Autoimmune Disease News and Research

RSS

Autoimmune Disease is a condition in which the body recognizes its own tissues as foreign and directs an immune response against them.

Phase II clinical study to evaluate Nanocort commenced

Galapagos NV announced today that it has started a Phase II clinical study to evaluate Nanocort's effectiveness in treating flares in multiple sclerosis (MS). Nanocort combines less frequent treatment with lower dosage and potentially more effective delivery than other MS flare treatments.

17 Nov 2009

Seattle Genetics commences phase I clinical trial of SGN-75 ADC for metastatic renal cell carcinoma

Seattle Genetics, Inc. today announced that it has initiated a phase I clinical trial of SGN-75 for metastatic renal cell carcinoma and relapsed and refractory non-Hodgkin lymphoma. SGN-75 is an antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) targeting CD70 that utilizes the company’s proprietary technology.

16 Nov 2009

Research team identifies five new gene regions that raise the risk of childhood-onset IBD

In the largest, most comprehensive genetic analysis of childhood-onset inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), an international research team has identified five new gene regions, including one involved in a biological pathway that helps drive the painful inflammation of the digestive tract that characterizes the disease.

16 Nov 2009

Positive results from Lexicon Pharmaceuticals' LX1031 Phase 2 study for IBS

Lexicon Pharmaceuticals, Inc. announced today that the company's investigational new drug, LX1031, a tryptophan hydroxylase (TPH) inhibitor, demonstrated positive results in clinically important parameters for the treatment of non-constipating irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).

13 Nov 2009

arGentis Pharmaceuticals to commence human clinical evaluation of ARG301 oral altered peptide ligand

arGentis Pharmaceuticals, LLC today announced that it will collaborate with the University of Tennessee Health Science Center (UTHSC) and the Veterans Affairs Medical Center of Memphis (VAMC) to initiate the first human clinical evaluation of an oral altered peptide ligand (APL), ARG301, in a Phase I study of Rheumatoid Arthritis patients.

12 Nov 2009

Rituximab drug potentially effective for treating Graves' eye disease, shows study

A small group of patients with severe Graves' eye disease experienced rapid improvement of their symptoms - and improved vision - following treatment with the drug rituximab. Inflammation around their eyes and damage to the optic nerve were significantly reduced. The same patients had not previously responded to steroids, a common treatment for Graves' eye disease.

7 Nov 2009

National Institutes of Health grants $6-million for brain disease research

Brown University, in collaboration with two other institutions, has been awarded a five-year, $6-million National Institutes of Health program project grant to help determine how a virus that can cause a rare brain disease attaches to host cells.

6 Nov 2009

Study on asbestos-related diseases in Libby launched

Over nearly a century, thousands of residents and workers in Libby, MT, have been exposed to asbestos-contaminated vermiculite ore, leading to markedly higher rates of lung disease and autoimmune disorders, and causing to Libby in 2002 to be added to the federal Environmental Protection Agency's "National Priorities List."

4 Nov 2009

SQI Diagnostics' SQiDworks automated platform and IgXPLEX RA assay receive FDA marketing clearance

SQI Diagnostics Inc., a medical systems automation company focused on evolving laboratory-based biomarker testing, today announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has cleared the Company's automated SQiDworks(TM) Diagnostics Platform and its multiplexed IgXPLEX(TM) rheumatoid arthritis (RA) assay for marketing in the United States.

2 Nov 2009

Avila Therapeutics presents preclinical study data of its AVL-181 HCV protease inhibitor

Avila Therapeutics™, Inc., a biotechnology company developing novel covalent drugs that treat diseases through protein silencing, presented results of preclinical studies on its highly selective, small molecule Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) protease inhibitor, AVL-181. Avila showed that AVL-181 promoted complete viral clearance in vitro when used at clinically-relevant concentrations in combination with other HCV therapies.

2 Nov 2009

LRI and lupus organizations congratulate HGS and GlaxoSmithKline for achieving historical landmark

The Lupus Research Institute (LRI) and its National Coalition of state and local lupus organizations congratulate Human Genome Sciences (HGS) and GlaxoSmithKline for achieving an historical landmark - the second positive phase 3 clinical trial of Benlysta (belimumab), the first successfully tested new drug developed specifically for people with systemic lupus.

2 Nov 2009

HGS and GSK announce results from phase III clinical trials of BENLYSTA

Human Genome Sciences (HGS) and GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) today announced positive results from BLISS-76, the second of two large-scale phase III clinical trials of BENLYSTA(TM) (belimumab) for treating systemic lupus. A full presentation of results from BLISS-52 was recently shared at the 73rd Annual Scientific meeting of the American College of Rheumatology. Both trials succeeded in meeting their primary endpoints, which should make BENLYSTA eligible for approval by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

2 Nov 2009

BENLYSTA meets primary endpoint in BLISS-76 trial for systemic lupus erythematosus

Human Genome Sciences, Inc. and GlaxoSmithKline PLC (GSK) today announced that BENLYSTA™ (belimumab) met the primary endpoint in BLISS-76, the second of two pivotal Phase 3 trials in seropositive patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). BLISS-76 study results through 52 weeks showed that belimumab 10 mg/kg plus standard of care achieved a statistically significant improvement in patient response rate as measured by the SLE Responder Index at Week 52, compared with placebo plus standard of care.

