![]() The Latest Treatment Advances for Lupus Please keep me updated on the search for a cure. The Latest Treatment Advances. ![]() There has not been a new drug approved for lupus in several decades. However, positive results from a major trial of the investigational compound belimumab (Benlysta. Human Genome Sciences, Inc. If approved, belimumab will be the first in a new class of drugs called BLy. S- specific inhibitors. Belimumab (Btibs a protein necessary for the maturation of B- lymphocytes, cells involved in the autoimmune response that underlies lupus. Two recently announced Phase III trials showed that the drug significantly reduced disease activity and increased time to flare compared with placebo. In the first trial reported, participants also experienced less fatigue and improved quality of life, with no difference in adverse effects between those who received a placebo and those who received belimumab with the exception of infusion site reactions. Also reported during the conference were the results from a Phase II belimumab trial evaluating its efficacy and safety over four years in 4. Researchers found that the rate of adverse effects remained the same or declined over the four years, while the frequency of new flares decreased significantly. After four years, for instance, flares defined under the SLE Flare Index declined from 7. ![]() This could be the next generation of Plaquenil. Research conducted by previously ALR- funded investigators William Stohl, MD, at the University of Southern California and Robert Carter, MD, currently the Deputy Director of the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases, established this molecule, BLy. S, as a potential therapeutic target for people with lupus. Their research helped set the stage for this new clinical development program and trial. The ALR has funded more than five million dollars in B- cell research in the past ten years. Rituximab is a monoclonal antibody that depletes CD- 2. B cells. Merrill, MD, professor of medicine at the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center in Oklahoma City, presented data from two analyses of an ongoing trial evaluating rituximab in people with moderate- to severe lupus. In the phase II/III EXPLORER trial, participants were taking immunosuppressants and steroids. They received four infusions over six months of either a placebo or rituximab, during which the steroids were gradually stopped. ![]() After 7. 8 weeks, the rate of serious and minor adverse events, including infection and infusion reactions, were similar between the two groups, although there was a higher incidence of viral herpes, neutropenia and serum sickness in the rituximab group. A study evaluating the subset of participants who showed a response to either placebo or rituximab found that severe and moderate flare rates were similar in both groups during the year they were followed. However, the average flare rate in the rituximab group was significantly lower than in the placebo group, suggesting that rituximab may increase the time to flare compared with placebo. The results of the EXPLORER trial troubled clinicians, many of whom use rituximab for patients with lupus even though the drug has not been approved for that use yet. When asked how the results should be interpreted, Dr. Overall, 1. 0 people had severe infections and one died from an infection. What this means for people with lupus? It is quite likely that rituximab works in certain populations of people with lupus. The disappointing results from the large, manufacturer- sponsored. The decision to use or not use rituximab is one you should make in conjunction with your doctor. Werth, MD, of the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine presented results from an ACR- funded study showing that lenalidomide (Revlimid), a drug typically used to treat multiple myeloma and rare blood disorders called myelodysplastic syndromes, was also quite effective in treating severe cutaneous lupus in a small, preliminary study. Specifically: Four of the five patients in the study experienced a significant improvement. Lenalidomide may be an option for treating cutaneous lupus. Lupus does not reduce a woman’s chances of getting pregnant. Less than 50% of pregnancies in women with lupus have complications, but all lupus pregnancies are. Suggested Readings and Options on Nutritional Medicine "Let food be thy medicine and medicine be thy food" — Hippocrates, 460 B.C.E. Amyloidosis Definition. Amyloidosis is a progressive, incurable, metabolic disease characterized by abnormal deposits of protein in one or more organs or body systems. Autoantibodies directed against Ro/SSA and La/SSB autoantigens were originally identified in patients with Sjögren’s syndrome and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). However, much larger studies are required to assess its efficacy and safety. Referencesi Navarra S, Guzman R, Gallacher A, et al. Belimumab, a BLy. Viewer Question: Just had blood test for Sjogren syndrome. On the script the doctor wrote Ro La. The woman taking blood wrote on the script SS-A and SS-B. In 1990, 90% of the ingredients in Norwegian salmon feed were of marine origin, whereas in 2013 only around 30%. The contents of fish meal and fish oil in the s. Antiphospholipid antibodies are antibodies directed against phosphorus-fat components of your cell membranes called phospholipids, certain blood proteins t. Lupus is a long term autoimmune disease that has varying symptoms. It can be caused by certain medications, and occurs more commonly in women. S- Specific Inhibitor, Reduced Disease Activity, Flares and Prednisone Use in Patients with Active SLE: Efficacy and Safety Results From the Phase 3 BLISS- 5. Study. Presentation Number: LB1. Presented at the American College of Rheumatology Annual Meeting, 2. Philadelphia, PA. Four- Year Experience of Belimumab, a BLy. S- Specific Inhibitor, in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) Patients. Presented at the 7. Annual Scientific Meeting of the American College of Rheumatology, October 1. Philadelphia, PA. Merrill JT, Wallace DJ, Latinis KM, et al. Treatment of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) with Rituximab: 7. Week Safety Data From the Phase II/II EXPLORER Trial. Presented at 7. 