Oncolix Inc. (fka ONCX)

[WeeZuhl]

There are currently no cures or effective treatments for lupus, except for long-term steroids, which then results in a whole slew of steroid-induced complications.

This is an overstatement by me, which is probably the result of personal bias from my experience with a few tough cases. In fact, there has been moderate success using hydroxychloroquine for some cases of lupus. Methotrexate and similar drugs can help to avoid flares without using frequent steroids- but at their own costs. Rituxan and other non-steroid immunomodulators have an important role. It's the severe cases of lupus with frequent flares of debilitating arthritis and/or kidney dysfunction where options are extremely limited beyond aggressive steroids. There is definitely a need for more effective therapies with better side effect profiles.