New York, NY,
26
January
2023
|
15:28 PM
America/New_York

HSS Research Institute and The University of Utah Receive NIH Grant to Continue Groundbreaking Study on Pregnant Patients with Antiphospholipid Syndrome Patients with or without Lupus

A national, interventional trial is looking for new pregnant patients with antiphospholipid syndrome in the hopes of reducing adverse outcomes in pregnancies through the use of a biologic medication

HSS Research Institute’s Jane E. Salmon, MD, is conducting a groundbreaking, interventional trial funded by the NIH and Lupus Foundation of America (LFA) to help patients with lupus and antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) (often seen in lupus patients) have successful pregnancies. Women with lupus and APS are at increased risk for preeclampsia and other serious pregnancy complications. The IMPACT clinical trial is the first trial to use a biologic therapy to prevent serious adverse outcomes in high-risk pregnancies.

Dr. Salmon and her team completed an observational study of 775 pregnancies to determine the strongest predictors of pregnancy complications in patients with lupus and/or APS. The presence of certain autoantibodies in women with APS with or without lupus is associated with a nearly 50% risk for serious adverse pregnancy outcomes. The IMPACT trial will determine whether treatment with Certolizumab, a monoclonal anti-TNF antibody that blocks inflammation, will prevent serious pregnancy complications. Studies in experimental animal models show that blocking this inflammatory mediator prevents preeclampsia, fetal death and fetal growth restriction – all problems seen in patients with lupus and with APS.

The grants from the NIH and Lupus Foundation of America come at a pivotal time in the study as they have recently enrolled 40 patients, and, so far, they are seeing promising results. The trial is spearheaded by the HSS Research Institute and University of Utah, where Dr. David Ware Branch serves study Co-Principal Investigator.  Patients across the nation are eligible to enroll in the trial. To do so, they or their physicians can contact Drs. Salmon or Branch.

Dr. Salmon, Co-Principal Investigator of the trial, said, “In addition to helping lupus and APS patients carry babies to term – a feat once deemed near impossible—we hope to eventually apply the results of our study to non-autoimmune patients at risk for preeclampsia, a life-threatening and common condition with no treatment.”

About HSS

HSS is the world’s leading academic medical center focused on musculoskeletal health. At its core is Hospital for Special Surgery, nationally ranked No. 1 in orthopedics (for the 14th consecutive year), No. 2 in rheumatology by U.S. News & World Report (2023-2024), and the best pediatric orthopedic hospital in NY, NJ and CT by U.S. News & World Report “Best Children’s Hospitals” list (2023-2024). In a survey of medical professionals in more than 20 countries by Newsweek, HSS is ranked world #1 in orthopedics for a fourth consecutive year (2023). Founded in 1863, the Hospital has the lowest readmission rates in the nation for orthopedics, and among the lowest infection and complication rates. HSS was the first in New York State to receive Magnet Recognition for Excellence in Nursing Service from the American Nurses Credentialing Center five consecutive times. An affiliate of Weill Cornell Medical College, HSS has a main campus in New York City and facilities in New Jersey, Connecticut and in the Long Island and Westchester County regions of New York State, as well as in Florida. In addition to patient care, HSS leads the field in research, innovation and education. The HSS Research Institute comprises 20 laboratories and 300 staff members focused on leading the advancement of musculoskeletal health through prevention of degeneration, tissue repair and tissue regeneration. In addition, more than 200 HSS clinical investigators are working to improve patient outcomes through better ways to prevent, diagnose, and treat orthopedic, rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases. The HSS Innovation Institute works to realize the potential of new drugs, therapeutics and devices. The HSS Education Institute is a trusted leader in advancing musculoskeletal knowledge and research for physicians, nurses, allied health professionals, academic trainees, and consumers in more than 165 countries. The institution is collaborating with medical centers and other organizations to advance the quality and value of musculoskeletal care and to make world-class HSS care more widely accessible nationally and internationally. www.hss.edu.