2005: A Year of Accelerated Momentum for Lupus Research and Education Efforts
Wed Dec 28 13:09:12 2005
The Lupus Foundation of America's 'Top Ten List' of Advances for Lupus
WASHINGTON, Dec. 28 /PRNewswire/ -- Efforts to improve the quality of life for the 1.5 million Americans diagnosed with the autoimmune disease lupus accelerated during 2005. The Lupus Foundation of America (LFA) launched or stimulated several important initiatives to improve the diagnosis and treatment of the disease which causes potentially life-threatening inflammation to virtually any organ system in the body, especially the skin, joints, heart, lungs, kidneys and brain. Below are the top ten advances for lupus in 2005:
1. In a 24-week study, researchers found that orally administered mycophenolate mofetil (CellCept(R)) was more effective than standard of care intravenous cyclophosphamide in inducing remission of lupus nephritis (lupus kidney disease) among patients participating in the study, and had a more favorable safety profile.
2. A study involving women with inactive or stable lupus showed oral contraceptives containing estrogen did not increase the risk of additional disease flares, suggesting that some women with lupus might be able to use combined oral contraceptives.
3. The Department of Defense provided $2.5 million to support two research projects to validate lupus biomarkers which will expedite clinical trials of new lupus therapies.
4. Several pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies announced encouraging results of early studies of potential new lupus medications, offering hope that new, safe and effective treatments soon will be available.
5. Researchers found genetic markers that appeared at altered levels in the blood of people with active lupus. These markers may one day allow doctors to identify patients at risk for severe disease so that appropriate treatment can begin earlier.
6. Researchers showed that abnormal levels of C4d, a breakdown product of inflammatory proteins called complement proteins, are deposited in significant amounts on the surface of red blood cells in people with lupus, making it a possible biomarker for lupus flares.
7. Legislation was introduced in the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives that strengthens the nation's research efforts for lupus, and enhances public and professional awareness and understanding of the disease.
8. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration issued a draft Lupus Guidance Document that will provide a roadmap for industry to follow in establishing clinical trials of potential new therapies for lupus.
9. The LFA convened a group of experts to plan a comprehensive epidemiological study on lupus to determine the true incidence and prevalence of lupus among different populations in the U.S.
10. For the second year, the LFA conducted continuing medical education programs for health professionals and accompanying programs for people with lupus and their families in ten major U.S. cities.
For more information on these and other developments in lupus research and education, visit the LFA website at lupus.org or call 888-38-LUPUS to request a free brochure.
SOURCE Lupus Foundation of America, Inc.
Web Site: lupus.org
Key(s): genetic markers
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