News

Phase 2b clinical trial seeks SLE patients with lupus nephritis

PALIZADE, a Phase 2b clinical trial of Kezar Life Sciences’ investigational therapy zetomipzomib, is still enrolling systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients with active lupus nephritis, a severe lupus complication that causes kidney damage. The launch of the placebo-controlled PALIZADE trial (NCT05781750) earlier this year followed the completion…

For Black women with SLE, racial discrimination tied to inflammation

Racial discrimination was found to be associated with increased inflammation among Black women with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) in a recent study. Each experience of racial discrimination was tied to a nearly 4% increase in the levels of C-reactive protein (CRP), an inflammation marker, in the bloodstream, the findings…

Race, poverty, healthcare access influence disparities in lupus care

Disparities in lupus care and outcomes in the U.S. are influenced by structural and social determinants such as race, ethnicity, socioeconomics, education, and healthcare access. These are the findings of a study by the Lupus Foundation of America (LFA) through its Addressing health Inequities in Minorities (AIM)…

5 young scientists win Lupus Foundation of America support

The Lupus Foundation of America has announced this year’s winners of the Gina M. Finzi Memorial Student Summer Fellowship Program, designed to support students working in lupus research. Each award, worth $4,000, includes mentorship by an experienced researcher in the field of lupus. Winners, all young scientists, are pursuing…

Research Alliance awards team $3M to study pediatric lupus nephritis

The Lupus Research Alliance (LRA) has awarded a $3-million grant to a multidisciplinary research group working to identify drivers of lupus nephritis, a serious complication of lupus characterized by kidney damage, in children with the autoimmune disease. Elena Hsieh, MD, an associate professor at the University of Colorado…

Study IDs risk factors for severe lupus flares in patients in Iran

Younger age, greater disease activity, and a history of kidney involvement are significant predictors of severe disease flares among people with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), a study in Iran has found. The findings suggest that patients with these risk factors “may need closer monitoring and follow-up” to better manage…

Horizon: Phase 2 trial of daxdilimab in SLE fails to meet main goal

A Phase 2 clinical trial assessing the safety and effectiveness of daxdilimab for systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) didn’t show a statistically significant difference between the experimental therapy and a placebo regarding the proportion of patients who showed signs of reduced disease activity while lowering their daily corticosteroid dose. The…