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Latest lupus research from the American College of Rheumatology Annual Meeting
Systemic lupus erythematosus severely impacts health-related quality of life and varies in its prevalence among different groups, with estimates including 39.9 per 100,000 white persons and 128 per 100,000 black persons in Georgia, according to the CDC.
At the 2015 American College of Rheumatology Annual Meeting, researchers presented data and clinical progress on systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) management.
Live coverage from San Francisco included news from the conference, onsite video interviews with leading experts and research implications on patient care and practice.
VIDEO: Buyon highlights new advances in SLE therapies
Jill P. Buyon , MD, discusses the new developments in systemic lupus erythematosus presented at this year’s meeting.
Buyon said 2015 was very exciting year with many interesting studies presented. Highlights include the introduction of the emphasis on reproduction health, identification of new, early biomarkers to identify patients with poor pregnancy outcomes, and studies on new therapies and formulations. Watch here.
Low sodium, high potassium diet may benefit patients with SLE
Patients with systemic lupus erythematosus had lower 24-hour urinary concentrations of potassium and a higher urinary ratio of sodium-to-potassium compared with healthy controls, suggesting the alteration of dietary intake could reduce the risk of hypertension, according to researchers at Vanderbilt University. Read more.
Weekly subcutaneous Benlysta , standard of care yielded positive results in patients with active SLE
In BLISS-SC, a phase 3 study, patients with active autoantibody-positive systemic lupus erythematosus had significantly greater reductions in disease activity when administered Benlysta (belimumab, GlaxoSmithKline) 200 mg weekly via subcutaneous injection plus the standard of care, such as glucocorticosteroids and immunosuppressants, compared with placebo plus the standard of care, according to a press release. Read more.
Immunosuppressed patients have increased risk for stroke immediately after herpes zoster
The risk of stroke is greatest for patients with complex herpes zoster, particularly those affecting the head and neck, according to a presentation. However, the research suggests that “prompt antiviral therapy for herpes zoster is associated with lower subsequent stroke with risk consistent with previous studies.” Read more.
Role of vitamin D, transition to SLE by high risk patients unclear
Investigators found no association between baseline levels of vitamin D in patients who had a relative with systemic lupus erythematosus and later transitioned to clinical systemic lupus erythematosus compared with patients who had a similar ancestry and did not transition. Read more.
VIDEO: Gazyva induces B-cell cytotoxicity in samples from patients with RA, SLE
Venkat Reddy, MRPC, discusses in vitro research with Gazyva and samples from patients with rheumatoid arthritis and systemic lupus erythematosus.
Reddy said the experiments showed Gazyva (obinutuzumab, Genentech) was more efficient at inducing B-cell cytotoxicity than Rituxan (rituximab, Genentech/Biogen Idec) and human clinical trials should be considered. Watch here.
Vitamin D levels may predict cognitive impairment in patients with SLE
Cognitive impairment in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus was linked to low serum levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D3, according to recently presented data. Read more.