Mumbai, August 30: In a recent study published in the medical journal Lancet, the phase two trials of the new drug, Iscalimab, showed positive effects for patients unable to shed tears or salivate due to Sjögren’s Syndrome. In the research conducted by professors at the University of Birmingham in the UK, all three doses of Iscalimab positively affected the typical symptoms associated with Sjögren’s Syndrome.

As per the BBC, Professor Ben Fisher, a University of Birmingham rheumatologist and one of the two main authors of the paper, said that there was evidence that Iscalimab made the patients feel better and provided relief. The stage two trial of Iscalimab, which screened 460 patients, showed that it could suppress rheumatic inflammations in patients. The new drug, Iscalimab, functioned by blocking the CD40 protein molecule, which was responsible for stimulating the immune system. Needle-Free COVID-19 Vaccine: Hyderabad’s Indian Immunologicals Develops First-of-Its-Kind Intranasal CDO-7N-1 Vaccine To Prevent Coronavirus Infection.

University of Birmingham Research on Iscalimab for Sjögren’s Syndrome

What is Sjögren’s Syndrome?

Currently, Sjögren’s Syndrome is the second most common rheumatoid disease after arthritis. Research on Sjögren’s Syndrome and its treatment is relatively scarce still. According to the USA's National Institutes of Health (NIH), Sjögren’s Syndrome is a systemic autoimmune disorder commonly presenting with dryness involving the eyes and mouth due to inflammation and resultant pathology of the lacrimal and salivary glands. It is usually associated with other autoimmune disorders, including rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). A typical symptom of the disease is the inability to produce tears and saliva due to the drying of endocrinal and salivary glands, respectively. Injectable HIV Medication: What You Need to Know.

Sjögren's Syndrome affects women at least 10 times more than men, and since it hits women in their late 40s or 50s, it could usually be disregarded as menopausal symptoms. It could be potentially fatal, causing lung damage and even leukaemia if left untreated.

Iscalimab, apart from positively affecting the symptoms, also showed a significant improvement over the placebo that patients of Sjögren’s Syndrome suffer. However, more extensive trials will have to be conducted before Iscalimab could be rolled out as a potential drug to treat patients with Sjögren’s Syndrome.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Aug 30, 2024 05:58 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).