Immune-based blood tests to guide lupus care
Official title: Commercialization Readiness of Immune Mediator Based Blood Tests that Inform Concurrent and Future Clinical Disease Activity in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE)
Funded at Progentec Diagnostics, INC. · NIH-11325429 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A patient-friendly blood test approach is being developed to spot early lupus flares and guide treatment before damage happens.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Progentec Diagnostics, INC. NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Oklahoma City, UNITED STATES) |
| Project start | June 25, 2024 |
| Project end | May 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $895,140 |
| NIH project number | 5SB1AI184309-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11325429 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults diagnosed with systemic lupus erythematosus who may benefit from proactive management guided by blood biomarker tests.
✕Less likely to help
Patients unlikely to benefit include those not experiencing lupus-related flares or those unable to participate in biomarker-guided care.
What this research studies
Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a complex autoimmune disease that can cause organ damage and painful symptoms. This project aims to use multiple immune markers in blood to identify rising disease activity before flares become obvious, helping doctors tailor proactive treatments. The goal is to reduce reliance on high-risk steroids by enabling earlier, targeted interventions. The work builds on prior study data to translate biomarker signals into practical tests that could inform real-time clinical decisions. If successful, patients could see fewer flares and better long-term outcomes.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, patients with SLE could receive earlier, more precise treatment to prevent flares and organ damage, improving quality of life.
How similar studies have gone: Previous SBIR studies suggest potential for multi-analyte blood biomarkers to reflect disease activity in SLE, with promising but early results.
Where this research is happening
-
Progentec Diagnostics, INC.
Oklahoma City, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Munroe, Melissa E — Progentec Diagnostics, INC.
- Study coordinator: Munroe, Melissa E
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.