Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40762733›Full record

ArticleImmunologic research2025

Effects of belimumab on peripheral blood Breg cells and cytokines in childhood systemic lupus erythematosus.

Qianqian Peng, Ruifeng Zhang, Shan Qiu, Tingting Yuan, Juan Lv, Na Chen, Qian Lu, Zhaowen Zhong

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Immunologic research, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 2 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
2citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

2 citing papers in PubMed.

  1. Trial
  2. Review
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

8 authors.

Qianqian PengDepartment of Nephrology and Rheumatology, Xuzhou Children's Hospital, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, 221000, China.
Ruifeng ZhangDepartment of Nephrology and Rheumatology, Xuzhou Children's Hospital, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, 221000, China. pengqiantougao2022@163.com.
Shan QiuDepartment of Nephrology and Rheumatology, Xuzhou Children's Hospital, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, 221000, China.
Tingting YuanDepartment of Nephrology and Rheumatology, Xuzhou Children's Hospital, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, 221000, China.
Juan LvDepartment of Nephrology and Rheumatology, Xuzhou Children's Hospital, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, 221000, China.
Na ChenDepartment of Nephrology and Rheumatology, Xuzhou Children's Hospital, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, 221000, China.
Qian LuDepartment of Nephrology and Rheumatology, Xuzhou Children's Hospital, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, 221000, China.
Zhaowen ZhongDepartment of Nephrology and Rheumatology, Xuzhou Children's Hospital, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, 221000, China.

Funding

Xuzhou Municipal Health Commission Grant No. 2025GG013
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

To evaluate the therapeutic effectiveness of belimumab (BLM) in childhood systemic lupus erythematosus (cSLE) by analyzing peripheral blood Breg cell subsets and related cytokines at multiple time points post-treatment, compared with conventional therapy. From January 2023 to August 2023, 36 cSLE patients receiving BLM plus standard therapy (BLM group) and 35 receiving standard therapy alone (conventional group) were enrolled. Thirty age- and sex-matched healthy children were included as controls. Flow cytometry was used to detect absolute counts and ratios of peripheral Breg cell subsets at baseline, 6 weeks, 6 months, and 1 year. Serum cytokine levels (IL-2, IL-10, IL-21, IL-35, and IFN-γ) were measured by ELISA. After 6 weeks, IL-2, IL-21, and IFN-γ levels decreased significantly in both groups (P > 0.05 between groups); however, after 6 months and 1 year, these cytokines remained lower in the BLM group (all P < 0.05). IL-10 and IL-35 levels increased in both groups from week 6, with a milder increase in the BLM group (all P < 0.05). CD3⁻CD19⁺ B cells declined in both groups, with significant intergroup differences (P < 0.001). The BLM group showed a higher proportion of CD27⁺CD24⁺ B cells at week 6 compared to the conventional group (P < 0.05), but this reversed at 1 year (P < 0.05). CD38⁺CD24⁺ B cells were significantly higher in the BLM group at 6 months and 1 year (P < 0.001), while the conventional group showed no significant change after 6 weeks (P > 0.05). At baseline, the relative proportion of CD38⁺CD19⁺ B cells was higher in the BLM group than in the conventional treatment group (all P < 0.05). With ongoing treatment, both groups showed a decreasing trend in B cell proportions, with statistically significant differences observed within each group (all P < 0.05). Moreover, the decline in the BLM group was more pronounced compared to the conventional group at corresponding time points (all P < 0.05). Belimumab may exert immunomodulatory effects in childhood systemic lupus erythematosus by influencing peripheral Breg cell subsets and cytokine profiles. Compared with conventional therapy, it appears to provide more sustained regulation of certain immune parameters over time. These findings suggest its potential as a complementary therapeutic option targeting B cell dysregulation in cSLE, although further studies are needed to confirm these observations and clarify the underlying mechanisms.

Indexed as

Antibodies, Monoclonal, HumanizedB-Lymphocytes, RegulatoryCytokinesImmunosuppressive AgentsLupus Erythematosus, SystemicAdolescentChildFemaleHumansMaleTreatment OutcomeAntibodies, Monoclonal, HumanizedbelimumabCytokinesImmunosuppressive AgentsChildrenCytokinesRegulatory B cellsSystemic lupus erythematosusTreatment

Identifiers

PMID40762733
PMCPMC12325528

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.