February 28, 2019 Proteins of the immune system, known as type I interferons, are responsible in part for manifestations of lupus. For this reason, type I interferons are a very attractive target for lupus drug development. In 2015, excitement surrounded the release of positive phase II data with anifrolumab, a therapeutic antibody that blocks type […] READ MORE
February 28, 2019 The biotechnology company Equillium Inc. just announced plans for a Phase 1 study to test the investigational monoclonal antibody EQ001 as a potential treatment for lupus nephritis (LN) that has not responded to existing treatment. The basis for this study is in part due to work conducted by Dr. Chandra Mohan that […] READ MORE
NEW YORK, NY. February 19. Pieces of bacteria that escape from the intestines may trigger lupus and associated disease flares in some patients, according to a new study partly funded by the Lupus Research Alliance. These findings may allow disease treatment with probiotics or diets that alter the mix of bacterial species in the intestines. […] READ MORE
February 19, 2019 In Healio Rheumatology, Dr. Gregg Silverman, professor of medicine and pathology at NYU School of Medicine, provided an overview of potential lupus therapies in development. He highlighted ustekinumab (brand name Stelara®) and baricitinib (brand name Olumiant®) as two drugs that look particularly promising. “The phase 2 extra-renal trial of baricitinib looks good; […] READ MORE
February 6, 2019 Scientists partly funded by the Lupus Research Alliance have found a potential new way to protect the kidneys in patients with lupus. A study led by Dr. Vicki Rubin Kelley of Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston, Massachusetts, suggests that blocking a molecule made by some cells in the kidney could reduce […] READ MORE
February 1, 2019 Raised levels of a protein osteopontin were shown to indicate lupus nephritis and higher disease activity, in a new study conducted at 33 centers by top lupus researchers worldwide. Published in The Journal of Rheumatology, the study looked at results from 344 lupus patients. At the beginning of the study (baseline), patients […] READ MORE
February 1, 2019 Today, Lupus Therapeutics, an affiliate of Lupus Research Alliance, is launching our Patient Advocates for Lupus Studies (PALS) program with a pilot study to determine its effectiveness in increasing awareness of and participation in lupus clinical trials, particularly among diverse populations. The program will pair people with lupus interested in learning about […] READ MORE
January 24, 2019 A recent review article in Lupus Science & Medicine provides a valuable overview of the “10 most important contemporary challenges in the management of SLE” according to a multidisciplinary team of clinicians, pharmacists and researchers from several clinics and patient organizations in France. Their top 10 challenges include several critical factors that the […] READ MORE
February 1, 2019 The Lupus Research Alliance announced that its affiliate Lupus Therapeutics is working with the pharmaceutical company, Janssen, to help conduct a Phase 3 trial to evaluate whether their drug ustekinumab (Stelara®) may offer benefit to people with lupus. Called LOTUS, the international study is being conducted in over 200 sites, 20 of […] READ MORE
January 21, 2019 A study just published in Annals of Internal Medicine showed that kidney transplantation reduced deaths due to lupus nephritis — kidney inflammation caused by lupus. Up to 60 percent of people with SLE are diagnosed with lupus nephritis, which can lead to significant illness and even death. According to the National Institute of Diabetes […] READ MORE
January 18, 2019 An observational study published in Lupus of people with lupus found that of six factors, stress, depression and pain contributed most to fatigue, one of the most debilitating symptoms of the disease. The study involved 116 ethnically diverse, primarily female participants (91%) diagnosed with lupus receiving care at university medical centers. Each […] READ MORE
January 14, 2019 A small randomized Phase 1 study published in Arthritis & Rheumatology found that the existing asthma treatment omalizumab (Xolair) may improve lupus activity by reducing production of type 1 interferons. The study involved 15 patients with lupus who had elevated amounts of an antibody immunoglobulin E and a minimum level of disease […] READ MORE
