Meso Scale Discovery (MSD) has developed a biochemical testing platform that can detect biomarkers involved in autoimmune diseases like systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). The V-PLEX platform can detect the biomarkers IL-17A, IL-21, IL-22, IL-23, IL-27, and MIP-3α in human cell culture supernatants, or liquids, in the blood components plasma and serum,…
Evaluating heart function using an electrocardiogram (ECG) can be a useful noninvasive tool for early detection of patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) who have an increased risk for cardiovascular disease (CVD), researchers found. The study, “Prevalence and associated factors of resting electrocardiogram abnormalities among systemic lupus erythematosus patients without…
Neovacs and BioSense Global will jointly develop an interferon alpha (IFNα) vaccine to treat lupus and dermatomyositis in China. News of the commercial licensing agreement, worth up to €65 million, comes just days after Chinese authorities issued a patent for Neovacs’ IFNα vaccine (IFNα Kinoid) for diseases characterized by over-expression of the cytokine…
Certain variations in immune-system genes may be associated with an increased risk of Caucasians developing systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), according to a study The research, “Association between C4, C4A, and C4B copy number variations and susceptibility to autoimmune diseases: a meta-analysis,” was published in Scientific Reports. The immune system…
Women with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) had more frequent miscarriages and other pregnancy complications than those with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) or healthy women, according to a recent study. SLE women also used fewer contraceptives, leading to more unplanned pregnancies that greatly increased the risk of complications for both mothers and babies. The Sri Lankan…
A test that Exagen Diagnostics developed to help doctors control levels of a lupus therapy in patients’ blood has been endorsed by a company that supports arthritis and rheumatology practitioners around the United States, Exagen announced. American Arthritis and Rheumatology Associates (AARA) powered by Bendcare also endorsed an Exagen blood test for rheumatoid arthritis.
Voclosporin, a drug being developed to treat lupus nephritis (LN), appears to be safe for patients regardless of ethnicity, according to a Phase 1 clinical trial conducted in healthy Japanese, Aurinia Pharmaceuticals reports. The treatment also has a good pharmacokinetic (PK) and pharmacodynamic (PD) profile. PK refers to the body’s reaction to a drug…
The world’s first registry for patients with lupus and other autoimmune diseases has gone online, just in time for National Autoimmune Disease Awareness Month in March. The Autoimmune Research Network (ARNet), launched by the Michigan-based American Autoimmune Related Diseases Association (AARDA), is a research network that lets scientists obtain data on patients…
Reactive oxygen species in cells’ mitochondria trigger an immune response widely detected in patients with lupus, researchers have discovered. The finding suggests the potential for a new therapeutic avenue to ameliorate the effects of the chronic autoimmune disease. The study, “Reactive oxygen species induce virus-independent MAVS oligomerization in…
China has issued a patent for Neovacs’ interferon alpha (IFNα) vaccine for diseases characterized by  over-expression of the cytokine IFNα, including lupus, dermatomyositis and type 1 diabetes. The patent, together with others Neovacs has obtained, give the company global protection for the vaccine until at least 2032. Neovacs’ technology targets…