title: A Review of Clinical Trials of Belimumab in the Management of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus.
abstract: There have been few changes over the last 50 years in the treatment of Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), using non-specific anti-inflammatory agents such as: nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs along with the immune cell modulating agent hydroxychloroquine for mild disease, and broad spectrum immunosuppressants plus antiinflammatories such as corticosteroids, azathioprine, cyclophosphamide, or mycophenolate during flares or severe disease with organ involvement. In some patients, the response is inadequate and side effects appear from mild unpleasant up to severe toxicity. Drug metabolism and clearance may be severely compromised. Therefore, it is a priority to develop better treatments with fewer adverse events that can be used at different stages of disease activity. In recent years, a member of the tumor necrosis factor (TNF) family, soluble human B Lymphocyte Stimulator protein (BLyS), also referred to as B-cell activating factor (BAFF) and TNFSF13B has been studied extensively. This protein is synthesized by myeloid cell lines, specifically interacts with B lymphocytes and increases their life-span. BlyS plays a key role in the selection, maturation and survival of B cells and it has a significant role in the pathogenesis of SLE. In this review, we analyzed the role of BLyS as a diagnostic/prognostic marker and/or therapeutic target for lupus patients, and the different clinical studies published using belimumab.
authors: Instituto de Inmunología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Central de Venezuela, Apartado 50109, Caracas 1050-A, Venezuela.
authors: Alexis
authors: A
authors: Garcia
authors: Juan B
authors: JB
authors: De Sanctis
mesh_terms: D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D053264:B-Cell Activating Factor / Q000032:analysis / Q000276:immunology; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D006801:Humans; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008180:Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology
chemical_list: D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D053264:B-Cell Activating Factor; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; C511911:belimumab
keywords: B lymphocytes; BlyS; Lupus; monoclonal antibody therapy