Research

Key Information 

Exploring the role of stems cell in vasculitis
N Basu, D Kidder, C De Bari

Duration: 
June / July 2017

LCTF Funding Pledge:  £10,000

Project Information

Stem cells safeguard tissues and organs throughout life by replacing specialised cell types. Their investigation is helping better understand the reasons underlying why multiple conditions develop and progress. Moreover, in many clinical areas of study they are now considered important therapies of the future. As yet, their potential in vasculitis has yet to be explored. We will undertake some preliminary experiments on stored vasculitis-afflicted tissue samples to identify and characterise the stem cells relevant to these disorders.

Key Information 

microRNA Research
N.Dhaun, T Farrah

Duration: 
TBC

LCTF Funding Pledge:  £10,000

Project Information

Addresses several key challenges faced by patients with ANCA vasculitis. The diagnosis of ANCA vasculitis is often delayed and even with treatment, the condition can return. This can result in chronic kidney and cardiovascular disease. We need better ways to diagnose and monitor patients with ANCA vasculitis so we can treat the condition and its complications more effectively. Furthermore, we need to develop better treatments to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease in patients with ANCA vasculitis.

Research studies are testing whether a blood test for a new molecule (microRNA) and a new type of eye scan (OCT) are potential solutions to diagnose and monitor patients with ANCA vasculitis. Furthermore, Research studies will look at patients with ANCA vasculitis that develop cardiovascular disease and whether a class of drugs called endothelin receptor antagonists may be helpful in reducing this risk.

Key Information 

Professor Lars Erwig & University of Aberdeen

Duration: 
3 Years – Commencing October 2012

LCTF Funding Award:  £42,860

Project Information

The Lauren Currie Twilight Foundation has funded a three year research project with the University of Aberdeen.  The research funds a PHd Research Student using Live Cell Imaging to Study the Evolution and Pathophysiology of Autoimmune Disease.

This project will take advantage of a sophisticated live cell imaging platform to study interactions of immune cells (macrophages and neutrophils) with vascular endothelium in patients with autoimmune disease (with a focus on anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody mediated vasculitis).

The state of the art live cell imaging platform has previously been very successfully used to study cell-cell interactions in infectious diseases and will now be applied for the first time to a Vasculitis research project.  The research will seek to develop biomarkers for patients with complex life threatening diseases to assess activity and optimize their immunosuppressive treatment.

Key Information 

Paediatric Drug Trial For Treatment of Polyarteritis Nodosa (PAN) – UCL Institute of Child Health & Great Ormond Street Hospital.

Duration: 
1 Year – Commencing July 2013

LCTF Funding Award:  £15,000

Project Information

The trial will take place at selected Centres of excellence in the UK and across Europe, with a track record in treating children with Polyarteritis Nodosa (PAN), and will be done in association with UK clinical networks and the Paediatric Rheumatology International Trials Organisation (PRINTO).  This drug trial is funded in collabroation with Arthritis UK, Vasculitis UK and The Lauren Currie Twilight Foundation.

Currently children with PAN are treated with Cyclophosphamide (CYC) which has been the main treatment for more than 30 years, unfortunately this treatment requires to be administered intravenously which requires a hospital stay.  It also has a number of long term, life changing side effects, which include malignancy, infertility, sickness, haemorrhagic cystitis (bleeding from the bladder), low white cell counts and infections.

The alternative drug to be tested is Mycophenolate Mofetil (MMF), although there is limited clinical experience with this drug, its side effects are less severe.

Key Information 

Diet & Nutrition Resources for Vasculitis Patients in association with Immunosuppressive treatments – Nutrition Diet Resources UK (NDR)

Duration:
2 Year – Commencing April 2013

LCTF Funding Award:  £3,528

Project Information

This study commissioned by The Lauren Currie Twilight Foundation developed nutrition and diet resources specifically on modifying diet to moderate side effects of the main drug treatments for Vasculitis.

Providing patients with facts about nutrients and their role in auto-immune disease and Vasculitis such as vitamin D, antioxidant vitamins, prebiotics and probiotics, omega-3 fatty acids, herbal remedies, nutritional supplements and over the counter remedies.

Key Information 

Improving Quality of Life Study With ANCA Associated Vasculitis

Dr Neil Basu & University of Aberdeen

Duration:
2 Years – Commencing January 2015

LCTF Funding Award:  £17,000

Project Information

The Lauren Currie Twilight Foundation has agreed funding for a new wellbeing research study for Vasculitis patients with the University of Aberdeen. The research will be lead by Dr Neil Basu, Senior Lecturer & Honorary Consultant Rheumatologist based at the Aberdeen Vasculitis Clinic.

There have been recent studies on factors which affect the quality of life with Vasculitis patients. This new epidemiological study will focus on psychological and quality of life factors. The study will seek to deliver evidence based results that will support new health care provisions.