It’s a disease most people have never heard of. Even fewer know anything about it. It’s called lupus. Like rheumatoid arthritis and multiple sclerosis, lupus is an autoimmune disease in which the body attacks itself. Rather than just battling viruses and other harmful foreign materials, it erroneously churns out “auto antibodies” directed at its own cells and tissues.

Lupus is associated with an array of symptoms that can be hard to recognize.

"Having been in a physical profession, I always had aches and pains," said Jeff Bell.

Over time, Bell developed severe pain and chronic fever.

"There was a period of time where just walking out the door was so fatiguing I didn't think I was going to be able to enjoy being outdoors again," Bell said.

After months of wondering what was wrong with him, Bell was diagnosed with lupus.

"I thought, 'that's it, I'm dead.' And I'm ready to make my will out and everything else," said Bell.

Most cases of this non-infectious disease are not life-threatening. But it can lead to inflammation, pain and, ultimately, damage to their joints, skin, blood, and even critical organs such as the heart, kidneys and brain.

After learning to deal with his condition, Bell was asked to take part in clinical study at the University of Rochester. In a small pilot study, a team of researchers discovered that that the cancer drug Rituximab, approved to treat lymphoma, nearly eradicated lupus symptoms in some patients who had been suffering for years. Better yet, doctors say this fine-tuned approach carries few side effects.

"This can be given like a drug and block the immune response. We’re interested in seeing if that blocks some of the symptoms of lupus," said Dr. John Looney of the University of Rochester Medical Center.

Just three weeks into the trial, Bell is already feeling better.

"This is heaven," Bell said.

Bell says the best way to fight lupus is to understand it.

"Lupus beat me, and I'm a bad loser; I don't like losing," said Bell.

Bell hopes by taking part in this study he'll help others.

"And if I can do something now to help my sons five, ten, fifteen, twenty years down the road, that’s great,” Bell said.

Patients affected by lupus, along with their families and friends, were invited to the University of Rochester Medical Center’s free patient education day on Saturday, Oct. 11, 2008. For more information click www.urmc.rochester.edu/pr/News/story.cfm?id=2128.