RxPG News : Autoimmune Diseases

Thymus transplants gives hope to babies with DiGeorge syndrome

Tue, 15 May 2007 19:02:04 PST

Lolita Harding is describing her daughter Dave'yana, who will turn three in September, thanks in large part to a thymus transplant she received at Duke University Medical Center in April 2005 to reconstitute her absent immune system.

IGF-1R implicated in the pathogenesis of Grave's Disease

Fri, 16 Feb 2007 12:27:21 PST

Investigators at the Los Angeles Biomedical Research Institute at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center (LA BioMed) have found evidence that continues to implicate insulin-like growth factor receptor (IGF-1R) in the development of Graves disease.

Pregnant women with lupus are at higher risk for complications

Sun, 12 Nov 2006 16:21:00 PST

Women with systemic lupus who become pregnant are at significantly greater risk for death or other medical complications than are pregnant women without lupus, Duke University Medical Center researchers have found in a nationwide study of more than 18 million women.

Antibody-interleukin complexes stimulate immune responses

Thu, 23 Feb 2006 12:20:00 PST

The study, which was published in the February 16 issue of the online journal Science Express, showed that these injections caused a massive selective increase in the immune system's two main types of T cells. The findings could also be significant for developing new ways to help patients with autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis, or juvenile diabetes.

Oral Contraceptives in Women with Lupus might be Safe

Sun, 25 Dec 2005 00:59:00 PST

In a major study funded by the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS), a part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), women with either inactive or stable systemic lupus erythematosus (lupus) a disease in which the bodys immune system mistakenly attacks and damages healthy tissues of the skin, joints and internal organs were able to take oral contraceptives without increased risk of flares, or periods of increased disease activity, that characterize the disease. Safe and effective contraception is an issue that many women of childbearing age face. But for women with lupus, doctors have often been hesitant to prescribe one of the most effective forms of contraception oral contraceptives, or the pill for fear that it might increase disease activity.

Pro-inflammatory HDL (piHDL) is a potential biomarker for lupus atherosclerosis

Wed, 16 Nov 2005 19:27:00 PST

Groundbreaking research reported at the annual meeting of the American College of Rheumatology indicates that a certain form of the normally "good" high density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol linked to cardiovascular health plays a counterproductive role in people with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and rheumatoid arthritis, promoting atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries) and heart disease in many of these individuals.

Chronic infections may create autoimmune response

Tue, 13 Sep 2005 04:58:00 PST

New research finds the human immune system has foregone evolutionary changes that would allow it to produce better antibodies in less time because the improved antibodies would be far more likely to attack the body's own tissues. The Rice University study finds the immune system has evolved a near-perfect balance for producing antibodies that are both effective against pathogens and unlikely to cause autoimmune disease.

Epratuzumab may Serve as a Potential Treatment Option for SLE

Mon, 06 Jun 2005 10:10:00 PST

Immunomedics Inc announced patient dosing has begun for the pivotal Phase III clinical trials to further evaluate the safety and efficacy of the Company's lead drug candidate, epratuzumab, for the treatment of patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), known as lupus.

How lupus T cells lose IL-2

Sun, 03 Apr 2005 13:11:00 PST

Lupus is a chronic, autoimmune disease that causes inflammation, particularly of the skin, joints, blood, and kidneys.