Landmark Study Offers New Hope to Lupus Patients Mysterious Disease Affects 1.5 Million Americans With No New Treatment Options In 30 Years NEW YORK, Oct. 27 /PRNewswire/ -- Lupus is an often debilitating autoimmune disease, which causes the immune system to attack the body's own healthy cells. Lupus causes painful inflammation in different parts of the body and affects up to 1.5 million Americans. Lupus nephritis, or inflammation of the kidneys can also cause weight gain, headaches, rashes, high blood pressure and swelling around the legs, ankles, hands and eyes. Though the cause is unknown, and there is no cure, promising research is offering hope for people suffering from the form of lupus that attacks the kidneys. Results from a national multi-center clinical trial sponsored by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration were presented at the American College Of Rheumatology's annual meeting. The research found that the use of an immunosuppressant used in transplant patients when used in patients with lupus nephritis provides symptom relief and for some patients, puts the disease into remission. For more information, contact the Lupus Foundation Of America at LUPUS.ORG. ADDITIONAL RESOURCES: Video version and more available at http://www.prnewswire.com/broadcast/11388/11388_consumer.html SOUNDBITES: * Sandra Gomez, Lupus Nephritis Patient * Joan Merrill, MD, Study Investigator * Sandra Raymond, Lupus Foundation of America VIDEO PROVIDED BY: Lupus Foundation of America http://www.prnewswire.com/broadcast/11388/11388_press.htmlDATASOURCE: Lupus Foundation of America CONTACT: MultiVu Media Relations, 1-800-653-5313, ext. 3, for Lupus Foundation of America

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