Biologic preserves kidney function in some patients with lupus nephritis
The risk of a combined endpoint of renal events or death was halved in patients on belimumab, researchers report
Intravenous belimumab combined with standard therapy for systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) can help preserve kidney function in patients with active lupus nephritis and is associated with reduced renal morbidity and mortality, trial results show.
Patients on the therapy in the phase 3 trial had half the risk of a combined end point of death or a renal-related event, the results showed.
In the study, financed by GlaxoSmithKline, which helped collect, analyse and interpret the data, 448 patients were randomised to intravenous belimumab 10mg/kg