Lupus Now Research Update Issue #6

An Antimalarial Drug Lowers Proteins That Cause Inflammation

Wozniacka, A.; Lesiak, A.; Narbutt, J. et. al., Lupus Vol. 15, No. 5, May 2006, p. 268-275

Some people with lupus are known to have increased levels of proteins in their blood that can cause inflammation. These proteins are called cytokines.  In this study, chloroquine phosphate (brand name: Aralen®) was tested to see if it could affect some of these cytokines in lupus patients, including two interleukins (IL-6 and IL-18) and a special inflammatory protein called tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-a).  Interleukins help to regulate the body’s immune responses, while TNF-a has several potential roles in inflammation. These include increasing the tissue damage by other inflammatory proteins, stimulating the degradation of some of the important elements of blood vessel walls and other body tissues and affecting special proteins (HLA), which control whether or not there will be an immune response to specific triggering agents.

Twenty-five people with mild or moderate lupus disease activity participated in this study, along with 25 healthy people matched for age and gender.  Among the lupus patients, cytokine levels were measured just before starting chloroquine and three months later. At the start of the study, the majority of those with lupus had low disease activity, yet the levels of IL-6, IL-18 and TNF-a were significantly higher than in the non-lupus group.

After three months of chloroquine therapy, at a dose of 125 mg twice daily, the levels of IL-6, IL-18 and TNF-a decreased significantly in the lupus patients. The results indicate that chloroquine treatment lowers some inflammatory proteins. As more is learned about these effects, measuring these proteins might help to determine which patients will benefit from this kind of treatment as well as helping to guide optimal dosing of the therapy in individuals. Click here to read the complete abstract.

Most Women Would Participate Again in a Medical Research Study

More than 60 percent of women 50 years of age and older who have participated in a medical research study would definitely or probably participate again if given the opportunity, according to a recent survey conducted by a Washington, D.C. advocacy organization.  Ten percent of women 50 and older have participated in a medical research study. That finding is consistent with an identical survey conducted in 2003.  One area of notable change between the 2006 and 2003 surveys is the leading reason why women are hesitant to participate in medical research. The most common response, given by 15.9 percent, is that they are “just not interested in it” or “don’t believe in it.” Only 9.1 percent of respondents cited this reason in 2003, when it ranked fourth. Other primary reasons given by women for being hesitant to participate include: it is too risky (15.8%), they do not have the time (14.8%), and it depends on the type of study (13.8%). Click here to read the article.

LFA Representatives Appear on ABC’s Good Morning America

Public awareness of lupus received a giant boost on August 31 when representatives of the LFA appeared on ABC's Good Morning America. Dr. Susan Manzi, a member of the LFA Medical-Scientific Advisory Council, presented an overview of the medical aspects of lupus.  Kelly Drury, an LFA national spokesperson, discussed her personal case of lupus and explained to GMA's nearly six million viewers the serious impact lupus can have on individuals and families.  This was an excellent opportunity to bring urgently needed national attention to lupus.  Click here to watch the segment.

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