2 Nov 2009

Lupus patients rarely develop kidney disorders after a kidney transplant

Individuals with a history of lupus who receive a kidney transplant rarely develop the serious inflammatory condition lupus nephritis in their new organ, according to a paper being presented at the American Society of Nephrology's 42nd Annual Meeting and Scientific Exposition in San Diego, CA.

2 Nov 2009

Genetists identify gene signature expressed in skin associated with the occurrence of lung disease

At its most benign, the autoimmune disease scleroderma can discolor parts of the skin of its sufferers. At its most pernicious, it can thicken and harden their skin, their blood vessels, and their internal organs before, in many cases, killing them.

30 Oct 2009

Isotechnika Pharma develops portfolio of NICAMs with potent cyclophilin inhibition

Isotechnika Pharma Inc. today announced that it has developed a portfolio of non-immunosuppressive cyclosporine analogue molecules (NICAMs) with potent cyclophilin inhibition. Cyclophilin inhibition has garnered considerable attention as a novel therapy in the treatment of a wide range of diseases including hepatitis C, stroke, and chronic neurological disorders such as Parkinson's, Lou Gehrig's, and Alzheimer's.

30 Oct 2009

Online resource to illustrate genetic networks in common autoimmune diseases published

Currently, 5-8% of the U.S. population is afflicted with an autoimmune disease (www.niaid.nih.gov). Many of these are chronic and require life-long care. Moreover, different autoimmune diseases aggregate within a single family, suggesting they are caused by disruptions in common biological pathways.

30 Oct 2009

Raise awareness about psoriasis: National Psoriasis Foundation's call to psoriasis affected Americans

Today is World Psoriasis Day and the National Psoriasis Foundation is asking all Americans affected by psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis to raise awareness about these diseases by going to www.psoriasis.org/wpd and taking action.

29 Oct 2009

TNF therapy does not raise cancer risk in RA patients; overall cancer risk comparable to those not taking immunosuppressive drugs

A recent study by Swedish researchers found that rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients did not experience an elevated cancer risk in the first 6 years after starting anti-tumor necrosis factor (TNF) therapy.

29 Oct 2009

Pure Protein develops soluble Class II human leukocyte antigens

Pure Protein, L.L.C., a biopharmaceutical company specializing in diagnostic and therapeutic reagents for use in immunology research and development, has announced that Chief Scientist William Hildebrand, Ph.D., and his team, have developed soluble Class II human leukocyte antigens (HLA). This represents a significant technology breakthrough that can dramatically impact multiple pharmaceutical and medical sectors and has enormous market potential. Autoimmune disease is a key area of interest for HLA research and product development.

28 Oct 2009

Autoimmune Disease News and Research

Further Reading

Phase II clinical study to evaluate Nanocort commenced

Seattle Genetics commences phase I clinical trial of SGN-75 ADC for metastatic renal cell carcinoma

Research team identifies five new gene regions that raise the risk of childhood-onset IBD

Positive results from Lexicon Pharmaceuticals' LX1031 Phase 2 study for IBS

arGentis Pharmaceuticals to commence human clinical evaluation of ARG301 oral altered peptide ligand

Rituximab drug potentially effective for treating Graves' eye disease, shows study

National Institutes of Health grants $6-million for brain disease research

Study on asbestos-related diseases in Libby launched

SQI Diagnostics' SQiDworks automated platform and IgXPLEX RA assay receive FDA marketing clearance

Avila Therapeutics presents preclinical study data of its AVL-181 HCV protease inhibitor

LRI and lupus organizations congratulate HGS and GlaxoSmithKline for achieving historical landmark

HGS and GSK announce results from phase III clinical trials of BENLYSTA

BENLYSTA meets primary endpoint in BLISS-76 trial for systemic lupus erythematosus

Lupus patients rarely develop kidney disorders after a kidney transplant

Genetists identify gene signature expressed in skin associated with the occurrence of lung disease

Isotechnika Pharma develops portfolio of NICAMs with potent cyclophilin inhibition

Online resource to illustrate genetic networks in common autoimmune diseases published

Raise awareness about psoriasis: National Psoriasis Foundation's call to psoriasis affected Americans

TNF therapy does not raise cancer risk in RA patients; overall cancer risk comparable to those not taking immunosuppressive drugs

Pure Protein develops soluble Class II human leukocyte antigens

Sensing a Healthier Future

Achieving and maintaining ISO/IEC 27001 and BS 10012 certifications

Expanding research and clinical options for children with cancer

Latest News