Scientists found a natural protein in immune cells, called CD72, that prevents the abnormal and damaging immune responses characteristic of autoimmune diseases, such as systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Findings in the study, “CD72 negatively regulates B lymphocyte responses to the lupus-related endogenous toll-like receptor 7 ligand Sm/RNP,” recently published in The…
Measuring the level of certain pro-inflammatory cytokines in the blood of patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) may help to identify those patients with kidney inflammation (nephritis), and so that treatments can begin that might halt the progression to kidney failure. The study, “Serum Cytokines Th1, Th2, and…
Inhibiting a branch of the JAK/STAT signaling pathway may be an effective therapy against cutaneous lupus erythematosus (CLE), according to a recent report. The study, “JAK3 as an Emerging Target for Topical Treatment of Inflammatory Skin Diseases,” was recently published in PLOS One. A crucial harmful pathway in inflammatory skin diseases,…
High levels of the anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10 are associated with higher disease activity in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), a finding that suggests IL-10 can be a potential blood biomarker for SLE. The study, “Clinical associations of IL-10 and IL-37 in systemic lupus erythematosus,” was published in the journal…
The monoclonal antibody against interleukin (IL)-6, called PF-04236921, was found to be efficient at reducing severe flares in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients — particularly in those with high disease activity — when administered at a 10 mg dose. The study, “Efficacy and safety of an interleukin 6 monoclonal antibody for…
During the recent Analyst Day event in New York, Xencor highlighted its lead candidate to treat systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), now in Phase 2 clinical testing, and other potential treatments advancing in development. “We believe our flexible bispecific oncology platform has substantial potential. Our programs are built on a novel XmAb Fc…
Pregnant women with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) carry higher risks for adverse maternal and fetus outcomes according to a recent study. The study, “What to Expect When Expecting With Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE): A Population-Based Study of Maternal and Fetal Outcomes in SLE and Pre-SLE,” was published in the…
The Alliance for Children’s Therapeutics presented positive results from an early study of KPI Therapeutics/Kineta’s lead drug candidate, dalazatide, as a possible treatment for children and teenagers with lupus nephritis. The data were given at the recent European League Against Rheumatism’s 17th Annual Congress in London. A key finding was that “patients with…
Immuno-molecular profiling of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients has uncovered a personalized molecular signature underlying disease activity that may help scientists develop new tailored therapeutics. The study, “Personalized Immunomonitoring Uncovers Molecular Networks that Stratify Lupus Patients,” was recently published in the journal Cell. SLE, which predominantly affects young women, is…
Defects that disrupt the digestion of dead cells can result in a lupus-like autoimmune disorder, according to a study titled “Noncanonical autophagy inhibits the autoinflammatory, lupus-like response to dying cells” and recently published in the journal Nature by scientists at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.