Successful application of belimumab in two patients with systemic lupus erythematosus experiencing a flare during tocilizumab treatment.
This case report describes two female lupus patients who both received biological treatment with tocilizumab and with belimumab. The disease course was remarkably similar in both cases. Tocilizumab resulted in a transient improvement in pleurisy and arthritis but was then followed by a clinical flare accompanied by an increase in autoantibodies and a drop in complement levels. Alike, both patients experienced a rapid and sustained improvement after institution of belimumab. The clinical benefit obtained is currently stable under ongoing belimumab therapy.
Universitätsklinikum Schleswig-Holstein, Campus Kiel, Klinik für Innere Medizin I, Kiel, Germany.
M
M
Jüptner
R
R
Zeuner
S
S
Schreiber
M
M
Laudes
J O
JO
Schröder
D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001323:Autoantibodies / Q000276:immunology; D003165:Complement System Proteins / Q000276:immunology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008180:Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology / Q000503:physiopathology; D008875:Middle Aged; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D001323:Autoantibodies; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; C511911:belimumab; D003165:Complement System Proteins; C502936:tocilizumab
Systemic lupus erythematosus; belimumab; tocilizumab