2008 Was a Year of Progress and Hope for a Better Quality of Life for 1.5 Million Americans Affected by Lupus
The Lupus Foundation of America is pleased to report continuing progress was achieved in 2008 in efforts to combat lupus, a chronic autoimmune disease which affects an estimated 1.5 million Americans and at least five million people worldwide. Teams of researchers announced important findings which provided clues to the underlying genetic origins of lupus, several companies released clinical data on studies of potential new treatments, and Congress reaffirmed its commitment to provide greatly expanded federal support for lupus research and education programs.
Read the LFA's 2008 list of ten important advances in lupus research and education >>

LFA Congratulates Dr. Joseph Ahearn for Receiving DoD Grant for Research on Lupus Biomarkers
The LFA congratulates Joseph M. Ahearn, M.D., Associate Professor of Medicine and Co-Director of the Lupus Center of Excellence at the University of Pittsburgh, for being selected to receive a research grant from the U.S. Department of Defense’s (DoD) Congressionally Directed Peer Reviewed Medical Research Program (PRMRP). The DoD award will fund the Lupus Center of Excellence’s ongoing studies on lupus biomarkers.
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A Potential New Treatment for Severe Discoid Lupus
Discoid lupus is a form of lupus that affects the skin (cutaneous lupus). In most cases the discoid lupus rash appears on the face, neck, or scalp, though it can also show up on other areas of the skin. Severe discoid lupus may result in scarring. The treatments that are used most often for severe discoid lupus are strong immunosuppressants that may have significant side effects, especially when used over long periods of time. Efalizumab (trade name, Raptiva™) works by interfering with the function of overactive immune cells that are causing disease activity. The researchers in this study wanted to see if Raptiva could be effective in treating discoid lupus.
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Chronic Lesions Versus Active Lesions in Lupus Nephritis
For many years doctors have classified lupus nephritis (LN) by the extent of inflammation and where it occurs in the kidney. Under the original classification system developed in 1974 by the World Health Organization (WHO), there were six categories, or classes, of lupus nephritis, reflecting different ways in which inflammation could affect the kidney tissue. In 2003, changes to these WHO classifications were proposed. The researchers wanted to see if the new classifications could be used to predict how LN would progress and whether it would respond to treatment.
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Antiphospholipid Antibodies: It May Matter Which Ones You Have
One-third of people with lupus test positive for antiphospholipid antibodies (aPLs). The aPLs are a group of antibodies that interact with proteins that regulate blood clotting and blood vessel stability. Antiphospholipid antibodies can interfere with the normal function of blood vessels in various ways, which in turn can lead to complications such as immediate blood clots in arteries or veins, miscarriages, or more long-term damage to blood vessels, including hardening of the arteries (atherosclerosis) and later onset of heart disease and strokes.
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Gina Finzi Memorial Student Summer Fellowships To Be Available in Summer 2009
The LFA is pleased to announce that Gina Finzi Memorial Student Summer Fellowships will be available for the summer of 2009. The purpose of these awards is to foster an interest in lupus research among young researchers under the supervision of an established investigator. Undergraduate, graduate, and medical students are eligible to apply; however, preference is given to students with a college degree.
Read more about the Finzi Fellowships >>