Belimumab effective in lupus nephritis

Belimumab, a fully human monoclonal antibody, may improve serological activity, kidney function, and urine sediment in patients with lupus nephritis (LN), according to a study examining the treatment in clinical practice. Belimumab is currently approved for the treatment of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).

In this retrospective cross-sectional study, 8 patients with kidney biopsy confirmed LN with a median age of 37.56 (7.03) years were included. There was a mean 15.13 (8.71) years since patients were diagnosed with SLE and a mean 4.61 (2.64) years since starting belimumab.

At the onset of treatment, renal function was stable in all cases. Six patients had proteinuria reduced to normal values and experienced a reduction in anti-DNA level and normalization of complement. One patient presented an increase in anti-DNA titer, with normal complement.

Reference
de la Rubia Navarro M, Ivorra Cortés JR, Grau García E, et al. Efectiveness of belimumab in the treatment of lupus nephritis: analysis of 8 cases. Med Clin (Barc). 2022;S0025-7753(22)00267-6. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 35811138.