Dr. Kichul Ko is a clinical rheumatologist specializing in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), including lupus nephritis and other complex multi-system autoimmune diseases. He has particular expertise in managing patients with renal involvement and multi-organ disease.
Dr. Ko serves as Co-Director of the University of Chicago Lupus Center and works closely with other subspecialties to coordinate care for complicated cases. He is actively involved in clinical trials evaluating emerging therapies for lupus and participates in national and institutional longitudinal registries in SLE. He is also a member of the Lupus Clinical Investigators Network (LUCIN).
In addition to his clinical work, Dr. Ko serves as Rheumatology Fellowship Program Director and is dedicated to training the next generation of rheumatologists.
Integrative Rheumatology: A Holistic Approach to the Management of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus.
Integrative Rheumatology: A Holistic Approach to the Management of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus. Curr Rheumatol Rev. 2025 Aug 15.
PMID: 40849739
Mycophenolate mofetil withdrawal in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus: a multicentre, open-label, randomised controlled trial.
Mycophenolate mofetil withdrawal in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus: a multicentre, open-label, randomised controlled trial. Lancet Rheumatol. 2024 Mar; 6(3):e168-e177.
PMID: 38301682
Refractory dermatomyositis responsive to anifrolumab.
Refractory dermatomyositis responsive to anifrolumab. JAAD Case Rep. 2024 Jan; 43:27-29.
PMID: 38162409
A single center pilot study: assessing resident needs and faculty perceptions to improve training in rheumatology.
A single center pilot study: assessing resident needs and faculty perceptions to improve training in rheumatology. BMC Med Educ. 2023 May 19; 23(1):351.
PMID: 37208739
Specific in situ inflammatory states associate with progression to renal failure in lupus nephritis.
Specific in situ inflammatory states associate with progression to renal failure in lupus nephritis. J Clin Invest. 2022 07 01; 132(13).
PMID: 35608910
Innate-like self-reactive B cells infiltrate human renal allografts during transplant rejection.
Innate-like self-reactive B cells infiltrate human renal allografts during transplant rejection. Nat Commun. 2021 07 16; 12(1):4372.
PMID: 34272370
Cellular aspects of the pathogenesis of lupus nephritis.
Cellular aspects of the pathogenesis of lupus nephritis. Curr Opin Rheumatol. 2021 03 01; 33(2):197-204.
PMID: 33394604
The impact of education and clinical decision support on the quality of positive antinuclear antibody referrals.
The impact of education and clinical decision support on the quality of positive antinuclear antibody referrals. Clin Rheumatol. 2021 Jul; 40(7):2921-2925.
PMID: 33474658
Anti-vimentin antibodies: a unique antibody class associated with therapy-resistant lupus nephritis.
Anti-vimentin antibodies: a unique antibody class associated with therapy-resistant lupus nephritis. Lupus. 2020 May; 29(6):569-577.
PMID: 32216516
Bcl-2 as a Therapeutic Target in Human Tubulointerstitial Inflammation.
Bcl-2 as a Therapeutic Target in Human Tubulointerstitial Inflammation. Arthritis Rheumatol. 2016 11; 68(11):2740-2751.
PMID: 27159593