Robert G. Lahita

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Robert G. Lahita, MD, PhD

Robert George Lahita is an American physician, internist and rheumatologist, best known for his research into systemic lupus erythematosus. [1] and other autoimmune diseases. He is the author of more than 16 books and 150 scientific publications in the field of autoimmunity and immuno-endocrinology and a media consultant on health-related  issues. [2] He currently serves as Director of the Institute of Autoimmune and Rheumatic Diseases at St. Joseph's Healthcare System, [3] specializing in autoimmunity, rheumatology, and treatment of diseases of joints, muscle, bones and tendons including arthritis, back pain, muscle strains, common athletic injuries and collagen diseases.

Contents

Lahita is a clinical professor at New Jersey Medical School, an adjunct professor at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, and a full professor of medicine at Hackensack Meridian School of Medicine. He is a fellow of the American College of Physicians, a master of the American College of Rheumatology, a fellow of the Royal College of Physicians, a Fellow of the Royal Society of Medicine, and a Fellow of the New York Academy of Sciences. His research interests are the molecular aspects of antigen expression in response to sex hormones in the autoimmune diseases, [4] reasons for female predisposition of autoimmune disease, [5] and the etiopathogenesis of the phospholipid syndrome. In 2004, Dr. Lahita was given a Doctor of Humane Letters (honoris causa) by St. Peter’s University.

Lahita is the editor of the standard textbook Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (5th edition), [6] now Lahita's Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (6th edition) and the Senior Editor of the Textbook of Autoimmune Diseases. [7] Lahita is the Associate Editor of Lupus, An International Journal [8] and was co-editor of the Yearbook of Rheumatology (out of print). He is the author of four books for the general public,  Lupus, Q&A; Everything You Need to Know, [9] The Arthritis Solution [10] Rheumatoid Arthritis: Everything You Need to Know, [11] Women and Autoimmune Disease; The Mysterious Way the Body Betrays Itself, [12] and Immunity Strong - Boost Your Natural Healing Power and Live to 100. [13]

On September 11, 2001, Lahita triaged and treated those involved in the disaster that were transported to Jersey City, New Jersey by ferry.  He was featured in Life Magazine's Faces of Ground Zero. [14]

Early life

Lahita graduated from Saint Benedict's Preparatory School in Newark, New Jersey in 1963. In the 1960s Lahita attended Saint Peter's University, Jersey City, N.J., where he received a Bachelor of Science degree in biology in 1967. [15]  He received his medical degree in 1973 and a PhD in microbiology with Russell W. Schaedler, Chairman of the Department of Microbiology from Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Published works

Published research

Xiong, W. and R.G. Lahita. Novel Treatments for Systemic Lupus Erythematosus. [16] Vol 3, no 5, pp255–266. Therapeutic Advances in Musculoskeletal Disease. 2011. [17]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Autoimmunity</span> Immune response against an organisms own healthy cells

In immunology, autoimmunity is the system of immune responses of an organism against its own healthy cells, tissues and other normal body constituents. Any disease resulting from this type of immune response is termed an "autoimmune disease". Prominent examples include celiac disease, post-infectious IBS, diabetes mellitus type 1, Henoch–Schönlein purpura (HSP) sarcoidosis, systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), Sjögren syndrome, eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis, Hashimoto's thyroiditis, Graves' disease, idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura, Addison's disease, rheumatoid arthritis (RA), ankylosing spondylitis, polymyositis (PM), dermatomyositis (DM), and multiple sclerosis (MS). Autoimmune diseases are very often treated with steroids.

Rheumatology is a branch of medicine devoted to the diagnosis and management of disorders whose common feature is inflammation in the bones, muscles, joints, and internal organs. Rheumatology covers more than 100 different complex diseases, collectively known as rheumatic diseases, which includes many forms of arthritis as well as lupus and Sjögren's syndrome. Doctors who have undergone formal training in rheumatology are called rheumatologists.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Methotrexate</span> Chemotherapy and immunosuppressant medication

Methotrexate (MTX), formerly known as amethopterin, is a chemotherapy agent and immune-system suppressant. It is used to treat cancer, autoimmune diseases, and ectopic pregnancies. Types of cancers it is used for include breast cancer, leukemia, lung cancer, lymphoma, gestational trophoblastic disease, and osteosarcoma. Types of autoimmune diseases it is used for include psoriasis, rheumatoid arthritis, and Crohn's disease. It can be given by mouth or by injection.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Antinuclear antibody</span> Autoantibody that binds to contents of the cell nucleus

Antinuclear antibodies are autoantibodies that bind to contents of the cell nucleus. In normal individuals, the immune system produces antibodies to foreign proteins (antigens) but not to human proteins (autoantigens). In some cases, antibodies to human antigens are produced.

A connective tissue disease (collagenosis) is any disease that has the connective tissues of the body as a target of pathology. Connective tissue is any type of biological tissue with an extensive extracellular matrix that supports, binds together, and protects organs. These tissues form a framework, or matrix, for the body, and are composed of two major structural protein molecules: collagen and elastin. There are many different types of collagen protein in each of the body's tissues. Elastin has the capability of stretching and returning to its original length—like a spring or rubber band. Elastin is the major component of ligaments and skin. In patients with connective tissue disease, it is common for collagen and elastin to become injured by inflammation (ICT). Many connective tissue diseases feature abnormal immune system activity with inflammation in tissues as a result of an immune system that is directed against one's own body tissues (autoimmunity).

