Genetics of Systemic Lupus
University of Minnesota

Do you have Lupus? You can help find the cause by participating in our study. At the University of Minnesota we are conducting a research study on the genetics of systemic lupus. The overall goal of this project is to identify the genetic factors that predispose people to lupus. There is no cost for participation. The study involves doing a short medical interview with the nurse recruiter over the phone and donating a blood sample.

We are currently looking for:

• Families that have two or more relatives with Lupus who are both willing to participate.
• Individuals who have Lupus and have parents willing to participate.

For more information about this Lupus Study please call us toll free at: 1-800-515-8787, or visit our website at www.lupusstudy.org.

Genetics of Autoimmune Diseases
University of Minnesota

Does your family have two or more individuals with different autoimmune diseases (i.e. SLE, rheumatoid arthritis, juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, sjogrens, psoriasis, multiple sclerosis, type I diabetes, inflammatory bowel disease, or autoimmune thyroid disease)? If so, you may qualify for a family autoimmune disease study being conducted by the University of Minnesota. For more information, please call 1-888-226-8636, or visit www.madgc.org.

Antiphospholipid Syndrome
New York University Medical Center

Are new therapies being developed to treat APS?
Pharmaceutical companies are exploring alternative treatment options for individuals with the antiphospholipid syndrome.  One such company is LaJolla Pharmaceutical Company (LJP).  A clinical trial has recently been initiated by the company to study the safety of an investigational drug (LJP 1082) for the antiphospholipid syndrome.

What makes this therapy different?
This medication has been developed to treat what is thought to be an underlying cause of the disease, over-production of immune cells (B cells) that produce antibodies to the protein B2 GP1.  This therapy is not designed to be a blood thinner, but instead targets antibodies that bind to a specific region on B2 GP1, and may be associated with the blood clotting (based on research published in the National Academy of Science in 1998.)

What Can I do to Help?
Physicians at the Hospital for Joint Diseases at New York University Medical Center are screening individuals with antiphospholipid antibodies to see if they might qualify to take part in this clinical trial.

If you have antiphospholipid antibodies and would like to find out more about this clinical trial, please call 866-757-2757.

Lupus Genetic Study
UCLA Division of Rheumatology

We are currently recruiting participants for a research study to help us understand how genes contribute to lupus.

Participation in the research study will involve the drawing of a blood sample (2 - 4 tablespoons).
It is now believed that the development of lupus is the result of complex interactions between multiple genes and environmental influence.  There is powerful evidence for heritable factors contributing to the development of lupus.

Drs. Betty Tsao, Jennifer Grossman, and Bevra Hahn at UCLA Division of Rheumatology have recently conducted important studies on genetic factors predisposing to lupus. To further these studies, they are in need of 1) families containing multiple members with lupus, 2) lupus nephritis patients and their parents (if not available, other siblings), 3) juvenile-onset lupus patients (diagnosed before 18 years of age) and their parents to participate for a one-time donation of a small sample of blood.

For further information:
www.med.ucla.edu/lupus
Or call 1-800-273-0730

Lupus Genetic Study
University of California, San Francisco

Lupus strikes 1 out of every 245 African American Women.  If you or a family member has Lupus, find out how you can help by calling toll-free 1-888-223-3067 ext. 1.

Understanding the genetics of Lupus could lead to the development of better treatments.  Lupus Genetics research project, Dr. Lindsey Ann Criswell, University of California San Francisco.

Lupus Families for Genetic Linkage Study
Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation

If you know of any families with at least two members affected with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE or "lupus") who would be interested in participating in a genetic linkage study, please contact our recruiter at www.omrf.ouhsc.edu/lupus or call 1-888-655-8787.  This study is being performed by Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation.