Nelfinavir in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus

Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) is a chronic autoimmune disease in which the body's immune system attacks different parts of the body. SLE is characterized by inflammation that leads to tissue damage in different organ systems. Any organ system may be involved, including the skin, the joints, the kidneys, the nervous system, the heart, the lungs, and the blood. The exact cause of SLE is not known. Patients with SLE often have elevated levels of anti-double stranded DNA antibodies. These levels are often associated with disease flares and disease severity. These antibodies can bind to tissue leading to organ damage. Preventing these antibodies from binding to their targets may help decrease disease activity. Protease inhibitors are medications that have been approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for use in the treatment of HIV (human immunodeficiency virus). Nelfinavir (also called viracept) is one of these protease inhibitors. Separate from their anti-viral effects, protease inhibitors have been found to decrease inflammation. These medications have been shown to interfere with binding of anti-double stranded DNA antibodies to their targets and may decrease inflammation in SLE. This research study tests whether the protease inhibitor, nelfinavir, will decrease anti-double stranded DNA antibody binding and decrease disease activity.