Orlando – November 04, 2026 -- A single infusion of high-dose mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) produced treatment responses in nearly half of participants with refractory lupus, more than double the placebo rate, according to a Phase II trial funded by the Lupus Foundation of America (LFA). The results will be presented at the American College of Rheumatology (ACR) Convergence 2026 in Orlando, November 6-11.
MSC trial results support a confirmatory study
The multicenter, double-blind, placebo-controlled study (Abstract #LB17) will be presented by Dr. Gary Gilkeson on November 10. Its findings support further evaluation of high-dose MSCs in a confirmatory trial.
Claims data show 36% of patients get lupus drugs outside rheumatology
An analysis of a nationwide claims dataset (Abstract #2708, November 10) found that 36% of identified participants were not receiving their lupus medication from a rheumatologist. The study was co-authored by Daniel McSkimming, LFA's Assistant Director of Data Governance and Analytics.
McSkimming also co-authored an analysis of participant-reported data from 3,063 people with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) in the Research Accelerated by You (RAY) Lupus Registry (Abstract #2748, November 10). It identified demographic factors and presenting symptoms linked to longer or shorter time to diagnosis.
Registry data from 4,771 patients reveal differences in treatment priorities by race and ethnicity
A separate RAY analysis (Abstract #2522, November 10) covered 4,771 people with lupus. It found differences in symptoms, treatment priorities and desired outcomes across race and ethnicity.
A multi-phase study led with LFA's Safoah Agyemang (Abstract #1536, November 9) developed and tested culturally aligned communications to improve RAY registry recruitment among historically underrepresented patients.
CAR T focus group finds conditional patient interest
In a focus group study (Abstract #1539, November 9), participants with severe SLE expressed conditional interest in an investigational allogeneic CAR T-cell therapy. They named safety, access to lupus-specialist care, financial support and durability of benefit as key considerations. LFA's Nishat Bhuiyan, Ph.D., Director of Research, led the work.
Separate focus group findings (Abstract #0610, November 8) showed strong unmet needs for clear, comprehensive treatment information. They are informing a shared decision-making tool that LFA is developing.
Prevention study ties participation to relevance, feasibility and trust
The LFA-funded Community Action for Resilience Against Lupus (CARE) study (Abstract #0522, November 8), co-authored by Dr. Karen Costenbader, found that personal relevance, practical feasibility and trust in the research process drive participation in SLE prevention research. The authors call for prevention trials designed to minimize participation barriers.
New TRM-SLE endpoint covers eight organ domains
Dr. Eric Morand leads the Treatment Response Measure for SLE clinical trials (TRM-SLE) (Abstract #2839, November 10). It is a global-consensus clinical outcome assessment for adult and adolescent SLE trials and incorporates eight organ domains. It is being evaluated in randomized trial datasets and ongoing studies. LFA sits on the project's steering, scientific advisory and patient committees.
Workforce framework sets 20 consensus metrics for rheumatology
Research led by Dr. Candace Feldman (Abstract #1484, November 9) developed 20 consensus-informed metrics covering recruitment, retention, professional development, leadership and participant impact. Institutions can use the framework to track progress and accountability in expanding the adult and pediatric rheumatology workforce.
On November 10, Wendy Rodgers, MPH, LFA's Director of Care and Support Services, will join a panel titled "Connecting the Dots: Support, Education, and Empowerment in Lupus Care."