Courtesy of Lupus

Foundation of America
Life of Pain:
The Devastating
Effects of Lupus
How does Lupus affect a
person and how can it be
treated?
 Thesis

Lupus causes inflammation throughout

the body, but the symptoms are
commonly treated with conventional
and alternative medicines.
 Points to Prove

1. Lupus causes inflammation complications

throughout the body.

2. Lupus can be treated through conventional

medicine and drugs.

3. Lupus can be treated naturally through

alternative medicine and lifestyle changes.
SLE:
Systemic
Lupus
Erythematosus
What is Lupus?
● Chronic autoimmune disease
● “The Great Imitator”
○ Six years to diagnose
● 90% of patients are women
● $20 K/ year
Point 1:
Inflammation
Inflammation

● White blood cells attack

healthy tissue
● Improper B-Cell maturity
○ Excess amount of
Interferon-Alpha
 B-Cell Breakdown

Interferon-alpha
Pain

Antibody-producing
B-Cells
 Joint Pain
“More than 90 percent of people with
lupus will experience joint and/or
muscle pain at some time during the
course of their illness”
-Dr. Francisco Quismorio, MD
USC Medical Center
 External Symptoms

● “Butterfly Rash”
○ more than half of all cases

● Eczema-like rashes on
knuckles, back & neck
 Long-Term Effects

● Myalgia & Myositis

● Pregnancy Risks
● Cancer
○ Lymphoma
○ Breast Cancer
○ Cervical Cancer
○ Lung cancer
What are two symptoms of lupus?

Joint Pain
Fatigue
Skin Rashes
Sun Sensitivity
High Fevers
Point 2:
Conventional
Treatment
Drug Repositioning
● Initially employed for other
diseases:
○ Malaria
○ Transplant Rejection
○ Cancer
● Common chemical
structures
“[Drug repositioning] lacks the necessary
precision to target lupus pathways
specifically” -A.C. Grammar

(Drug repositioning in SLE: Crowd-

Sourcing, Literature-Mining and Big
Data Analysis)
Drug Repositioning: Side Effects

Headaches

Upset Stomach

Skin Discoloration
Benlysta (Belimumab)

● First Lupus-specific prescription drug

● Lowers immune activity
● Reduce antibody levels
Benlysta: Side Effects

Headaches
Nausea
Trouble Sleeping
Depression
PML
NOBILITY Trial

● Gazyva: Cancer Treatment

● MMF: Organ Transplant Rejection
● Biotech Company: Roche and
Genentech
 What is Drug Repositioning?

Drug repositioning is the practice of applying

medications explicitly made for other
diseases to treat the symptoms of lupus
Point 3:
Alternative
Treatment
Vitamin D Supplements

● Vitamin D
● Strengthen bones
● Improve the immune system
Chinese Traditional Medicine (TCM)

● Balancing the body

○ regulating Yin and Yang

● Combination of TCM with

conventional practices
Acupuncture
● Regulates Chi
● Acupuncture needles
stimulates the nerves
● Side Effects:
○ Bruising
○ Redness
○ Nausea
Why I Chose This Topic
Next Step

Melaca Cennella

Founder of Sjogren’s & Lupus

Foundation of Hawaii
 Summary
● Lupus is a chronic autoimmune disease
● Inflammation causes pain through the
body
● High risk of developing other diseases
● There is NO CURE
● Symptoms minimized through
conventional & alternative treatments