Observational studyClinical rheumatology2024
Response to belimumab among patients with refractory lupus nephritis: a real-world observational retrospective multicenter study.
Observational study in Clinical rheumatology, 2024. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 7 papers.
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Who cites it
7 citing papers in PubMed, 6 citations in OpenAlex.
- Peripheral blood CD19+B cell proportion at baseline predicts early complete response to belimumab treatment in patients with refractory lupus nephritis.Lupus science & medicine · 2026Article
- Safety and Effectiveness of Intravenous Belimumab in Patients with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus in South Korea: A Multicentre, Observational, Real-World Study.Drugs - real world outcomes · 2026Article
- Comparison of BAFF and type I IFN activity in blood and placenta in SLE and healthy pregnancies.Lupus science & medicine · 2026Article
- Refractory lupus nephritis: current Understanding and emerging treatment strategies.Clinical and experimental medicine · 2025Review
- Efficacy and safety of belimumab in lupus nephritis patients with nephrotic syndrome: a single-centre observational retrospective study.Clinical kidney journal · 2025Article
- Efficacy and safety of belimumab in refractory and newly diagnosed active lupus nephritis patients: a real-world observational study.Clinical kidney journal · 2025Article
- Combination of anti-SSA/Ro60 and anti-dsDNA serotype is predictive of belimumab renal response in patients with lupus nephritis.Lupus science & medicine · 2024Observational
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Authors and funding
13 authors at 4 institutions in 1 country.
Funding
Abstract
objectivesBelimumab is a biological agent approved for the treatment of active lupus nephritis (LN), but its efficacy on refractory lupus nephritis (LN) is unknown. This study aims to evaluate the efficacy and safety of belimumab in Chinese patients with refractory LN.
methodsThis multicenter, observational, and retrospective study enrolled patients with refractory LN who failed induction therapy with steroids, cyclophosphamide, mycophenolate, and calcineurin inhibitors and received 24-week belimumab treatment before data analysis. Treatment outcomes include the overall clinical response (physician judgment, disease activity, organ damage) and renal response (complete renal response, partial renal response, no renal response). Laboratory indices and adverse events were recorded as well.
resultsOf the 45 patients enrolled in the study, 6 (13.3%) achieved complete renal response, 19 (42.2%) achieved partial renal response, and the overall renal response rate was 55.6%. Median rSLEDAI decreased from 12 (IQR 8-12) at baseline to 8 (IQR 4-8) (p < 0.0001), 4 (IQR 4-8) (p < 0.0001) at 12 and 24 weeks. Mean urinary protein decreased more than 50% from 3.2 g/24 h at baseline to 1.0 g/24 h at 24 weeks (p < 0.0001). The conditions of hypoalbuminemia and hypocomplementemia had also gradually improved. The levels of autoantibodies showed a significant downward trend. Additionally, 9 (20.0%) patients successfully reduced the dosage of prednisone to a safe range, and 3 of them achieved their treatment goal of prednisone cessation. The mean prednisone dosage decreased from 32.7 mg/day at baseline to 18.6 mg/day (p < 0.0001), 13.3 mg/day (p < 0.0001) at 12 and 24 weeks. There were 3 adverse events reported, including 2 cases of infection, and 1 case of allergy. No serious events occurred during the follow-up.
conclusionsBelimumab is effective and safe when used in clinical practice, which can be considered as an add-on therapy for refractory LN. Key Points • A multicenter observational study in the real clinical settings of China. • First revealed the efficacy and safety of belimumab in Chinese patients with refractory LN.
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