement of long-term disease control.14,15

Blue and white ceramic mantel clock with Roman numerals and a pastoral bull illustration on a wooden surface.
Time to diagnosis and treatment

Earlier diagnosis and timely treatment escalation could support improved outcomes in AIM.14,16

Blue and white ceramic cloud figurine decorated with storm patterns, lightning bolts, and raindrops on a wooden surface.
Treatment burden

Patient burden extends beyond disease burden – cumulative toxicity and administration route can meaningfully affect patients’ daily lives.17,18

Blue and white ceramic medicine bottle with anatomical muscle-pattern decoration beside a blue-and-white capsule on a wooden surface.
Lack of targeted treatments

With a lack of targeted treatments, clinicians have to rely on broad immunosuppressants as the mainstay of treatment.17

Abbreviations:

AIM, autoimmune myositis.


References:
1. Oldroyd A, et al. Clin Med (Lond). 2017;17(4):322–328; 2. Martins E, et al. Int Mol Sci. 2025;26(7):3302; 3. Lundberg IE, et al. Nat Rev Dis Primers. 2021;7(1):87; 4. Groener M, et al. Front Immunol. 2025;16:1581323; 5. Allameen NA, et al. Nat Rev Rheuamtol. 2025;21(1):46–62; 6. Brady P, et al. Qual Life Res. 2025;34(7):1913–1924; 7. Oldroyd A, et al. BMC Rheumatol. 2020;4:47; 8. McKee S, et al. Dermatol Ther (Heidelb). 2024;14(10):2771–2785; 9. Daniel F, et al. PLoS One. 2024;19(7):e0307144; 10. Yu C, et al. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2025;93(6):1422–1431; 11. Guimaraes F, et al. Clin Exp Rheumatol. 2023;41(2):322–329; 13. Lanis A, et al. Clin Exp Rheumatol. 2024;(42(2):413–424; 14. Natour A and Kivity S. Rambam Maimonides Med J. 2023;14(2):e0008; 15. Oddis C, et al. Arthritis Rheum. 2013;65(2):314–324; 16. Namsrai T, et al. Orphanet J Rare Dis. 2022;17:456; 17. Campanilho-Marques R, et al. Joint Bone Spine. 2025;92(6):109932; 18. Chérin P, et al. Medicine. 2020;99(7):e19012.