Article
Cell Biology
Tania Colasanti, Francesca Romana Spinelli, Cristiana Barbati, Fulvia Ceccarelli, Susanna Scarpa, Marta Vomero, Cristiano Alessandri, Guido Valesini, Fabrizio Conti
Summary: This study investigates the impact of Belimumab (BLM) on autophagy and citrullination, finding that BLM treatment can decrease autophagy and citrullination levels in patients with SLE, as well as affect IL-18 concentration.
Review
Medicine, General & Internal
Jasvinder A. Singh, Nipam P. Shah, Amy S. Mudano
Summary: Belimumab at the FDA-approved dose of 10 mg/kg may be associated with a clinically meaningful efficacy benefit compared to placebo in participants with SLE. More data are needed for the longer-term efficacy of Belimumab.
COCHRANE DATABASE OF SYSTEMATIC REVIEWS
(2021)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Roberto Depascale, Mariele Gatto, Margherita Zen, Francesca Saccon, Maddalena Larosa, Elisabetta Zanatta, Sara Bindoli, Andrea Doria, Luca Iaccarino
Summary: Belimumab, a fully humanized monoclonal antibody targeting B cells, has demonstrated efficacy and safety in clinical practice. Questions regarding the timing of its use, discontinuation, and potential combination with other biological drugs require further investigation.
EXPERT OPINION ON BIOLOGICAL THERAPY
(2021)
Review
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Marlene Pluess, Silvia Piantoni, Bjoern Tampe, Alfred H. J. Kim, Peter Korsten
Summary: Advances in the treatment and management of systemic lupus erythematosus have improved patient outcomes, but lupus nephritis remains a major complication. Belimumab has been shown to be superior as an add-on therapy for lupus nephritis, and personalized treatment options are expected with the development of new therapeutic agents.
HUMAN VACCINES & IMMUNOTHERAPEUTICS
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Ioannis Parodis, Alvaro Gomez, Julius Lindblom, Jun Weng Chow, Christopher Sjowall, Savino Sciascia, Mariele Gatto
Summary: This study investigated changes in B cell subsets in relation to renal flares in SLE patients undergoing standard therapy plus belimumab or placebo. The study found that a rapid drop followed by a subsequent return in circulating short-lived plasma cells and plasmablasts upon treatment for active extra-renal SLE indicated the occurrence of renal flares. Rapid decreases in transitional B cells and peripheral long-lived plasma cells upon belimumab therapy commencement may signify a greater protection against renal flares.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Muhammad Shipa, Andrew Embleton-Thirsk, Mariea Parvaz, Liliana Ribeiro Santos, Patrick Muller, Kashfia Chowdhury, David A. Isenberg, Caroline J. Dore, Caroline Gordon, Michael R. Ehrenstein
Summary: In patients with refractory systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), the use of belimumab following rituximab significantly reduced serum IgG anti-dsDNA antibody levels and decreased the risk of severe disease flares, suggesting the potential for this combination as a therapeutic strategy.
ANNALS OF INTERNAL MEDICINE
(2021)
Review
Immunology
Feng Chen, Ying Zheng, Xinying Chen, Zhanfa Wen, Youjia Xu, Jinghua Yang, Kaisi Xu
Summary: Belimumab is an important medication for the treatment of cSLE. However, there is a lack of sufficient research on its efficacy and safety, and further studies are needed to validate its clinical value.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Immunology
Liping Xu, Xinwei Song, Qiaoding Dai, Tianrong Guan, Yan Zhang, Na Lin, Ji-an Wang
Summary: This case report highlights the efficacy of Belimumab in treating refractory Lupus Cystitis, with significant improvements in symptoms, urinary markers, and protein levels observed in the patient. No relapse of lupus cystitis or SLE activity occurred during the 10-month follow-up period, demonstrating positive outcomes with Belimumab treatment.
