Latest News from the Lupus Research Institute

LRI-Funded Funded Study Points to Increased Risk for Lupus in Men

Wed, 01 Sep 2010 13:07:18 -0700

First Direct Evidence that X-Linked TLR7 Gene Promotes Lupus in Humans

Lupus Research Institute-funded researcher Betty Tsao, PhD, at the University of California Los Angeles has discovered that humans—males in particular—with a variant form of the immune receptor gene "Toll Like Receptor 7 (TLR7)" are at increased risk of developing the autoimmune disease systemic lupus erythematosus (lupus). This breakthrough finding offers renewed hope for developing more targeted treatments.

Glaxo, Human Genome Get Fast Review for Lupus Drug

Thu, 19 Aug 2010 08:20:08 -0700

FDA move means Benlysta could be approved by Dec. 9

(Reuters) - A keenly awaited new lupus drug from GlaxoSmithKline and Human Genome Sciences Inc will get a priority review from U.S. regulators, potentially clearing the way for its approval by mid-December.

If approved, Benlysta will be the first new drug in more than 50 years for systemic lupus -- a complex disease that causes the immune system to attack the body's own tissue and organs.

NIH launches effort to define markers of human immune responses

Thu, 12 Aug 2010 12:47:27 -0700

Recovery Act enables research that could help improve vaccines and therapeutics

A new nationwide research initiative has been launched to define changes in the human immune system, using human and not animal studies, in response to infection or to vaccination. Six U.S.-based Human Immune Phenotyping Centers will receive a total of $100 million over five years to conduct this research.

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