Marisa Wexler, MS, senior science writer —

Use of oral pilocarpine increased salivary flow in people with dry mouth due to primary Sjögren’s syndrome or other health conditions in a small study. However, the medication did not significantly alter dental health or the structure of the salivary glands, as assessed via ultrasound. The study, “…

Primary Sjögren’s syndrome (pSS) syndrome can be classified based on the extent of organ involvement, fatigue, and pain, with symptoms varying substantially from patient to patient, a new study reports. The study, “Burden of illness among subgroups of patients with primary Sjögren’s syndrome and systemic involvement,”…

Interleukin-38, an immune signaling molecule known as IL-38, can reduce the inflammatory activity of a type of immune cells involved in primary Sjögren’s syndrome (pSS), and may be a therapeutic target for this condition, a new study suggests. The study, “Blockade of Th17 response by…

The arginase 1 protein appears to protect from dryness symptoms associated with Sjögren’s syndrome, potentially by lowering gland inflammation and increasing fluid secretion, a new study in mice indicates. The findings suggest this protein — a liver enzyme — as a possible therapeutic target for this condition. The study,…

A Phase 4 clinical trial evaluating Wize Pharma‘s LO2A eye drops as a treatment for dry eye symptoms in people with Sjögren’s syndrome has been completed, the company announced. Results from the trial are expected later this year, though they may be delayed due to the ongoing…

A small RNA molecule may help to drive inflammation in the eyes of people with primary Sjögren’s syndrome (pSS), a new study reports. The findings imply that this molecule, called miR-744-5p, may be a therapeutic target for pSS. The study, “miR-744-5p contributes to ocular inflammation in…

The immune cells that produce self-targeting antibodies in cryoglobulinemia vasculitis (CV), a complication of Sjogren’s syndrome, are characterized by mutations that are known to drive lymphomas, a new study suggests. This finding provides clues as to how autoimmune diseases develop, and could open new avenues for diagnosis…

A new machine learning algorithm may help identify people with primary Sjögren’s syndrome who are at an increased risk of developing non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma (NHL), a type of blood cancer, findings from a new study suggest. Using risk features such as enlarged salivary glands, counts of certain types of…

LOU064, an inhibitor of the Bruton tyrosine kinase (BTK) protein, is able to reduce the activation of B-cells both in lab dishes and in animal models, suggesting it has therapeutic potential in diseases such as Sjögren’s syndrome, a study shows. These findings were further confirmed in healthy volunteers,…

Alpine Immune Sciences‘ ALPN-101, a treatment for inflammatory and autoimmune diseases that works by inhibiting two key pathways — ICOS and CD38 — is better at reducing immune cell activity than a combination of treatments targeting these molecules individually, suggests a study in cells and animal models of Sjögren’s…