In a new study entitled “Epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition induces cell cycle arrest and parenchymal damage in renal fibrosis“ a team of scientists showed that upon injury, kidney cells activate a cellular process, the epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT), which ultimately leads to fibrosis in the kidneys. The research team performed…
Results from a recent study presented at the European League Against Rheumatism Annual European Congress of Rheumatology showed that patients with lupus nephritis (LN) who are positive for anti-Sm antibodies may be more likely to require immunosuppressive therapy. Lupus nephritis (LN) is kidney inflammation caused by systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE…
Sandra C. Raymond, President and CEO of the Lupus Foundation of America recently participated in a briefing for U.S. Senate staff discussing off-label uses of medications for treating lupus and the importance of physicians having vital information about the impact these off-label medications may have on lupus patients. Lupus…
A newly published study, titled, “Medication nonadherence is associated with increased subsequent acute care utilization among medicaid beneficiaries with systemic lupus erythematosus” in the journal Arthritis Care & Research, suggests SLE patients with poor medication compliance were more likely to experience emergency room visits and hospitalizations compared…
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…
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…
Scientists at Stanford University School of Medicine have recently developed a groundbreaking technology that can help shed more light on the countless genetic molecules that can switch from active to inactive throughout an individual’s lifespan, much like switches. The study was titled, “Individuality and Variation of Personal…
Researchers at the University at Buffalo have published an article entitled “Genome-wide transcriptional profiling data from skin of chronic cutaneous lupus erythematosus (CCLE) patients”, in the journal Data in Brief, concerning their findings on the genetic differences between lupus patients with skin involvement…
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…
According to a recent press release from UCB, a global biopharma company, results from its Phase 3 clinical trials in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) revealed that Epratuzumab did not meet its primary efficacy endpoint. A total of 786 and 788 patients with SLE took part…