Systemic Lupus Erythematosus

Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) is a complex autoimmune disease with multi-organ involvement. The survival rates of SLE has improved over the last five decades with 10-year survival rates of more than 90%, through research discoveries. However, there is still a long way to go in understanding the disease in improving the lives of patients with SLE.

We need to identify the cause, immune mechanisms of SLE and unravel potential biomarkers in assessing disease states (e.g. flares) in patients with SLE and how we can better target treatment to bring precision medicine to patients. This means optimising the benefits of treatment whilst minimising the side effects of medication for the individual person. Research is therefore necessary to continue to discover new treatments and improve the care of patients with SLE.

We hope to make a difference in the lives of the patients through research. The clinicians and scientists have built a database to allow analysis of clinical data, as well as blood and other tissue samples from patients who have chosen to participate. The team lead and collaborate with renowned local and international academic institutions, and industry to accelerate discoveries and uncover new treatment for SLE.

About Research Focus Area

Understanding the cause and immune mechanisms of SLE
Identify potential biomarkers for SLE disease
Identify risk factors and predicting risk of infection in patients with SLE as this is one of the leading causes of death in SLE patients
Clinical research in SLE outcomes in collaboration with Asia Pacific Lupus Collaboration Group (APLC)
Discovery of new treatment for SLE

Top 10 publications in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus

Supplementing CXCL5 dampens inflammation and improves survival in murine lupus via myeloid and neutrophil pathways" by Fan, Xiubo; Ng, Chin Teck; Guo, Dianyang; Lim, Frances; Tan, Jia Chi; Law, Annie; Chen, Jinmiao; Poon, Zhi Yong; Cheung, Alice; Kong, Say Li; Loh, Hwai Liang; Tan, Michelle; Li, Shang; Lim, Kiat Hon; Thumboo, Julian; Hwang, William; Low, Andrea. Arthritis & Rheumatology Oct 2022. https://doi.org/10.1002/art.42383
Health-related quality of life in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus: an update. Thumboo J, Strand V. Ann Acad Med Singap. 2007 Feb;36(2):115-22. PMID: 17364078. https://annals.edu.sg/pdf/36VolNo2Feb2007/V36N2p115.pdf
Danazol in the treatment of systemic lupus erythematosus: a qualitative systemic review. P Letchumanan, J Thumboo. Semin Arthritis Rheum Feb 2011. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.semarthrit.2010.03.005
The risk of tuberculosis in SLE patients from an Asian tertiary hospital by Y.Yang, J.Thumboo, BH Tan, TT Thuan, CHJ Fong, HS Ng, KY Fong. Rheumatol Int 2017 Jun;37(6):1027-1033. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00296-017-3696-3
Interleukin-18 promoter gene polymorphisms in Chinese patients with systemic lupus erythematosus: association with CC genotype at position -607. Xu Q, Tin SK, Sivalingam SP, Thumboo J, Koh DR, Fong KY. Ann Acad Med Singap. 2007 Feb;36(2):91-5. PMID: 17364073. https://annals.edu.sg/pdf/36VolNo2Feb2007/V36N2p91.pdf
Endothelial function and arterial stiffness assessment as early surrogate markers of vascular risk in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus. Chin CW, Tan RS, Thumboo J. Clin Exp Rheumatol. 2013 Mar-Apr;31(2):295-301. Epub 2012 Oct 30. PMID: 23110754. https://www.clinexprheumatol.org/abstract.asp?a=6417
Association of Modified Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Responder Index Attainment and Long-Term Clinical Outcomes: A Five-Year Prospective Study by Connelly, Kathryn; Kandane-Rathnayake, Rangi; Hoi, Alberta; Louthrenoo, Worawit; Hamijoyo, Laniyati; Luo, Shue-Fen; Wu, Yeong-Jian; Cho, Jiacai; Lateef, Aisha; Lau, Chak-Sing; Chen, Yi-Hsing; Navarra, Sandra; Zamora, Leonid; Li, ZhanGuo; An, Yuan; Sockalingam, Sargunan; Hao, Yanjie; Zhang, Zhuoli; Chan, Madelynn; Katsumata, Yasuhiro; Harigai, Masayoshi; Oon, Shereen; Bae, Sang-Cheol; O'Neill, Sean; Gibson, Kathryn; Basnayake , Duminda; Kikuchi, Jun; Takeuchi, Tsutomu; Ng, Kristine; Tugnet, Nicola; Kumar, Sunil; Goldblatt, Fiona; Law, Annie; Tee, Michael; Tee, Cherica; Tanaka, Yoshiya; Ohkubo, Naoaki; Tan, Jin Yu; Karyekar, Chetan; Nikpour, Mandana; Golder, Vera; Morand, Eric. Arthritis & Rheumatology Sept 2022. https://doi.org/10.1002/art.42350
Lupus low disease activity state and remission and risk of mortality in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus: a prospective, multinational, longitudinal cohort study by Connelly, Kathryn; Kandane-Rathnayake, Rangi; Hoi, Alberta; Louthrenoo, Worawit; Hamijoyo, Laniyati; Luo, Shue-Fen; Wu, Yeong-Jian; Cho, Jiacai; Lateef, Aisha; Lau, Chak-Sing; Chen, Yi-Hsing; Navarra, Sandra; Zamora, Leonid; Li, ZhanGuo; An, Yuan; Sockalingam, Sargunan; Hao, Yanjie; Zhang, Zhuoli; Chan, Madelynn; Katsumata, Yasuhiro; Harigai, Masayoshi; Oon, Shereen; Bae, Sang-Cheol; O'Neill, Sean; Gibson, Kathryn; Basnayake , Duminda; Kikuchi, Jun; Takeuchi, Tsutomu; Ng, Kristine; Tugnet, Nicola; Kumar, Sunil; Goldblatt, Fiona; Law, Annie; Tee, Michael; Tee, Cherica; Tanaka, Yoshiya; Ohkubo, Naoaki; Tan, Jin Yu; Karyekar, Chetan; Nikpour, Mandana; Golder, Vera; Morand, Eric. The Lancet Rheumatology. Dec 2022 https://doi.org/10.1016/S2665-9913(22)00304-6
Neuropsychiatric lupus in Singapore: Disease characteristics and outcomes. Nur Emilia Roslan, Annie Hui Nee Law. April 2022. J Rheum Dis Treat 8:094. https://doi.org/10.23937/2469-5726/1510094
Maternal and fetal outcomes in systemic lupus erythematosus pregnancies by YJ Poh, ILY Yuen, LH Goh, HL Hui, LY Yang, HK Tan, J Thumboo, LK Tan. Ann Acad Med Singapore 2020 Dec. https://doi.org/10.47102/annals-acadmedsg.2020373

Research in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus

About Research Focus Area

Top 10 publications in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus

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Read more about our Research Focus Areas