Lupus Research Report: Potential new lupus therapy, biomarker, pregnancy, and more
 | |
September 21, 2012
Lupus Research Report
Rontalizumab: A Potential New Lupus Therapy
Rontalizumab is a potential new drug to treat lupus. It reduces the effects of the excessive interferon-alpha that is so characteristic of lupus. The researchers hoped to learn about the safety and tolerability of rontalizumab in people with mild lupus disease activity. The results suggest that rontalizumab is safe for use in people with lupus and effectively reduces levels of interferon-regulated genes, but not interferon-regulated proteins. Rontalizumab is now being tested in Phase II clinical trials, in people with more severe lupus disease activity, in order to further evaluate its effects on lupus.
Read more>> Biomarkers-Driven Assessment of Lupus Progression
Lupus can be difficult to diagnose because the initial symptoms can often include common signs or symptoms of non-lupus origin. To help identify biomarkers of early lupus, the researchers aimed to establish a relationship between levels of specific autoantibodies and the evolution of clinical signs of lupus over time. The following were identified as significant risk factors for lupus progression: female gender, age less than 40 years, high baseline positivity for anti-nuclear antibodies, and increased IgG autoreactivity. These results are important and insightful, but need to be validated before being applied in the clinical setting.
Read more>> Second Pregnancy Outcomes in Lupus
It is well known that women with lupus are at increased risk of pregnancy-related complications. However, second pregnancy outcomes in women with lupus have not been thoroughly studied. The researchers hoped to learn about second pregnancy outcomes in women with lupus, particularly in those whose first pregnancy had an adverse outcome. The results suggest that second pregnancies in lupus patients have good outcomes, with 90% having a live-born second infant. Therefore, women with lupus whose first pregnancy had an adverse outcome can have reasonable expectations of a live birth in their second pregnancy.
Read more>> Participate in a lupus research study! Discovering new treatments for people with lupus begins with study participants who are willing to get involved in clinical trials that contribute to important medical research. Currently, there is a lupus study seeking volunteers to participate in a clinical research study of an investigational medication being evaluated for individuals with systemic lupus erythematosus. To find out more about this study, go to Study Spotlight. To learn more about clinical trials go towww.lupus.org/clinicaltrials.Lupus Research in the News
Walk for Lupus Now
Be part of the Lupus Foundation of America's WALK FOR LUPUS NOW® in your community and help raise critically needed funds and awareness for this unpredictable and life-threatening disease. Find a Fall Walk in your community today!
Help Support Pediatric Lupus Research
Lupus in children tends to be more severe than in adults. Many available treatments, such as chemotherapy, have not been adequately studied in children. That’s why in 2006, the Lupus Foundation of America established the first, and what today remains the only, pediatric research program. Today, the LFA is reviewing requests for pediatric research grants from the nation’s leading research scientists. The number of projects we will be able to fund depends on you. Please give today.
|
The Lupus Foundation of America is the foremost national nonprofit health organization dedicated to finding the causes of and cure for lupus and providing support, services and hope to all people affected by lupus.
|
