LFA-Supported Researchers Share Promise for Future Lupus Treatments and Cure
Today, the Lupus Foundation of America announces evidence of progress and hope for solving the cruel mystery of lupus through research presented at the American College of Rheumatology (ACR) Annual Scientific Meeting this week in Washington, DC.
Research is the key to solving the cruel mystery of lupus and ending its brutal impact. We believe smarter research will lead to faster progress.
Thirty researchers funded by the LFA will present at this week’s conference, including seven young investigators. A total of 81 presentations and posters will feature LFA-supported research.
Results from one study could help to expedite the delivery of new and safer therapies to people with lupus. The study is part of the Lupus Foundation of America Collective Data Analysis Initiative (LFA CDAI), which is a collaboration among multiple companies to improve lupus clinical trials. Developed in 2009, LFA CDAI analyzes data from pharmaceutical and biotechnology–sponsored lupus studies from around the world to identify trends and gain new insights.
Researchers found that the use of many different kinds of background medications in lupus trials results in high response rates among placebo groups. This makes it challenging to evaluate new treatments that might be safer or more effective.
The analysis includes some insights that can help people who design clinical trials come up with ways to improve study designs, in order to be able to see whether an investigational treatment has advantages over current options.
The ACR Annual Scientific Meeting is among the world’s largest gatherings of basic research scientists and clinicians during which results of medical research studies in the area of rheumatology are presented for critical peer evaluation. More information about the American College of Rheumatology Annual Scientific Meeting is available through the ACR website.
The Lupus Foundation of America supports research to improve the quality of life for all people affected by lupus. For more information on Foundation research priorities, visit lupus.org/research.