In lupus, a new molecule that blocks a protein that abnormally stimulates the immune system, very clearly improves the disease in some patients.
In systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), a new study shows that belimumab, a monoclonal antibody targeting BLyS, a key protein for stimulating B cells, clearly improves patients.
The effect of belimumab on arthritis and rheumatological manifestations appears very interesting in this study published in Arthritis & Rheumatology.
This is important news, because by affecting various major organs of the body (kidneys, heart, brain, etc.), lupus remains one of the main causes of death in young women.
Anti-BLys: convincing results
In this population of 356 patients suffering from lupus with high clinical activity (decrease in C3 / C4 complement fractions and increase in anti-dsDNA antibodies), 64.6% of patients in the belimumab group achieve reduced disease activity. lupus, versus 47.2% of patients on placebo (in addition to their usual treatment).
There is also a lower incidence of severe rash (14.1% vs. 31.5%) and more patients in the belimumab group were able to significantly reduce their corticosteroid dose.
Moreover, the side effects are similar between the groups.
A “systemic” disease
Systemic lupus erythematosus is a chronic autoimmune disease called “systemic”, meaning that it can affect any organ in the body. It presents itself, therefore, in the form of a very wide range of symptoms.
The onset of the disease involves the abnormal stimulation of B lymphocytes, immune cells that produce antibodies, antibodies that are normally responsible for attacking bacteria, viruses and toxins foreign to the body.
BLys is a protein that stimulates B lymphocytes, and is involved in their differentiation: at high levels, BLyS can contribute to the production of autoantibodies targeting cells and normal structures of the body: it is a disease autoimmune.
A large controlled study
To study the efficacy and safety of belimumab, Andrea Doria, from the University of Padua, Italy, and her colleagues conducted a controlled study, comparing a weekly subcutaneous injection of 200 mg of belimumab to a placebo, in more than the standard treatment for lupus.
The phase III study meets scientific quality criteria (random draw, double blind) and lasted for 52 weeks. Belimumab is currently administered by intravenous infusion, but the subcutaneous form has recently become available.
Belimumab allows discharge from the hospital
“Intravenous administration of belimumab is a barrier to treatment for many patients due to the need to go to hospital for drug infusions, which means that more patients could benefit from this treatment. “Said Dr Doria.
“Self-administration by subcutaneous injection of belimumab makes access to the hospital unnecessary, resulting in savings for patients and for society”.
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