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Review
. 2017 Mar;9(3):75-85.
doi: 10.1177/1759720X17690474. Epub 2017 Mar 1.

Belimumab in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE): evidence-to-date and clinical usefulness

Sara Guerreiro Castro  1 , David A Isenberg  2
Affiliations
Review

Belimumab in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE): evidence-to-date and clinical usefulness

Sara Guerreiro Castro et al. Ther Adv Musculoskelet Dis. 2017 Mar.

Abstract

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a complex autoimmune rheumatic disease with multiple presentations, whose management presents many challenges. Many disease modifying or immunosuppressive drugs have been used with limited success, especially in patients with more severe disease activity. Belimumab is the first drug to be approved specifically for the treatment of SLE in more than 50 years. By blocking the B-cell activating factor, it interferes in B-cell differentiation and survival. Here we consider the results of the clinical trials that led to its approval, as well as the post-hoc analyses, follow-up studies and the current trials.

Keywords: belimumab; biologic therapy; immunosuppressive agents; systemic lupus erythematosus.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflict of interest statement: The authors declare that there is no conflict of interest.

Figures

Figure 1.
Figure 1.
Pros and cons of belimumab treatment. CNS, central nervous system.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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