ParfumGigi@aol.com

Head, Clinical Pharmacology, Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation

TLR7 Gene May Play Role in Higher Female Prevalence in Lupus

The Journal of Immunology, 2006, 177: Pages 2088-2096, B. Berghöfer, T. Frommer, G. Haley, et. al.

Lupus affects women far more often than men, by a ratio of 9 to 1. New research has identified one reason why this may occur. At the basis of the research is the interplay between genes that we inherit, immune cells in the body, and the chemicals involved in inflammation. Read more>

Concensus Developed on Definition of Improvement in Juvenile Lupus

Thirty-seven pediatric rheumatologists from 27 countries studied information about 128 children with lupus and came to an agreement about whether each child was clinically improved or not improved after treatment. The goal of this was to develop precise definitions of improvement for childhood lupus that can be used in clinical trials and to help doctors better evaluate their patients in clinic. Read more>

Study Demonstrates Need for Early Biopsies When Lupus Affects the Kidneys

Many physicians are coming to the conclusion that patients with lupus should have a kidney biopsy as early as possible after the warning signs of kidney inflammation show up, so that appropriate treatment can be started quickly in order to prevent kidney damage. That is also the recommendation coming from the authors of a recently released research study investigating risk factors for serious complications of kidney disease among patients with lupus. Read more>

Study Identifies Possible Cause of Low Platelet Count in Lupus

Having a reduced number of platelets is a serious complication of lupus. A large percentage of cases are due to antibodies that bind to at least one of two proteins on the surface of blood platelets. A group of researchers in Tokyo have studies these two types of antibodies and suggest that antibodies to each of the proteins operate in distinctly different ways. Read more>

Diabetes Drugs Might Help Prevent Heart Disease in Lupus

Some of the same problems that can occur in blood vessels in patients with diabetes may also be at work in lupus patients, increasing their risk for heart disease and strokes through the activity of a small inflammatory protein called interleukin-18. Read more>

Study Recommends Second Assay to Enhance Monitoring of Lupus Disease Activity

Different blood tests vary in their ability to detect antibodies to DNA (anti-DNA antibodies). In this study, 5 tests that are used widely by physicians to monitor their patients were compared and all seemed to be suitable to use to evaluate lupus disease activity. Read more>

Genes May Play Role in Effectiveness of Anti-Malarials for Lupus

Some lupus patients may inherit genes that make them more likely to respond to anti-malarial therapy than other patients. If so, this could help guide doctors in choosing treatments. Read more>

Blocking CD134 Stimulator May Be Effective Way to Prevent Lupus Nephritis

The immune system is triggered to promote inflammation by a complicated series of signals that pass between and among the various types of white blood cells. When white blood cells signal to each other with multiple signals at the same time, the proteins that are involved in these signals are called co-stimulation proteins. Co-stimulation signals are involved in the activation of T-cells. One co-stimulation protein, CD134, may be a marker for lupus kidney disease. Read more>

Physicians Should Consider All Risk Factors for Thrombosis in People with Lupus

The Journal of Rheumatology, Volume 33, Number 9, September 2006, Pages 1715-1717, Dorunk Erkan, M.D.

Many patients with lupus know about a risk for abnormal blood clotting that is associated with antibodies called antiphospholipid antibodies. However there are other risk factors for disordered blood clotting that lupus patients should be aware of.Read more>

The immune protein BLyS, which is important to the survival and stimulation of the white blood cells called B-cells, has been tested as a marker for lupus in the past with variable outcomes. One of the proteins involved in regulating whether and how much BLyS protein is made by white blood cells might hold more promise. Read more>

Potential Biomarker Identified for Neonatal Lupus

Arthritis Research & Therapy, 2006, 8:R4, C. Fritsch, J. Hoebeke,H.Dali, et. al.

Researchers in France, England, and the United States may have identified a potential blood test that can be used to predict complications of pregnancy among women who have lupus. Their research focused on tiny segments of proteins (called peptides) that interact with antibodies called anti-Ro, and their association with the birth complication called neonatal lupus. Read more>

Combination of Mycophenolate Mofetil (MMF) and Prednisone Associated with Improved Quality of Life for People with Lupus

A survey designed to look at lupus patients’ experiences with two different treatments showed that patients seem to feel better when taking mycophenolate mofetil (MMF, or Cellcept®) in combination with prednisone than if they are taking oral cyclophosphamide (CTX, or Cytoxan®) with prednisone. Read more>

Small Study of Epratuzumab Shows Promise in Mild to Moderate Lupus

Arthritis Research & Therapy, 2006, 8:R74, T. Dörner, J. Kaufmann, W. Wegener, et. al.

In a small preliminary study, a new treatment called epratuzumab that targets one protein in the immune system seemed to be well-tolerated by patients with mild to moderate active lupus. Read more>

Upcoming Lupus Live Chats

The Lupus Foundation of America is proud to present a series of live moderated chats featuring the nation's leading experts in lupus. This is your opportunity to ask a question and learn more about lupus from thought leaders in a number of medical disciplines associated with lupus. Our next Live Chat is on Pediatric Lupus. Read more>

LFA Advocacy Day Program February 28 - March 1, 2007 in Washington, DC

Join hundreds of lupus advocates from across the nation in Washington for the annual LFA Advocacy Day to urge Members of Congress to provide more funds for lupus research and education programs. Read more>

CME Webcast Now Available

The LFA Continuing Medical Education program is now available online. Specific topics include the latest research and clinical trials, categorization of cutaneous lupus, photo and laser therapy of lupus scarring, lupus nephritis, pregnancy and lupus. CME credits are provided to health professionals. Click here to access the webcast.

Study Comparing Stem Cell Therapy to Standard Care Seeks 100 Patients

Men and women with lupus are being recruited for a randomized, open label, Phase II multi-center study of non-myeloablative autologous transplantation with auto-CD34+ HPC versus currently available immunosuppressive/immunomodulatory therapy for the treatment of systemic lupus. The study sites are located in Los Angeles and La Jolla, California; Chicagio, Illinois; Durham, North Carolina; and New York City. Click here for more information on this and other clinical studies that are seeking patients.

Lupus Genetic Studies Seeks Volunteers

The Lupus Genetic Studies at the Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation continue to look for families of all ethnic backgrounds, in which one or more individuals has been diagnosed with systemic lupus. Qualifying participants help by completing some study paperwork and donating a one time blood sample. Travel to Oklahoma City is not necessary and there is no cost to participate. Additionally, OMRF is looking for individuals with no lupus or lupus in their families to participate for comparison studies. Learn more>

8th International Lupus Congress set for May 23-27 in Shanghai, China

World's leading basic and clinical researchers will meet in Shanghai, China May 23 - 27, 2006 to present study findings and exchange information during the 8th International Congress on Lupus and Related Diseases. The LFA will coordinate a parallel conference for people with lupus in cooperation with 80 other international lupus organizations. Click here to go to the Congress website.