News

SLE Patients Show Propensity Towards Abnormal Thyroid Functions

Recent research has shed light on the high probability of patients with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) developing thyroid dysfunction. According to recently published results from 167 patients with SLE who were evaluated for serum free levels of the thyroid hormones T3, T4 and Thyroid Stimulating Hormones (TSH), 119 were found to…

Remission Greatest in SLE Patients Off Corticosteroids

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) can be categorized into three subsets based on disease activity: chronic active disease, relapsing-remitting disease, and clinical quiescent disease. Despite the fact that these disease definitions are based on the SLE Disease Activity Index (SLEDAI) or the SLEDAI-2000, there is disagreement on the exact definitions of…

Researchers Unravel Epratuzumab’s Mechanism of Action in SLE

An international collaboration of scientists evaluated literature concerning the mechanism of action of epratuzumab, a monoclonal antibody currently in two Phase 3 clinical trials for systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), and proposed a reason for the efficacy of treatment. The antibody targets CD22 receptors on B-cells, depleting the population through signaling…

DNA methylation Linked to Autoantibody Production in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus

In a new study entitled “Genome-Wide Assessment of Differential DNA Methylation Associated with Autoantibody Production in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus” researchers identified that epigenetic modifications in the DNA, specifically DNA methylation, is associated with autoantibody production in systemic lupus erythematosus. The study was published in the open-access journal…

Benlysta May Reduce Organ Damage Risk in Lupus Patients

In a recent study presented during the European League Against Rheumatism (EULAR) Annual European Congress of Rheumatology, patients suffering from moderate-to-severe systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) who have been treated with Benlysta have a low incidence of organ damage. SLE, commonly referred to as lupus, is a severe autoimmune disease in which…