What triggers and protects against lupus

Autoimmune Drivers and Protectors Team Science (ADAPTS)

['FUNDING_U01'] · OKLAHOMA MEDICAL RESEARCH FOUNDATION · NIH-11262856

This project looks for blood markers and immune changes that signal who is likely to develop lupus so people at risk can be identified earlier.

Quick facts

Phase['FUNDING_U01']
Study typeNih_funding
SexAll
SponsorOKLAHOMA MEDICAL RESEARCH FOUNDATION (nih funded)
Locations1 site (OKLAHOMA CITY, UNITED STATES)
Trial IDNIH-11262856 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this research studies

This project combines blood samples, medical records, and questionnaires from nearly 11,000 people to study how lupus begins and who moves from harmless autoimmunity to active disease. Researchers will analyze autoantibodies, B cell and myeloid cell activity, and patterns such as viral reactivation to find early immune changes. Teams will compare people who remain healthy despite autoantibodies with those who later develop SLE to identify protective factors and early warning signs. Much of the work uses existing biospecimens and clinical data collected across multiple cohorts.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates include people with lupus-related autoantibodies, a family history of SLE, early symptoms of lupus, or those already enrolled in the participating cohorts who can provide blood and health information.

Not a fit: People with long-standing, advanced lupus or health issues unrelated to autoimmune disease may not directly benefit from this pre-disease focused work.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this work could enable earlier detection of lupus and point to ways to prevent organ damage or reduce toxic treatments.

How similar studies have performed: Previous studies have shown that autoantibodies and immune changes can appear years before lupus, but this larger combined effort is a new step toward validating and expanding those findings.

Where this research is happening

OKLAHOMA CITY, UNITED STATES

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.

View on NIH RePORTER →

Conditions: Autoimmune Diseases

Last reviewed 2026-05-15 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.