In The Lancet, Ronald van Vollenhoven and colleagues report a positive multicentre double-blind phase 2 randomised, placebo-controlled trial with ustekinumab, an anti-interleukin-12/23 (IL-12/23) monoclonal antibody, in 102 patients aged 18–75 years with active systemic lupus erythematosus (93 women and nine men).
Heart Disease Less Likely in Lupus Patients in Remission for 5 or More Years
Patients with systemic lupus erythematosus in remission for five or more years are at a lower risk of cardiovascular disease than those with shorter remission times or who fail to enter remission, a retrospective study reports.
The study, “Prolonged remission is associated with a reduced risk of cardiovascular disease in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus: a GIRRCS (Gruppo Italiano di Ricerca in Reumatologia Clinica e Sperimentale) study,” was published in Clinical Rheumatology.
ACE Inhibitors May Protect Nerve Cells from Damage That Harms Cognition
Transplantation of Placenta Cells May Halt Inflammation in Lupus Patients
The transplantation of human placental cells was found to suppress immune and inflammatory responses in a mouse model of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), suggesting a potential new therapeutic strategy for lupus, a study shows.
The study, “Therapeutic effect of human amniotic epithelial cells in murine models of Hashimoto’s thyroiditis and Systemic lupus erythematosus,” was published in the journal Cytotherapy.
Depression may increase systemic lupus erythematosus risk
Risk Factors Flagged for Pediatric SLE Organ Damage
Heart MRT improves diagnosis of cardiac involvement in lupus
Levels of Circulating Cell-free DNA Could Help Determine Lupus Activity, Study Suggests
Hypertension drugs could prevent memory loss in lupus patients, study suggests
Krill oil a potential new relief option for lupus
Among Black Women, Smoking Linked with Increased Lupus Risk
Predictors of medication nonadherence in patients with SLE in Sichuan
The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and predictors of medication nonadherence among patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) in Sichuan. A cross-sectional investigation was performed. Participants were recruited by consecutive sampling from the Rheumatic Clinic of a university hospital.
Study suggests Virgin Olive Oil May Help Reduce SLE Activity
Virgin olive oil, especially its phenol components, showed anti-inflammatory properties in mice with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and in human immune cells, according to a new Spanish study. The findings suggest future use in SLE treatment.
The research, “Virgin olive oil and its phenol fraction modulate monocyte/macrophage functionality: a potential therapeutic strategy in the treatment of systemic lupus erythematosus,” was published in the British Journal of Nutrition.
Lupus Overlap in Scleroderma Patients Does Not Seem to Affect Survival
Patients with both scleroderma and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) are younger at diagnosis, are more often women, and have less skin manifestations, but most importantly, show similar survival rates as those without lupus, according to a study.
The study, “Epidemiology and Survival of Systemic Sclerosis-Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Overlap Syndrome,” was published in The Journal of Rheumatology.
Infection Is Leading Cause of Death in Lupus Patients in China
In China, mortality rates are higher among women with systemic lupus erythematosus(SLE) than men, with infection being the leading cause of death, a study reports.
According to the researchers, risk factors for poorer outcomes include older age at disease onset, infection, autoimmune anemia, low platelet levels, and pulmonary arterial hypertension.
Lupus affects more women than men. Why? New study explores
Lupus affects nine times more women than men. Experts know that lupus erythematosus, SLE, or lupus affects many more women than men, but none of them can explain why. Now that University of Houston biomedical engineer Chandra Mohan has the funding, he has set out to determine why.
Prof. Mohan, Hugh Roy and Lillie Cranz Cullen Endowed Professor of biomedical engineering, has $2 million to solve the mystery.
Study reveals early signs of cardiac impairment in patients with newly diagnosed lupus
Cardiovascular disease is a leading cause of death in patients with lupus, a systemic autoimmune disease. In a new study in Arthritis & Rheumatology—a journal published by Wiley on behalf of the American College of Rheumatology—imaging tests revealed signs of cardiac impairment in patients newly diagnosed with lupus, even before any symptoms of chest discomfort.
Treatment Goal in Lupus: Low Disease Activity
Lilly to progress Olumiant into Phase 3 for lupus
The Lancet has published full results of a Phase II trial showing the benefit of Lilly’s JAK inhibitor Olumiant in the treatment of global systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).
According to the data, a statistically significant proportion of patients treated with 4mg of Olumiant (baricitinib) achieved resolution of their SLE-related arthritis or rash compared to placebo at week 24, thus meeting the primary endpoint of the trial.
Scientific and Technology Breakthroughs Show Promise for Lupus and Other Immunologic Diseases
The Lupus Research Alliance is pleased and very encouraged to share a promising scientific breakthrough reported in the New York Times with real potential to revolutionize lupus treatment. Just reported in the prestigious journal Nature, scientists in Dr. Alexander Marson's lab at the University of California, San Francisco have developed an innovative way to engineer genes of the body's immune system to treat immunologic diseases like lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, cancer and HIV.
