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…
CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield and Exagen Diagnostics are collaborating on a study to assess the impact of the AVISE Lupus test, Exagen’s diagnostic test for systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). “I have worked with CareFirst as a provider for a number of years and am excited to continue to work with CareFirst…
A type of immune cell found in the outer layer of the skin, called Langerhans cells, seem to be essential to protect the skin against photosensitivity in cutaneous and systemic forms of lupus. The study, “A protective Langerhans cell–keratinocyte axis that is dysfunctional in photosensitivity,” was published in…
Baricitinib — a medicine approved in the U.S., Europe, and Japan for rheumatoid arthritis — can significantly improve symptoms of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), the treatment’s maker, Eli Lilly, and its partner Incyte announced. This is the first completed Phase 2 trial for baricitinib (brand name, Oluminant) in SLE patients, and likely opens the door…
A team of scientists from the University of California San Francisco has developed an innovative technique to genetically engineer genes involved in the body’s immune response. This new approach has the potential to revolutionize the way autoimmune diseases, such as lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, cancer, and HIV are treated. …
Researchers found that controlling the activity of Tbet, the main transcription factor of inflammatory T-cells, reduces kidney inflammation and tissue damage in mice prone to develop lupus. The study, “Intranuclear delivery of the transcription modulation domain of Tbet-improved lupus nephritis in (NZB/NZW) F1 lupus-prone mice,” was…
Pain disturbs sleep and can augment depression, two factors that directly impact cognition in people with systemic lupus erythematosus, according to a study that looked into how pain relates to cognitive health in SLE patients. Its researchers recommended that patients with depression or sleep problems be treated, preferably using non-pharmacologic approaches,…
Baricitinib, a medicine approved in the U.S., Europe and Japan for rheumatoid arthritis, significantly improved the clinical outcomes of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients compared with a placebo, Eli Lilly and Company revealed. The results from the Phase 2 trial (NCT02708095) were presented at the Annual European Congress of Rheumatology (EULAR 2018) June…