Research needed to find Lupus treaments, therapies

Last month, Benlysta became the first treatment approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for lupus in more than 50 years. It is also the first drug ever approved that is designed specifically to treat lupus.

Lupus is a chronic, autoimmune disease that causes inflammation which can damage major organs such as the heart, lungs, kidneys, skin and brain. It is a disease of flares and remissions. It can range from mild to life-threatening, and 90 percent diagnosed are women. Approximately 1.5 million Americans have a form of lupus.

While Benlysta will help treat many symptoms of lupus, it is not the ultimate answer. Continued investments are essential to develop advances to treat lupus and find the cause and cure. Further research must occur to help treat patients not able to benefit from this therapy.

Lupus is just one of many chronic diseases searching for new treatments and therapies. Partnerships among research organizations, pharmaceutical manufacturers and the government are necessary to expand treatment options. Considering it can take up to 15 years from discovery to get a new drug to market, regulatory barriers should be eliminated to foster an environment of collaboration and recognize the need for innovative therapies.

Our progress cannot stop because lupus patients cannot wait decades for additional relief.

Barb Hildebrandt

Executive Director,

Lupus Foundation of America-Iowa Chapter