Belimumab

Belimumab after rituximab reduces serum IgG anti-double-stranded DNA antibody levels and the risk for severe flare in systemic lupus erythematosus refractory to conventional therapy, according to data.

Although recent clinical data continue to expand possible treatment options for lupus nephritis, whether belimumab or voclosporin should be the first-line therapy remained hotly contested during the ACR’s annual Great Debate.

In the 10 years since its first FDA approval for systemic lupus erythematosus in 2011, belimumab has altered the “SLE treatment paradigm,” amassing a body of evidence establishing it as a disease-modifying therapy, according to a review article.

The FDA has approved AstraZeneca’s anifrolumab-fnia, a first-in-class type I interferon receptor antagonist, for treatment of adults with moderate to severe systemic lupus erythematosus, according to a press release.

The FDA has approved belimumab in intravenous and subcutaneous formulations for the treatment of lupus nephritis in adult patients who are receiving standard therapy, according to a press release from GlaxoSmithKline.

Adding belimumab to standard therapy improves renal outcomes, biomarker levels and overall disease activity among patients with lupus nephritis, according to a speaker at ACR Convergence 2020.