You’ve probably heard of Temple University’s health system if you live anywhere near Philly, but there is this specific, almost quiet intensity happening at the Lewis Katz School of Medicine. Specifically within their rheumatology division. When people think of "clinical research," they often picture sterile rooms and people in lab coats staring at petri dishes. While that happens, the lewis katz medical school rheumatology clinical research scene is actually a lot more "boots on the ground" than you’d expect.
It’s messy. It’s human. And honestly, it’s where some of the most frustrating autoimmune mysteries are getting unpicked.
The Philly Factor in Autoimmune Research
Most folks don't realize that Temple’s rheumatology section is actually one of the oldest in the country. We’re talking 1930s roots. John Lansbury, a name you’ll hear if you hang around the faculty long enough, was basically a pioneer in trying to measure how active a disease actually is—not just guessing based on a patient’s "I feel okay today" report.
Fast forward to 2026, and that DNA of "measuring the unmeasurable" is still there.
Why does this matter? Because rheumatology is notoriously vague. Lupus, rheumatoid arthritis (RA), and vasculitis don't always show up the same way in two different people. The research at Lewis Katz focuses heavily on the North Philadelphia population. This is huge. A lot of medical research historically ignored urban, diverse populations. Here, they are looking at how social stressors and genetics collide in diseases like Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE).
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Breaking Down the Current Research Focus
If you look at what Dr. Philip Cohen and Dr. Arundathi Jayatilleke are up to, it’s not just about finding the next pill. It’s about the "how" and the "who."
For instance, there’s been a massive push into Lupus Membranous Nephropathy (LMN). If you’ve ever dealt with lupus, you know the kidneys are often the first major organ to take a hit. Researchers like Dr. Iris Lee have been knee-deep in trials evaluating drugs like Filgotinib to see if they can stop the kidneys from scarring.
What’s actually happening in the labs?
It’s not all just drug trials. There is a weirdly cool intersection of tech and teaching happening.
- Game-based Learning: Dr. Jayatilleke actually got funding from the Rheumatology Research Foundation to look at "Game-based Learning." Think about that. They are researching how to teach the next generation of doctors using gamification so they don't miss the subtle signs of a rare vasculitis.
- The COVID-19 Legacy: During the height of the pandemic, the Temple rheumatology team became weirdly essential. Why? Because the "cytokine storm" that killed many COVID patients looked a lot like the "macrophage activation syndrome" rheumatologists treat every day. That research hasn't stopped; they are still tracking long-term outcomes for autoimmune patients who had the virus.
- Ultrasound Innovation: They are big on MSK (musculoskeletal) ultrasound. Instead of waiting weeks for an MRI, they are researching how point-of-care ultrasound can change the "treat-to-target" timeline.
The Reality of Clinical Trials at Temple
If you’re looking to join a trial, it’s not like signing up for a newsletter. It’s a commitment. The lewis katz medical school rheumatology clinical research programs are often looking for people who haven't had luck with "the basics" like Methotrexate or Plaquenil.
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They’ve been involved in things like the RISE Registry. This is a massive, nation-wide database that helps doctors see real-world patterns. For example, are people in North Philly responding differently to biologics than people in rural Iowa? Usually, the answer is yes, and the research at Lewis Katz is trying to figure out why—whether it's diet, pollution, or just the stress of city living.
Why This Isn't Just "Another Hospital"
Honestly, the "vibe" (if you can call it that in medicine) is different. Because Temple serves a community that is often underserved, the clinical research has to be practical.
Take Gout, for instance. People think of it as an "old man's disease" from the 1800s. It’s not. It’s incredibly painful and common. Research at Lewis Katz has looked into how to better manage chronic tophaceous gout in patients who are "refractory," meaning nothing else is working. They aren't just looking at the joint; they’re looking at the cardiovascular risk that comes with it.
Common Misconceptions
- "Research is only for the dying." No. Much of the work here is on "low disease activity." The goal is to get you back to work or back to playing with your grandkids, not just keeping you out of the morgue.
- "It's all funded by Big Pharma." While industry partnerships exist (that’s how drugs get made), a lot of the faculty work is funded by the NIH or the Rheumatology Research Foundation. This allows for "investigator-initiated" trials—meaning the doctor had a weird idea or saw a pattern in their clinic and decided to study it themselves.
Navigating the System
If you or someone you know is considering getting involved in lewis katz medical school rheumatology clinical research, you sort of have to be your own advocate. The researchers are busy. They are treating patients at the Temple University Hospital main campus, Jeanes Campus, and Center City locations while simultaneously running these studies.
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It’s a lot.
But that’s also the benefit. You aren't getting a researcher who sits in a basement; you’re getting a doctor who just walked out of a clinic room and is now looking at the data to see how to make that patient’s life better.
Actionable Steps for Patients and Students
If you want to actually engage with this research rather than just reading about it, here is the move:
- Check the ClinicalTrials.gov Registry: Search specifically for "Temple University" and "Rheumatology." You’ll see the active recruitment for things like SLE and RA.
- The "Second Opinion" Route: If your current treatment isn't hitting the mark, asking for a referral to a Temple rheumatologist often opens the door to these research protocols.
- Look into the Fellowship Program: If you’re a med student, their fellowship is where the "bench to bedside" transition actually happens. They focus heavily on MSK ultrasound certification, which is becoming the gold standard.
- Watch the RISE Registry Updates: For the data nerds, following the publications coming out of the RISE registry can give you a heads-up on new treatment guidelines before they become "standard" in 5 years.
This isn't just about science. It's about Philly. It's about the fact that your ZIP code shouldn't determine how well your arthritis is treated. The team at Lewis Katz seems to actually get that.
Next Steps: You can search the Temple Health Research Portal to see which specific faculty members are currently accepting new patients for observational registries.