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Blisibimod Seen to Lower Urine Protein Levels in Patients with Renal Involvement in Phase 3 Trial

Results of a Phase 3 clinical trial of blisibimod, by Anthera Pharmaceuticals, found that treatment significantly reduces proteinuria — excess proteins in the urine — in patients with systemic lupus erythematous (SLE). Like many B-cell mediated autoimmune diseases, lupus is associated with elevated levels of B-cell activating factor (BAFF). Blisibimod is…

Cardiac Tamponade Is Common but Treatable Manifestation of Lupus, Study Finds

Cardiac tamponade, the accumulation of fluid around the heart, affects nearly 6 percent of lupus patients in India, a new retrospective study shows. But researchers found new risk factors that predict this condition, which may help identify patients at risk. Treatment with high-dose immunosuppressives reduced the risk for fluid reaccumulation…

Inhibiting cGAS Enzyme May Reduce Autoimmune Responses, Mouse Study Shows

Inhibition of a natural enzyme that works as a sensor for virus and bacteria invasions may reduce inflammation associated with autoimmune diseases, including systemic lupus erythematosus, according to a recent study. The findings, reported in the study “Small molecule inhibition of cGAS reduces interferon expression in primary macrophages…