Researchers identified 23 genes associated with a predisposition for vitiligo, an autoimmune disease characterized by patches of skin and hair that lack pigmentation. Their discovery may lead to a better understanding of other autoimmune conditions, such as lupus. The study, “Genome-wide association studies of autoimmune vitiligo identify 23 new risk loci…
Inhibiting a branch of the JAK/STAT signaling pathway may be an effective therapy against cutaneous lupus erythematosus (CLE), according to a recent report. The study, “JAK3 as an Emerging Target for Topical Treatment of Inflammatory Skin Diseases,” was recently published in PLOS One. A crucial harmful pathway in inflammatory skin diseases,…
Researchers have identified novel biomarkers for lupus nephritis (LN), a disease that affects several patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), according to a study published in the journal Arthritis & Rheumatology. The authors reported these biomarkers can accurately indicate disease development and predict therapeutic effectiveness. The study is titled “…
High levels of the anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10 are associated with higher disease activity in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), a finding that suggests IL-10 can be a potential blood biomarker for SLE. The study, “Clinical associations of IL-10 and IL-37 in systemic lupus erythematosus,” was published in the journal…
Singer Lori Jenaire is on a mission beyond sales and charting. With the release of her single — which listed in the Top Five Billboard Hot Singles Sales — “As You Are,” a remake of the 1978 Pharaoah Sander’s R&B classic, Jenaire is pledging a portion of all proceeds from its…
Kevin J. Tracey, MD, CEO and president of The Feinstein Institute for Medical Research, is the winner of the Frederik B. Bang Award for his work on controlling inflammation in the treatment of diseases such as a lupus. Bestowed by The International Endotoxin and Innate Immunity Society (IEIIS) as its highest…
Aurinia Pharmaceuticals announced that seven of the 10 patients with lupus nephritis (LN) enrolled in its AURION study, evaluating short-term predictors of clinical response to voclosporin treatment, achieved complete disease remission at 24 weeks. In addition, the company reported that patients who achieved remission at eight weeks continued in remission at 24 weeks.
The monoclonal antibody against interleukin (IL)-6, called PF-04236921, was found to be efficient at reducing severe flares in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients — particularly in those with high disease activity — when administered at a 10 mg dose. The study, “Efficacy and safety of an interleukin 6 monoclonal antibody for…
Researchers at Temple University Hospital are taking part in a large, global Phase 3 clinical trial to evaluate whether a novel, investigational drug for systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is more effective than previously approved medications. This trial (NCT02446912), one of several pivotal and ongoing studies of anifrolumab to treat moderately to severely active SLE,…
Aurinia Pharmaceuticals announced that its AURA-LV clinical trial, assessing voclosporin for the treatment of lupus nephritis (LN), has achieved its primary endpoint at its lower dose — complete disease remission at 24 weeks. Prespecified secondary endpoints at both dose levels were also reached in comparison to placebo, including partial remission as measured…