Despite limited evidence that opioids reduce pain in people with rheumatic diseases, a study has found that nearly one in three adults with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) use prescription opioids for pain control, with two-thirds of them using these medications for longer than one year. The study, “…
Positive early Phase 1 clinical data in healthy volunteers support Kangpu Biopharmaceuticals’ plan to advance KPG-818 into clinical trials in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) or blood cancers. KPG-818 is a small molecule designed to inhibit the activity of the CRL4-CRBN protein complex. CRBN, or cereblon, is a…
Taking vitamin D supplements does not improve bone health in people with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), at least in the short-term, a small clinical trial suggests. The study, “Effect of vitamin D on serum markers of bone turnover in SLE in a randomised controlled trial,”…
People with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) have vitamin D deficiency — and living in Asia, South America, or Africa are among the risk factors, according to a review study. Not receiving vitamin D supplements also is a risk factor increasing this deficiency, the findings showed. The research, “…
Patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) who attain a low disease state have a lower risk of subsequent disease flares and accumulated organ damage, making this state a potential treatment target in clinical trials, a new study suggests. The research was published in an article, “Lupus low disease…
Low-dose use of a treatment for certain advanced cancers, aldesleukin, was well-tolerated and lessened disease activity in people with refractory systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) taking part in a small Phase 1/2a trial. Study results also showed patients had higher proportions of a subset of immune T-cells associated with suppression…
In support of projects in several areas of lupus research, the Lupus Foundation of America has awarded four investigators — two more  than in prior years — with the Gary S. Gilkeson Career Development Award (CDA). The award is meant for fellows and clinicians at the early stages of…
PredictImmune is planning to expand its pipeline with the development of new strategies to support personalized care for people with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and other inflammatory diseases. This follows the U.K.-based company’s acquisition of worldwide licensing rights over Cambridge Enterprise’s algorithms and software. The new deal…
Researchers, in collaboration with the World Health Organization (WHO), have established a new reference standard for anti-dsDNA autoantibodies — one of the hallmarks of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) — to help standardize laboratory analysis and improve diagnosis and treatment of lupus worldwide. The study, “A WHO…
The Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP), an arm of the European Medicines Agency (EMA), recommended the approval of Benlysta (belimumab) as an add-on therapy for children age 5 and older with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and high disease activity. The European Commission will…