Lupus

Lupus
Lupus is a chronic autoimmune disease that sees the body’s immune system attack its own tissues and organs. More common in women than men, it can inflame the skin, blood cells, joints, kidneys, brain, heart, and lungs.
Lupus is difficult to diagnose as its many symptoms may mimic those of other conditions. They may be mild or cause significant disability.
Some people are born with a tendency to develop lupus, but it can be triggered without warning by an infection, some prescription drugs or even sunlight. There is no cure, but treatments can manage the symptoms.
Types of lupus
Risk factors
Signs, symptoms and diagnosis of lupus
Causes of lupus
Treatment of lupus
Our lupus research
Lupus is a difficult disease to diagnose and treat. Hudson Institute researchers are investigating improved ways to detect lupus, and treatments that may control its triggers and better target its symptoms.
Developing new treatments for lupus
Molecular studies. New treatment. Associate Professor Michael Gantier and his team are investigating how localised tissue inflammation evolves into systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), which sees the immune system attack normally healthy tissue. This disease involves the overproduction of interferons that are thought to drive its causes. A/Prof Gantier has identified factors that amplify interferon production and will attempt to exploit this to develop new treatments for lupus.
Lead Researcher | Associate Professor Michael Gantier
Preventing inflammation caused by lupus
Controlling the triggers that cause lupus
Lupus news
Lupus collaborators
- Monash Health
- Monash University
- Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research
- CSIRO
- Australian National University
- Integrated DNA Technologies
- Cambridge Institute for Medical Research
- University of Cambridge
Support for people with Lupus
Hudson Institute scientists cannot provide medical advice.
Find out more about Lupus.
Keep up-to-date with our latest discoveries