3th Annual Scientific Meeting of the American College of Rheumatology, October 2. Philadelphia, PA. Merrill JT, Buyon JP, Furie R, et al. Flare Assessment in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) Patients Treated with Rituximab in the Phase II/III EXPLORER Trial. Presented at 7. 3th Annual Scientific Meeting of the American College of Rheumatology, October 1. Philadelphia, PA. Karpouzas GA, Gogia M, Moran RC, Hahn BH. Rituximab Therapy Induces Durable Remissions in Hispanic and African American Patients with Refractory Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE). Presented at 7. 3th Annual Scientific Meeting of the American College of Rheumatology, October 1. Philadelphia, PA. Terrier B, Hachulla E, Pallot- Prades B, et al. Tolerance and Efficacy of Rituximab (RTX) in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE): Data of 1. Patients From the AIR (Auto- immunity and Rituximab) Registry. Presented at 7. 3th Annual Scientific Meeting of the American College of Rheumatology, October 1. Philadelphia, PA. Braunstein I, Goodman NG, Rosenbach M, et al. Correlates of Clinical Response in the Circulating Leukocyte Profile of Subjects On Lenalidomide for Cutaneous Lupus Erythematosus. Presented at 7. 3th Annual Scientific Meeting of the American College of Rheumatology, October 2. Philadelphia, PA. More information about lupus and treatment advances can be found by visiting www. The 2. 00. 9 American College of Rheumatology Meeting Special Report was made possible in part by generous support from Biogen Idec, Genentech and Johnson & Johnson. All Rights Reserved. Contents herein may not be reproduced, republished or distributed without the prior written permission of the Alliance for Lupus Research. To request permission to reproduce, republish or distribute any part of this report, contact us at 2. The clinical study stopped before enrolling its first participant. Source: Clinicaltrials. White blood cells, or leukocytes,help to fight infections in the body as part of the immune system. Lupus and other autoimmune disorders may lower the number of white blood cells in the body below a normal level. Source: Medline. Plus. Vasculitis is a condition that involves inflammation in the blood vessels. The condition occurs if your immune system attacks your blood vessels by mistake. This may happen as the result of an infection, a medicine, or another disease or condition. Vasculitis can affect any of the body's blood vessels. These include arteries, veins, and capillaries. Arteries carry blood from your heart to your body's organs. Veins carry blood from your organs and limbs back to your heart. Capillaries connect the small arteries and veins. Source: NIH. org. Urinalysis is the physical, chemical, and microscopic examination of urine. It involves a number of tests to detect and measure various compounds that pass through the urine. Urinalysis may be used to test kidney function and health. Source: Medline. Plus. Uremia is a term used to loosely describe the illness accompanying kidney failure (also called renal failure), in particular the nitrogenous waste products associated with the failure of this organ. This is not to be confused with uricemia, or hyperuricemia, a build up of uric acid in the blood. In kidney failure, urea and other waste products, which are normally excreted into the urine, are retained in the blood. Early symptoms include anorexia and lethargy, and late symptoms can include decreased mental acuity and coma. Other symptoms include fatigue, nausea, vomiting, cold, bone pain, itch, shortness of breath, and seizures. It is usually diagnosed in kidney dialysis patients when the glomerular filtration rate, a measure of kidney function, is below 5. Source: Wikipedia. The term undifferentiated connective tissue diseases is used to define conditions characterized by the presence of signs and symptoms suggestive of a systemic autoimmune disease that do not satisfy the classificative criteria for defined connective tissue diseases (CTD) such as systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), Sj. A small percentage of patients presenting with an undifferentiated profile will develop during the first year follow up of a full blown CTD, however an average of 7. These patients may be defined as having a stable undifferentiated connective tissue diseases (UCTD). The most characteristic symptoms of UCTD are represented by arthritis and arthralgias, Raynaud's phenomenon, leukopenia, while neurological and kidney involvement are virtually absent. Eighty percent of these patients have a single autoantibody specificity, more frequently anti- Ro and anti- RNP antibodies. Stable UCTD are considered as distinct clinical entities and therefore it has been proposed to define those conditions as UCTD. Classificative criteria have also been proposed and a work to better define them is still under way. Source: NIH. gov. An ulcer is a crater- like sore on the skin or mucous membrane. Ulcers form when the top layers of skin or tissue have been removed. They can occur in the mouth, stomach, and other parts of the body. Ulcers can be caused by inflammation or infection.
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