News

Rubella Immunity Lowers Over Time in Vaccinated Adolescents with Lupus, Study Finds

Vaccinated patients with highly active systemic lupus erythematosus seem to lose their immunity levels over time, a study in rubella-vaccinated adolescents suggests. The study, “Risk factors associated with accelerated rubella-IgG antibody loss in previously vaccinated, treatment-naïve juvenile Systemic Lupus Erythematosus patients: a prospective study,” was published in the…

Stress, Depression, Pain are Major Causes of Fatigue in SLE Patients, Study Shows

Stress, depression, and pain — but not disease activity, sleep, or physical health — appear to be major contributors to fatigue among patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), a new study reports. The findings support that screening and treatment of these measures are included in the usual care of SLE patients, particularly…

Approved Asthma Therapy Omalizumab Reduces SLE Disease Activity, Phase 1b Trial Finds

Omalizumab — a treatment already approved for allergic asthma and chronic hives — is well-tolerated and reduces disease activity in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), a Phase 1b clinical trial shows. Findings were published in the study, “Safety and Tolerability of Omalizumab, A Randomized Clinical…

Neovacs, Centurion Pharma Continue Joint Development of SLE Vaccine IFNalpha Kinoid

Neovacs and Centurion Pharma will continue the joint development of the investigational vaccine IFNalpha Kinoid for people with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) based on the positive results of a Phase 2b clinical study. The two companies had signed a licensing agreement in July 2017, establishing a…

High-fiber Diet Helps to Limit Bacteria in Gut That Trigger Inflammation, Animal Study Finds

A diet that is higher in fiber might benefit people with autoimmune diseases like lupus by reducing the amount of disease-causing bacteria in the gut, a new study suggests. The study, “A Diet-Sensitive Commensal Lactobacillus Strain, Mediates TLR7-Dependent Systemic Autoimmunity,” was published in Cell Host & Microbe.

Rituxan May Be Effective at Treating Cutaneous Lupus Erythematosus, Study Suggests

Rituxan (rituximab), a medicine that is often used to treat systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), may also be effective at treating skin lesions in patients with cutaneous lupus erythematosus (CLE), a study suggests. Researchers found that one year after treatment, 61% of patients experienced improvements in their skin lesions,…

HER2 May Be Biomarker of Kidney Disease in Children, Teens with Lupus, Study Suggests

High levels of a protein called HER2 in the urine can help identify children and adolescents with lupus who are at risk of serious kidney complications, a study suggests. While the study is still ongoing, the finding suggests that the use of approved HER2 inhibitors such as Tyverb (lapatinib)…

FDA Gives Baricitinib Fast Track Status for SLE Treatment

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has granted fast track status to baricitinib for the treatment of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients, the treatment’s developers, Eli Lilly and Incyte, announced. Fast track designation is intended to speed the therapy’s development and review for lupus patients, enabling more frequent communication with…

Childhood Abuse Puts Women at Greater Risk of Lupus Later in Life, Study Suggests

Women who were victims of physical or emotional abuse during childhood are at a higher risk of developing systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) later in life, a retrospective study reports. According to the findings, exposure to extreme childhood stress and adversity may…