Lupus 2010 Congress « JointHealth™

introduction
narrowing the gap
state of the art
new drugs in development

Ninth International Congress on Systemic Lupus Erythematosus, Vancouver 2010 ("Lupus 2010"). Informative... Empowering... Promising.

In June 2010, the 9th International Congress on Systemic Lupus Erythematosus was held in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. Hundreds of world leading researchers, healthcare professionals, and individuals living with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) learned about the current state of the science in SLE and future opportunities in lupus research, education and care.

The objectives of the Lupus 2010 were to:

Review the state of the science and the "state of the art" in SLE treatment and management.
Identify future opportunities in research.
Train and encourage young scientists to be the next generation of leaders in SLE research through mentorship by the current leaders.
Narrow the gap between what we know, what we do, and what we could do for those living with lupus to ensure that as advances are made in treatment and management they are communicated world-wide.
Reduce knowledge barriers between cultures, between the lay public and professionals, and between different disciplines.
Empower patients through education.

Lupus 2010 Introduction

	Introduction Lupus 2010 was held in Vancouver this past June. Hundreds of researchers, healthcare professionals, and individuals living with lupus attended and learned about the current state of the science in SLE and future opportunities in lupus research, education and care. A key objective for the three day congress was to attempt to close the gap between what we know, what we do, and what we could do worldwide in SLE therapeutics, medical and public education, and clinical and fundamental research.

	Patient Stories People with lupus share their experiences and perspectives.

Narrowing the Gap

A special symposium on Narrowing the Gap in the Treatment and Study of SLE Worldwide opened the Lupus 2010 Congress. It helped define the state of the art for lupus treatment in settings with constrained resources, and how to build a network of clinicians and scientists to disseminate knowledge and to support one another.

	Introduction Matthew H. Liang, MD, MPH, FACP, FACR, USA Dr. Liang introduces the special symposium on narrowing the gap and how lupus is cared for in developed and less developed countries.

	Vietnam — Seoul Collaboration Sang-Cheol Bae, MD, PhD, MPH, South Korea Dr Bae describes a working collaboration established in 2007 between Vietnam and South Korea designed to improve relations between the two countries and to improve the health and quality of life through medical cooperation and exchange. The program delivers information and education to patients and doctors dealing with rheumatic diseases.

	Current Practices in the Management and Monitoring of Moderately Active and Life Threatening SLE in South Africa Marietjie du Plooy, MD, South Africa Dr. du Plooy discusses the state of healthcare for SLE, the protocols for monitoring moderately active SLE and the protocols for treating life-threatening SLE, and the most important needs for optimizing outcomes for patients.

	Lupus in Constrained Environments Graciela S. Alarcón, MD, MPH, USA and Peru Dr. Alarcón talks about the constraints of the various medical coverage programs in Peru and provides data on the resulting outcomes for patients with SLE.

	Experiences with Indigenous Peoples in Canada Allen J. Lehman, MA, PhD, Canada Antonio Avina-Zubieta, MD, MSc, PhD Candidate, Canada Christine Peschken, MD, MSc, FRCPC, Canada Dr. Avina-Zubieta explores the disparities in lupus care in First Nation communities across Canada. Dr. Lehman discusses research challenges and successes in the Indigenous community with a focus on Vancouver Island. Dr. Peschken discusses inter-relationships between research and access to care in aboriginal communities.

	The Barbados Experience Cindy H. Flower, MD, Barbados Desiree Tulloch-Reid, Jamaica Anselm Hennis, Barbados Dr. Flower leads a panel discussion on the current practice in the management and monitoring of moderately active and life threatening SLE in the Caribbean.

	Healthcare After the Earthquake in Haiti Nathan M. Nickerson, RN, MSN, DrPH Dr. Nickerson provides background on the state of healthcare in Haiti and talks about the steps that have been taken to provide healthcare after the January 12, 2010 earthquake in Port-au-Prince.

	From Epidemiology to Genetics Bernardo A. Pons-Estel, MD, Argentina Mr. Pons-Estel provides an overview of lupus research over the past 10 years in Latin America.

	The India Experience Sujata Sawhney, MD, MRCP, CCCST, India Working in pediatric rheumatology in New Delhi, Dr. Sawhney describes the Indian healthcare setting and the protocols for treatment of lupus.

	Latin America Rafael Raúl Valle Oñate, MD, Colombia Dr. Oñate provides an overview of lupus treatment in Colombia.

	A NIAMS Diversity Outreach Initiative for the Metropolitan Washington DC Area Michael M. Ward, MD, USA Dr. Ward describes a community-based program that provides a clinical care platform for health disparities research.

State of the Art

The Scientific Program included plenary sessions, keynote talks, and poster sessions on adult and pediatric lupus.

	SLE 2010: Breakthroughs and Futurescape Bevra H. Hahn, MD, USA Dr. Hahn outlines major breakthroughs in science that have allowed for the identification of new targets for therapy for people living with lupus.

	What Have We Learned From Clinical Trials? Dimitrios T. Boumpas, MD, Greece Dr. Boumpas discusses the results of 40 years of clinical trials conducted for lupus nephritis and describes the lessons learned from them to be applied for future trials.

	Recent Progress Defining the Genetic Contribution to SLE Lindsey A. Criswell, MD, MPH, USA Dr. Criswell speaks about the challenges, the new tools available, and the recent progress that has been made in determining the genetic contribution to SLE.

	Lupus and the Heart: What are the risks and how can we lower them? Mary-Carmen Amigo, MD, FACP, Mexico Dr. Amigo discusses coronary artery disease as a preventable major cause of illness and death in lupus patients.

	Pediatric lupus with relevance to adults: including "How we can take steps to minimize the long term risks from our medical care of children with lupus?" Marisa Klein-Gitelman, MD, MPH Dr. Klein-Gitelman talks about the factors that influence health outcomes in adults and children with lupus. She also discusses how lupus manifests in children compared to adults and the reasons for those differences. As well, she provides recommendations for what changes could be made in medical care to minimize the long-term risks for children with lupus.

New Drugs in Development

	Aspreva Lupus Management Study Neil Solomons, MD, Aspreva Dr. Solomons provides background information on clinical studies conducted with CellCept (generic name mycophenolate mofetil or MMF), a drug made by Aspreva Pharmaceuticals, for the treatment of lupus nephritis.

	Abatacept Jean Claude Becker, MD, Bristol-Myers Squibb Dr. Becker speaks briefly about current and upcoming clinical studies using abatacept for treating lupus.

	Sifalimumab Dominique Ethgen, MD, Medimmune Sifalimumab is a drug in early stages of development. Dr. Ethgen describes the mechanism of action and the ongoing studies of this new drug for the treatment of lupus.

	Belimumab: A BLyS Specific Inhibitor William Freimuth, MD, PhD Dr. Freimuth provides an update and overview of belimumab. He speaks about the drug's clinical development program, its mechanism of action, and the rationale for developing this drug. Interim study results are also presented.

	Atacicept for SLE Stephen Wax, MD, PhD Dr. Wax discusses the drug atacicept which is being studied for the treatment of SLE. The drug's development program and the science behind the drug are presented during this talk.

	Questions & Answers