Patients with lupus nephritis — a lupus-associated type of kidney inflammation — can sometimes develop a rare immune disorder, called thrombotic microangiopathy, as a consequence of excessive activation of the complement system. Using Soliris (eculizumab) to prevent over-activation is an effective way of treating these patients, a study found. Outcomes in 11…
Anifrolumab, MedImmune‘s investigational antibody being developed to treat systemic lupus erythematosus, is no better than placebo at reducing disease activity, results from the pivotal TULIP 1 Phase 3 clinical trial show. “The result of this trial is disappointing for patients and the lupus community,” Sean Bohen, MD, PhD, said in…
Aker BioMarine, in collaboration with the Lupus Research Alliance, is launching the first clinical trial to assess the therapeutic activity and benefits of fatty-rich krill oil in people with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). The trial (NCT03626311), which is not recruiting yet, is expected to enroll about 76 adults…
The U.S. House of Representatives has approved a bill that includes $5 million in funding for the Lupus Research Program at the Department of Defense in 2019. Approval comes on the heels of a vote favoring such funding by members of House Appropriations Committee in June. That House…
Identifying a person’s risk for lupus and possible need for early treatment might be aided by a new blood serum-based risk index created by researchers at the Feinstein Institute for Medical Research in New York. The index assesses the levels of certain anti-DNA antibodies — IgG…
European systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients who produce autoantibodies against double-stranded DNA — a well-known biomarker of the disease — seem to benefit from the addition of Lupuzor (rigerimod) to their standard of care, new Phase 3 data suggest. In fact, more patients receiving the investigational add-on therapy experienced…
Iron deficiency, measured through the size variation of red blood cells, is correlated with increased fatigue in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients, research shows. The association seems to be independent of age, ethnicity, or geographical location. This is the first time a blood biomarker has been linked to fatigue…
Roughly 40% of children and adolescents with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) experience at least mild physical disability, a study shows. The study, published in Lupus, also revealed that those with lower household income, arthritis, and higher pain scores were significantly more likely to have reduced physical function. Titled “…
People who have a lot of antibodies in their blood when they receive a lupus diagnosis are at greater risk of developing the kidney condition lupus nephritis later on, a South Korean study shows. This finding could help doctors identify patients at risk of having lupus affect their kidneys, giving…
A Phase 2b clinical trial assessing Neovacs’ investigational immunotherapy for the treatment of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is on schedule to deliver results by mid-2018, the company recently said. The announcement follows an independent review board’s fourth and final evaluation of the trial, signing off on safety and other considerations,…