This medical video focuses on how a Cancer drug has been found to help Lupus patients.
Read the full transcript »
Jennifer Matthews: For scientists, the condition known as Lupus is a mystery that has been hard to solve. Dr. Rob Brodsky: The immune system, instead of attacking foreign things like viruses and bacteria, starts to affect the patient's own tissues. Jennifer Matthews: And it doesn't discriminate. Dr. Robert Brodsky: The kidney failure, it can cause damage to the heart. It can cause damage to the lungs, sometimes the central nervous system is involved. Jennifer Matthews: Lupus is not a cancer, but Doctor Robert Brodsky and colleagues have found using high doses of a chemotherapy drug for four days is more effective than lower doses over long periods of time. The idea is to blast the Lupus once, wipe out the abnormal immune system and allow the body to learn to function normally. Dr. Robert Brodsky: So essentially the immune system is started over again from when the person was born. Jennifer Matthews: After an average follow-up of more than 2 1/2 years, nearly half of the patients in this study are lupus-free. At age 15, Camille Khan was diagnoised with Lupus. With her kidneys failing, she decided to go through the new procedure. Camille Khan: I started to feel better mainly because my kidney function improved. Jennifer Matthews: Now at 23, Camille is a healthy young woman. Camille Khan: I am lupus-free and it is awesome. Jennifer Matthews: Something she is thankful for every single day. This is Jennifer Matthews reporting.
Copyright © 2005 - 2015 Healthline Networks, Inc. All rights reserved for Healthline.