Belimumab in Lupus Nephritis Save
Belimumab is a B-lymphocyte stimulator (BLyS)-specific inhibitor that is FDA approved for the treatment of active lupus and lupus nephritis, based on a few pivotal trials; and now a metanalysis supports its use in active lupus nephritis.
A meta-analysis and systematic review of six randomized controlled trials and 2960 lupus nephritis patients shows that belimumab plus standard therapy significantly:
- Improved total renal response rates (RR, 1.31; 95% CI, 1.11–1.53; p = 0.001)
- Improved complete renal RRs (1.47; 95% CI, 1.07–2.02; p = 0.02) \
- Reduced the risk of renal flare (RR, 0.51; 95% CI, 0.37–0.69; p < 0.001) \
- Reduced renal function worsening or progression to end-stage renal disease (ESRD) (RR, 0.56; 95% CI, 0.40–0.79; p = 0.001).
The safety of BEL in LN patients was as expected and without new or increased safety signals in lupus nephritis patients.
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The author has no conflicts of interest to disclose related to this subject
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