Belimumab

Ongoing research into the disease processes of lupus has yielded an increased number of therapeutic targets, according to a presenter at the 2024 Association of Women in Rheumatology annual conference.

Belimumab substantially increases circulating memory B-cells in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus, potentially enabling “a more efficient targeting of the B-cell compartment,” according to data published in Rheumatology.

Early use of biologics like belimumab may limit complications associated with steroid use and improve long-term outcomes in systemic lupus erythematosus, according to data presented at the EULAR 2024 Congress.

A systemic review and meta-analysis revealed that higher initial glucocorticoid doses improved lupus nephritis treatment response but increased risks for serious infections and mortality.

Treatment with belimumab resulted in fewer flares in patients with either early or established systemic lupus erythematosus, especially among those with no baseline organ damage, according to data presented at the EULAR 2024 Congress.

DESTIN, Fla. — When choosing between biologic drugs for systemic lupus erythematosus, it is important to know the “ideal patient profile” each is best suited for, according to a speaker at the Congress of Clinical Rheumatology East.

Use of biologics to treat moderate to severe systemic lupus erythematosus increased 45% between 2021 and 2023, according to recent findings from a market analysis conducted by Spherix Global Insights.

Remission and low disease activity can discriminate between patients taking active drug vs. placebo in clinical trials and are linked to health-related quality of life, according to data in Arthritis Care & Research.

Patients with systemic lupus erythematosus who are vaccinated for COVID-19 demonstrate reduced antibody levels compared with vaccinated controls, according to data published in Arthritis Care & Research.