Christopher Striebich, MD, PhD

I am interested in treating Rheumatoid Arthritis, Systemic Lupus Erythematosus and in Clinical Trials in Rheumatic Diseases.

My research interests center on the application of new therapeutics in the treatment of rheumatic diseases. As our understanding of the function of the immune system in autoimmune disease has increased, the potential for intervention in the disease process has also increased. Several novel therapeutics have been developed which have been shown to disrupt the autoimmune process and so modify the pathologic manifestations of disease in experimental animal models. These therapeutics (often referred to as biologics) include monoclonal antibodies to cell surface antigens or to cytokines, as well as soluble receptor fusion proteins. However, these novel therapies must be evaluated in patients through the use of controlled clinical trials to determine not only the safety but also the efficacy of these therapies. Such trials also provide an opportunity to further evaluate the immune mechanisms by which the interventions operate in human subjects that may differ from those in the animal models. We are actively expanding our clinical trials program through both traditional pharmaceutical company initiated research protocols (which provide access to patented therapeutics that may not otherwise be available for clinical research) and through NIH funded, investigator initiated, protocols.