Active clinical trials for "Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic"

Cervical neoplasia is increased in women with SLE most likely due to cervical infection with human papilloma virus (HPV). 70% of cervical cancer is caused by HPV types 16 and 18. Gardasil vaccine prevents cervical infection with HPV types 16 and 18. Thus lupus patients (who are susceptible to cervical cancer) may benefit from getting Gardasil vaccine which can prevent cervical cancer. Vaccines are generally safe and efficacious in SLE but no studies have been done on the use of this vaccine in SLE. The investigators hypothesize that Gardasil vaccine is safe and effective in SLE. This study will look at vaccine safety in patients with mild to moderate and minimally active or inactive SLE and measure how well they make protective antibodies after receiving the vaccine. In other words this will check how well the vaccine works in SLE.

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the clinical efficacy of blisibimod as measured by a composite responder index in subjects who, despite corticosteroid use, continue to have autoantibody positive, clinically-active Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) as defined by SELENA SLEDAI score ≥10.

The purpose of this study is to determine whether Libman-Sacks endocarditis (inflammation of the heart valves) is the cause of neuropsychiatric manifestations (stroke, transient ischemic attacks, cognitive dysfunction, seizures, acute confusional state, or psychosis) in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus. Hypothesis of the study: Libman-Sacks endocarditis (especially valve vegetations or "small valve growths") generate macro (large) and micro (tiny) emboli that occlude the medium and small cerebral vessels resulting in altered perfusion, ischemic brain injury, and major NPSLE (stroke, TIA, seizures, cognitive dysfunction, acute confusional state, or psychosis).

In the Netherlands, the human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination will be added to the National Vaccination Program for girls to protect against the development of cervical cancer. The vaccine protects against HPV type 16 & 18, which cause about 75% of cervical cancer. Studies have shown that the vaccine is effective in healthy subjects in preventing infection by HPV 16 & 18. However, no evidence exists on the immunogenicity and safety of HPV vaccination in patients with an immune system disorder, such as primary humoral immunodeficiency (i.e. hypogammaglobulinemia) or autoimmune diseases. Concerns exist that vaccination may cause an aggravation of the underlying disease. In addition, the immune response to vaccination may be diminished due to immunosuppressive therapy or the underlying disease. Objective: The primary goal of the current study is to study the immunogenicity of HPV vaccination in patients with an autoimmune disease and a primary humoral immunodeficiency. Based on retrospective analysis with other vaccines we hypothesize that patients with autoimmune diseases who are under immunosuppressive medication and patients with a immune system disorder have a decreased serological response to HPV vaccination, and that the produced HPV antibodies titers decrease more rapidly than in healthy individuals. The secondary objective is to explore safety of HPV vaccination and immune regulatory mechanisms induced by vaccination in a subset of patients. The investigators hypothesize that HPV vaccination is safe and that HPV-induced regulatory T cells are able to prevent an increase in the activity of an autoimmune disease.

This study will gather information on the safety of FolateScan and the ability of FolateScan to detect inflammation in the joints and other organs in people with arthritis (rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis), systemic lupus erythematosus, multiple sclerosis, interstitial pneumonitis, Crohn's disease as well as in healthy persons without these conditions.

This is a 5-year project, involving 185 partners from 46 countries (110 in 21 EU States and 75 in 25 extra-EU States), with a randomised clinical trials (RCT) in juvenile systemic lupus erythematosus (JSLE): 5-year phase III single-blind, RCT in children with newly diagnosed, WHO class III, IV JSLE proliferative nephritis: PDN and oral cyclophosphamide (CYC) versus high dose intravenous (iv) CYC versus intermediate dose iv CYC, followed by maintenance with azathioprine.The trial is aimed to find out the treatment regimen associated with the lowest occurrence of flare and the lowest drug related toxicity.

Cardiovascular disease, specifically from atherosclerosis, is the major cause of mortality in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) in developed countries. Coronary artery disease and stroke contribute to long-term morbidity in surviving patients. Atherosclerosis in SLE is multifactorial, with immune/inflammatory endothelial damage, traditional cardiovascular risk factors, and prothrombotic factors all playing important roles. Multiple groups have shown that hyperlipidemia is predictive of later atherosclerosis in SLE. In the general population, statins have become the drug of choice in preventing atherosclerotic events, through two mechanisms: lipid lowering that helps to prevent progression, and stabilization of plaques to prevent rupture. In the Lupus Atherosclerosis Prevention Trial we will determine if atorvastatin reduces the progression of atherosclerosis on helical computed tomography (CT) and carotid duplex. Recent work has confirmed that statins have an immunomodulatory role. This study will also determine whether statins improve clinical lupus activity or lupus serologies (anti-dsDNA and complement).

This trial evaluates the therapeutic effect of Elidel (pimecrolimus) in comparison to the corresponding vehicle in patients with chronic discoid lupus erythematosus (dLE) or subacute cutaneous lupus erythematosus (scLE).

The purpose of this study is to determine how B cell subsets and autoantibodies are related to disease remission after rituximab treatment in subjects with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE).

The purpose of this study is to evaluate remission induction therapy for refractory Lupus Erythematosus with autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (AHSCT) versus Rituximab (anti CD20) followed by maintenance therapy with mycophenolate mofetil (MMF).