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The Lupus Now® Research Update, a free enewsletter from the Lupus Foundation of America, provides reviews of recently published papers from significant medical journals translated into understandable language, information about advances in lupus research and clinical studies, and other relevant news for individuals with an interest in lupus. The commentary aims to put research findings into perspective, explain the limits to the conclusions that can be drawn, and examine the possibilities for future research directions. This is an exciting time in lupus research, so it is important for everyone in the lupus community to be fully informed about ongoing studies and developments and what they might mean.

Head, Clinical Pharmacology, Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation

Medical Director, Lupus Foundation of America, Inc.

Rheumatology, Volume 45, Number 12, December 2006, Pages 1497-1504

Kidney disease is one of the most serious and difficult complications that can occur from lupus. Now, a "high-tech" approach to a common "low-tech" test -- urine analysis -- may provide a way for doctors to better monitor the degree of kidney involvement in their lupus patients -- and might also open the door to new treatments. Read more>

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Can Kidney Biopsies Predict Outcomes for Lupus Patients with Kidney Disease?
Arthritis & Rheumatism, Volume 54, Issue 11, October 30, 2006, Pages 3633-3639

Early kidney biopsy, conducted as soon as possible after a lupus patient shows signs of kidney complications, is widely regarded as the most-accurate way to assess the level of kidney damage that has occurred. Certain clinical information obtained through a biopsy may also help determine how the disease will progress and whether a patient will respond to treatment with cyclophosphamide. Read more>

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American College of Rheumatology 2006 Annual Meeting, Plenary Session III, November 14, 2006, Presentation 1972

Lupus usually affects women: in fact, 90 percent of people diagnosed with lupus are female. Scientists have discovered interesting ways the two X chromosomes in females function that could predispose women to developing lupus. Read more>

American College of Rheumatology 2006 Annual Meeting, Poster Session A, November 12, 2006, Presentation 557, Poster Board 557

Even though nine of ten people who have lupus are female, when lupus occurs in men, organ damage appears to develop sooner in the course of their disease and more severely. This accelerated development of damage early in the course of their disease contributes to poorer long-term prognosis for males. Read more>

Arthritis Research & Therapy, Volume 8, Issue 6, October 2, 2006, R156

It is estimated that between 30 and 50 percent of people with lupus are sensitive to sunlight, especially ultraviolet B light (UVB). In these patients, exposure to UVB light can produce significant skin rashes, and in some cases can trigger a flare that involves other organs.

One possible explanation for this disease activity is that the cleanup process that removes dead cells in the skin after exposure to UVB might be impaired. UVB rays can induce this process of cell death and removal, which is called "programmed cell death" or apoptosis. Scientists are now exploring how the interplay of UVB rays and apoptosis may promote lupus disease activity. Read more>

A new clinical trial has begun recruiting patients for a study testing the possibility of using stem cell transplants as a treatment for severe lupus. The LIST Study (Lupus Immunosuppressive/Immunomodulatory Therapy or Stem Cell Transplant) will compare two groups of patients with lupus. Read more>

Arthritis & Rheumatism, Volume 54, Issue 11, October 30, 2006, Pages 3623-3632

Doctors often test lupus patients for levels of anti-double-stranded DNA (anti-dsDNA) antibodies and complement, and it has been thought for a long time that when the anti-dsDNA increases and the C3 complement test decreases, then a patient may be about to flare or beginning to flare. However, this belief has been controversial, owing to differences in the methods that have been used by groups that have tried to examine this issue. A new research study suggests that taken together, the anti-dsDNA and complement measurements do have value in predicting the possible onset of flare -- and that timely intervention with steroids may help prevent it. Read more>

American College of Rheumatology 2006 Annual Meeting, Plenary Session III, November 14, 2006, Presentation 1974

Rituximab (brand name Rituxan®, a product of Genentech) is one of several new medications being studied to treat lupus that act by decreasing the number of specialized white blood cells called B cells. After the treatment and over time, new B cells are produced in the bone marrow. How those new B cells develop and whether they seem to be the same as they were before, having autoimmune activity, might determine if and how long the B-cell treatment would help keep the patient symptom-free. Read more>

Immunomedics, Inc., a biopharmaceutical company focused on developing therapeutic monoclonal antibodies, announced in November that its partner UCB has received notification from the FDA that clinical trials of epratuzumab, its investigational treatment for lupus, may proceed. Read more>

La Jolla Pharmaceutical Company has announced progress in enrolling patients and opening sites for its Phase III clinical trial of abetimus sodium (brand name Riquent®) for the treatment of lupus kidney disease. The Company has activated 65 international clinical trial sites. Read more>

LFA Announces 2007 Request for Applications (RFAs) to Support Lupus Research

The LFA is pleased to announce the availability of two 2007 RFAs: Novel Pilot Projects Grant Opportunities, and the Wallace H. Coulter Foundation Grant Opportunities. The purpose of the 2007 Novel Pilot Project Grant Opportunities RFA is to accelerate research related to the causes, treatments, prevention and cure of lupus and to directly sponsor research to test new approaches and develop experimental prototypes. The purpose of the Wallace H. Coulter Foundation RFA is to address key understanding of lupus research issues involving potential therapeutics and/or diagnostic tools, mid-to-late stage translational research, research related to male lupus and pediatric/adolescent lupus research. Read more>

The LFA has extended the deadline to March 23 to submit an application for the 2007 Gina Finzi Memorial Student Summer Fellowships. The fellowships aim to foster an interest in lupus among young researchers through support of basic, clinical, or psychosocial research under the supervision of an established investigator. Read more>

The Lupus Foundation of America recently conducted its Ninth Annual Capitol Hill Advocacy Day to rally Congressional support for the Lupus REACH Amendments Act and other legislative priorities. Read more >

The LFA will conduct a series of free patient education programs in eight major U.S. cities during 2007 to educate individuals with lupus and their families on the clinical challenges of managing lupus, including osteoporosis, atherosclerosis and pregnancy. Read more >.

World's leading basic and clinical researchers will meet in Shanghai, China May 23 - 27, 2007 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. Visit the Congress' website.