GlaxoSmithKline PLC (GSK) and Human Genome Sciences, Inc. announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted a priority review designation to Benlysta® (belimumab) as a potential treatment for systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). A priority review designation is granted to drugs that, if approved, offer major advances in treatment or provide a treatment where no adequate therapy exists.

A recent study by researchers at Penn State College of Medicine found significant racial disparities in the age of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients at the time of hospital admission for cardiovascular disease (CVD) events and CVD-related death. Black women were youngest to both be admitted with CVD and to have an in-hospital death due to CVD. Results of the study appear in the September issue of Arthritis & Rheumatism, a journal published by Wiley Blackwell on behalf of the American College of Rheumatology…

Autoimmune disorders, including rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), occur when an individual’s immune system turns on other cells in the body. Inappropriate and excessive production of the soluble immune mediators IL-17 and IL-21 have been linked to several autoimmune disorders. Understanding the molecular mechanisms underlying this aberrant production might identify new therapeutic targets…

(MedPage Today) — Vertebral compression fractures are common — but often overlooked — in women with systemic lupus erythematosus, a Swedish cross-sectional study found.

Human Genome Sciences, Inc. (Nasdaq:HGSI) and Lonza announced an agreement for the future commercial supply of BENLYSTA® (belimumab), which is currently under regulatory review in the United States and Europe as a potential new treatment for systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). BENLYSTA is being developed by HGS and GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) under a co-development and commercialization agreement entered into in 2006…

The Lupus Foundation of America praised the results of a new long-term study for the treatment of lupus nephritis (lupus-related kidney disease) which demonstrated superiority of CellCept® (mycophenolate mofetil or MMF) to azathioprine (standard care) as a long-term treatment for lupus nephritis. The Phase III study results released by Vifor Pharma and Roche convincingly reached the primary endpoint of delaying treatment failure in patients with lupus nephritis who had successfully responded to induction therapy and were in remission…

The Ad Council and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office on Women’s Health (OWH) announced today that 22 percent of women ages 18-44 reported hearing more about lupus within the past year, according to a national online survey released by the two organizations. An additional 15 percent of women in this age group also reported they have heard, seen or read something about lupus, a 50 percent rise in awareness from a year ago when only 10 percent reported learning about lupus through the media…

This May for Lupus Awareness Month, Eduardo Xol from ABC’s Extreme Makeover: Home Edition has joined the Lupus Foundation of America to ask individuals to Band Together for Lupus® and commit to doing one thing to raise awareness of lupus. It’s estimated that 80 percent of the public know little or nothing about lupus. Public awareness of lupus is critical to improving early diagnosis and getting people treated earlier before permanent damage occurs. Xol is featured on an ecard that invites the public to band together for lupus and help raise awareness…

Sunday, March 21, 2010, marked a historic day for people with lupus and other chronic diseases. The Health Care Reform package is projected to extend insurance coverage to approximately 32 million Americans (about 94% of Americans) who currently do not have health insurance as well as provide some much-needed protections for people with lupus and other chronic diseases. The House of Representatives passed H.R. 4872 and H.R. 3590 by a vote of 219-212 on March 21, 2010. H.R

The Lupus Foundation of America (LFA) seeks grant proposals from researchers and investigators to help advance the science and understanding of pediatric lupus, reproductive health issues in people with lupus, and neuropsychiatric lupus, which affects the brain and peripheral nervous system. Advances in these areas of lupus research are critical to improving a patient’s quality of life, yet remain poorly understood, and have been inadequately funded by the federal government, industry, and other organizations…