For Immediate Release

Contact: info@stopsarcoidosis.org

THE FOUNDATION FOR SARCOIDOSIS CELEBRATES NEW DISCOVERY
IN FIGHT AGAINST SARCOIDOSIS

Chicago, IL (1 June 2010) Researchers from Johns Hopkins University, funded by the Foundation for Sarcoidosis Research, recently made an important discovery that might soon lead to better treatments for those living the multi-system inflammatory disease sarcoidosis.

A six-year investigation has revealed a link between sarcoidosis and overproduction of a specific protein trigger called serum amyloid A.  “The increase in production of serum amyloid A explains for the first time how inflammation can persist in the lungs without being triggered by an active infection,” says study senior investigator and pulmonologist David Moller, MD, a professor at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine and member of the FSR Scientific Advisory Board.

Researchers are planning to use these results to create diagnostic tests that could better predict which people with the disease are likely to heal on their own or are more likely to suffer persistent inflammation, which can lead to scarring, difficulty breathing, and heart failure that can only be fixed by lung transplantation.  According to lead investigator Edward Chen, MD, the new findings also clear the path for developing drug treatments or vaccines that can block serum amyloid A from binding to cell receptors and kicking off inflammation.

FSR awarded Dr. Chen, with a $100,000 research grant in 2008.  "We are thrilled that FSR's commitment to research has resulted in a new discovery that will impact the direction of future sarcoidosis research. We hope that this will lead to developments that will benefit sarcoidosis patients everywhere," said Andrea Wilson, co-Founder and President of FSR. 

This breakthrough mirrors the increasing success of the overall research grants program at FSR.  In the last five years, FSR has awarded $750,000 to support innovative research projects which has led to an additional $1.2 million in subsequent grants for our researchers.  New applications for awards in 2010 are due June 15.   

About Sarcoidosis & FSR
Sarcoidosis (pronounced SAR-COY-DO-SIS) is an inflammatory disease that can affect almost any organ in the body.  It causes heightened immunity which means that a person's immune system, which normally protects the body from infection and disease, overreacts, resulting in damage to the body's own tissues. Sarcoidosis is often serious and can even be life-threatening, especially if you do not know you have it.  The cause remains unknown and there is no cure.

The Foundation for Sarcoidosis Research (FSR) is the nation’s leading organization dedicated to improving care for patients and to finding a cure for this disease. Since 2000, FSR has worked to position sarcoidosis as a growing problem on the U.S. health care agenda and established itself as the authoritative resource for patients, health professionals and the public.  For more information, please visit www.stopsarcoidosis.org.