New initiative aims to explore diet’s role in lupus care

Lupus Therapeutics, the clinical affiliate of the Lupus Research Alliance (LRA), today announced a pioneering funding mechanism to address one of the most common questions about lupus clinical care and management. The IDEAL (Investigate Dietary Approaches for Lupus) Initiative was established to fund pilot clinical studies assessing the impact of diet intervention on the lived experience of lupus and to address the void of well-controlled studies in this area. The initiative aims to augment lupus care by identifying a simple, practical and accessible dietary approach that benefits people with lupus.

The impact of diet and the microbiome on lupus development and progression has been an area of immense interest for researchers and those living with lupus. While there have been some positive and productive assessments of diet and microbiome in other therapeutic areas, studies in lupus have been largely preliminary and preclinical. Over 10 years ago, the LRA funded the first studies on the role of the microbiome in lupus and has continued to support research in this area and led key forums to spearhead next steps for bringing research to those living with lupus. There remain many unanswered questions regarding the mechanistic aspects of lupus, including the relationship of the disease to the microbiome and environmental factors, but the IDEAL Initiative has the potential to provide some insight for these aspects.

The IDEAL Initiative was created to answer questions among researchers, clinicians, and those living with lupus eager to unlock new insights on how diet and the microbiome impact lupus management and disease course. With the expertise in the lupus community and the growing knowledge about the mechanistic aspect of lupus, Lupus Therapeutics is optimistic that a robust, multi-disciplinary research approach will render robust results that could be extrapolated into a larger evaluation of interventions and care strategies that have the potential to enhance patient outcomes and quality of life.”

Stacie Bell, Executive Vice President of Lupus Therapeutics

Formed after convening and gathering feedback from an expert steering committee, the IDEAL Initiative will fund a pilot proof-of-concept clinical study to evaluate the impact of diet on lupus. Proposals must include a multi-disciplinary (potentially multi-institutional) team approach, with at least two disciplines in the proposed project. The desired result is a clinical outcome or scientific mechanism rather than dietary guidance, although the study may inform the development of dietary guidance.

“The IDEAL Initiative is a direct response to the research community’s call for clinical studies in an emerging area of unmet need,” said Teodora Staeva, PhD, Vice President and Chief Scientific Officer, Lupus Research Alliance. “The LRA continues to champion innovative funding mechanisms that will tackle pressing needs in lupus research. This initiative is one of several new LRA funding opportunities that could lead towards new care approaches for people with lupus.”

The IDEAL initiative will provide up to $500,000 over two years to fund a scientifically based, well-controlled small clinical pilot study. The intent is to fund up to two awards at $500,000 each. All studies should have a clear and direct relevance to people with lupus and should offer the potential to improve standard of care and the daily lived experience. Priority will be given to projects that also align with LRA strategic research priorities of defining human lupus heterogeneity by molecular pathology to stratify patients by active disease mechanisms and integrating the research continuum to bring advances to patients. It is critical for the IDEAL-funded project to keep patients at the center and beneficial to include patients as research partners.

A two-stage application process will be employed.

• January 8, 2025, 11:59 pm ET– Letter of Intent (LOI) due: A three-page LOI will be used to judge the innovation, significance, and alignment of the proposed project with the IDEAL funding mechanism.
• March 28, 2025, 11:59 pm ET – Full Application Due: Applicants whose LOIs successfully pass this first review stage will be invited to submit a full application in the second stage of the application process with further instructions provided at that time.