Source
University of Tasmania, Menzies Research Institute, Private Bag 23, Hobart, Tasmania 7000, Australia. changhai.ding@utas.edu.au
Abstract
BACKGROUND:
B lymphocyte stimulator (BLyS) is a factor determining the survival of B cells, and elevated levels in serum or locally have been observed in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients. Belimumab (LymphoStat-B), a human monoclonal antibody that inhibits BlyS, was developed for the treatment of these diseases.
OBJECTIVE:
To summarize preclinical development, efficacy and safety of belimumab in treatment of RA and SLE.
METHODS:
Articles found in a PubMed search and data presented in abstract form at international conferences up to August 2008 are described.
RESULTS/CONCLUSIONS:
Belimumab was well tolerated in treatment of RA over 24 weeks and SLE over 3 years. It significantly decreased rheumatoid factor (RF) levels, and modestly reduced symptoms of RA, especially in some subgroups such as patients with high disease activity, positive RF and no anti-TNF treatment experience. It also significantly reduced symptoms of SLE, and decreased anti-double-stranded DNA autoantibodies among patients with positive baseline anti-double-stranded DNA or antinuclear antibodies during a long-period treatment. These results suggest that careful patient selection is necessary to achieve optimal outcomes.