Improper clearing of dying cells and elevated levels of RNA and DNA in serum are connected to increased chronic inflammation in autoimmune diseases. In a recent study, researchers at Duke University showed that scavenger molecules that feed on the nucleic acids not only reduce chronic inflammation in mice with lupus, but also…
Results from two Phase 3 trials revealed that patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) can benefit from the recombinant human monoclonal antibody Benlysta (belimumab) when it is used with steroids. The study, “Impact of concomitant medication use on belimumab efficacy and safety in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus,”…
Aurinia Pharmaceuticals recently announced positive top-line results from the voclosporin Phase 2b clinical trial AURA-LV (AURA) in patients with active lupus nephritis (LN) after achieving its primary endpoint. Voclosporin is an investigational immunosuppressant with a synergistic and dual mechanism of action that can potentially improve near- and long-term outcomes…
Researchers investigated health care use by people with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and found that patients were more apt to seek clinical care during the first few years after diagnosis, but became less inclined over time. SLE patients also tend to turn increasingly more to general physician care, over encounters with specialists such as rheumatologists. The research…
During the recent Analyst Day event in New York, Xencor highlighted its lead candidate to treat systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), now in Phase 2 clinical testing, and other potential treatments advancing in development. “We believe our flexible bispecific oncology platform has substantial potential. Our programs are built on a novel XmAb Fc…
XTL Biopharmaceuticals has filed a new U.S. patent application to protect doses of hCDR1 lower than 0.5 mg per week to treat systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). XTL is a clinical-stage biotech that develops products for the treatment of autoimmune diseases like lupus. The company’s lead drug candidate, hCDR1 has…
Sometimes, looking backward is a good way to go forward. With this in mind, scientists discovered that a cancer drug approved decades ago, based on the immune molecule IL-2, may restore balance to the overactive immune systems of people with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). IL-2, or Interleukin-2, is rarely used in cancer treatment today. But, the…
Anthera Pharmaceuticals recently announced that the last patient in the company’s Phase 3 clinical trial, evaluating blisibimod for the treatment of systemic lupus erythematosus, has received the the final dose. The study will be completed and the data analyzed within the next two months, just in time for the upcoming American…
Scientists at The Scripps Research Institute identified key mechanisms contributing to the generation of autoimmune B-cells that attack the body’s own tissues in diseases like systemic lupus eurythematosus. In a cluster of microRNA (miRNA) molecules, the research team found one factor with exaggerated presence that allows faulty cells to sneak…
Being that this is my first blog post with y’all, I’ll start out by introducing myself with a warm hello and a virtual hug. I know at some point we all end up adding labels to people because it can be the easiest way to get a feel for someone’s personality and their…