Research lines into Lupus

Research into lupus has aroused great interest. It can be divided into two types:

• Basic research. The doctors and scientists attempt to develop or refine theories on the functioning of the human body and its immune system. This type of research is carried out in the laboratory. Animal models are used to test new treatments and discover the causes of the disease. There are also various genetic studies that are attempting to identify the genes that determine the susceptibility to the disease.
• Clinical research. This consists of a study on humans and their reactions to certain factors. It includes the application or testing of theories, and the evaluation of their effectiveness for resolving clinical problems. Clinical research can be divided into two large areas: testing of new therapies, and research in order to increase the understanding of the different aspects of lupus. There are clinical trials that are evaluating other biological therapies for lupus, with the aim of being more effective and with less side effects than the current immunosuppressants.