European systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients who produce autoantibodies against double-stranded DNA — a well-known biomarker of the disease — seem to benefit from the addition of Lupuzor (rigerimod) to their standard of care, new Phase 3 data suggest. In fact, more patients receiving the investigational add-on therapy experienced…
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved new automated diagnostic tests for lupus and ANCA-associated vasculitis, a form of blood vessel inflammation, Grifols, which will market these tests, announced. The two use the HELIOS system, developed by AESKU, which is the first and only automated…
Women with lupus nephritis — an inflammation of the kidneys caused by lupus — are at increased risk for problem pregnancies, compared to those with systemic lupus erythematosus alone, a new study shows. The study, “Management and outcomes of pregnancy with or without lupus nephritis:…
The Department of Defense recently announced the 13 winners of the 2017 Lupus Research Program, who received a combined total of $5 million to fund lupus research projects of both scientific and clinical interest. Established in 2017, the program is the result of a collaborative effort between the…
A type of immune cell that protects against viruses and cancer may worsen systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and trigger disease flares, a recent study with mice suggests. Led by researchers at the U.K.’s Imperial College London, the study, “C1q restrains autoimmunity and viral infection by…
Hemogenyx Pharmaceuticals and Rockefeller University recently agreed to collaborate on developing new treatments for lupus using the biotechnology company’s humanized mouse models. Hemogenyx, which is focused on developing new, more effective methods of bone marrow or blood stem cell transplants for blood diseases, will use its modeling…
To help raise awareness of lupus nephritis on World Lupus Day, Aurinia Pharmaceuticals announced some new efforts dedicated to giving patients with the disease an opportunity to connect and share their experiences. The company is collaborating with The Mighty, a digital health community that features stories written by…
The Phase 1b trial evaluating NKTR-358 — an investigational therapy that stimulates regulatory T-cell activation — in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) has begun dosing patients, Nektar Therapeutics announced. Unlike immunosuppressive therapies that dampen the entire immune system, and are associated with potentially serious side effects, NKTR-358 was designed to restore the…
Results of a large-scale international survey, released by the World Lupus Federation on World Lupus Day May 10, show a low level of lupus awareness by the general public, revealing a need for increased education and understanding about the disease. Lupus is considered to be a global health problem, with more than…
Lupus remains a poorly known or understood disease, with a recent poll by the Lupus Foundation of America finding 51 percent of respondents worldwide did not even know it is a disease — and one that affects an estimated five million people worldwide. Because such lack of awareness can extent…