iraisin...here is info from Arthritis Today: Sj?gren?s Syndrome: Treatments on the Horizon
*Please note 2nd section.
-The ACR annual meeting noted was only in 2010; regarding Dx criteria for SJS. This brings us back to the reality that prior to 2010 national criteria was not established, and as such, many cases would not have been Dx'd. Thus, following the cause of death back to "an original Dx of SJS" highly improbably, many cases missed; any data invalid. We are now on the same page with European protocol and can share in the world databank.
-We do not know what proportion of deaths from other AI were overlap? and attributed to say Lupus?
http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm5117a3.htm Ex: I was originally Dx'd... SJS/Lupus. If I had died in 89' would it have been of complications from Lupus? *Interestingly, the Lupus site states 10-15% premature deaths/ not mortality.
- I believe even a cursory scan of studies and research being done in SJS, above and beyond "Sicca", the establishment of dedicated research centers/clinics in this areas attest to the significance of this disease and potential to destroy the human body.
-I hope we can provide more
up to date information on this site such as provided by Mshistory (that is being handed to my Drs!!! Really well done.) and information resources to Drs. AND Specialist so they are no longer caught up in "Sicca" and then stop there...I believe we become "depressed over medical care"... I did!!!
Arthritis Today In addition, a group of Swedish researchers presented findings from a study at the
American College of Rheumatology?s (ACR) November 2010 annual meeting showing that people with Sj?gren?s syndrome had skewed B cell maturation after receiving the H1N1 flu vaccine, resulting in higher amounts of vaccine-specific antibodies that may be related to inflammation. While the patients developed immunity against the flu, the study may reveal some links between B cells and autoimmune problems in Sj?gren?s syndrome.
Genetic cues: A group of researchers at the
National Institutes of Health in Bethesda, MD, reported on their study focusing on better ways to diagnose Sj?gren?s, including identifying microRNAs, or genes, that may be related to the disease. The researchers used biopsies, or tissue sample studies, from salivary glands. The study showed promising results in identifying a genetic biomarker for the disease, aiding its proper diagnosis so treatment can begin promptly.
Gene therapy: Gene therapy is one of the most exciting areas of disease research, where targeted molecules are inserted into patients? genetic tissue in an effort to correct malfunctions that cause disease. At the ACR 2010 meeting, a group of Dutch researchers reported the findings of their gene therapy study targeting B cells in mice. The researchers used B cell-targeting gene therapy to treat the salivary glands of mice, and found that they were able to reduce autoimmune-related inflammation. They believed their findings suggested that such gene therapy would aid people with Sj?gren?s syndrome.
Another study conducted at the University of Florida investigated delivering
Small Interfering RNA genetic material, or siRNA, into cells in the lab, a process that showed promising results in preventing inflammatory reactions. The researchers stressed that this therapeutic strategy could be easily manipulated to target different genes, and could have potential as a Sj?gren?s treatment.
Artificial salivary glands: Researchers are trying to develop artificial or regenerated salivary glands to help people with Sj?gren?s syndrome relieve dry mouth symptoms. Scientists are experimenting with tissue engineering, gene therapy-like techniques, and stem-cell methods to help malfunctioning salivary glands start producing the half-liter of saliva needed daily to prevent oral disease.