INTERNATIONAL IMMUNOPHARMACOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Immunology
Hao Cheng, Xiao-ying Zhang, Hui-dan Yang, Zhen Yu, Cheng-lan Yan, Chong Gao, Hong-yan Wen
Summary: This study showed that Belimumab in combination with low-dose intravenous CYC significantly reduced disease activity scores and maintained the B/T cell balance for SLE patients at 24 weeks. The Belimumab treatment group had lower adverse events and higher efficacy compared to conventional treatment.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2022)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Daeun Choi, Jimin Kim, Jae Won Yang, Ji Hong Kim, Seoyeon Park, Jae Il Shin
Summary: Systemic lupus erythematosus is a chronic autoimmune disease with heterogeneous clinical presentation. Epigenetic factors, particularly microRNAs, have therapeutic potential in SLE pathogenesis. This review summarizes the current understanding of lupus pathogenesis, focusing on dysregulation of microRNAs in patients compared to healthy controls, as well as their potential pathogenic roles. Controversial microRNAs and future research directions are also discussed. Additionally, the importance of considering the specimen used to assess microRNA dysregulation in studies is emphasized.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Biology
Yanfeng Zhang, Kenneth Day, Devin M. Absher
Summary: This study identified a novel functional risk variant associated with SLE through AI analysis and functional annotation. The variant displayed dynamic AI in B cells and was found to have a physical interaction with a B-cell restricted super-enhancer. Further analysis showed aberrant activity of the super-enhancer in B cell development with SLE. Functional studies revealed that the master factor STAT3 directly regulates the AI of the risk variant and the activity of the super-enhancer.
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Jing Wang, Bomiao Ju, Li Zhu, Hanchao Li, Jing Luo, Jing Zhang, Nan Hu, Lingfei Mo, Yanhua Wang, Ying Pan, Jing Huang, Xiaohong Lv, Dan Pu, Zhiming Hao, Lan He, Yuanyuan Li
Summary: The study aimed to examine the kinetics of B cell subsets and activation markers in the early stage of belimumab treatment and their correction with treatment response. Flow cytometry was used to test the B cell subsets and activation markers of 27 systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients receiving 6 months belimumab treatment. The results showed that B cell hyperactivity was rapidly inhibited in the early stage of belimumab treatment and the ratio of p-SYK/p-AKT may predict SLEDAI-2K decline.
FRONTIERS IN PHARMACOLOGY
(2023)
Review
Medicine, General & Internal
Ashna Joy, Abilash Muralidharan, Marwa Alfaraj, Darshan Shantharam, Akhila Sai Sree Cherukuri, Arun Muthukumar
Summary: Belimumab, a biological agent, appears to be an efficacious and well-tolerated treatment for systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients who have inadequate response or resistance to conventional therapy. Long-term use of belimumab combined with standard treatment reduces the incidence of organ damage. However, it is not suitable for patients with severe lupus nephritis or active CNS lupus.
CUREUS JOURNAL OF MEDICAL SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Rheumatology
Yusuke Miyazaki, Shingo Nakayamada, Koshiro Sonomoto, Kawabe Akio, Yoshino Inoue, Naoaki Okubo, Shigeru Iwata, Kentaro Hanami, Yoshiya Tanaka
Summary: This study investigated the efficacy and safety of belimumab (BEL) in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) during maintenance therapy. The results showed that BEL combined with standard-of-care therapy was effective in reducing glucocorticoid (GC) dosage and relapse rate in SLE patients. The study also identified factors associated with successful tapering of GC dosage.
Review
Medicine, General & Internal
Ioannis Parodis, Mariele Gatto, Christopher Sjoewall
Summary: The hyperactivity of B cells in SLE has led to the development of various B cell altering agents for treatment, with belimumab being the first biological agent to be licensed for SLE. B cell depletion, especially with rituximab, has shown promise in refractory cases, while experimental therapies targeting terminally differentiated B cells are also being explored. B and plasma cells have potential as surveillance markers for monitoring SLE patients undergoing B cell altering therapies, aiding in personalized precision treatment strategies.
FRONTIERS IN MEDICINE
(2022)