Genetic key to lupus shows potential of personalized medicine
Tuesday, August 19, 2014 - 15:00
in Biology & Nature
DNA sequencing of a lupus patient has identified a specific genetic mutation that is causing the disease, opening the way for personalized treatments. Researchers identified a variant in the TREX1 gene. This mutation caused the patient's cells to produce a molecule called interferon-alpha. Clinical trials are already underway for drugs to target interferon-alpha in adults.