Systemic Lupus Erythematosus
Clinical need and current status
Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a chronic inflammatory rheumatic disease affecting the connective tissues. Patients with SLE can develop a large number of symptoms, ranging from fatigue and rashes to sensitivity to sunlight and relapses of nausea, often in combination. The disease is also characterized by periodic elevations of disease activity, so called SLE flares.
In 2017, Immunovia announced impressing early results in the diagnostics of – and differentiation between – several different overlapping autoimmune diseases based on the IMMray™ technology platform i.e. Rheumatoid arthritis, Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE), Sjögren’s syndrome och Systemic vasculitis (press release March 7, 2017 and press release January 12, 2017).
This initial study data has been discussed with numerous Key Opinion Leaders in autoimmune rheumatic diseases. They all expressed great interest in the differential data, but the major clinical unmet need is monitoring SLE flares and treatment. Preliminary studies published in 20161 showed that IMMray platform could measure SLE high and low activity, but further large discovery studies with many samples per patient would be required to confirm these findings.
References:
1. Delfani P. et al, Deciphering systemic lupus erythematosus-associated serum biomarkers reflecting apoptosis and disease activity, Lupus 26(4) · September 2016
