The levels of nitrated nucleosome (NN) in the blood rise at the time of a neuropsychiatric event in some patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), research from a multi-center, international study shows. However, new studies are required to assess the potential of NN as a biomarker for neuropsychiatric systemic lupus…
Treatment with H.P. Acthar Gel (repository corticotropin injection) can effectively help manage systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) symptoms in patients with persistently active disease, according to recent Phase 4 clinical data. The study, “Repository corticotropin injection in patients with persistently active SLE requiring corticosteroids: post hoc…
The Invisible Disabilities Association has made a video to promote public understanding of invisible diseases like lupus and help those who have them talk about them with family and friends. The association raises global awareness of the diseases and provides support and resources to people who have them. Allsup,…
A new approach to treating lupus, based on attacking a wide array of disease-implicated molecular pathways, showed promise in a new study in mice. The target is NF-κB-inducing kinase (NIK), which mediates the function of proteins in the tumor necrosis factor (TNF) family. Members of the family are known to be implicated in…
ImmuPharma has completed a pivotal Phase 3 clinical trial testing Lupuzor (rigerimod) as a lupus treatment and announced an extension study. Findings dealing with the therapy’s effectiveness are expected to be released by the end of April 2018. Lupuzor displayed a robust safety profile after being administered for a year, researchers…
The Lupus Foundation of America recently reviewed the notable achievements and overall advances realized in 2017, finding that significant progress was made both in lupus awareness and in research and advocacy efforts. Highlights for the foundation that helped to advance of lupus awareness and research included the singer Selena Gomez sharing her experience…
Cerebrovascular events are the fourth most frequent neuropsychiatric event in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients and mostly are due to SLE rather than other causes, a new multi-national study shows. Stroke and transient ischemia were the most common cerebrovascular events in these patients. The research, “Cerebrovascular Events in…
Adding Rituxan (rituximab) to maintenance therapy with immunosuppressants and corticosteroids may help patients control their systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), a new Japanese study suggests. The study, “Efficacy and safety of anti-CD20 antibody rituximab for patients with refractory systemic lupus erythematosus,” conducted in a small group of Japanese patients,…
Mixed connective tissue disease (MCTD), a chronic disorder that has overlapping features of two or more systemic rheumatic disorders, is a relatively stable disease that is milder than systemic lupus erythematosus and systemic sclerosis, new research from Norway shows. However, most patients failed to achieve long-term remission. The study, “Disease evolution…
The higher the body mass index, the higher the level of fatigue a lupus patient is likely to experience, Illinois researchers report. They also linked obesity to fatigue levels. Another finding was that reducing fatigue through exercise did not lead to lower levels of adipokines, chemical messengers generated by fat tissue…