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Lupus (SLE)

Lupus (SLE: Systemic Lupus Erythematosus) is an autoimmune disease characterized by inflammation of many organs in the body including the joints, skin, kidneys, heart, lungs, blood vessels and the central nervous system. In lupus, the immune system attacks healthy tissues and cells, damaging multiple organs and systems in the body.

The signs and symptoms of lupus can vary significantly between different patients, but can include a rash across the nose and cheeks, loss of hair and sensitivity to light. Patients with more severe forms of the disease, can experience chronic fatigue, pain while breathing, joint pain, fever, anemia and ulcers in the mouth and nose. Lupus can cause inflammation of the heart muscle and coronary arteries which can lead to a greatly increased incidence of cardiovascular disease and heart attacks.

It is estimated that approximately 1-2% of the population of G8 countries suffers from lupus.

There are several types of lupus, including the most common form of the disease, SLE, which comprises 70 percent of all lupus cases. One of the most common and serious forms of SLE is lupus nephritis in which inflammation severely affects the kidneys. Currently, there is no cure for lupus and there is a critical need for new therapies as there have been no new options available to patients or physicians for the last 30 years.

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