Is there anything promising on the horizon to treat lupus?
There is, thanks to an explosion in knowledge about how cells "talk" to each other chemically in the immune system - which is what goes awry in SLE, or systemic lupus erythematosus. But it will be five to 10 years before a truly effective drug hits the market because a number of recent studies have been disappointing.
In lupus, which strikes 1.5 million Americans, mostly women, the immune system "can attack any organ" in the body, including the skin, joints, kidneys, brain, lungs, and the lining of the heart, said Dr. Joan Merrill, medical director of the Lupus Foundation of America. Aspirin has long been used to treat lupus.
Although there are a number of prescription drugs on the market - including Immuran and Plaquenil - they come with significant side effects, such as serious weight gain, acne, diabetes, and bone-thinning.
In April, hopes for a new treatment were dashed when a drug called Rituxan made by
Despite the lack of a blockbuster drug, "it's an incredibly exciting time," said Dr. Lee Simon, a rheumatologist at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, because of other drugs in the pipeline and basic research into the genetic abnormalities in lupus, in particular, a gene for alpha-interferon that might be too active in lupus patients.
"The pipeline of new drugs is incredible," said Merrill. Both Simon and Merrill consult for multiple companies making new lupus drugs.
Other drugs now being tested for lupus include Riquent, Lymphostat B, Ocrelizumab, Epratusumab, Cellcept, and Orencia (already approved for rheumatoid arthritis). So, there is hope, but it's going to take time.
JUDY FOREMAN
E-mail health questions to foreman@globe.com.