Mixed connective tissue disease, commonly abbreviated as MCTD, is an autoimmune disease characterized by the presence of elevated blood levels of a specific autoantibody, now called anti-U1 ribonucleoprotein (RNP) together with a mix of symptoms of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), scleroderma, and polymyositis. The idea behind the "mixed" disease is that this specific autoantibody is also present in other autoimmune diseases such as systemic lupus erythematosus, polymyositis, scleroderma, etc. MCTD was characterized as an individual disease in 1972 by Sharp et al., and the term was introduced by Leroy in 1980.

Palindromic rheumatism (PR) is a syndrome characterised by recurrent, self-resolving inflammatory attacks in and around the joints, and consists of arthritis or periarticular soft tissue inflammation. The course is often acute onset, with sudden and rapidly developing attacks or flares. There is pain, redness, swelling, and disability of one or multiple joints. The interval between recurrent palindromic attacks and the length of an attack is extremely variable from few hours to days. Attacks may become more frequent with time but there is no joint damage after attacks. It is thought to be an autoimmune disease, possibly an abortive form of rheumatoid arthritis.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Belimumab</span>

Belimumab, sold under the brand name Benlysta, is a human monoclonal antibody that inhibits B-cell activating factor (BAFF), also known as B-lymphocyte stimulator (BLyS). It is approved in the United States and Canada, and the European Union to treat systemic lupus erythematosus and lupus nephritis.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">HLA-DR4</span>

HLA-DR4 (DR4) is an HLA-DR serotype that recognizes the DRB1*04 gene products. The DR4 serogroup is large and has a number of moderate frequency alleles spread over large regions of the world.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Anti-cardiolipin antibodies</span>

Anti-cardiolipin antibodies (ACA) are antibodies often directed against cardiolipin and found in several diseases, including syphilis, antiphospholipid syndrome, livedoid vasculitis, vertebrobasilar insufficiency, Behçet's syndrome, idiopathic spontaneous abortion, and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). They are a form of anti-mitochondrial antibody. In SLE, anti-DNA antibodies and anti-cardiolipin antibodies may be present individually or together; the two types of antibodies act independently. This is in contrast to rheumatoid arthritis with systemic sclerosis (scleroderma) because anti-cardiolipin antibodies are present in both conditions, and therefore may tie the two conditions together.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Autoimmune disease</span> Abnormal immune response to a normal body part

An autoimmune disease is a condition that results from an anomalous response of the immune system, wherein it mistakenly targets and attacks healthy, functioning parts of the body as if they were foreign organisms. It is estimated that there are more than 80 recognized autoimmune diseases, with recent scientific evidence suggesting the existence of potentially more than 100 distinct conditions. Nearly any body part can be involved.

Michael D. Lockshin is an American professor and medical researcher. He is known for his work as a researcher of autoimmune diseases, with focus on antiphospholipid syndrome and lupus. He is Professor Emeritus of Medicine and the Director Emeritus of the Barbara Volcker Center for Women and Rheumatic Disease at Hospital for Special Surgery. He retired from HSS on January 31st, 2023.

Subacute cutaneous lupus erythematosus is a clinically distinct subset of cases of lupus erythematosus that is most often present in white women aged 15 to 40, consisting of skin lesions that are scaly and evolve as poly-cyclic annular lesions or plaques similar to those of plaque psoriasis.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lupus</span> Human autoimmune disease

Lupus, technically known as systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), is an autoimmune disease in which the body's immune system mistakenly attacks healthy tissue in many parts of the body. Symptoms vary among people and may be mild to severe. Common symptoms include painful and swollen joints, fever, chest pain, hair loss, mouth ulcers, swollen lymph nodes, feeling tired, and a red rash which is most commonly on the face. Often there are periods of illness, called flares, and periods of remission during which there are few symptoms.

Undifferentiated connective tissue disease (UCTD) is a disease in which the body mistakenly attacks its own tissues. It is diagnosed when there is evidence of an existing autoimmune condition which does not meet the criteria for any specific autoimmune disease, such as systemic lupus erythematosus or scleroderma. Latent lupus and incomplete lupus are alternative terms that have been used to describe this condition.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Anti-SSA/Ro autoantibodies</span>

Anti-SSA autoantibodies are a type of anti-nuclear autoantibodies that are associated with many autoimmune diseases, such as systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), SS/SLE overlap syndrome, subacute cutaneous lupus erythematosus (SCLE), neonatal lupus and primary biliary cirrhosis. They are often present in Sjögren's syndrome (SS). Additionally, Anti-Ro/SSA can be found in other autoimmune diseases such as systemic sclerosis (SSc), polymyositis/dermatomyositis (PM/DM), rheumatoid arthritis (RA), and mixed connective tissue disease (MCTD), and are also associated with heart arrhythmia.

