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Oxford University Press, Rheumatology, 2024

DOI: 10.1093/rheumatology/keae270

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Can the dose of belimumab be reduced in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus?

This paper was not found in any repository, but could be made available legally by the author.
This paper was not found in any repository, but could be made available legally by the author.

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Abstract

Abstract Objectives The aims of this study were to investigate the prevalence of dose reduction in patients with SLE treated with belimumab (BEL) in Spain, analyse treatment modalities, and determine impact on control of disease activity. Methods Retrospective longitudinal and multicentre study of SLE patients treated with BEL. Data on disease activity, treatments and outcomes were recorded before and after reduction (6–12 months), and they were compared. Results A total of 324 patients were included. The dose was reduced in 29 patients (8.9%). The dosing interval was increased in nine patients receiving subcutaneous BEL and in six patients receiving intravenous BEL. The dose per administration was reduced in 16 patients. Pre-reduction status was remission (2021 DORIS) in 15/26 patients (57.7%) and LLDAS in 23/26 patients (88.5%). After reduction, 2/24 patients (8.3%) and 3/22 patients (13.6%) lost remission at 6 months and 12 months, respectively [not statistically significant (NS)]. As for LLDAS, 2/23 patients (8.7%) and 2/21 patients (9.5%) lost their status at 6 and 12 months, respectively (NS). Significantly fewer patients were taking glucocorticoids (GCs) at their 12-month visit, although the median dose of GCs was higher at the 12-month visit (5 [0.62–8.75] vs 2.5 [0–5] at baseline). Conclusion Doses of BEL can be reduced with no relevant changes in disease activity—at least in the short term—in a significant percentage of patients, and most maintain the reduced dose. However, increased clinical or serologic activity may be observed in some patients. Consequently, tighter post-reduction follow-up is advisable.