Lupus Research Alliance News

NEW YORK, October 24 — The Lupus Research Alliance proudly announces two exceptional recipients of the 2019 Dr. William E. Paul Distinguished Innovator Award in Lupus and Autoimmunity:  Fabienne Mackay, PhD, and Jeffrey Rathmell, PhD. The highly prestigious up-to-$1 million grant will allow each investigator to test promising approaches for potential new lupus treatments. Dr. Mackay […] READ MORE

NEW YORK, NY. October 16 — The Lupus Research Alliance (LRA) is pleased to announce that seasoned professional Penny Mitchell has joined the organization as Senior Director of Marketing and Communications. In her new role, Ms. Mitchell will oversee the organization’s strategic communications approach to leading lupus research worldwide and the value of participation by […] READ MORE

Many dynamics of lupus contribute to the fact that its complexities have eluded the scientific community—but new hope may come from patients themselves. This is why Lupus Therapeutics piloted the Patient Advocates for Lupus Studies (PALS) program in the Summer of 2019. PALS focuses on reaching diverse populations to improve their knowledge and awareness of […] READ MORE

October 17, 2019 A new study published in the European Journal of Neurology showed that epilepsy is significantly more common among people with systemic erythematosus lupus (SLE) than the general population. According to the Epilepsy Foundation, epilepsy is a neurological disorder characterized by unpredictable seizures. A seizure is a sudden surge of electrical activity in […] READ MORE

October 7, 2019 A new study published in Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases found that among people with lupus, high levels of the protein interferon-alpha, a substance in the immune system that fights viruses, predicts risk of relapse among people in remission. The study looked at 254 people with lupus who were in remission according […] READ MORE

October 3, 2019 Hydroxychlorine is one of the most common treatments for lupus.  But a new study published in The Journal of Rheumatology looked at why about half of people with lupus do not take hydroxychlorine as prescribed by their healthcare provider. The study looked at 1956 lupus patients 18 years or older being treated […] READ MORE

October 1, 2019 The Lupus Research Alliance is pleased to share news about the launch of EQUALISE, a Phase 1b trial that will evaluate the safety and tolerability of an experimental compound itolizumab at various doses in a small group of patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and lupus nephritis. Sponsored by the biotechnology company […] READ MORE

September 26, 2019 In a newly published Michigan study, nearly 1 in 3 adults with systemic lupus erythematosus used prescription opioids to treat pain despite lack of evidence that opioids effectively reduce pain from lupus and rheumatic diseases. As people with lupus know only too well, symptoms of the disease commonly include pain in the […] READ MORE

September 24, 2019 The Accelerating Medicines Partnership (AMP) RA/Lupus Program, a joint effort involving the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the Foundation for NIH, pharmaceutical companies, and non-profit organizations such as the Lupus Research Alliance, has reached a milestone, finishing an important phase of its studies. Researchers with the AMP RA/Lupus Program have published a […] READ MORE

September 24, 2019 Interleukin-2 at a low-dose may be effective in treating lupus, according to newly published results of a double-blind and placebo-controlled clinical trial. In this trial, 60 patients received either Interleukin-2 at a low dose of 1 million IU or placebo along with standard treatment for 12 weeks.  The primary endpoint – the […] READ MORE

September 19, 2019 A small clinical trial published in Lupus Science & Medicine found that taking vitamin D supplements did not improve bone health for people with lupus. Conducted by several lupus experts throughout the U.S., the study looked at the effect of vitamin D supplements on changes in bone turnover markers that indicate changes […] READ MORE

September 18, 2019 The LRA is pleased to share that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) granted Breakthrough Therapy Designation to obinutuzumab (Gazyva®) for adults with lupus nephritis – the most common complication of lupus.  The FDA’s designation aims to  speed up  the development and review of drugs intended to treat a serious condition […] READ MORE