Treatment with azathioprine, a drug commonly used in autoimmune diseases like systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), may considerably increase a person’s risk for serious bone marrow diseases known as myeloid neoplasms, according to a study from the Mayo Clinic. Researchers reported that people using azathioprine could be at seven times higher risk of…
Patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) had lower disease activity when they took the investigational treatment anifrolumab along with standard medications, according to a recently completed Phase 2b clinical trial (NCT01438489). Noting the treatment’s potential to target several organs and ease the disease’s symptoms, researchers called the trial “the…
Novel genetic variations known as single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) are associated with a higher incidence of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) in Asians, research shows. The study, “Evaluation of 10 SLE susceptibility loci in Asian populations, which were initially identified in European populations,” was published in the journal Scientific Reports. A…
Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients are more likely to have a chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection than those without lupus, according to a study. The research, “Chronic hepatitis C viral infection among SLE patients: the significance of coexistence,” was published in the journal Immunologic Research.
Worldwide Clinical Trials has been chosen to conduct Aurinia Pharmaceuticals’ Phase 3 trial, called AURORA, evaluating voclosporin as a potential treatment for active lupus nephritis (LN). The trial is expected to begin by mid-year. The company plans to use the study’s results to support a New Drug…
Celgene Corporation announced that it has entered into an agreement to acquire Delinia, a biotech developing therapeutics for autoimmune diseases, including systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). The acquisition will expand Celgene’s inflammation and immunology pipeline of potential next-generation medicines, including Delinia’s lead program, DEL106. DEL106 is a potent and highly…
Immunovia‘s IMMray antibody-analysis technology can differentiate systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) from rheumatoid arthritis (RA), Sjögren’s disease, and vasculitis with an accuracy of more than 90%, according to new research. Immunovia teamed up with Lund University’s IDEA Center in Sweden to evaluate IMMray as a biomarker that can distinguish between SLE and…
A defect in the C1q genes commonly associated with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) may promote serious neuropsychiatric symptoms in those with the disease, a case study suggests. The research, “C1q Deficiency and Neuropsychiatric Systemic Lupus Erythematosus,” was published in the journal Frontiers in Immunology. C1q deficiency is…
Researchers have identified a factor that controls immune cells’ entry into joints, which leads to arthritis in diseases such as systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Though they are studying other factors in the process, they believe these findings could lead to new treatments that are more effective in preventing arthritis. “Inflammatory arthritis is caused when immune…
Blocking a protein that controls the immune system’s reaction to a virus may also be used to prevent autoimmune reactions in diseases such as systemic lupus erythematosus, research indicates. Although the PLSCR1 protein was discovered in the brain, researchers are exploring its role in inflammatory diseases throughout the body. An…