Blisibimod is a selective antagonist of B-cell activating factor, being developed by Anthera Pharmaceuticals as a treatment for systemic lupus erythematosus. It is currently under active investigation in clinical trials.

Daniel Jeffrey Wallace is an American rheumatologist, clinical professor, author, and fellow. Wallace has published 500 peer reviewed publications, 9 textbooks, and 28 book chapters on topics such as lupus, Sjögren syndrome, osteoarthritis, and fibromyalgia. He has the largest cohort of lupus patients in the United States (2000). A full professor of medicine, he is associate director of the Rheumatology Fellowship Program at Cedars-Sinai. His seminal contributions to research include being an author of the first paper to demonstrate vitamin D dysfunction and the importance of interleukin 6 in lupus, conducting the first large studies of apheresis in rheumatoid arthritis and lupus, and insights into the mechanisms of action of antimalarials. Wallace's research accomplishments also include conducting many clinical rheumatic disease trials, examining the role of microvascular angina and accelerated atherogenesis in lupus, and work on anti-telomere antibodies which have garnered him 6 papers in The New England Journal of Medicine. Wallace's monograph, The Lupus Book, has sold over 100,000 copies since 1995.

Ianalumab is a monoclonal antibody that is being investigated for autoimmune hepatitis, multiple sclerosis, pemphigus vulgaris, rheumatoid arthritis, Sjögren syndrome, and systemic lupus erythematosus.

George C. Tsokos is an American immunologist who is a professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School and is the chief at Division of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center; Boston, MA

References

  1. ↑ Elsevier. "Systemic Lupus Erythematosus - 4th Edition". www.elsevier.com. Retrieved 2018-08-20.
  2. ↑ "Why The Body Attacks Itself" . Retrieved 2018-08-20.
  3. ↑ "St. Joseph's Healthcare System".
  4. ↑ Lahita, Robert G.; Bradlow, Leon; Fishman, Jack; Kunkel, Henry G. (July 1982). "Estrogen metabolism in systemic lupus erythematosus. Patients and family members". Arthritis & Rheumatism. 25 (7): 843–846. doi:10.1002/art.1780250726. ISSN   0004-3591. PMID   7104055.
  5. ↑ Lahita, R. G.; Bradlow, H. L.; Kunkel, H. G.; Fishman, J. (July 1981). "Increased 16 alpha-hydroxylation of estradiol in systemic lupus erythematosus". The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism. 53 (1): 174–178. doi:10.1210/jcem-53-1-174. ISSN   0021-972X. PMID   7240374.
  6. ↑ Lahita, Robert G.; Tsokos, George; Buyon, Jill P.; Koike, Takao (16 November 2010). Systemic Lupus Erythematosus | ScienceDirect. ISBN   9780123749949 . Retrieved 2018-09-05.
  7. ↑ Depository, Book. "Textbook of the Autoimmune Diseases : Robert G. Lahita : 9780781715058". www.bookdepository.com. Retrieved 2018-09-05.
  8. ↑ "SAGE Journals: Your gateway to world-class journal research". journals.sagepub.com. Retrieved 2018-09-05.
  9. ↑ Lahita, Robert G.; results, search (2014-12-02). Lupus Q&A Revised and Updated, 3rd edition: Everything You Need to Know (Revised, Updated ed.). Avery. ISBN   9781583335451.
  10. ↑ results, search (1999-10-01). The Arthritis Solution: The Newest Treatments To Help You Live Pain-Free. New York: Avon. ISBN   9780380807789.
  11. ↑ results, search (2001-08-06). Rheumatoid Arthritis: Everything You Need to Know (1st ed.). New York: Avery. ISBN   9781583331019.
  12. ↑ results, search; Yalof, Ina L. (2005-07-05). Women and Autoimmune Disease: The Mysterious Ways Your Body Betrays Itself (Reprint ed.). New York: William Morrow Paperbacks. ISBN   9780060081508.
  13. ↑ Lahita, Robert G. (2022). Immunity Strong: Boost Your Body's Natural Healing Power and Live to 100. Humanix Books. ISBN   9-781-63006-195-1.
  14. ↑ Giuliani, Rudolph (July 2002). Faces of Ground Zero: Portraits of the Heroes of September 11, 2001 (st ed.). Boston: Little, Brown and Company. ISBN   9780316523707.
  15. ↑ "Robert G. Lahita, M.D., Ph.D." AJCU. Retrieved 2018-09-05.
  16. ↑ Xiong, Wen; Lahita, Robert G. (October 2011). "Novel Treatments for Systemic Lupus Erythematosus". Therapeutic Advances in Musculoskeletal Disease. 3 (5): 255–266. doi:10.1177/1759720X11415456. ISSN   1759-720X. PMC   3383530 . PMID   22870484.
  17. ↑ Lahita, Robert G.; Bradlow, H. Leon; Ginzler, Ellen; Pang, Songya; New, Maria (March 1987). "Low plasma androgens in women with systemic lupus erythematosus". Arthritis & Rheumatism. 30 (3): 241–248. doi: 10.1002/art.1780300301 . ISSN   0004-3591. PMID   3032210.
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