Skin inflammation in SARDs
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Exploring the cellular and molecular heterogeneity of inflammatory skin lesion in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) and other systemic autoimmune rheumatic diseases (SARDs)
IRAS ID
276726
Contact name
John Reynolds
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Birmingham, Head of Research Governance and Integrity
Duration of Study in the UK
2 years, 11 months, 30 days
Research summary
Study Title: Exploring the cellular and molecular heterogeneity of inflammatory skin lesion in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) and other systemic autoimmune rheumatic diseases (SARDs)
Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE, or just "lupus") is a rare autoimmune inflammatory disorder which can affect almost any organ in the body . Lupus is one of a group of Systemic Autoimmune Rheumatic Diseases (SARDs) which can share some clinical features and blood test abnormalities.
Skin inflammation is a common feature of SLE but also occurs in other SARDs. In many cases these skin lesions can appear similar between the SARDs. The cells responsible for the skin inflammation is currently unclear. Current treatment is inadequate and can be associated with unacceptable adverse effects or poorly tolerated. The development of novel treatments for inflammatory skin disease is an important unmet need in SLE and other SARDs.
Our plan is to conduct a observational study over a 36 month period from the outpatient clinics at Birmingham City Hospital, part of the Sandwell and West Birmingham NSH trust. This study will be sponsored by the University of Birmingham. We aim to recruit a total of 60 adult patients with SLE matched to healthy controls. Following usual consenting protocols, the study participants will undergo two 4mm punch biopsy of healthy and affected skin conducted by a trained member of the study team. Healthy controls will only have one biopsy.
Skin biopsy specimens will be stored temporarily at Sandwell and West Birmingham Hospitals NHS Trust before being transferred to the University of Birmingham for longer storage. Analysis of the skin samples will take place at the Universities of Birmingham and Oxford.
Patients will be followed for a 12 month period to determine how the skin biopsy findings relate to prognosis.
REC name
South East Scotland REC 02
REC reference
20/SS/0082
Date of REC Opinion
24 Sep 2020
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion