Neovacs14 Jun 2021 11:52
lupus (lupus erythematosus or disseminated lupus erythematosus)
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Lupus is an autoimmune, chronic and debilitating disease, the etiology of which has not yet been well researched. The disease is progressive, characterized by an alternation of relapses and phases of remissions. Lupus can affect many organs and tissues (skin, kidneys, joints, heart, lungs, nervous system, etc.) and manifests itself as heterogeneous clinical symptoms (rashes, arthritis, sensitivity to light, kidney damage, neurological disorders, anemia, etc.). The disease mainly affects women (9 women for 1 man). The prevalence is estimated at 1 in 1,000 to 1 in 3,000.
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There is no cure for lupus. The only treatments available aim to reduce inflammation and associated pain in order to manage the main symptoms of the disease and avoid complications. Currently, the basic treatment is based on the use of the synthetic anti-malarial drug hydroxychloroquine, whose anti-inflammatory properties have a therapeutic and preventive effect on relapses and enable long-term disease control. Treatment of relapses must then be tailored to the severity and the organs affected and is usually based on the use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), corticosteroids, and immunosuppressants alone or in combination.
Interferon alpha (IFNa) is a cytokine whose role in the pathophysiology in lupus. has been clearly confirmed
We are currently developing a kinoid vaccine against IFNa. Our clinical studies of phases I / IIa and IIb showed the neutralization of this cytokine, a biological and clinical effect in lupus, according to disease-specific criteria (see publication).