Cure4Lupus's Blog

View our October 2009 Newsletter: http://cure4lupus.org/newsletters/newsletter1009.htm

Topics include: Vaccines & Lupus, A Better Doctor's Visit, Lupus Fundraisers, Cure4Lupus.org Moved, WeAreLupus.org, ButYouDontLookSick.com, Lupus Research News, What's Hot, Featured Product: 2009 Lupus Awareness Ornament, New and Updated pages.

Subscribe to the newsletter here: http://cure4lupus.org/phplist/?p=subscribe&id=6 

Read our August newsletter: http://cure4lupus.org/newsletters/newsletter809.htm

Topics Include:
Des Moines, IA Fundraiser,
Vitamin D & Lupus,
Donate to Our Walk Team,
BenLysta,
Featured Profile,
Featured Lupus Website,
Lupus Research News,
What's Hot,
Featured Product,
New and Updated Pages

Sign-up to get our newsletter by email: http://cure4lupus.org/phplist/?p=subscribe&id=6

Now extended one week, you can support Lupus awareness and research by purchasing products from The Pampered Chef. Just visit our page to choose from hundreds of kitchen tools, cookware, bakeware, serving dishes and much more. A portion of each sale and all of our hosting gifts will be donated to Lupus awareness and research. Our page can be found here: Cure4Lupus.org Pampered Chef Page: http://www.pamperedchef.biz/camerongowdy?page=host-search-results&showId=2146135.

As the premier direct seller of essential kitchen tools and part of the Berkshire Hathaway family of businesses, The Pampered Chef® and its sales force of Independent Pampered Chef® Consultants have been helping families prepare quick, delicious meals since 1980.

They believe that multipurpose tools are the cornerstone of an efficient kitchen, and they're committed to developing timesaving tools, tips and recipes that enhance shared mealtime and suit busy lifestyles. Their products are designed to be used in more than one way, so kitchens are no longer cluttered with rarely used utensils.

This was a great week for Lupus research.  Human Genome Sciences, Inc. and GlaxoSmithKline PLC announced that BENLYSTA™ (belimumab, formerly LymphoStat-B®) met the primary endpoint in a 52 week study.  This is the first of two pivotal Phase 3 trials in patients with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus.  This was a placebo-controlled study in which BENLYSTA™ showed significant improvement of disease activity when compared to placebo with adverse reaction rates comparable to placebo.  The patients taking BENLYSTA™ were also able to reduce their steroid need.

BENLYSTA™ works by inhibiting BLyS.  BLyS is a protein required for B-lymphocytes to mature into plasma B cells.  Plasma B cells are white blood cells that produce antibodies and in Lupus they produce autoantibodies that attack the body's own tissues.  People with Lupus often have elevated BLyS levels. 

The results of the second, longer trial will be announced this fall.  If this trial is also successful and BENLYSTA™ gets FDA approval it will be the first new treatment for Lupus in over 50 years and the very first drug developed specifically for Lupus since it's discovery over a century ago.   

While a big step in the treatment of Lupus, this is only the beginning.  This is not a cure for Lupus.  Lupus is a complex, individualized disease that requires complex, individualized treatments.  Much more research and more treatments are needed.  BENLYSTA™'s success shows that there is hope and will hopefully help get some momentum going that will eventually lead to a cure!

Read our July Newsletter: http://cure4lupus.org/newsletters/newsletter709.htm

Topics Include: Pampered Chef, Lupus in the Media, Donate to Our Walk Team, Product Changes, Orange Ribbons, HuHot, Lupus Research News, Stem Cell Research News, New & Updated Pages

Receive our Newsletter by email: http://cure4lupus.org/phplist/?p=subscribe&id=5

From July 10-31 you can support Lupus awareness and research by purchasing products from The Pampered Chef.  All of our hosting gifts and a portion of every sale made by purchasing from our fundraising page: http://www.pamperedchef.biz/camerongowdy?page=host-search-results&showId=2146135 will be donated to Lupus awareness and research.