Why lupus stays quiet for some people and flares for others
Official title: Learning from Remission and Relapse in SLE
Funded at Feinstein Institute for Medical Research · NIH-11406909 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Looking at immune cells and brain function in people with lupus who are in long-term remission without steroids or immunosuppressants to find markers linked to future relapse.
Quick facts
| Grant type | P01 program project |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Feinstein Institute for Medical Research NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Manhasset, United States) |
| Project start | May 9, 2024 |
| Project end | April 30, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $2,684,379 |
| NIH project number | 5P01AI172523-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11406909 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
People with SLE who are in long-term clinical remission without corticosteroids or immunosuppressive medications are the intended participants.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with active lupus, those currently taking steroids or immunosuppressants, or people unwilling/unable to travel for in-person tests are unlikely to benefit directly from participation.
What this research studies
You would join if you have systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) that has been in long-term remission without corticosteroids or other immunosuppressive medicines. The team will take blood for single-cell analyses to map immune cell types, gene activity, epigenetic marks, proteins, and the B cell receptors that target nuclear antigens. You will also have brain function testing and imaging to look for hidden inflammation or changes in the central nervous system. Participants will be followed over time (about five years) to see who stays in remission and who has a flare, and researchers will match immune and brain findings to those outcomes.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could identify blood or brain markers that predict relapse and help doctors personalize monitoring and treatment to prevent flares.
How similar studies have gone: Single-cell immune profiling and B cell repertoire studies have yielded useful insights in autoimmune diseases, but combining these molecular approaches with brain function testing to predict lupus relapse is a relatively new approach.
Where this research is happening
-
Feinstein Institute for Medical Research
Manhasset, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Diamond, Betty — Feinstein Institute for Medical Research
- Study coordinator: Diamond, Betty
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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.