Latest News from the Lupus Research Institute

Star Power Shines Light on Lupus

Wed, 01 Feb 2012 14:14:54 -0800

Lupus awareness is getting a boost today with two happenings making headlines – Part 2 of an episode dealing with lupus nephritis on TV hit “Royal Pains” and the opening of a New York restaurant by Lady Gaga’s parents named Joanne Trattoria in honor of her aunt who died of lupus at 19.

Congressional Report Shows Many Tanning Salons Falsely Tout Health Benefits to Teens, Including Lupus Prevention

Wed, 01 Feb 2012 07:04:07 -0800

The S.L.E. Lupus Foundation, Lupus LA, the Lupus Research Institute and our National Coalition of patient organizations throughout the country strongly caution young women that tanning does not prevent lupus and poses serious health risks for everyone. The American College of Dermatology states that “tanning devices emit ultraviolet radiation that has been shown to cause skin cancer including melanoma, the deadliest form of skin cancer.”

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Study Finds Gardasil Does Not Trigger Autoimmune Disorders

Fri, 27 Jan 2012 13:09:36 -0800

A new study found no link between autoimmune diseases like lupus with the vaccine Gardasil used to protect girls and young women a common sexually transmitted disease in the United States that can lead to cervical cancer. Funded by Merck & Co., the study was conducted at cancer center Kaiser Permanente and published in the peer-reviewed Journal of Internal Medicine.

Newly-published Italian Study Identifies Specific DNA Sequence that may Accelerate SLE Progression

Wed, 18 Jan 2012 16:05:36 -0800

Genes May Give Clues to Severe Form of Lupus
U.S. News & World Report
18 (HealthDay News)
Researchers have identified a DNA sequence that appears to speed up the progression of lupus, an autoimmune disease in which the body's immune system attacks healthy tissues.

Add-on Treatment with Rituximab Did Not Improve Lupus Nephrititis According to New Study

Wed, 18 Jan 2012 09:09:27 -0800

Results of a newly-published study showed that adding rituximab to mycophenolate mofetil and corticosteroids does not improve outcomes in patients with lupus nephritis. Rituximab is approved for treating Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, a type of cancer of the immune system.

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Lupus Research Institute Launches Bold Global Research Initiative to Uncover the Root Causes of Lupus that Can Lead to a Cure

Thu, 12 Jan 2012 05:13:16 -0800

Call for Proposals for Distinguished Innovator Awards

NEW YORK, NY – January 12, 2012 – The Lupus Research Institute (LRI) launched today its new Distinguished Innovator Awards program inviting proposals for $1 million grants to conduct cutting-edge projects with the greatest promise for transforming the lives of people with lupus. The awards will be given to outstanding established scientists proposing innovative projects that pair unconventional creativity with sound science to discover the fundamental causes of lupus and unlock the potential for a cure.

LRI Requests Applications for Two Grant Programs:

Thu, 12 Jan 2012 04:47:35 -0800

New test launched to facilitate more accurate lupus diagnosis

Mon, 09 Jan 2012 12:30:09 -0800

A new test using innovative technology was launched today by Exagen to help physicians make a faster and more accurate diagnosis of lupus. The new test showed a high level of accuracy.

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LRI’s Own Arty Selkowitz Named 2011 Stamford Citizen of the Year

Fri, 06 Jan 2012 10:01:20 -0800

The Lupus Research Institute is very proud to congratulate our Board member Arty Selkowitz on being named Stamford, Connecticut’s 2011 Citizen of the Year. Arty’s community service exemplifies his lifelong philanthropic involvement in many organizations including the Lupus Research Institute. The Selkowitz family shares this commitment — Arty’s wife Betsey is a Board member of our S.L.E.

New Trial for Potential Lupus of the Skin Treatment

Thu, 05 Jan 2012 08:37:50 -0800

Rigel Pharmaceuticals, Inc. began a new Phase 1 clinical trial