Belimumab plus standard therapy better than standard therapy alone for lupus nephritis

Belimumab plus standard therapy is superior to standard therapy alone in patients with lupus nephritis, according to results of a 2-year randomized controlled trial published in New England Journal of Medicine.

In this phase 3 trial, adults with active lupus nephritis were assigned to receive either intravenous belimumab (n = 224) or placebo (n = 224) in addition to standard therapy. The primary end point was a primary efficacy renal response at week 104. Secondary endpoints included a complete renal response.

Significantly more patients in the belimumab group had a primary efficacy renal response and a complete renal response at week 104 compared to those in the placebo group (43% vs. 32% and 30% vs. 20%, respectively).

Patients in the belimumab group were at a lower risk of a renal-related event or death than those in the placebo group.

Reference
Furie R, Rovin BH, Houssiau F, et al. Two-year, randomized, controlled trial of belimumab in lupus nephritis. N Engl J Med. 2020; 383:1117-1128. DOI: 10.1056/NEJMoa2001180