Hydroxychloroquine, Lupus and COVID-19: What We've Learned and What's Next?

Hydroxychloroquine and lupus, the disease it's commonly used to treat, have been thrust into the spotlight in the search for COVID-19 treatments. Despite increased manufacture of the drug and millions of doses donated, severe drug shortages have resulted and will likely worsen if the many trials underway prove its efficacy.

The Lupus Research Alliance, and its clinical trial affiliate Lupus Therapeutics, are embarking on a clinical study evaluating whether medications used by people with lupus, including hydroxychloroquine, may prevent or reduce symptoms of COVID-19 in this group. What's having impact? Hydroxychloroquine alone? Other lupus treatments? Self-isolation? A combination? These and other questions will be explored in a clinical study involving thousands of lupus patients through Lupus Therapeutics' network of investigators from 57 academic medical centers in the U.S. and Canada.

The Lupus Research Alliance is the largest, global non-governmental organization dedicated to lupus research. Lupus is a chronic, complex auto-immune disease affecting roughly 300,000 people in the U.S. More than 90 percent of people with lupus are women. African Americans, Latinx, Asians and Native Americans are two to three times at greater risk than Caucasians.

We invite you to interview experts below to answer your questions on topics such as:

    --  Could hydroxychloroquine be protecting people with lupus from COVID-19?
    --  How will this clinical study benefit lupus patients?
    --  Why are medications that treat lupus and rheumatoid arthritis being
        looked at for COVID-19?
    --  What should people with lupus do in the face of hydroxychloroquine
        shortages?
    --  What's next?

Available for Interview:
Kenneth M. Farber, President, Lupus Research Alliance
Albert Roy, Executive Director, Lupus Therapeutics
Dr. Daniel J. Wallace, renowned lupus specialist, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center and Board member of Lupus Research Alliance and Lupus Therapeutics

     
              Media Contacts:



     Tara Dimilia                        
     Margy Meislin, Lupus Research Alliance



     
              Tara.dimilia@tmstrat.com 
     
              MMeislin@lupusresearch.org



     Direct: 908-369-7168                
     M: 516-426-6160

/PRNewswire -- April 9, 2020/

SOURCE Lupus Research Alliance