
Could research on "peacekeeper" T-cells offer a new path to autoimmune treatment?
New research from the University of Chicago studied a group of T-cells called Treg cells (short for regulatory T-cells), which essentially "keep the peace" within the body by preventing helper T-cells from attacking the body's own tissue.

Is there a link between endometriosis and autoimmune disease?
It is well known that a combination of factors, such as genetics, environmental triggers, and possible hormonal influences, can lead to the development of autoimmune diseases. Recent studies show that those with endometriosis are at an increased risk of developing an array of autoimmune diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis, celiac disease, multiple sclerosis, and psoriasis.

What's new in CAR-T therapy research?
The Calibr-Skaggs Institute for Innovative Medicines announced earlier this month that the FDA approved its study to investigate a switchable CAR-T therapy (sCAR-T) in those with autoimmune diseases.

How can I get involved in a clinical trial?
Clinical trials are essential in advancing medical knowledge and creating new treatments. By evaluating the safety and efficacy of new therapies, clinical trials can help determine which treatments work best and which ones need to be improved, ultimately improving patient outcomes.

Can a new biomarker help predict the progression of scleroderma?
A recent study published in The Lancet Rheumatology identifies a promising new blood biomarker that might be able to identify those at risk for severe scleroderma.

How does drug repurposing benefit those with autoimmune diseases?
Drug repurposing is a relatively new concept; that is, it emerged in the early 2000s but garnered attention during the COVID-19 pandemic. The objective of drug repurposing is to speed up the drug discovery process by finding new uses for already existing drugs.

April is Sjögren's Awareness Month!
Sjögren's Awareness Month is a time to raise awareness about the complexity and underdiagnosis of Sjögren's disease.

Can the discovery of a new protein lead to new treatments for autoimmune diseases?
The mystery of how autoimmune diseases come about continues to unfold as researchers learn more about the various immunological responses and triggers. Scientists at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis collaborated with the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania to identify a protein that drives immune response and overactivity.

What's new in multiple sclerosis treatment?
In England, individuals with MS will soon have access to a take-home pill to manage relapses, eliminating the need for hospital visits for injections or infusions.

Celebrating Women's History and Autoimmune Awareness Month!
March is not only Autoimmune Awareness Month but also Women's History Month! These two celebrations occurring at the same time should be no surprise, especially since women are at a higher risk of developing autoimmune diseases compared to men.

What qualifies as multiple autoimmune syndrome?
Individuals diagnosed with an autoimmune disease may have heard of “multiple autoimmune syndrome.” Multiple autoimmune syndrome (MAS) is defined as a patient having at least three autoimmune diseases.

Celebrating Rare Disease Day!
Rare Disease Day, observed every February 28th, is dedicated to raising awareness about the challenges faced by individuals living with rare diseases.

Why Diversity Matters in Autoimmune and Rare Disease Research
Diversity isn't just a buzzword when researching autoimmune and rare diseases—it’s essential for better treatments and care. These conditions affect people from all backgrounds, but clinical trials often don’t reflect that diversity.

Can vagus nerve stimulation improve autoimmune disease symptoms?
Current treatments for autoimmune diseases mostly consist of drugs that suppress the immune system and can lead to undesirable side effects. However, a new study shows that vagus nerve stimulation—which consists of tiny pulses of electricity that stimulate the vagus nerve—may offer an innovative way to replace drug treatments.

Are there potential new treatments for vitiligo?
A study published by the Journal of Investigative Dermatology reveals a potential breakthrough treatment for those diagnosed with vitiligo.

Can AI predict the progression of autoimmune diseases?
Last year, we discussed how artificial intelligence (AI) could be used to enhance autoimmune disease prediction and treatments through an algorithm called EXPRESSO—EXpression PREdiction with Summary Statistics Only—developed by a research team at Penn State College of Medicine. Penn State researchers have developed a new AI method to predict autoimmune disease progression.

Is there a link between psoriasis and gastrointestinal problems?
Psoriasis is known to be a chronic skin condition, but it can also result in inflammation of the joints. Previous research also shows that Crohn's disease is one of the top comorbidities in psoriasis patients, but the reasoning behind this was unknown. However, new research at Uppsala University in Sweden could explain why those diagnosed with psoriasis are more prone to gastrointestinal problems.

What are the new advances in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis?
The University of Toledo's College of Medicine and Life Sciences has made a groundbreaking discovery regarding the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA), a possible treatment that helps suppress inflammatory cells while increasing anti-inflammatory responses.

Autoimmune Registry Works with All of Us to Generate New Website Graphics
Working with data from the National Institutes of Health’s (NIH’s) All of Us Program, the Autoimmune Registry aims to transform how patients with autoimmune diseases understand and manage their health, providing them with critical insights that could lead to more personalized care and improved health outcomes.

Happy Holidays from the Autoimmune Registry Team!
This year, the Autoimmune Registry has continued to work towards reducing the time of diagnosis, supporting autoimmune research, computing prevalence statistics, and establishing autoimmune disease as a major disease class.