Results from the Phase 2 BUTTERFLY trial conducted by Pfizer suggest that an antibody against the pro-inflammatory cytokine interleukin-6 (IL-6) may be a promising treatment for systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). The study, “Efficacy and safety of an interleukin 6 monoclonal antibody for the treatment of systemic lupus erythematosus: a phase II…
The Lupus Research Alliance has chosen its Novel Research Grant Class of 2017, which consists of 10 projects that represent innovative approaches in lupus-treatment development. “Standing on a 16-year foundation of documented success, the Novel Research Grants bring new insight and untried directions to the complexities of lupus,” Margaret Dowd, the…
People who have systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) are more likely to suffer from periodontitis than those without the disease, a new study says. The study, “Subgingival microbiota dysbiosis in systemic lupus erythematosus: association with periodontal status,” appeared in the journal Microbiome. Periodontitis, an infectious disease that affects tissues supporting the…
Nektar Therapeutics dosed the first patient in its Phase 1 clinical trial evaluating NKTR-358 as a treatment for inflammatory and autoimmune disorders such as lupus. NKTR-358 is designed to correct the underlying immune system dysfunction shared by several autoimmune diseases. The drug candidate selectively stimulates the growth and activation of…
Canada’s Aurinia Pharmaceuticals says its experimental immunosuppressant drug voclosporin has shown promise in treating lupus nephritis (LN). Results of the recent AURION clinical trial also showed that certain biomarkers may help predict patients’ response to treatment with voclosporin. Robert Huizinga, Aurinia’s vice-president of clinical affairs, presented the findings at the 12th…
The cytokine interleukin 17A (IL-17A), while playing a role in inflammation, may also serve a protective purpose in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients, new research shows. The study, “IL-17A levels in systemic lupus erythematosus associated with inflammatory markers and lower rates of malignancy and heart damage: Evidence for…
New insights into immune cell processes in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus may advance scientists’ understanding of how the immune system goes off track in the disease. Japanese researchers noted that a type of activated immune cell, called MAIT, could be an indicator of the level of disease activity. In…
A recent study has linked high-dose steroid use with an increased risk of developing serious infections during pregnancy in women with autoimmune diseases, including lupus. The study, “Risk of serious infections associated with use of immunosuppressive agents in pregnant women with autoimmune inflammatory conditions: cohort study,” was…
The Lupus Foundation of America (LFA) has unveiled its new National Resource Center on Lupus, a one-stop online resource for topics related to lupus. The content of the new resource center is based on the results from the LFA’s National Needs Assessment on Lupus, a survey conducted…
Canada’s Aurinia Pharmaceuticals will report positive results from its 48-week AURION clinical trial evaluating voclosporin for lupus nephritis (LN) treatment. The presentation will take place at the 12th International Congress on Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (LUPUS 2017) & the 7th Asian Congress on Autoimmunity (ACA 2017), to be held March 26-29 in Melbourne,…