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Belimumab and the Clinical Data

  • SYSTEMIC LUPUS ERYTHEMATOSUS (JT MERRILL, SECTION EDITOR)
  • Published:
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Abstract

Benlysta (belimumab) is a fully human recombinant monoclonal IgG antibody that neutralizes soluble B-lymphocyte stimulator and inhibits its biologic activity. Benlysta was recently approved by the US Food and Drug Administration to treat systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). The current review discusses the data from the belimumab clinical trials and the role of this new medication in the treatment of SLE. We propose that Benlysta should be used in antinuclear antibody–positive patients with active disease in whom the goal of therapy is to decrease SLE activity, reduce flares, and help lower background medications. With this being the first drug approved for treatment of SLE in 50 years, patients have more treatment options, while researchers have a greater understanding of SLE and clinical trial design in such a heterogeneous disease.

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Disclosure

Dr. Askanase has served as a principal investigator for belimumab clinical trials.

Katrina Shum reported no potential conflicts of interest relevant to this article.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Rheumatology, New York University School of Medicine, Seligman Center for Advanced Therapeutics, 333 East 38th Street, 4th Floor, New York, NY, 10016, USA

    Katrina Shum & Anca Askanase

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  1. Katrina Shum
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  2. Anca Askanase
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Correspondence to Anca Askanase.

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Shum, K., Askanase, A. Belimumab and the Clinical Data. Curr Rheumatol Rep 14, 310–317 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11926-012-0264-4

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