Lupus Research Alliance Shares Key Updates at ACR Convergence 2024

NEW YORK, Nov. 4, 2024 -- The Lupus Research Alliance (LRA), known as the largest private funder of lupus research globally, has revealed that 33 studies associated with the organization will be presented at the ACR Convergence 2024. This prominent event organized by the American College of Rheumatology will take place from November 14-19 at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center in Washington, D.C.

The LRA is dedicated to expediting the discovery and development of treatments and diagnostics for lupus patients. Their strategy spans from foundational research to clinical trials, showcasing a diverse array of lupus studies at the upcoming ACR Convergence 2024. These studies range from basic research exploring new scientific insights to clinical trials assessing potential treatments.

Albert T. Roy, President and CEO of LRA, expressed pride and enthusiasm for the progress being showcased at the ACR Convergence 2024. Roy highlighted the significant number of mid-to-late-stage trials, including the Phase 3 study of dapirolizumab pegol by UCB/Biogen, a partner of Lupus Therapeutics. He also noted the promising developments in CAR T cell therapy, which LRA began investing in back in 2014.

The event will feature sixteen LRA-funded preclinical studies, including four oral presentations. Key areas of focus include Childhood-Onset Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (cSLE), with studies detailing various aspects of the disease such as fatigue impacts and the discovery of Anti-Mitochondrial Antibodies (AMA) linked to higher disease activity. Other studies encompass precision immunotherapy for Antiphospholipid Syndrome (APS) patients, crucial inflammation-causing pathways in lupus, and the epidemiology of strokes in lupus patients.

Notable oral presentations include:
- Bispecific Autoantigen-T Cell Engagers (BaiTE) for targeting autoreactive B cells in APS on November 16.
- Placental developmental defects in a humanized TLR8 mouse model causing pregnancy loss on November 17.
- Xist and X Chromosome inactivation in female-biased autoimmunity on November 18.
- Brain injury markers correlating with impaired executive function and disease activity in children with lupus on November 18.

Posters sessions will also cover a broad spectrum of topics, including endothelial dysfunction in lupus nephritis, protective natural antibodies against secondary APS, and associations between Anti-Mitochondrial Antibodies and disease activity in cSLE.

Lupus Therapeutics, the clinical research arm of LRA, oversees the Lupus Clinical Investigators Network (LuCIN), comprising over 50 leading medical research institutions in North America. Two notable reports from Lupus Therapeutics and LuCIN will discuss promoting equity in lupus clinical trials and identifying trial barriers. Furthermore, fifteen industry-sponsored clinical research studies supported by Lupus Therapeutics and LuCIN will be presented, including promising results from the late-breaking Phase 3 dapirolizumab pegol trial.

The primary mission of Lupus Therapeutics and LuCIN is to enhance the quality and accelerate the progress of lupus clinical trials. This is achieved through clinical expertise, advisory services, patient engagement, and collaborations with biopharmaceutical companies. Lupus Therapeutics and LuCIN are involved in nearly 25% of active lupus clinical trials, underscoring their significant impact on lupus research.

Key presentations from Lupus Therapeutics-supported research include:
- Safety and efficacy of CABA-201, a CAR T cell therapy for lupus, on November 17.
- Long-term efficacy and safety of ABBV-599 and upadacitinib in treating lupus on November 18.
- Safety and efficacy of subcutaneous ianalumab for lupus on November 18.
- Significant improvement in lupus disease activity from the Phase 3 dapirolizumab pegol trial on November 19.

Lupus is an autoimmune disease affecting millions globally, where the immune system erroneously attacks the body’s own cells. It predominantly affects women and is more severe in certain ethnic groups. The Lupus Research Alliance aims to transform lupus treatment through innovative research and diverse scientific endeavors, with all donations directly supporting lupus research programs. Lupus Therapeutics focuses on accelerating the development of effective treatments by collaborating with leading research institutions and biopharmaceutical partners, emphasizing patient involvement and community representation.