Lupus is an autoimmune disease where the immune system attacks the body's own tissues, affecting skin, joints, kidneys, brain, and other organs. About 1.5 million Americans have lupus, with symptoms that come and go unpredictably. Current treatment relies on steroids, antimalarials like hydroxychloroquine, and immunosuppressants, but many people still experience flares and organ damage.
What's actually going on in research
Trials are testing targeted immune drugs that have worked in other autoimmune diseases, including drugs that block specific immune pathways like Type I interferon, BAFF, and CD40 ligand. Researchers are also studying cell therapies that may reset the immune system, and testing whether existing cancer drugs can be repurposed for lupus. The focus is on preventing organ damage, especially to the kidneys.
Kidney protection
Lupus nephritis, where the kidneys become inflamed, is a major cause of serious illness. Trials are testing combinations of newer immune drugs with existing treatments to prevent kidney failure.
CAR-T cell therapy
Early studies of CAR-T cells, engineered immune cells borrowed from cancer treatment, have sent some people with severe lupus into remission. Larger trials are testing whether this approach can work broadly.
Interferon blockers
Many people with lupus have high levels of Type I interferon, a protein that drives inflammation. Anifrolumab, an interferon blocker approved by FDA in 2021, is being tested in different combinations and lupus subtypes.
What to know before you search
Eligibility often depends on disease activity level, organ involvement (especially kidneys), antibody status, and whether you've tried standard treatments like hydroxychloroquine or immunosuppressants.
What types of trials are currently open
- Treatment trials — Testing new immune-modulating drugs, often targeting specific proteins like interferon or BAFF, to reduce disease activity and flares.
- Lupus nephritis trials — Focused on kidney inflammation, testing whether new drugs or combinations can prevent kidney damage better than current standard treatment.
- Cell therapy trials — Testing CAR-T cells and other engineered immune cells to see if resetting the immune system can produce long-lasting remission.
- Neuropsychiatric trials — Testing treatments for brain fog, mood changes, and other nervous system symptoms of lupus.
- Biomarker studies — Following people with lupus to identify blood or tissue markers that predict flares or organ damage, which could guide treatment decisions.
Recently added LUPUS trials
Childhood-onset Lupus Nephritis Initial Glucocorticoid-dose Harmonization Trial (LIGHT Trial)
Childhood-onset systemic lupus erythematosus (cSLE) is a severe chronic autoimmune disease with a high burden of major-organ involvement. Lupus nephritis (LN) affects more than half of children with SLE, and proliferative LN-including class III, IV, III+V, and IV+V disease-is associated with acute kidney injury, progression to end-stage kidney disease, and poor long-term outcomes. Glucocorticoids remain a cornerstone of induction therapy for proliferative LN. However, the optimal initial dose in children is uncertain. Although recent adult SLE and LN guidelines increasingly recommend lower-dose glucocorticoid regimens with rapid tapering, pediatric guidelines still commonly recommend high initial prednisone doses of 1.5-2.0 mg/kg/day. Adult trials and comparative observational studies suggest that lower-dose glucocorticoid regimens may preserve efficacy while reducing treatment-related toxicity. Because cumulative glucocorticoid exposure in children may impair growth, development, psychosocial well-being, and medication adherence, this trial will compare low-dose versus high-dose initial glucocorticoid regimens for induction treatment of pediatric proliferative LN. The objective is to determine whether a lower-dose regimen is non-inferior in efficacy while reducing glucocorticoid-related adverse effects and improving quality of life.
Effect of Anti-inflammatory Diet in Systemic Lupus Erythematous
To study the effect of anti-inflammatory diet on clinical and biological outcomes in lupus
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