Sustained Benefits for Belimumab Plus Standard of Care in SLE -Longest SLE therapy study to date included patients on the intervention for up to 13 years

Target Audience and Goal Statement: Family practitioners, internists, pediatricians, rheumatologists, dermatologists, pulmonologists, nephrologists, gastroenterologists, neurologists The goal was to investigate the long-term safety and efficacy of intravenous belimumab plus standard systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) therapy (SoC) in active, autoantibody-positive SLE. Question Addressed: Could interim analysis showing disease control of active, autoantibody-positive SLE, and an acceptable safety profile for belimumab plus SoC versus SoC at 7 years be confirmed following examination of up to 13 years of relevant belimumab data? Synopsis and Perspective: Autoreactive B cells are thought to play important roles in the pathogenesis of SLE – a heterogeneous autoimmune condition more common in women than men that is characterized by symptomatic flares which dissipate upon treatment or entry into remission. Both the natural history of this lifelong disease and drug toxicities can damage organs. Existing standard of care such as immunosuppressants and corticosteroids have documented clinical benefits, but concerns remain about drug safety. https://www.medpagetoday.org/rheumatology/lupus/78260?xid=nl_mpt_DHE_2019-02-28&eun=g721819d0r&utm_term=Serif%20Daily%20Headlines%20Email%20TestB