The American Academy of Dermatology notes: “When lupus affects your skin, a dermatologist may be part of your care team.”Our team behind November’sMasterclasses in Psoriatic Disease Plus for Advanced Practice Providers+ in Dallasand February 2025’s Masterclasses in Dermatology meeting in Sarasotaagrees with the premise behind that statement, but believes it should go a step further.
Our mission in developing Masterclasses has always been to build a forum and community for interdisciplinary education. The idea is simple: Cutaneous lupus is frequently a presenting sign of systemic lupus in approximately 20 to 25 percent of cases. This percentage reflects the fact that skin manifestations are often one of the initial symptoms leading to the diagnosis of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Therefore, dermatologists need to know about screening, work-up, and current therapy for SLE in order to understand when and how best to partner with rheumatologists—and rheumatologists will commonly face scenarios in which skin is feature of SLE.
Where Can You Find More Information on Lupus and Dermatology?
Our own Joseph Merola, M.D., M.M.Sc., will be kicking off the Masterclasses in Psoriatic Disease Plus for Advanced Practice Providers+ conference on Nov. 1 with a talk on “Systemic and Cutaneous Lupus Consideration.” He will also cover “Lupus for the Dermatologist” in February at Sarasota’s Masterclasses in Dermatology conference.
Dr. Merola is Professor and Chair of Dermatology and Professor of Medicine, Rheumatology at UT Southwestern Medical Center and an internationally regarded expert on connective tissue diseases including lupus, as well as psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis. Dr. Merola is triple board-certified in dermatology, internal medicine, and rheumatology.
What’s Next in Lupus Research?
When it comes to lupus treatments, there is plenty to talk about. In late February 2024, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved ATA3219 for investigation in treating systemic lupus erythematosus with lupus nephritis. The trial is expected to be underway in the latter half of the year. ATA3219 is an “allogenic, anti-CD19 chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell monotherapy.” Shortly after that approval, in May 2024, UC Davis Health reported that researchers at the organization joined eight other global institutions in work on the clinical study evaluating the efficacy and safety of CAR T-cell therapy as a lupus treatment. This study is projected to complete in late 2027.
The Masterclasses in Psoriatic Disease Plus for Advanced Practice Providers+ conference will feature ample time for collaboration, networking, and discussion, marking a starting point for conversations, ideas, and partnerships that will carry forward into a future that promises new and novel treatments for patients with lupus.
To get started on planning your visit to Dallas for November’s meeting, click here.To register for Florida’s February 2025 conference, click here. More information on the conference and presenters is available throughout the Masterclasses in Dermatology site.
