Subcutaneous belimumab in the treatment of systemic lupus erythematosus

Immunotherapy. 2018 Sep;10(13):1163-1173. doi: 10.2217/imt-2018-0061. Epub 2018 Aug 14.

Abstract

Systemic lupus erythematosus is a chronic autoimmune disease with various clinical manifestations, organ involvement and laboratory findings. The disease can involve any organ including skin, joints, kidneys, central and peripheral nervous system, cardiovascular system and more. Currently, the cornerstone of treatment includes antimalarial and immunosuppressive medications and glucocorticosteroids. Recently, great effort has been invested in finding more targeted drugs for achieving better control of the disease with less adverse events. Intravenous belimumab was the first and only biologic drug to be approved by the US FDA and Health Canada for lupus over the last 50 years, and recently was studied in subcutaneous form. This paper will review the major belimumab trials with a focus on the subcutaneous form.

Keywords: BAFF; BLyS; belimumab; subcutaneous; systemic lupus erythematosus.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized / therapeutic use*
  • B-Cell Activating Factor / immunology*
  • B-Lymphocytes / drug effects
  • B-Lymphocytes / physiology*
  • Clinical Trials as Topic
  • Humans
  • Immunosuppressive Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Immunotherapy / methods*
  • Infusions, Subcutaneous
  • Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic / drug therapy*
  • Treatment Outcome
  • United States
  • United States Food and Drug Administration

Substances

  • Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized
  • B-Cell Activating Factor
  • Immunosuppressive Agents
  • TNFSF13B protein, human
  • belimumab